Acute and chronic toxicity of Roundup Weathermax and Ignite 280 SL to larval Spea multiplicata and S. bombifrons from the Southern High Plains, USA

Pesticides have been implicated in widespread amphibian declines. We assessed acute and chronic toxicity of two widely used herbicides to larval New Mexico (Spea multiplicata) and Plains (S. bombifrons) spadefoots from cropland and native grassland playas. Roundup WeatherMAX^® (WM) toxicity estimates (48- and 216-h LC₅₀; 48-h LC₁) for both species were similar to environmental concentrations expected from accidental overspray. Chronic (30-day) exposure to WM at predicted environmental concentrations (2.0 and 2.8 mg glyphosate acid equivalents/L) reduced survival of both species. Ignite^® 280 SL (IG) toxicity estimates (48-h LC₅₀ and LC₁) for both species were above predicted environmental concentrations of 1.0 mg glufosinate/L. Chronic exposure to predicted environmental concentrations of IG did not reduce survival of either species. Toxicity test results suggest that at predicted environmental concentrations IG would not cause extensive mortalities among larval New Mexico and Plains spadefoots. However, WM may cause extensive mortality among larvae of these species.     

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in soil and water samples in the Northeastern part of São Paulo State,Brazil

Detailed analyses of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers (HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloro ethane (DDT) and its metabolites (DDTs) and congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soil and surface water from the northeastern São Paulo, Brazil allowed the evaluation of the contamination status, distribution and possible pollution sources. The pesticides and PCBs demonstrated markedly different distributions, reflecting different agricultural, domestic and industrial usage in each region studied. The ranges of HCH, DDT, and PCBs concentrations in the soil samples were 0.05–0.92, 0.12–11.01, 0.02–0.25 ng g⁻¹ dry wt, respectively, and in the surface water samples were 0.02–0.6, 0.02–0.58 and 0.02–0.5 ng l⁻¹, respectively. Overall elevated levels of DDT and PCB were recorded in region 2, a site very close to melting, automotive batteries industries, and agricultural practice regions. High ratios of metabolites of DDT to DDT isomers revealed the recent use of DDT in this environment. The sources of contamination are closely related to human activities, such as domestic and industrial discharge, street runoff, agricultural pesticides and soil erosion, due to deforestation as well as atmospheric transport.     

New DDT inputs after 30 years of prohibition in Spain. A case study in agricultural soils from south-western Spain

This study provides information on the current status of contamination by DDT in agricultural soils in south-western Spain. A recent use of technical DDT in at least 17% of the soils was found based on the values (<1) of the ratio Rp,p^′/p,p^′=[p,p^′-DDE+p,p^′-DDD]/[p,p^′-DDT]. According to the ratio Ro,p^′/p,p^′=[o,p^′-DDT]/[p,p^′-DDT], a dicofol type contamination was detected in about 27% of the soils. A wide range of concentrations was observed (0.08-11.1 ng/g d.w.) regardless of the type of crop soil. Enantiomeric fractions (EFs), based on the chiral analysis of o,p′-DDT residues differed from the racemic value (0.500) in most soils but they were not correlated with the study variables [DDTs], SOM, Rp,p^′/p,p^′ and Ro,p^′/p,p^′. Given the health risks posed by DDT, our findings support how the environmental control of legacy pollutants such as DDT cannot be neglected.     

Effects of endosulfan exposure and Taura Syndrome Virus infection on the survival and molting of the marine penaeid shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

Molting in crustaceans is an important endocrine-controlled biological process that plays a critical role in growth and reproduction. Many factors can affect this physiological cycle in crustaceans including environmental stressors and disease agents. For example the pathology of Taura Syndrome Virus (TSV) of shrimp is closely related to molting cycle. Similarly, endosulfan, a commonly used pesticide is a potential endocrine disruptor. This study explores interrelationships between pesticide exposure, virus infection and their interactions with physiology and susceptibility of the shrimp. Litopenaeus vannamei (Pacific white shrimp) were challenged with increasing doses of endosulfan and TSV (TSV-C, a Belize reference strain) to determine the respective median lethal concentrations (LC₅₀s). The 96-h endosulfan LC₅₀ was 5.32 μg L⁻¹, while the 7-d TSV LC₅₀ was 54.74 mg L⁻¹. Subsequently, based on their respective LC₅₀ values, a 20-d interaction experiment with sublethal concentrations of endosulfan (2 μg L⁻¹) and TSV (30 mg L⁻¹) confirmed a significant interaction (p < 0.05, χ² = 5.29), and thereby the susceptibility of the shrimp. Concurrently, molt-stage of animals, both at the time of exposure and death, was compared with mortality. For animals challenged with TSV, no strong correlation between molt-stage and mortality was observed (p > 0.05). For animals exposed to endosulfan, animals in the postmolt stage were shown to be more susceptible to acute toxicity (p < 0.05). For animals exposed to both TSV and endosulfan, interference of endosulfan-associated stress lead to increasingly higher susceptibility at postmolt (p < 0.05) during the acute phase of the TSV disease cycle.     

Nitrate reduction during ground-water recharge, Southern High Plains, Texas

In arid and semi-arid environments, artificial recharge or reuse of wastewater may be desirable for water conservation, but NO₃⁻ contamination of underlying aquifers can result. On the semi-arid Southern High Plains (USA), industrial wastewater, sewage, and feedlot runoff have been retained in dozens of playas, depressions that focus recharge to the regionally important High Plains (Ogallala) aquifer. Analyses of ground water, playa-basin core extracts, and soil gas in an 860-km² area of Texas suggest that reduction during recharge limits NO₃⁻ loading to ground water. Tritium and Cl⁻ concentrations in ground water corroborate prior findings of focused recharge through playas and ditches. Typical δ¹⁵N values in ground water (>12.5‰) and correlations between δ¹⁵N and ln C_NO⁻3–N suggest denitrification, but O₂ concentrations ≥3.24 mg l⁻¹ indicate that NO₃⁻ reduction in ground water is unlikely. The presence of denitrifying and NO₃⁻-respiring bacteria in cores, typical soil–gas δ¹⁵N values <0‰, and decreases in NO₃⁻–N/Cl⁻ and SO₄²⁻/Cl⁻ ratios with depth in cores suggest that reduction occurs in the upper vadose zone beneath playas. Reduction may occur beneath flooded playas or within anaerobic microsites beneath dry playas. However, NO₃⁻–N concentrations in ground water can still exceed drinking-water standards, as observed in the vicinity of one playa that received wastewater. Therefore, continued ground-water monitoring in the vicinity of other such basins is warranted.     

Organotins in North Sea brown shrimp (Crangon crangon L.) after implementation of the TBT ban

The organotin (OT) compounds tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPhT) are potent biocides that have been used ubiquitously in antifouling paints and pesticides since the mid-1970s. These biocides are extremely toxic to marine life, particularly marine gastropod populations. The European Union therefore took measures to reduce the use of TBT-based antifouling paints on ships and ultimately banned these paints in 2003. Despite sufficient data on OT concentrations in marine gastropods, data are scarce for other species such as the North Sea brown shrimp (Crangon crangon), a dominant crustacean species in North Sea inshore benthic communities. The present study provides the first spatial overview of OT concentrations in North Sea brown shrimp. We have compared these data with historical concentrations in shrimp as well as with sediment concentrations. We have also addressed the effect on the shrimp stock and any human health risks associated with the OT concentrations found. TBT and TPhT in shrimp tail muscle ranged from 4 to 124 and from 1 to 24 μg kg⁻¹ DW, respectively. High levels are accumulated in estuarine areas and are clearly related with sediment concentrations (biota-sediment accumulation factor ∼10). Levels have decreased approximately 10-fold since the ban took effect, coinciding with a recovery of the shrimp stock after 30 years of gradual regression. Furthermore, the OT levels found in brown shrimp no longer present a human health risk.     

Persistence of organochlorine chemical residues in fish from the Tombigbee River (Alabama, USA): Continuing risk to wildlife from a former DDT manufacturing facility

Organochlorine pesticide and total polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations were measured in largemouth bass from the Tombigbee River near a former DDT manufacturing facility at McIntosh, Alabama. Evaluation of mean p,p′- and o,p′-DDT isomer concentrations and o,p′- versus p,p′-isomer proportions in McIntosh bass indicated that DDT is moving off site from the facility and into the Tombigbee River. Concentrations of p,p′-DDT isomers in McIntosh bass remained unchanged from 1974 to 2004 and were four times greater than contemporary concentrations from a national program. Total DDT in McIntosh bass exceeded dietary effect concentrations developed for bald eagle and osprey. Hexachlorobenzene, PCBs, and toxaphene concentrations in bass from McIntosh also exceeded thresholds to protect fish and piscivorous wildlife. Whereas concentrations of DDT and most other organochlorine chemicals in fish have generally declined in the U.S. since their ban, concentrations of DDT in fish from McIntosh remain elevated and represent a threat to wildlife.     

A Preliminary Evaluation of the DDT Contamination of Sediments in Lakes Natron and Bogoria (Eastern Rift Valley,Africa)

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is still used in Africa for the indoor control of malaria and it may represent a potential hazard for wildlife. The littoral sediments of two alkaline-saline lakes, Natron (Tanzania) and Bogoria (Kenya), in the Eastern Rift Valley, supporting large populations of lesser flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor), were analysed for DDT residues. Physical–chemical analyses (temperature, conductivity, pH and dissolved oxygen) were also performed on the water of the two lakes and in the tributaries of Lake Natron, to evaluate the influence of the environmental variables on pollutant occurrence. At Lake Natron, around 1 km from the sediment collection sites, tree leaves of Acacia tortilis were also collected. The main metabolite found in all sediment samples was pp’DDE, whilst equal concentrations of pp’DDT and pp’DDE were measured in acacia leaves. The levels of DDTs measured in the sediments were within 5.9–30.9 ng g⁻¹ d.w., reaching the maximum value in a tributary of Lake Natron. On the whole, the contamination of Lake Natron and Lake Bogoria basins seems to be quite moderate. Nevertheless, the pp’DDE/pp’DDT ratio equals 1 in the Acacia tortilis leaves, which makes one suppose that the input of the parent compound was rather recent and could have been from aerial transport or dust from relatively close-by old pesticides storage sites.     

Bioaccumulation and depuration of anthracene in Penaeus monodon (Fibricius) through food ingestion

Understanding on the bioaccumulation and depuration of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in Penaeus monodon is important in seafood safety because it is one of the most popular seafood consumed worldwide. In this study, we used anthracene as the precursor compound for PAHs accumulation and depuration in the shrimp. Commercial feed pellets spiked with anthracene were fed to P. monodon. At 20 mg kg⁻¹ anthracene, P. monodon accumulated 0.1% of the anthracene from the feed. P. monodon deputed the PAH two times faster than its accumulation. The shrimp reduced its feed consumption when anthracene content in the feed exceeded 20 mg kg⁻¹. At 100 mg kg⁻¹ anthracene, P. monodon started to have necrosis tissues on the posterior end of their thorax. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF), uptake rate constant (k₁) and depuration rate constant (k₂) of anthracene in P. monodon were 1.15 × 10⁻³, 6.80 × 10⁻⁴ d⁻¹ and 6.28 × 10⁻¹ d⁻¹, respectively. The depuration rate constant is about thousand times higher than the uptake rate constant and this indicated that this crustacean is efficient in depurating hydrocarbons from their tissue.     

Assessment of Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Water,Sediment, and Fish of the Songhua River,China

This study examined residual concentrations and associated ecological risks of the organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) hexa- chlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) in water, sediment, and fish of the Songhua River in Zhaoyuan County, China. In June 2012, 10 water, 10 sediment, and 20 fish samples were collected. Residual concentrations of ΣHCH and ΣDDT ranged from 10.0–35.59 ng L^?1 (mean 28.03 ± 11.66 ng L^?1) and 5.12–39.66 ng L^?1 (mean 32.36 ± 11.58 ng L^?1) for water. Residual concentrations of ΣHCH and ΣDDT ranged from 0.52–3.00 ng g^?1 (mean 2.04 ± 0.73 ng g^?1) and 0.34–3.41 ng g^?1 (mean 2.38 ± 0.92 ng g^?1) for sediment. The ratios of α-HCH/γ-HCH were close to 1 at the majority of sampling points, indicating considerable new pollution from the use of lindane. The ratios of p,p′-DDE + p,p′-DDD/ΣDDT were less than 0.5, indicating recent inputs from DDT impurities in dicofol. All HCH and DDT isomers except for p,p′-DDD were detected in fish tissue samples, but the associated ecological risks were estimated to be below levels of concern. The study revealed a historical usage of OCPs in the Zhaoyuan section of the Songhua River and new OCP from the use of lindane and dicofol.     

Atmospheric PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in Birmingham,UK: concentrations,sources, temporal and seasonal trends

Concentrations of individual PCBs and DDT, DDE, α- and γ-HCH were recorded in 62 air samples of 24 h duration taken every 1–2 weeks at an urban location in Birmingham, UK between April 1999 and July 2000. Concentrations of PCBs 31/28, 52, 49, 47, 105, 149, 153, 138/164, 174, and 180 were significantly lower (p<0.05) than those recorded at the same site in 1997–1998. While DDT concentrations and DDT:DDE ratios were much lower than those recorded in southern England in 1992–1993; no such decline was observed in concentrations of α- and γ-HCH, or the α:γ-HCH ratio. These data are consistent with declining European usage of DDT, but continuing UK use of γ-HCH, and overseas use and subsequent atmospheric transport of “technical” HCH. γ-HCH concentrations displayed two non-temperature dependent peaks in spring and late summer/early autumn, consistent with agricultural use patterns. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to elucidate the relative influence of temperature, wind direction and a variety of other meteorological variables on atmospheric concentrations of PCBs. When all samples were considered, concentrations of most PCB congeners were influenced by a combination of reciprocal temperature, wind direction, and wind speed. Plotting the ratio of the Beta weightings for the regression coefficients for reciprocal temperature and sine (or cosine) of wind direction against chlorine number, revealed a general increase in the relative influence of temperature compared to wind direction with increasing chlorine number. However, when the 31 samples for which the wind speed <4.4 m s⁻¹ were analysed; only temperature and atmospheric relative humidity were influential for most congeners. This absence of influence of wind direction under relatively calm atmospheric conditions, suggests that it is medium-to-long range transport rather than local sources that exerts the greatest influence on PCB concentrations at our site.     

Cytogenetic status of human lymphocytes after exposure to low concentrations of p,p'-DDT, and its metabolites (p,p'-DDE, and p,p'-DDD) in vitro

Despite that the use of DDT has been restricted for more than 40 years to malaria affected areas, low doses of this pesticide and its metabolites DDE and DDD can be found in the environment around the world. Although it has been shown that these pollutants induce cell and DNA damage, the mechanisms of their cytogenotoxic activity remains largely unknown. This study looks into their possible genotoxic effects, at doses that can be found in body fluids, on human lymphocytes using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay and the comet assay. After exposure for 1, 6, and 24 h compounds p,p′-DDT (0.1 μg mL⁻¹), p,p′-DDE (4.1 μg mL⁻¹), and p,p′-DDD (3.9 μg mL⁻¹) showed increase in DNA damage. The most significant results were observed at exposure period of 24 h where number of micronucleated cells increased from control 2.5 ± 0.71 to 23.5 ± 3.54, 13.5 ± 0.71, and 16.5 ± 6.36 for DDT, DDE, and DDD, respectively. Similar effect was observed using comet test where the percentage of DNA in comets tail increased from control 1.81 ± 0.16 to 17.24 ± 0.55, 11.21 ± 0.56 and 9.28 ± 0.50 for each compound, respectively. At the same time Fpg-comet assay failed to report induction of oxidative DNA damage of these pollutants. Additionally, the type of cell death was determined using diffusion assay and necrosis dominated. Our findings suggest that even at low concentrations, these pesticides could induce cytogenetic damage to human peripheral blood lymphocytes and in that manner have the impact on human health as well.     

Contents and sources of DDT impurities in dicofol formulations in Turkey

Background, aim, and scope  Dicofol is widely used as a pesticide in agriculture applications. Since dicofol is mainly synthesized from dichlorodiphenyltrichlorethane (DDT), it contains DDT as an impurity. The European Community has forced Prohibition Directive 79/117/EEC to reduce DDT in dicofol formulations. Specifically, DDT content in a dicofol formulation cannot exceed 0.1%. The goal of this project was to determine the DDT content in dicofol formulations used in Turkey. Materials and methods  Samples of all the dicofol formulations in Turkey were collected to quantify DDT and DDT-related compounds. Four replicates were used for each sample. GC/MS/MS was used to analyze p,p′ and o,p′ isomers of DDT, DDD, and DDE. A HPLC was used to determine p,p′-Cl-DDT concentrations. Results  The total DDT content of the formulated dicofol was found between 0.3% and 14.3%. The concentration of p,p′-DDE ranged from 167 to 1,042 mg kg⁻¹ in dicofol samples. p,p′-DDT concentrations were found to be 32 to 183 mg kg⁻¹. The o,p’-DDT level ranged from 2 to 34 mg kg⁻¹ in the dicofol formulations analyzed. Discussion  It was estimated that 617.8 kg of DDT was released from dicofol. The main impurity was identified as p,p-Cl-DDT. Based on these results, dicofol serves as a continuing source of DDT contamination. Conclusions  All DDT concentrations in dicofol samples analyzed were higher than the permitted 0.1% level of Prohibition Directive 79/117/EEC. The reduction of dicofol is critical since it serves as a continual source of DDT contamination. Recommendations and perspectives  DDT has been found in soil, water, and air samples. Dicofol has been identified as a contributor to continued DDT contamination in soil and water. More studies are needed to ascertain the source of DDT in the air.     

Bioaccumulation of glyphosate and its formulation Roundup Ultra in Lumbriculus variegatus and its effects on biotransformation and antioxidant enzymes

The bioaccumulation potential of glyphosate and the formulation Roundup Ultra, as well as possible effects on biotransformation and antioxidant enzymes in Lumbriculus variegatus were compared by four days exposure to concentrations between 0.05 and 5 mg L⁻¹ pure glyphosate and its formulation. Bioaccumulation was determined using ¹⁴C labeled glyphosate. The bioaccumulation factor (BCF) varied between 1.4 and 5.9 for the different concentrations, and was higher than estimated from log P_ow. Glyphosate and its surfactant POEA caused elevation of biotransformation enzyme soluble glutathione S-transferase at non-toxic concentrations. Membrane bound glutathione S-transferase activity was significantly elevated in Roundup Ultra exposed worms, compared to treatment with equal glyphosate concentrations, but did not significantly differ from the control. Antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase was significantly increased by glyphosate but in particular by Roundup Ultra exposure indicating oxidative stress. The results show that the formulation Roundup Ultra is of more ecotoxicological relevance than the glyphosate itself.     

Atmospheric DDTs over the North Pacific Ocean and the adjacent Arctic region: Spatial distribution,congener patterns and source implication

During the 2003 Chinese Arctic Research Expedition (CHINARE 2003) from Bohai Sea to the high Arctic (37°N–80°N), air samples were collected and analyzed for DDTs. ∑DDTs (sum of six congeners) ranged from 0.52 to 265 pg m^?3 with an average of 13.1 pg m^?3. Higher DDT concentrations were observed in Bohai Sea and near eastern Russia. The congener patterns were obviously different between the Far East Asia and the higher latitudinal regions that p,p'-DDT and o,p'-DDT were dominated in the former; while o,p'-DDT and o,p'-DDE were dominated in the latter. The source contributions of technical DDT and dicofol type DDT were estimated. Results showed that technical DDT was the dominant source (>94%) which was fresher in the Far East Asia compared to the North Pacific Ocean and the Arctic. For dicofol type DDT, the estimated contribution was minor. The “new” o,p'-DDT observed should have relatively more contribution from dicofol type DDT in the North Pacific Ocean and the Arctic.     

Remediation of DDT-Contaminated Water and Soil by Using Pretreated Iron Byproducts from the Automotive Industry

The objective of this study was to quantify the effectiveness of different pretreated iron byproducts from the automotive industry to degrade DDT [(1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethane] in aqueous solutions and soil slurry. Iron byproducts from automotive manufacturing were pretreated by three different methods (heating, solvent and 0.5N HCl acid washing) prior to experimentation. All pretreated irons were used at 5% (wt v^{? 1}) to treat 0.014 mM (5 mgL^{? 1}) of DDT in aqueous solution. Among the pretreated irons, acid pretreated iron results in the fastest destruction rates, with a pseudo first-order degradation rate of 0.364 d^{? 1}. By lowering the pH of the DDT aqueous solution from 9 to 3, destruction kinetic rates increase more than 20%. In addition, when DDT-contaminated soil slurry (3.54 mg kg^{? 1}) was incubated with 5% (wt v^{? 1}) acid-pretreated iron, more than 90% destruction of DDT was observed within 8 weeks. Moreover, DDT destruction kinetics were enhanced when Fe(II), Fe(III) or Al(III) sulfate salts were added to the soil slurry, with the following order of destruction kinetics: Al(III) sulfate > Fe(III) sulfate > Fe(II) sulfate. These results provide proof-of concept that inexpensive iron byproducts of the automotive industry can be used to remediate DDT-contaminated water and soil.     

Evaluation of the possible adverse effects of legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on the brown booby (Sula leucogaster) along the Brazilian coast

This study aimed to investigate the impact of contamination by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on Brazilian wildlife. The concentrations of certain POPs, including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in the eggs of the brown booby (Sula leucogaster) were measured. The eggs were collected from breeding colonies located on three archipelagos (Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Abrolhos and Cagarras Islands) in the Atlantic Ocean, which are located at different distances from the Brazilian coast (range 4-1010 km). In addition, possible alterations in eggshell characteristics were evaluated. The average values of POPs found in eggs from the archipelago of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (0.05 μg g⁻¹ of ΣPCBs and 0.01 μg g⁻¹ of ΣDDT) and the archipelago of Abrolhos (0.19 μg g⁻¹ of ΣPCBs and 0.03 μg g⁻¹ of ΣDDT) were low compared to the reference values reported in the literature. In contrast, the concentrations measured in eggs from Cagarras (8.4 μg g⁻¹ of ΣPCBs and 1.8 μg g⁻¹ of ΣDDT) were the highest, and this total PCB level is close to the threshold values considered to be harmful to birds. Our findings indicate that the brown booby colony closest to the Rio de Janeiro coast has recently been exposed to DDT. Despite the high pollution levels found on the Cagarras Islands, no alterations in the eggshell weight or the thickness of the analyzed eggs were detected. Hence, more detailed studies are recommended to determine the actual effects of the selected POPs on the Cagarras breeding colony.     

Concentrations and characteristics of organochlorine pesticides in aquatic biota from Qiantang River in China

The Qiantang River is a typical river flowing through an agricultural area in China. It was studied in 2006 for its aquatic biota quality by determining 13 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the edible parts of crabs, clams, shrimp, fish, aquatic plants, as well as water and sediments collected from seven sites along its upper reaches all the way downstream. The levels of all insecticides were in the range of 17+/-13 (water plants), 35+/-36 (shrimp), 32+/-14 (crabs), 39+/-21 (clams), 47+/-35 (fish) ng/g wet weight (ww) and in the range of 2936+/-2356 (water plants), 5827+/-6013 (shrimp), 2102+/-966 (crabs), 1859+/-1018 (clams), 3624+/-11331 (fish) ng/g lipid. DDT and its metabolites were the predominant contaminants in most biota. A linear relationship was observed between the log bio-concentration factor (BCF) and log octanol-water partition coefficients (Kow) for fish, clams and shrimp. Composition analyses in various environmental media indicated a recent usage of lindane and dicofol into the river.     

Monitoring of heavy metal and organic compound levels along the Eastern Aegean coast with transplanted mussels

Within the framework of the MYTITURK project, heavy metals and organic compounds contaminations were assessed in transplanted mussels in eight different bays from the Eastern Aegean coast. Izmir Bay, Canakkale Strait entrance, Saros and Candarli Bay were defined low pollution extent according to Principal Component Analysis taking into metal accumulation. PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) levels in the range of 29.4–64.2 ng g⁻¹ (dry weight) indicated that PAH contamination level classified as low along the Aegean coast. Concentrations of Aroclor1254 and 1260 were higher in transplanted mussels from Canakkale Strait Outlet due to industrial activities was originated from Marmara Sea. The organochlorinated pesticides such as heptachlor (<0.4 ng g⁻¹), aldrin (<0.30 ng g⁻¹), dieldrin (<0.75 ng g⁻¹), endrin (<2.3 ng g⁻¹) concentrations were homogeneous however, HCB (Hexachlorobenzene) and lindane concentrations were found undetectable level along the coast. DDE/DDT ratio in the caged mussels form Gulluk and Gokova Bay indicated recent DDT (Dikloro difenil trikloroethan) usage in these areas. The residues of organochlorinated compounds in transplanted mussels confirm the long persistence of DDTs. According to world health authorities, the concentration of heavy metals in mussels for the study area can generally be considered not to be at levels posing a health risk except Zn. The levels of POPs indicated that transplanted mussels have a lack of risk for the human health.     

Organochlorine concentrations in franciscana dolphins, Pontoporia blainvillei, from Brazilian waters

Blubber samples were collected from ten franciscana dolphins either incidentally captured in fishing operations or stranded on São Paulo (SP) and Paraná (PR) states littoral, Southeastern and Southern Brazilian coast, respectively. Determination of PCB, DDT and HCB concentrations were performed by capillary gas chromatograph coupled to electron capture detector (ECD). ΣDDT, ΣPCB and HCB concentrations ranged from 264 ng g⁻¹ to 5811 ng g⁻¹ lipid, from 909 ng g⁻¹ to 5849 ng g⁻¹ lipid and from 10 ng g⁻¹ to 61 ng g⁻¹ lipid, respectively. Regarding DDTs, the distribution of the mean percentages decreased in the following order: p,p′-DDE > p,p′-DDD > p,p′-DDT. The ΣDDT/ΣPCB ratio varied between 0.27 and 0.42 in Northern and Central SP coast, while in Southern SP and PR coast the values were 1.6 and 1.9, respectively. Dissimilarities in ΣDDT/ΣPCB ratios point to different sources of organochlorine compounds to franciscana dolphins in the study area. Considering the endocrine disruptive action of organochlorine compounds, the concentrations found in franciscana dolphins from Brazilian waters may represent an additional obstacle to the conservation of this endangered cetacean species.