Phenanthrene adsorption by soils treated with humic substances under different pH and temperature conditions

The mobility of phenanthrene (PHE) in soils depends on its sorption and is influenced by either the existing soil humus or exogenous humic substances. Exogenous humic acids (HAs) were added to soil to enhance the amount of soil organic carbon (SOC) by 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 g kg⁻¹. PHE desorption of the treated soils was determined at two pH levels (3.0 and 6.0) and temperatures (15 and 25 °C). Soil PHE adsorption was related to pH and the type and quantity of added HAs. Humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) derived from peat had different effects on adsorption of PHE. Adsorption increased at first and then decreased with increasing quantity of exogenous FA. When the soil solution pH (in 0.005 M CaCl₂) was 4.5 or 3.0, the turning points were 2.5 g FA kg⁻¹ at pH 3.0 and 5 g FA kg⁻¹ at pH 4.5. When soil solution pH was 6, the amount of adsorbed PHE was enhanced with increasing exogenous HAs (HA or FA) and amount of adsorption by soil treated with FA was higher than with HA. Adsorption of PHE in the FA treatment at 10.0 g kg⁻¹ was lower than the controls (untreated soil or treatment with HAs at 0 g kg⁻¹) when the soil solution pH was 3.0. This suggests that FA adsorbed by soil was desorbed at low pH and would then increase PHE solubility, and PHE then combined with FA. PHE adsorption was usually higher under lower pH and/or lower temperature conditions. PHE sorption fitted the Freundlich isotherm, indicating that exogenous humic substances influenced adsorption of phenanthrene, which in turn was affected by environmental conditions such as pH and temperature. Thus, exogenous humic substances can be used to control the mobility of soil PAHs under appropriate conditions to decrease PAH contamination.     

离子强度和离子类型对土霉素在草甸土中被吸附的影响

土霉素是四环素类抗生素中使用较为广泛的一种,探索土霉素在土壤中的吸附解吸规律对抗生素环境风险评价与污染控制具有重要的理论与现实意义。通过改变土壤水溶液中离子强度及类型研究其对土霉素在草甸土中吸附的影响,以期为评价该种抗生素对草甸土土壤环境风险提供科学依据。土霉素测定方法选择高效液相色谱法。以V（乙腈）∶V[NaH2PO4（0.01mol·L-1）]=25∶75为流动相,在流速为1 mL·min-1,检测波长为355 nm条件下进行测定。试验以OECD Guideline 106为基础,采用批平衡法研究不同离子强度（0.01、0.03、0.05、0.08、0.10 mol·L-1CaCl2溶液）和不同阳离子（0.01 mol·L-1的NaCl、KCl、MgCl2溶液）对土霉素在草甸土中的吸附影响。结果表明：随着CaCl2浓度的增加,土霉素在草甸土中的吸附量呈降低趋势,且不同浓度的土霉素在草甸土中吸附量受离子强度的影响是不同的。土霉素浓度较低时,其在草甸土中吸附能力受离子强度影响较土霉素浓度高时小。以土壤吸附系数Kd衡量土壤吸附抗生素能力,当土壤样品中离子强度增大时,其对应Kd值呈非线性趋势减小。这说明,在某一Ca2＋浓度范围内,其对吸附的影响较其他浓度范围要大。对相邻CaCl2浓度处理得出的Kd值进行t检验,在CaCl2溶液浓度在0.01与0.03 mol·L-1间得出的Kd值存在显著性差异（p≤0.05）,在0.03、0.05、0.08、0.10 mol·L-1浓度间得出的Kd值均没有显著性差异（p〉0.05）。这一结果说明当CaCl2溶液浓度在0.01~0.03 mol·L-1时,其对土霉素在草甸土中的吸附影响较其他浓度范围大。以Freundlich方程对NaCl、KCl、MgCl2溶液条件下土霉素在草甸土中的吸附进行拟合,土样lg Kf值为lg Kf（Mg2＋）0.05）。这说明,不同阳离子对土霉素在草甸土上的吸附量（lg Kf）影响的差异并不显著。     

Opposite response of phosphorus sorption to pH and ionic strength: a comparative study in two different shallow lake sediments

Phosphorus (P) sediment sorption is regarded as the most important buffering process against P increases in overlying water. In this study, two shallow eutrophic sediments (Mei and Hua) with distinct compositions were selected to assess effects of pH (from 6 to 9) and ionic strength (IS) (0, 0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 M KCl) on P sorption. In Mei sediments, the P sorption decreased as pH increased (6.97–9.13), but it increased as IS increased over the pH range in question. These results could be attributed to the negatively charged surface of Mei sediments, as indicated by the salt titration curve, and the high cation exchange capacity (CEC). P sorption in Hua sediments was facilitated by a pH increase (6.12–7.49), but it was hindered by an IS increase. A reasonable explanation for this phenomenon is that calcium phosphate precipitates at high pHs and that Cl^? exchanges with P because the surface is weakly charged (small CEC). These results indicate that the sediment P sorption may have trends opposite to one another in relation to the salt change (e.g. drought and rainy season) in the lake water between the two sediments. These data provide additional support to explain P concentration variations in lakes.     

Effects of melatonin on cadmium accumulation in the accumulator plant Perilla frutescens

To enhance the phytoremediation ability of the heavy metal accumulator Perilla frutescens, melatonin (MT) was applied at different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200?μmol/L) to P. frutescens growing in cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil (10?mg/kg). The MT treatments increased the root and shoot biomasses of P. frutescens, with the maximum increase in the 150?μmol/L MT treatment (79.51% and 36.18% higher, respectively, than those of the control). The MT treatments also enhanced superoxide dismutase activity, peroxidase activity, and the soluble protein concentration of P. frutescens, and 100–200?μmol/L MT increased the chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll concentrations in P. frutescens. The MT treatments increased the Cd concentrations in roots and shoots of P. frutescens in a dose-dependent manner. Different MT concentrations increased the Cd accumulation amounts of roots and shoots of P. frutescens, with the maxima accumulation amounts in the 150?μmol/L MT treatment (226.98% and 85.89% higher, respectively, than those of the control). These results show that MT can promote the growth and phytoremediation ability of P. frutescens growing in Cd-contaminated soil, and the optimum MT dose is 150?μmol/L.     

Coexisting sediments and suspended particles change the sorption of lindane and ciprofloxacin in waters

The real behavior of water organic contaminants such as pesticides and pharmaceuticals is not well known because research experiments usually simplify the conditions by studying the sorption of a pure compound on a single solid. However, in natural waters, biofilms, suspended particles, and sediments are solid substances that coexist, and thus may change the contaminant fate. Therefore, we studied here the sorption of lindane and ciprofloxacin by three single-solid and three double-solid sorbents using batch experiments. We also compared the effect of dissolved organic matter (DOM) between single- and double-solid sorption systems. Results show that the sorption quantity of lindane to the double-solid system of suspended particles and sediments is lower, of 0.99 L/g, than the sum of sorption quantity in the single-solid system, of 1.39 L/g. The sorption quantity of ciprofloxacin is higher, of 2.70 L/g, than the sum of sorption quantity in the single-solid system, of 1.90 L/g. These findings are explained by changes in DOM that suppress or promote sorption. To our best knowledge, this is the first study to present evidence that coexisting river solids modify lindane and ciprofloxacin sorption.     

Efficient uranium immobilization on red clay with phosphates

Uranium is a very toxic and radioactive element. Removal of uranium from wastewaters requires remediation technologies. Actual methods are costly and ineffective when uranium concentration is very low. Little is known about the enhancement of sorption of uranyl ions by phosphate ions on aluminosilicates. Here, we studied sorption of uranyl acetate on red clay in the presence of phosphates. The concentration of U(VI) ranged 0.0001–0.001 mol/L, whereas the concentration of PO₄ ^3? was constant at 0.0001 mol/L. We designed a new method for the analysis of ternary surface complexes. We observed for the first time a remarkable improvement of U(VI) sorption on red clay under the influence of phosphates. We also found that at least two different ternary surface complexes U(VI)–phosphate–clay are formed in the sorbent phase. The complexation of UO₂ ²⁺ cations by phosphate ligands in the sorbent phase was confirmed by the X-ray photoelectron spectra of U 4f electrons.     

Stabilization of lead and copper contaminated firing range soil using calcined oyster shells and fly ash

A stabilization/solidification treatment scheme was devised to stabilize Pb and Cu contaminated soil from a firing range using renewable waste resources as additives, namely waste oyster shells (WOS) and fly ash (FA). The WOS, serving as the primary stabilizing agent, was pre-treated at a high temperature to activate quicklime from calcite. Class C FA was used as a secondary additive along with the calcined oyster shells (COS). The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated by means of the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) and the 0.1 M HCl extraction tests following a curing period of 28 days. The combined treatment with 10 wt% COS and 5 wt% FA cause a significant reduction in Pb (>98 %) and Cu (>96 %) leachability which was indicated by the results from both extraction tests (TCLP and 0.1 M HCl). Scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX) analyses are used to investigate the mechanism responsible for Pb and Cu stabilization. SEM–EDX results indicate that effective Pb and Cu immobilization using the combined COS–FA treatment is most probably associated with ettringite and pozzolanic reaction products. The treatment results suggest that the combined COS–FA treatment is a cost effective method for the stabilization of firing range soil.     

土壤和沉积物中有机质对双酚A和17α-乙炔基雌二醇的吸附行为

研究了土壤和沉积物原始样品bulk及其有机质组分(非水解性有机质NHC、碳黑BC和腐殖酸HA)对17α-乙炔基雌二醇(EE2)和双酚A(BPA)的吸附行为.所有的吸附等温线都很好地拟合了Freundlich模型,除HA和bulk外,所有的吸附等温线都为显著的非线性(n值为0.46—0.76).对于EE2和BPA的吸附非线性因子n值都存在这样的关系:HA>NHC>BC.EE2以有机碳归一化的Freundlich吸附能力(lgKOC)有BC>NHC>bulk>HA的关系,说明有机质成熟度越高,对EE2或者BPA的吸附能力越高.在土壤和沉积物有机质SOM(NHC、BC和HA)对吸附BPA和EE2的贡献上,NHC、BC和HA对沉积物和土壤对BPA总吸附贡献上要明显弱于它们对EE2的贡献.除了内分泌干扰物(EDCs)的疏水性影响EE2和BPA的吸附能力的差异外,分子大小和带电子苯环数也影响它们的吸附能力差异.     

交替冻融对东北典型土壤腐殖质的影响

以受季节性冻融过程影响显著的东北地区的黑土、暗棕壤和水稻土为例,采用实验室模拟的方法,研究交替冻融循环过程（分别在-20℃和20℃下处理）对土壤腐殖质的影响。研究表明：交替冻融后,黑土和暗棕壤松结态腐殖质质量分数分别增加了39%和28%,HA/FA分别上升了45%和35%;水稻土松结态腐殖质质量分数和HA/FA分别下降了18%和31%。三维荧光结果进一步验证,黑土、暗棕壤在交替冻融中土壤芳香化程度增高,HA/FA上升,而水稻土则相反。黑土和暗棕壤松结态腐殖质和HA/FA升高,主要是微生物分解作用和土壤大团聚体破坏等原因造成,水稻土松结态腐殖质和HA/FA降低,主要是水稻土的缺氧环境造成。     

Sorption and desorption of pymetrozine on six Chinese soils

Pymetrozine is a selective insecticide with a unique chemical structure and mode to control hemipteran and homopteran. While pymetrozine has brought great benefits to crop production by killing insects, its residues in soil may have a detrimental effect on environment. Therefore, it is of great importance to investigate its behaviors in soil. In this study, the sorption and desorption of pymetrozine on six Chinese soils were investigated using a batch equilibrium approach to understand its mobile behavior in the soils. Both sorption and desorption isotherms of pymetrozine were in good agreement with the Freundlich model. The sorption coefficient K_F varied between 3.37 and 58.32 mL∙g⁻¹ and the sorption isotherms were nonlinear, with 1/n ranging from 0.57 to 0.91. A regression equation was proposed to predict the sorption of pymetrozine on six different soil samples: log K_F = 4.3708 − 4.5709 × log (pH in 0.01mol·L⁻¹ CaCl₂) + 0.4700 × log OC% + 0.0057 × sand (%) + 0.0022 × CEC(clay), with R² = 0.9982. The organic carbon content of soil positively affected the sorption of pymetrozine, but soil pH had a negative effect on the sorption. Additionally, effects of CaCl₂ concentration, soil to solution ratio and pesticide form were investigated. The sorption was promoted with an increase in soil to solution ratio and a decrease in CaCl₂ concentration. The possible variation of the five formulated products of pymetrozine was also investigated.     

溶解性有机碳的主要组成对青鳉鱼铜急性毒性的影响

为揭示溶解性有机碳(DOC)的组成对生物配体模型(BLM)预测铜的生物毒性准确性的影响,研究了不同浓度黄腐酸(FA)、腐殖酸(HA)和两者不同浓度比例混合物影响铜对青鳉急性毒性。结果表明:在相同水质条件下,黄腐酸或腐殖酸浓度增加时,铜对青鳉的LC50均增加;两者共存时,当腐殖酸质量百分比从10%增至90%时,铜对青鳉的LC50也增加。当天然水中DOC的组成不确定时,可假设HA和FA的组成比例为1∶1,此时BLM预测铜对青鳉的LC50的偏差最小。     

Quantitative analysis and sorption of cadmium in environmental samples with a functionalized synthetic polymer

Quantitative analysis of cadmium in environmental samples was achieved with a polymeric sorbent synthesized by copolymerization of N,N-dimethylacrylamide and allyl glycidyl ether/iminodiacetic acid as chelating monomers with N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as cross-linker. The polymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The sorption capacity of the functionalized sorbent was 70 mg g^?1. The equilibrium sorption data of Cd(II) on polymeric sorbent were analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Redlich–Peterson models. Based on equilibrium adsorption data, the constants at pH 4.2 and 20 °C were determined for the first three as 0.33 (L mg^?1), 17.5 (mg g^?1) (L mg^?1)^1/n, and 12.9 (J mol^?1). Recovery of 94% of the metal ion was obtained with 0.5 mol L^?1 nitric acid as an eluting agent.     

盐碱地农-渔开发对土壤环境的影响

在东北苏打盐碱地进行了稻-鱼-苇-蒲开发试验,并探讨了该模式对盐碱土壤环境的影响。结果表明,开发后土壤有机质含量增加96.8%(平均值,以下同),盐分含量下降43.6%,全量和速效N、P、K质量分数分别增加142.8%和188.2%;阳离子交换量、盐基总量分别增加8.21%及27.71%;土壤腐殖质以富里酸为主,w(HA)/w(FA)比值提高36.15%;养鱼稻田的土壤微生物总量明显高于未养鱼田(P<0.01);优势种为放线菌。土壤酶活性进一步加强。系统废水的盐分质量浓度降至1.0 g/L左右,碱浓度低于水源(7.0~10.0 mmol/L)。该模式不会造成土壤次生盐碱化。     

Enhanced carbon tetrachloride degradation by hydroxylamine in ferrous ion activated calcium peroxide in the presence of formic acid

• Complete CT degradation was achieved by employing HA to CP/Fe(II)/FA process. • Quantitative detection of Fe(II) regeneration and HO• production was investigated. • Benzoic acid outcompeted FA for the reaction with HO•. • CO₂•⁻ was the dominant reductive radical for CT removal. • Effects of solution matrix on CT removal were conducted. Hydroxyl radicals (HO•) show low reactivity with perchlorinated hydrocarbons, such as carbon tetrachloride (CT), in conventional Fenton reactions, therefore, the generation of reductive radicals has attracted increasing attention. This study investigated the enhancement of CT degradation by the synergistic effects of hydroxylamine (HA) and formic acid (FA) (initial [CT] = 0.13 mmol/L) in a Fe(II) activated calcium peroxide (CP) Fenton process. CT degradation increased from 56.6% to 99.9% with the addition of 0.78 mmol/L HA to the CP/Fe(II)/FA/CT process in a molar ratio of 12/6/12/1. The results also showed that the presence of HA enhanced the regeneration of Fe(II) from Fe(III), and the production of HO• increased one-fold when employing benzoic acid as the HO• probe. Additionally, FA slightly improves the production of HO•. A study of the mechanism confirmed that the carbon dioxide radical (CO₂•⁻), a strong reductant generated by the reaction between FA and HO•, was the dominant radical responsible for CT degradation. Almost complete CT dechlorination was achieved in the process. The presence of humic acid and chloride ion slightly decreased CT removal, while high doses of bicarbonate and high pH inhibited CT degradation. This study helps us to better understand the synergistic roles of FA and HA for HO• and CO₂•⁻ generation and the removal of perchlorinated hydrocarbons in modified Fenton systems.     

Chemically modified biochar produced from conocarpus waste increases NO<Subscript>3</Subscript> removal from aqueous solutions

Biochar has emerged as a universal sorbent for the removal of contaminants from water and soil. However, its efficiency is lower than that of commercially available sorbents. Engineering biochar by chemical modification may improve its sorption efficiency. In this study, conocarpus green waste was chemically modified with magnesium and iron oxides and then subjected to thermal pyrolysis to produce biochar. These chemically modified biochars were tested for NO₃ removal efficiency from aqueous solutions in batch sorption isothermal and kinetic experiments. The results revealed that MgO-biochar outperformed other biochars with a maximum NO₃ sorption capacity of 45.36 mmol kg^?1 predicted by the Langmuir sorption model. The kinetics data were well described by the Type 1 pseudo-second-order model, indicating chemisorption as the dominating mechanism of NO₃ sorption onto biochars. Greater efficiency of MgO-biochar was related to its high specific surface area (391.8 m² g^?1) and formation of strong ionic complexes with NO₃. At an initial pH of 2, more than 89 % NO₃ removal efficiency was observed for all of the biochars. We conclude that chemical modification can alter the surface chemistry of biochar, thereby leading to enhanced sorption capacity compared with simple biochar.     

The influences of different organic fractions in refuse on the sorption and bioavailability of dibutyl phthalate

The structure and composition of the organic matter in landfilled refuse might have an influence on the migration and transformation of dibutyl phthalate (DBP). Humic acid (HA) and humin (HU) were separated from aged-refuse to determine the influences of different organic fractions in the refuse on the sorption and bioavailability of DBP. The sorption kinetics and isotherms for the sorption of DBP to HA, HU, and whole refuse were determined. The results showed that the sorption constants (K) and nonlinearities decreased in the order HU?>?whole refuse?>?HA. The HA had lower K values than did the other refuse fractions, and it retarded the biodegradation of DBP over a short degradation period (48?h). Increasing the amount of HA present caused the amount of DBP that was biodegraded to decrease significantly, 81.3% of the DBP sorbed to HA being degraded in the original experiments after 48?h but 21.8% of the DBP being degraded when three times as much HA was used. Similar results were not observed when the amount of HU used was changed. These findings suggest that HA plays an important role in the biodegradation of DBP adsorbed by refuse.     

Biosolids application affects the competitive sorption and lability of cadmium,copper, nickel,lead, and zinc in fluvial and calcareous soils

The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of biosolids on the competitive sorption and lability of the sorbed Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in fluvial and calcareous soils. Competitive sorption isotherms were developed, and the lability of these metals was estimated by DTPA extraction following their sorption. Sorption of all metals was higher in the fluvial than in the calcareous soil. Sorption of Cu and Pb was stronger than that of Cd, Ni, and Zn in all soils. Biosolids application (2.5%) reduced the sorption of all metals especially Cu and Pb (28–43%) in both soils (especially the calcareous soil) at the lower added metal concentrations (50 and 100 mg L^?1). However, it increased the sorption of all metals especially Pb and Cu in both soils (especially the calcareous soil; 15.5-fold for Cu) at the higher added concentrations (250 and 300 mg L^?1). Nickel showed the highest lability followed by Cd, Zn, and Pb in both soils. Biosolids increased the lability of the sorbed Ni in the fluvial soils at all added concentrations and the lability of Cd, Pb, and Zn at 50 mg L^?1, but decreased the lability of Cd, Pb, and Zn at 250 and 300 mg L^?1 in both soils. We conclude that at low loading rate (e.g., 50 mg L^?1) biosolids treatment might increase the lability and environmental risk of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. However, at high loading rate (e.g., 300 mg L^?1) biosolids may be used as an immobilizing agent for Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and mobilizing agent for Ni.     

The environmental fate of thymol,a novel botanical pesticide,in tropical agricultural soil and water

In this study, the environmental fate of thymol, including hydrolysis, aqueous photolysis, soil sorption and soil degradation, was studied under conditions that simulated the tropical agricultural environment. This study was undertaken to supply basic information for evaluating the environmental risks of applying this new botanical pesticide to tropical crop production. The results showed that the hydrolysis of thymol was pH-dependent and accelerated by acidic conditions and high temperatures. However, the hydrolysis rate was far lower than the aqueous photolysis rate, indicating that direct photolysis is an important dissipation pathway for thymol in water. The sorption of thymol by three tropical soils was consistently well described by the Freundlich model, and the sorption coefficients increased in the order sandy soil < loamy soil < clay soil, a characterization that depended on the organic carbon contents of the soil. The soil degradation rate of thymol decreased in the order sandy soil > loamy soil > clay soil, which has a negative correlation with the sorption of thymol in soils. We concluded that the degradation rates of thymol in tropical soil and water are fast: thymol in water is photodegraded (50%) by sunlight within 28 h, and the thymol in soils is degraded (50%) within 8.4 d. Therefore, the environmental risk to the surrounding soils and water of thymol application for tropical crop production is low.     

Preconcentration of samarium with modified yeast cells for its determination by atomic emission spectroscopy

A chelating-modified biosorbent is produced by coupling of a dye, procion red, to yeast cells. The resulting modified cells have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis and studied for preconcentration and determination of trace Sm(III). The optimum pH value for sorption of the samarium ions is 6.2. The sorption capacity of functionalized modified yeast cells is 7.2 mg g^?1. Recovery was 99% when Sm(III) was eluted with an aqueous solution of 0.1 mol L^?1 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Scatchard analysis suggested that binding sites were homogeneous. The equilibrium data were analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Redlich–Peterson isotherm models, and the respective constants were determined as 1.0 (L mg^?1), 2.9 [(mg g^?1) (L mg^?1)^1/n], 2.4 × 10⁸ (L g^?1), and 30 (dm³ g^?1) at 20 °C. The method was applied for an Sm(III)-containing sample of ceramic industry effluent.     

Residues of organochlorinated pesticides in eggs of water birds from Tai Lake in China

The levels of organochlorine compounds in eggs of water birds from the colony on Tai Lake in China were studied. The eggs were collected in 2000 and belonged to the following species: 65 samples of black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), 36 samples of little egret (Egretta garzetta), 26 samples of cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) from 13 clutches and 43 samples of Chinese pond heron (Ardeola bacchus) from 17 clutches. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its derivates (DDE and DDD), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and its isomers (alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, delta-HCH), heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, endrin aldehyde, alpha-endosulfan, beta-endosulfan, and endosulfan sulfate were determined in the laboratory by gas chromatography. The data showed that DDE had the highest levels in all the samples, followed by beta-HCH. The mean levels of DDE among the water bird species were in the order as follows: black-crowned night heron (5464.26 ng/g, dry weight) > Chinese pond heron (2791.12 ng/g, dry weight) > little egret (1979.97 ng/g, dry weight) > cattle egret (660.11 ng/g, dry weight). DDT and its metabolites accounted for 90% of the total organochlorines, except that it was only 73% for cattle egret. The differences of the residue among the bird species were statistically significant and could be attributed to their variations in prey and habitat. Although the DDE burdens in Tai Lake were much lower than 8 microg/g (wet weight) which are thought to have significant adverse effects on black-crowned night herons, they would be expected to increase the risk of adverse effects on survival of chicks of herons and egrets, particularly black-crowned night heron, based on the critical value of 1 microg/g (wet weight) DDE. The burdens of HCHs in this study were higher and the cyclodienes were lower than those found elsewhere.