Satellite telemetry and prey sampling reveal contaminant sources to Pacific Northwest Ospreys.

Migratory behavior can be an important factor in determining contaminant exposure in avian populations. Accumulation of organochlorine (OC) pesticides while birds are wintering in tropical regions has been cited often as the reason for high concentrations in migrant populations. To explore this issue, we satellite tracked 16 Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) over the period 1996-2003 from breeding sites in British Columbia, Canada, and integrated the results into a database on 15 Ospreys that were satellite tracked over the period 1995-1999, from breeding locations in Washington and Oregon, USA. Data on wintering sites of 31 Ospreys in Mexico and Central America were used for spatially targeted sampling of prey fish. Concentrations of the main organochlorine contaminant, p,p'-dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethylene (DDE), in fish composites from Mexico ranged from 0.005 to 0.115 nicrog/g wet mass. Significant differences existed among fish families in p,p'-DDE, total dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (sigmaDDT), sigmachlordanes, and total polychlorinated biphenyls (sigmaPCBs). Catfish (family Ariidae) generally had significantly higher levels of DDT metabolites and other organochlorine contaminants compared to other fish families collected. Differences in prey contaminant levels were detected among the collection sites around coastal Mexico, with fish from Veracruz State generally having higher levels of DDT metabolites, sigmachlordanes, sigmaPCBs, and hexachlorobenzene. Eggs collected from 16 nests throughout the Pacific Northwest (nine from British Columbia, seven from Oregon and Washington) where Ospreys had been satellite tagged, showed marked variation in levels of DDT metabolites (p,p'-DDE; range 0.02-10.14 microg/g). Wintering site had no significant effect on contaminant concentrations in sample eggs from those specific Ospreys; rather concentrations of p,p'-DDE, were predicted by breeding sites with highest levels in eggs of Ospreys breeding in the lower Columbia River, consistent with published reports of continued high concentrations of DDT and related compounds in that system.     

Spatial variability and temporal trends of HCH and DDT in soils around Beijing Guanting Reservoir,China

Spatial variability and temporal trends in concentrations of the organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), in surface soils around Beijing Guanting Reservoir (GTR) were studied in 2003 and 2007. Concentrations of the two OCPs in soils around GTR were generally less than reference values set by the Chinese government for the protection of agricultural production and human health. Among the OCPs, β-HCH and p, p′-DDE were the two predominant compounds. This result indicates that the HCH and DDT residues in soils were primarily from historical use. Based on kriging, a spatial distribution of HCH and DDT around the GTR was observed. Spatial variability indicated how HCH and DDT had been applied and been distributed in the past. Between 2003 and 2007, concentrations of HCH and DDT decreased more rapidly in orchard soils than those in fallow soils.     

珠江八大入海口表层沉积物中DDTs和HCHs残留调查

于2010年8月-2011年5月4次采集珠江八大人海口表层沉积物,采用气相色谱-电子捕获（GC—ECD）法分析沉积物中DDTs（p,P’-DDE、P,P’-DDD、0,P’-DDT、P,P-DDT）和HCHs（α-HCH、β-HCH、γ-HCH、δ-HCH）的污染现状。结果显示,珠江8大人海口表层沉积物中DDTs总含量介于1．02—3．08μg·kg-1之间（以干质量计,下同）,平均值为1．91μg·kg-1;HCHs总含量介于0．21—0．41μg·kg-1之间,平均值为0．31μg·kg-1。DDTs平均含量大于HCHs,其中P,P。DDT对污染的贡献最大,含量范围为ND～7．66μg·kg-1,平均值为2．12μg·kg-1。大部分样点伽（α-HCH）／w（γ-HCH）比值小于3,说明研究区α-HCH大都被降解,或者林丹正取代工业HCHs成为珠江口水环境中HCHs输入的主要来源;甜（DDT）／w（DDD＋DDE）比值大于2,表明沉积物中除早期农药残留外,仍然有新的DDTs类农药输入。     

DDT isomers and metabolites in the environment: an overview

It is known for decades that the isomeric composition of organic pollutants can be influenced substantially by environmental processes such as biotransformation or transfer between compartments. This accounts also for the pesticide 2,2,-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane, better known as p,p′-DDT, and its accompanied substitution isomer 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (o,p′-DDT). Although many studies followed the environmental fate of DDT, only very few publications reported on quantitative data of both o,p′- and p,p′-isomers. Therefore this condensed review describes evidence for remarkable changes and shifts in o,p′-/p,p′-ratios of DDT-related compounds. The application of isomer-specific analysis remains dominantly on emission source apportionment, for example, to differentiate DDT and dicofol emission. Only very few studies linked observed isomer shifts to aspects of environmental processes, such as (1) volatility from soil to air, (2) environmental stability in soil or (3) bioaccumulation in fishes. Additionally, several studies failed to use isomer-specific interpretation in order to obtain more detailed insight into environmental processes, for example, for observed isomer shifts during air–water fluxes. The o,p′-/p,p′-ratios of DDT and its main metabolite DDD have been detected more or less on the same level, whereas the isomers of the second main metabolite DDE were definitely depleted by the o,p′-isomer in all environmental compartments, indicating a general isomer-specific differentiation during DDT metabolism.     

Pesticide Residues in Water From River Kaveri,South India

The residue levels of presistent chlorinated pesticides such as HCH (hexachlorocyclo-hexane) isomers and DDT (dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane) compounds were quantified in water samples collected from the River Kaveri and its distributor River Coleroon in Tamil Nadu, South India. HCH showed higher levels in River Kaveri during premonsoon (July to September) and monsoon (October to December) months, reflecting the HCH usage during that season for paddy crops. But in the case of DDT no clear trend in residue level was observed. the α-HCH was detected as the dominant isomer in all the three sampling sites. Among DDT compounds, p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE showed higher percentage of the total. International comparison of residue levels revealed that the present values are comparable to the waters from Asian and South East Asian nations, but lower than some samples from other parts of India. the value of DDT is well below the EEC's maximum acceptable concentration for surface waters and lower than the recommended limit of 2000ng 1^-1 in USA water for protection of aquatic life (Water Quality Criteria, 1972).     

Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in amniotic fluids of pregnant women in south-central Turkey†

The concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in amniotic fluid of 200 pregnant women from the Cukurova region of Turkey. The concentrations of OCPs [hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (p,p′-DDT), and various metabolites], and different PCB congeners (28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) were determined by gas chromatography with electron capture detection as follows: HCB 6.6 ± 4.7, ΣHCH 21.6 ± 14.2, ΣDDT 12.5 ± 7.5, and ΣPCBs 74.0 ± 54 ng mL^?1. Correlations of maternal or gestational age and levels of OCPs and PCBs were not significant. The levels of these organochlorine compounds (OCs) were below detection limit for 5% of the samples, 80% contained more than one OC. This study illustrates that prenatal exposure of a fetus to OCs is prevalent in the Cukurova region.     

Historical trends of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) recorded in sediments across the Tibetan Plateau

Sediment cores from four lakes across the Tibetan Plateau were used as natural archives to study the time trends of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). The total concentrations of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (ΣDDT) and hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (ΣHCH) were in the range of 0.04–1.61 and 0.08–1.88 ng/g based on dry weight (dw), while the input fluxes were in the range of 0.3–236 and 0.7–295 pg/cm²/y in the core sediments, respectively. The input fluxes of ΣDDT and ΣHCH generally peaked in sediment layers corresponding to the 1970s–1990s and peaked in top sediment layers. The ratio of α/γ-HCH decreased in the top layer sediments, implying that the contribution of lindane (pure γ-HCH) has been increasing in recent years. In addition, the ratio of o,p′-DDT/p,p′-DDT increased significantly over the last 15–20 years, suggesting that dicofol (characterized by high ratio of o,p′-DDT/p,p′-DDT about 7.0) has recently become a relatively more important source of DDT compared to technical DDT itself. The time trends of OCPs recorded in lake sediments examined the impact on such remote alpine regions by human activities.     

Determination of pesticide residues in muscle of Cyprinus carpio from River Ravi

The levels of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, carbofuran, and cartap were determined in muscles of Cyprinus Carpio sampled from 10 different sites of River Ravi between Shahdara to Balloki Headworks to assess level of contamination of these pesticides by GC-ECD (gas chromatograph equipped with electron capture detector) method. All fish samples were found contaminated with different concentrations of DDT, DDE, endosulfan, and carbofuran. DDT and DDE concentrations were higher than maximum residue limits (MRL) in food standards, while endosulfan sulfate and cartap were not detected. These findings indicate that pesticide concentrations in fish muscles decreased in the order: DDT > DDE > carbofuran > endosulfan. Furthermore, the sampling sites after Degh fall and beyond Hudiara Nulla Fall river sampling sites were more polluted. It is proposed that constant monitoring programs are needed to assess potential exposure risks.     

DDT und Metaboliten in Sedimenten Berliner Gewässer

Sediment samples from rivers and lakes of Berlin (Germany) were analysed for their contamination with organic compounds by means of qualitative and quantitative GC/MS analysis. The principal compounds detected were PAH, organotin derivates, several classes of chlorinated, brominated and mixed halogenated compounds and some of their related metabolites. The DDT metabolites DDD, DDE, DDCN, DDMU and DDMS were the most abundant compounds of halogenated pesticides in a wide range of samples. The main metabolite determined was p,p′-DDD, with concentrations up to 1230 μg/kg dw. The parent DDT compound was detected in only a few samples. The acute cytotoxicity of selected DDT-metabolites was determined with the permanent cell line RTG-2 from the gonads of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The results indicate a high cytotoxic potential of these metabolites. The oestrogenic potential was determined by the Dot-Blot/RNase-Protection-Assay an the order from o,p′-DDT>p,p′-DDMS>p,p′-DDMU≥p,p′-DDCN. Risk assessments based on chemical analysis of DDT, DDD and DDE alone is not able to estimate the real toxic potential of DDT and its metabolites. The development of a method for bioassay directed assessment seems to be an effective strategy to solve this problem. Especially scarce or not available data of combinatory effects, differences between different trophic levels and their availability to biota and low knowledge about the metabolism in situ as well as the enantioselective characteristics of most chiral DDT metabolites warrant future analyses.     

Level of organochlorine pesticide residues in dry fruit nuts

The use of pesticides on cash crops and exportable food commodities had always been a serious concern. Fruits form one of the important constituents of human diet, in that they give one third of the requirement of calories, vitamins, and minerals. This study has been carried out to determine the level of organochlorine pesticides namely HCH, DDT and Endosulfan in raw fruit nuts. Nuts have proteins and high level of fat content. These properties of nuts attract organochlorine pesticides to accumulate. The analysis of organochlorine pesticide residues in commonly used dry fruits like Cashewnut, Walnut, Coconut, Chilgoza, Chironji, Makhana, Resins, Apricot, Almonds, Date palm, Pistachio nut collected from local market of Lucknow India has indicated presence of very low level of HCH (0.007-1.328 mg kg(-1)), DDT(ND-0.140 mg kg(-1)) and Endosulfan (ND-0.091 mg kg(-1)). There are no MRL values established for nuts in the country. This finding is based on a smaller number of samples, which however suggest that the presence of low level of DDT, HCH and Endosulfan might be due to environmental rather than direct exposure.     

Organochlorine residues in maternal milk from inhabitants of the Thohoyandou area,South Africa

The presence of organochlorine compounds (OC) such as DDT and their metabolites in the environment have created a significant environmental concern over the years due to adverse effects. Consequently, DDT has been banned in many countries. However, it is still used in some countries including South Africa, particularly for vector-borne disease eradication programmes. Since the presence of DDT and its metabolites may provide an indication of the general exposure and use of these compounds, there was a need for such a study. Human breast milk samples (n = 30) were collected from mothers within the age range of 19–40 years from the Thohoyandou area, South Africa. The liquid–liquid extraction method was used to extract DDT and its metabolites from the samples. The crude extracts were subjected to column chromatography for measurements of OC levels. The concentration ranges of the contaminants were as follows: not detected (ND) to1770 ng g^?1 (2,4′-DDE); ND to 3977 ng g^?1 (4,4′-DDE); ND to 3250 ng g^?1 (2,4′-DDD); ND to 2580 ng g^?1 (4,4′-DDD) and ND to 2847 ng g^?1 (4,4′-DDT). The mean ΣDDE, ΣDDD and ΣDDT obtained from the villages were 1180 ng g^?1, 830 ng g^?1 and 690 ng g^?1, respectively. The total DDT ranged from 820–7473 ng g^?1. The estimated daily intake varied from 260 to 4696 ng g^?1, ND-10551 ng g^?1 and ND-4237 ng g^?1 for DDE, DDD and DDT, respectively. These values are significantly higher than the FAO/WHO acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 20 ng g^?1. The ΣDDT was found to decrease with increasing age of the mothers. The observed high levels of DDE compared to DDT indicated chronic exposure of the mothers to DDT, which is metabolized to DDE and retained in the body.     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in fodder from rural areas of Haryana,India

Residues of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) namely 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCH-isomers), 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) and its metabolites, and endosulfan stereoisomers were analyzed in dry and green fodder samples from rural areas of Ambala, Gurgaon, and Hisar districts of Haryana, India during winter, summer, and post-monsoon seasons. The HCH isomers γ-HCH and β-HCH, and DDT and its metabolites p,p′-DDD, p,p′-DDE, and p,p′-DDT had more traceability in test samples as compared to other isomers and metabolites studied. Total OCPs (ΣOCPs), i.e., ΣHCH, ΣDDT, and Σendosulfan were found to be the highest in wheat straw (1.1–1.2?mg?kg^?1) from Ambala and Gurgaon, followed by that in sorghum straw (0.46?mg?kg^?1) from Hisar. Dry fodder samples were found to have relatively higher residue levels than green fodders. In case of green fodder samples, maximum ΣOCP residues of 0.44?mg?kg^?1 were found in whole plant samples of sorghum from Gurgaon district followed by that in pearl millet (0.40?mg?kg^?1) from Ambala. The findings indicate highly significant differences (p?>?0.0001) in ΣOCPs and ΣDDT in wheat straw between different districts and reveal the persistence of OCP residues in both dry and green fodder samples in the study area.     

室内环境中持久性卤代有机污染物的人体暴露及潜在生殖健康影响

卤代持久性有机污染物(Hal-POPs),如多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)、多氯联苯(PCBs)、滴滴涕(DDT)等是环境中广泛存在的全球性有机污染物,同时它们又是内分泌干扰物,是威胁人类生殖健康的重要因素之一。由于人们每天约有80%以上的时间在室内度过,且室内环境是Hal-POPs人体暴露的主要来源之一,因此室内环境中Hal-POPs对人体内分泌系统的干扰作用及其机理等问题亟待研究,但目前这方面的研究很有限。本文通过综述Hal-POPs在室内环境中的赋存水平和在人体体内的负荷水平及其半衰期,探讨了其对人体内分泌系统尤其是男性生殖健康的影响情况及其可能的机理,并分析了目前研究的不足之处及研究前景,为进一步开展这方面的研究提供借鉴。     

Cattle egrets as a biosentinels of persistent organic pollutants exposure

We investigated selected chlorinated pollutants (β-HCH, γ-HCH, DDDs, DDEs, o,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDT, heptachlor, aldrin, dieldrin, and endrin) in the Lahore and the Sialkot districts of Pakistan, using eggs of cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) collected during May and June 2007. The pollutant with highest level and frequency was ΣDDT, followed by β-HCH, γ-HCH, heptachlor, aldrin, dieldrin, and endrin in descending order. The concentration(s) were significantly higher in Sialkot heronry for all the pollutants (except p,p′-DDT) than in Lahore. The values for DDTs, β-HCH, γ-HCH, and heptachlor were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the egg(s) than in sediment(s) and in the chicks’ diet, due to biomagnification. Among DDTs analogues, p,p′-DDD was the major contaminant with >60 % of total DDT burden, reflecting the widespread aged as well as recent use of DDT as well as anaerobic degradation (DDD/DDE > 1 in many cases) in the nearby paddy soils. In few samples, p,p′-DDT/(DDD + DDE) > 0.5 suggested the recent emission patterns from surrounding contaminated areas of demolished DDT units and obsolete pesticide stores. The higher levels of HCHs (i.e., β-HCH) in the samples collected from Sialkot indicate exposure from long-term agricultural use. Overall, concentrations of all studied POPs were less than the threshold levels known to affect reproduction. Nevertheless, total DDTs and/or HCHs burdens in some eggs contained concentrations of greater than what would educe adverse effects on birds. This is among few studies on OCPs exposure to avian species, which provide the evidence of Pakistan’s contribution toward the Global POPs emission.     

Organochlorine pesticides in surface soils and sediments from obsolete pesticides dumping site near Lahore city,Pakistan: contamination status and their distribution

Surface soil and sediment samples were collected from the surroundings of Lila stream, which passes through the obsolete pesticides dumping area Kalashah Kaku near Lahore city, to evaluate the residual levels of 19 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), their distribution and potential sources. OCPs followed the order: ∑ DDT>∑ HCH>dicofol>endrin>heptachlor>dieldrin. Ratios of β to γ-HCH highlighted an old source of technical HCH in the study area, whereas the predominance of p, p′-DDT and p, p′-DDE indicated presence of technical DDT in surface soils. Factor analysis based on principal component analysis identified the origin of OCPs from industrial activities in Kalashah Kaku and waste dumping from Ittehad Chemical Industries via open drains into Lila stream. Greater levels of DDTs and HCHs above quality guideline pose potential exposure risk to biological organisms, safety of agricultural products and human health in the surrounding of Lila stream.     

The concentration and distribution of organochlorine pesticides in the air from the karst cave, South China

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the air of Dayan Cave in Guilin were analyzed, to investigate the source and contamination levels. Generally, air outside of the cave had much higher concentrations than inside air, and both outside and inside air showed much lower contamination levels than those observed in other regions in China and abroad. The ratios of α-/γ-HCHs and the percentages of β-(or δ-)HCH implied a residue of historical local technical HCH contamination. The DDT concentrations, o,p'-DDT/p,p'-DDT, and p,p'-DDE/p,p'-DDT suggested fresh DDT-containing products acted as the primary source of DDT for the air in Dayan Cave. An intermediate level concentration of α-endosulfan (156.00?pg/m(3)) was observed in the outside air, implying local source was dominant. Based on the similar sources of HCH and DDT and the relationships between outside and inside air, it appeared that outside air pollutants affected on inside HCH and DDT's distribution. For other OCPs, outside air might be major contributor to inside air contamination under conditions of high concentrations in outside air compared with low levels in inside air for semi-closed karstic caves.     

土壤中两种手性有机氯农药的选择性降解研究

为了更深入的了解和阐释手性有机氯农药在土壤中的转化和环境归趋,采用实验室室内避光培养方法,研究了o,p＇-DDT及o,p＇-DDD 2种手性有机氯农药的外消旋体在水稻土厌氧培养体系和菜园土好氧培养体系中的选择性降解情况。为了更好的利用土壤中土著微生物的活性,我们选择了厌氧微生物比较丰富的水稻土和好氧微生物丰度比较高的菜园土来做培养实验。结果表明实验体系中o,p＇-DDT及o,p＇-DDD在水稻土和菜园土中的降解均没有明显的对映体选择性。这一结果与2种手性化合物不同对映体在自然环境中的含量普遍具有差异性有所不同,说明野外环境条件和室内模拟实验条件的差异会影响手性化合物的降解选择性。在2种体系中,o,p＇-DDT的降解速率均高于o,p＇-DDD的降解速率。这与以前的研究报道一致,DDD比DDT更难降解。通过2个体系的比较,发现DDT的降解速率在厌氧体系中高于好氧体系,而DDD的降解速率与之相反,好氧体系高于厌氧体系。这应该与DDT和DDD 2种化合物的化学结构及2种土壤中微生物群落的差异有关。对于厌氧体系中的2种水稻土,采自中山的水稻土中DDT的降解速率高于江门的水稻土,这应该与中山水稻土有机质含量高于江门的水稻土有关。有机质含量的高低直接反映了土壤中微生物的多少,进而会影响污染物的降解速率。研究发现本实验所用水稻土和菜园土总有机碳含量偏低可能是影响2种化合物的对映体无降解选择性的因素之一。此外,由于本研究采用缓冲溶液将pH 调控在中性,因此本文的土壤 pH 对降解选择性的影响仍有待进一步研究。本研究中好氧体系和厌氧体系对目标物的降解选择性无明显差异。     

Concentration of organochlorines in Ganges River dolphins from Patna,Bihar

Concentrations of DDT, HCH, aldrin and endosulfan were determined in river dolphins from the River Ganges, Patna. Among the organochlorines studied in the dolphins, DDT concentration was highest followed by HCH. This shows exposure of dolphins to these organochlorine pesticides. Presences of organochlorines to higher degree in tissues suggest that the river dolphins be at greater risk due to pesticidal contamination of the river system.     

Organochlorine levels in human blood from residents in areas of limited pesticide use in Sudan

Ninety-nine human blood samples were collected from the riverine region of northern Sudan and the traditional and mechanized rain-fed areas of western and eastern Sudan, representing areas of limited pesticide use in Sudan. Blood samples were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides by gas liquid chromatography (GLC) followed by electron-capture detection (ECD). p,p′-DDE (a metabolite of DDT), heptachlor epoxide, β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH), and dieldrin were detected in all locations surveyed. The level of total organochlorine burden was highest in the traditional rain-fed area, followed by the mechanized rain-fed area, and the riverine area. A highly significant correlation was observed between total organochlorine blood burden and the age of the donors (r = 0.608**).     

DDT in fish from the Bulgarian region of the Black Sea

In spite of a worldwide reduction in the utilization of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), they are still a problem for the aquatic environment and human health. The Black Sea is still being polluted with persistent chemicals, including OCPs. Aquatic organisms (sprat, scad, bluefish, shad, belted bonito, goby, and black mussel) with different feeding behaviours were sampled on a seasonal basis from the Bulgarian region of the Black Sea, and the concentrations of 13 OCP residues were determined. Although many of the OCPs were not detected in the samples, in all samples 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) was present mainly in the form of its metabolites 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDD) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethylene (DDE). Only about 12% of the total DDT was present as the parent compound pp-DDT, which suggests that it was not being used recently in the region. The total DDT concentrations were generally below 150 μg kg^-1 fresh weight, but higher levels—up to 354 μg kg^-1 fresh weight—were also measured for fish species with a high fat content. Between-species differences were observed, even when the concentrations were presented on a fat-level basis. DDT concentrations did not show any significant changes over the 2-yr sampling period. Fish sampled in the northern areas of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast seemed to contain higher DDT levels than those from the southern areas, suggesting a major (historical) influence of the Danube River. For permanent monitoring purposes, the utility of Black Sea gobies and scad should be considered.