Effects of lindane on Daphnia magna during chronic exposure

Abstract

Acute and chronic toxicity tests with lindane were conducted on Daphnia magna. The 24‐hr static LC50 was 1.64 mgL^‐1. The sublethal effects of 0.16, 0.25, 0.32, 0.60 and 0.80 mgL^‐1 lindane on the survival, reproduction and growth of D. magna were monitored for 21 days. The algae Nannochloris oculata (5 × 10⁵ cellsmL^‐1) was used to feed the daphnids. The parameters used to determined the effect of the pesticide on D. magna were:mean total young per female, mean brood size, days to first brood, intrinsic rate of natural increase (r), growth, and survival. Reproduction as well as survival was significantly reduced at lindane concentrations of 0.25 mgL^‐1 and higher. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) decreased with increasing concentrations of lindane. Growth, as measured by body length, was depressed significantly at 0.25 mgL^‐1 lindane and higher. The chronic data was used to formulate an acute/chronic ratio.     

Effect of lindane on antibody response to typhoid vaccine in weanling rats

The immunosuppressive effect of lindane was assessed in weanling rats over a period of 5 weeks. Agglutinin titres against S. typhi 'O' and 'H', S. paratyphi 'AH' and 'BR' antigens were determined following TAB vaccination in control and lindane-fed animals. The titres attained in non-treated controls were higher significantly than those in treated animals indicating a suppressive effect of lindane on humoral immune responses.     

Sorption and desorption of lindane by wood charcoal in fixed‐bed reactor

Abstract

Sorption and desorption of lindane (y‐HCH) by wood charcoal (WC) and wood charcoal treated by 1N HNO₃ (WCT) in fixed‐bed reactor (FBR) were investigated in this study. WCT revealed a better performance than WC, in removing lindane in FBR. The breakthrough of lindane was significantly affected by the size of WCT, flow rate to the FBR, and depth of WCT bed. The removal of lindane in the presence of mixture of other pesticides was considerably reduced. The design parameters for FBR were calculated based on the bed‐depth service time (BDST) approach. Many parameters Viz. depth of sorption zone, velocity of sorption, sorbent use rate, critical bed‐depth, bed efficiency, and service time, were determined for design of the fixed‐bed. Using the material balance principle, the characteristics of the wave‐front were evaluated and found that the wave‐front velocity is approximately equal to the sorption velocity determined from the BDST approach. Desorption studies were performed in dilute organic solvent media and they gave an excellent performance in regeneration process.     

Diffusion mechanism of lindane into wood charcoal

Abstract

The wood charcoal treated by 1N HNO₃ (WCT) was used to remove toxic chlorinated pesticide lindane (y‐HCH) residue from water by the sorption process. Using a simple first order reversible kinetics constants and half time equations, the film and pore diffusion coefficients were determined. Film diffusion was found to be rate limiting step in sorbing lindane by WCT. This was further authenticated by kinetics studies at different initial sorbate concentrations, different sorbent sizes, and different agitation speeds besides interruption test. A pore diffusion model was used to fit the data of kinetics in continuously mixed batch reactors (CMBR), and the tortuosity, external resistance, and surface diffusion effects on lindane sorption by WCT were noticed. The tortuosity values of 15 to 28 were obtained for WCT‐lindane system.     

Influence of air permeation of pheromone on response of male lesser peachtree borers1 and peachtree borers2

Abstract

Air permeation trials were conducted with Z,Z and E,Z isomers of 3,13‐octadecadien‐1‐ol acetate (ODDA) to determine response difference between males of the peachtree borer (PTB), Synanthedon exitiosa (Say), and lesser peachtree borer (LPTB), S. pictipes (Grote & Robinson), within and adjacent to permeated plots of a peach orchard. The pheromone was released from hollow fiber dispensers attached to the trees in the orchard.

In the pheromone‐treated plots, both E,Z and Z,Z‐ODDA significantly reduced trap captures of PTB relative to the untreated plot. The E,Z isomer also significantly reduced captures of LPTB males but captures in the Z,Z treatment were higher than in the untreated plots. The pheromone treatments also influenced trap capture of both PTB and LPTB male moths outside the permeated plots.     

Bioavailability to rats of 14C‐lindane residues in stored potato tubers

Abstract

Potato tubers were applied with radiolabelled lindane (U‐¹⁴C γ‐ 1,2,3,4,5,6 hexachlorocyclohexane) at three dose levels 30, 150, and 300 ppm and stored for 30, 60 and 90 days at room temperature. The data revealed that lindane penetrated into the pulp tissues through the epidermal layer. The amounts recovered in the peel were found to increase with a greater storage period up to 60 days followed by a drop at 90 days. On the other hand, there was a slight increase in radioactivity in the pulp tissue from 30 to 60 days followed by significant increase after 90 days. The incorporation of the compound in the tubers was dose independent. Methanol extraction showed binding of about 8.1% and 5.8% ofthe applied dose in peel and pulp tissues, respectively. The insecticide was found to be bioavailable when rats health hazard. It is therefore, desirable to demonstrate that the quantity of the terminal residues may be safe for the consumer. In the present investigation an attempt was made to determine the fate and bioavailability of lindane when applied to stored potato tubers.     

The stability of dieldrin,aldrin, lindane,chlorpyrifos and prothiofos in stored roof water

Abstract

The stability of dieldrin, aldrin, lindane, chlorpyrifos and prothiofos was determined in distilled water and in roof water from either galvanised or concrete tanks. Samples were stored in the dark at 23°C. Dieldrin and lindane were stable for the 36 week period. Aldrin dissipated rapidly with a half‐life of 4–5 weeks, with no dieldrin being formed. Chlorpyrifos and prothiofos also broke down, with half‐lives ranging 12–18 weeks and 11–14 weeks respectively. No significant effect of water type was found. For the purpose of domestic usage, an activated carbon filter would be essential otherwise all contaminated water would have to be disposed of safely.     

Cross-reactivity of anti-Salmonella egg-yolk antibodies to Salmonella serovars

The cross-reactivity of egg yolk antibodies specific to antigens of Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium to killed bacterial cells of common Salmonella serovars were tested using an indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Egg yolk antibodies were produced against purified fimbriae, flagella and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of S. Enteritidis strain ATCC13076 and flagella, LPS and outer membrane proteins (OMP) of S. Typhimurium strain ATCC13311. For immunological specificity of egg yolk antibodies against killed bacterial cells, we found that the titers of the anti-S. Enteritidis egg yolk antibodies were higher than those of the anti-S. Typhimurium antibodies. In the evaluation of cross-reactivity of these egg yolk antibodies to various Salmonella serovars, we observed that the anti-S. Enteritidis antibodies exhibited more specific affinity than those of the anti-S. Typhimurium antibodies. All S. Enteritidis strains reacted specifically with the anti-S. Enteritidis fimbrial and flagellar egg yolk antibody whereas anti-S. Enteritidis LPS and anti-S. Typhimurium LPS, OMP and flagellar antibodies displayed non–specific reactivity to all Salmonella serovars used in this study. This finding suggests that it may be possible to design a anti-fimbrial egg yolk antibody of S. Enteritidis as a diagnostic tool and a cocktail of OMP and LPS antigens of S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium could be used for administering broad spectrum passive immunity to protect against the colonization of pathogenic Salmonella strains in food animals.     

Effect of the pesticide lindane on the biomass of the microalgae Nannochloris oculata

This study assesses the growth of the microalgae Nannochloris oculata in the presence of lindane and the ability of N. oculata to remove lindane from media. Algal biomass increased with 0.1 and 0.5 mg L^?1 of lindane, and lindane concentrations in the media decreased. N. oculata removed 73% and 68.2% of lindane in the 0.1 and 0.5 mg L^?1 media concentrations, respectively. Algal biomass decreased to the level of the control at lindane concentrations greater than 2.5 mg L^?1, probably due to toxicity. N. oculata removed lindane from the media at concentrations lower than 1.0 mg L^?1. Thus, N. oculata may be useful for lindane bioremediation in contaminated aquatic systems.     

Metabolism of 2‐chloro‐N‐isopropylacetanilide (propachlor) in the sheep and milk goat

Abstract

Sheep metabolized a single oral dose of 2‐chloro‐N‐isopro‐pylacetanilide (propachlor) to four urinary metabolites. These were 2‐(S‐cysteinyl)‐N‐isopropylacetanilide and 2‐[S‐(N‐acetyl) cysteinyl]‐N‐isopropylacetanilide and the glucuronide conjugates of 4'‐hydroxy‐N‐isopropyl‐2‐methylsulfonylacetanilide and N‐(1‐hydroxyisopropyl)‐2‐methylsulfonylacetanilide. Residues (ppb equivalents of propachlor) from [¹⁴C]‐propachlor in the milk from a goat given daily oral doses (1.3 mg of propachlor three times daily for 15 days) plateaued at about 2 to 4 ppb equivalents of propachlor. In goat tissue, residues ranged from 1 ppb (fat) to 20 ppb (liver). Fecal and tissue metabolites were not identified.     

N1‐aryl‐N2‐dichloroacetyl glycine and alanineamides as selective safeners for corn against chloroacetanilide herbicides

Abstract

Structurally new N¹aryl‐N²‐dichloroacetyl glycine and alaninamides were prepared. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effectiveness of the new compounds in protecting corn seedlings from chloroacetanilide (acetochlor, alachlor, dimethachlor, metazachlor, metolachlor) injury using dichlormid and BASF‐145138 as standard safeners. High rates of chloroacetanilides caused significant injury to sensitive corn hybrids. The most acive derivatives reduced injury to corn from dimethachlor and metolachlor and lesser extent from acetochlor and metazachlor. The most effective derivatives of the new compounds displayed better safening activity than the standards. Some of the new compounds were found to be selective safeners when formulated as a tank mixture with metolachlor in a 1:33–100 safener‐to‐herbicide ratio showing the same or better activity than the standard used.

Nomenclature: BASF‐145138, 1‐dichloroacetyl‐hexahydro‐3,3,8α‐trimethyl‐pyrrolo‐[1,2‐α]—pyrimidin‐6‐(2H)‐one; EPTC, S‐ethyl‐N,N‐dipropylcarbamothioate; dichlormid, 2,2‐dichloro‐N,N‐di‐2‐propenyl acetamide; corn, Zea Mays L. ‘Pannonia SC’.     

Toxicity op technical X‐factor∗ to weanling rats. II. A subacute oral study

Abstract

Eighty male weanling rats were fed dietary levels o£ Technical X‐factor (β ‐isomer free BHC, a by‐product obtained during the separation of lindane from Tech. BHC) at dosages of 10, 50, 250, 750, 1500 and 3000 ppm for 90 days. No overt signs of toxicity or mortality were observed at any of the dietary levels. However, a significant reduction in food consumption and growth was evident beyond 750 ppm. Pronounced hepatomegaly observed at 1500 and 3000 ppra was associated with histolo‐gical alterations such as cellular hypertrophy, cyto‐plasmic vacuolisation and focal necrosis. Adrenals showed cortical hypertrophy and highly vacuolated cytoplasm. Though a significant increase in the levels of SGOT was noted at 3000 ppra dosage, no appreciable changes were observed in the levels of SGPT and SLDH. Technical X‐factor appeared to possess low chronic toxicity compared to Tech. BHC as evidenced by the various parameters studied. The observed low chronic toxicity of X‐factor is probably due to the absence of β ‐isomer and altered composition of delta and alpha isomers.     

Volatilization of lindane from water in soil‐free and flooded soil systems

Abstract

Volatilization of ¹⁴C‐lindane from water in planchets and under flooded soil ecosystem was investigated. Lindane disappeared faster than parathion from planchets. More rapid loss of both insecticides occurred from water than from chloroform. Loss of lindane and parathion was related to measured losses of water by evaporation. During 5‐day incubation under flooded soil conditions, disappearance of lindane was faster from open vials than from sealed vials, whereas in nonflooded soil, no volatile loss of the insecticide was evident despite water evaporation. Over 5 day incubation under flooded conditions, greater volatile loss of lindane occurred in sandy soil than in alluvial soil apparently due to greater adsorption to the soil colloids decreasing the insecticide concentration in the standing water of the laterite soil. Under identical conditions of water evaporation, lindane loss was directly proportional to its initial concentration in the water. These results suggest that considerable loss of soil applied pesticides can occur by volatilization from the standing water in flooded rice fields, particularly under tropical conditions.     

Persistence of azadirachtin A and B in soil: Effects of temperature and microbial activity

Abstract

The persistence of two insecticidally active compounds from the neem tree, azadirachtin A and B, was determined at two different temperatures (15 and 25°C) in the laboratory after application of the commercial neem insecticide, Margosan‐O, to a sandy loam soil. The influence of microbial activity on degradation was also examined by comparing autoclaved and non‐autoclaved soils also at 15 and 25°C. Temperature influenced degradation rates. The DT ₅₀ (time required for 50% disappearance of the initial concentration) for azadirachtin A was 43.9 and 19.8 d for non‐autoclaved soil kept at 15 and 25°C, respectively. The DT ₅₀ for azadirachtin B was 59.2 and 20.8 d for non‐autoclaved soil kept at 15 and 25°C, respectively. Microbial activity was also responsible for faster degradation because DT ₅₀ ’s for autoclaved soil were much longer than for non‐autoclaved soils. DT ₅₀ ‘_s for azadirachtin A in autoclaved soil were 91.2 (15°C) and 31.5 d (25°C). DT50’s for azadirachtin B in autoclaved soil were 115.5 (15°C) and 42.3 d (25°C). Two degradation products of azadirachtin were detected, but were not identified. Higher levels of the two degradation products were detected in non‐autoclaved soil.     

Fate of 14C‐lindane in a rice‐fish model ecosystem*

Abstract

A model ecosystem has been used to evaluate the impact of ¹⁴C‐lindane on rice‐fish agricultural system. The distribution of ¹⁴C‐residues among the constituents of the model ecosystem was studied over a period of 90 days. The insecticide was found to be readily absorbed by the roots and translocated to all parts of the rice plant. The peak level in the shoots (26 ppm) and roots (105 ppm) of plants was reached to within three weeks. Lindane was concentrated in fish and residues as high as 90 ppm could be detected after 30 days.

The major part of the residues present in the different constituents of the ecosystem could be extracted with hexane and proved to contain soley the parent compound. The data obtained show that lindane possesses a relatively low biodegradability in fish and in rice plant. The insecticide accumulates in fish and rice plant to considerable extent.     

Acute toxicity of the insect larvicide abate® (temephos) on the fish tilapia melanopleura and the dragonfly larvae neurocordelia virginiensis.

Abstract

Acute bioassay tests on the toxic effects of the insect larvicide Abate® (temephos) on the mouth brooder cichlid fish Tilapia melanopleum and the dragonfly larvae (Odonata) Neurocordulia virginiensis were conducted in static non renewal toxicity test set ups. The 96h‐LC50 (95% confidence intervals) was 30.2 (20.5‐ 44.20) mg/L for the fish and 2.0 (1.16–2.0) mg/L for the dragonfly larvae. The dragonfly larvae were 15 times more susceptible to the larvicide than the tilapia. The calculated NOEC (No Observable Effect Concentration) was 14.1 mg/L for the fishand less than 1.0 mg/L for the insect larvae. The estimated ‘safe’ concentration of the pesticide to the fish was 3.0 mg/L and 0.2 mg/L for insect larvae. These figures are far above the concentrations approved for use in the control of mosquito larvae(0.0004–0.01 mg/L). It appears that the application of toxic levels of the insecticide for the elimination of some aquatic invertebrates may be ‘safe’ for normal survival, growth and reproduction offish and some aquatic insect larvae.     

Occurrence of pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in water of the Nile river at the estuaries of Rosetta and Damiatta branches,north of delta,Egypt

Abstract

A study was conducted from summer 1995 to summer 1997 to assess the seasonal occurrence of pesticide residues and other organic contaminants, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in water at the estuaries of Rosetta and Damiatta branches of the Nile river. The results indicated that organochlorine compounds (OCs) including HCB, lindane, p,p‘‐DDE, p,p‘DDD, p,p‘‐DDT, aroclor 1254 and aroclor 1260 were present in all the water samples at concentration levels ranging between 0.195–0.240, 0.286–0.352, 0.035–0.067, 0.019–0.033, 0.024–0.031, 0.390–0.70 and 0.166–0.330 μg/l, respectively. The levels of these compounds were higher in water of Damiatta branch than those found in water of Rosetta branch. Aldrin, dieldrin and endrin were not detected in all water samples. Only 4 compounds from 36 organophosphorus insecticides, fungicides and s‐triazine herbicides tested were detected in water samples collected during summer and autumn seasons from Rosetta branch. The concentration levels of these detected compounds, dimethoate, malathion, captan, and ametryne, ranged from 0.011 to 0.340 μg/l, respectively. Similar compounds during the same seasons as found in water of Rosetta branch were also detected in water of Damiatta branch except ametryne. The levels of the detected compounds (dimethoate, malathion and captan) ranged between 0.030 and 0.330 μg/l. The levels of detected organophosphorus insecticides, fungicides and s‐triazine herbicides were in the order: dimethoate > malathion > captan > ametryne.     

Evaluation of chlordimeform and degradation products for mutagenic and DNA‐damaging activity in salmonella typhimurium and escherichia coli

Abstract

The mutagenic activity of chlordimeform and two of its breakdown products, 4‐chloro‐o‐toludine and 4‐chloro‐N‐formyl‐o‐toluidine were determined with five histidine dependent strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA1535, TA1537, TA1538, TA98, TA100) and five tryptophan dependent strains of E. coli WP₂. (WP₂, WP₂uvrA, WP67, CM611, CM571) with and without rat liver microsomal enzymes. 4‐chloro‐o‐toluidine increased the number of the reversions of the S. typhimurium strain TA1535 more than two fold over spontaneous at the concentration of 400 μg/plate.

The results of the DNA repair tests in the Salmonella TA1538/TA1978 and E. coli multirepair deficient systems showed that both breakdown products were active in inducing damage not repaired in at least one repair deficient strain while chlordimeform itself was inactive.     

Ammonium,Nitrate and Nitrite Nitrogen and Nitrate Reductase Enzyme Activity in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Fields After Diazinon,Imidacloprid and Lindane Treatments

Impacts of diazinon (O,O-diethyl O-2-isopropyl-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl phosphorothioate), imidacloprid [1-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-N-nitroimidazolidin-2-ylideneamine] and lindane (1,2,3,4,5.6-hexachlorocyclohexane) treatments on ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite nitrogen and nitrate reductase enzyme activities were determined in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) field for three consecutive years (1997 to 1999). Diazinon was applied for both seed- and soil-treatments but imidacloprid and lindane were used for seed treatments only at recommended rates. Diazinon residues persisted for 60 days in both the cases. Average half-lives (t_1/2) of diazinon were found 29.3 and 34.8 days respectively in seed and soil treatments. In diazinon seed treatment, NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^?, and NO₂ ^? nitrogen and nitrate reductase activity were not affected. Whereas, diazinon soil treatment indicated significant increase in NH₄ ⁺-N in a 1-day sample, which continued until 90 days. Some declines in NO₃ ^?N were found from 15 to 60 days. Along with this decline, significant increases in NO₂ ^?N and nitrate reductase activity were found between 1 and 30 days. Imidacloprid and lindane persisted for 90 and 120 days with average half-lives (t_1/2) of 40.9 and 53.3 days, respectively. Within 90 days, imidacloprid residues lost by 73.17% to 82.49% while such losses for lindane residues were found 78.19% to 79.86 % within 120 days. In imidacloprid seed-treated field, stimulation of NO₃ ^?N and the decline in NH₄ ⁺NO₂ ^?-N and nitrate reductase enzyme activity were observed between 15 to 90 days. However, lindane seed treatment indicated significant increases in NH₄ ⁺-N, NO₂ ^?-N and nitrate reductase activity and some adverse effects on NO₃ ^?N between 15 and 90 days.     

Thermodynamics of interaction of lindane on silty loam and silty clay loam Indian soils

Abstract

Interaction of lindane with silty loam and silty clay loam soils was studied in batch tests at 23, 30 and 37° C. Sorption experiments were carried out at four concentrations and for varying time of contact upto 72 hours. This was followed by desorption studies. No desorption was observed. The sorption data was analysed using sorption equations and evaluating the thermodynamic parameters. The sorption was found to be predominantly entropic in nature and a combined effect of adsorption and chemisorption. The effect of organic matter and other chemical and mineralogical constituents of soils has also been discussed. The sorption with single application of lindane with the two soil types indicates that the insecticide is less likely to reach groundwater.