Large-scale spatial pollution patterns around the North Sea indicated by coastal bird eggs within an EcoQO programme

To categorize the marine environmental health status, the Oslo and Paris commissions have recently formulated Ecological Quality Objectives (EcoQOs) for many ecological features including the contamination of coastal bird eggs with mercury and organochlorines. In this study, we describe spatial and temporal patterns of egg contamination around the North Sea and compared them to the EcoQOs. Concentrations of mercury, polychlorinated biphenyl (??PCB) congeners, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (??DDT) and derivatives, hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and hexachlorocyclohexane (??HCH) isomers were analysed in two tern species (Sterna hirundo and Sterna paradisaea) and Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) eggs collected between 2008 and 2010 in a total of 21 sites in seven countries surrounding the North Sea. Hg, ??PCB and HCB were highest in the southern sites, while ??DDT and ??HCH concentrations were greatest in eggs from the western North Sea and the Elbe estuary. There were rarely any consistent decreases over time for any compounds. In the terns, Hg, HCB and ??HCH increased at most sites, ??PCB and ??DDT in Sweden and Norway. In the Oystercatcher, HCB and ??HCH increased at more than the half of the sites, ??PCB, ??DDT and Hg at several German sites. In the terns, Hg, ??PCB and ??DDT exceeded the EcoQO in all, HCB in most years and sites. At most sites, ??HCH fulfilled the EcoQO in some study years. In the Oystercatcher, Hg, ??PCB and ??DDT exceeded the EcoQO in all or most years and sites. HCB and ??HCH fulfilled the EcoQO in some or all years at most sites. The EcoQO was exceeded most frequently in estuaries. We conclude that EcoQOs are suitable for drawing contamination patterns of the coastal North Sea in an easily understandable manner, offering the opportunity to harmonize the EcoQOs with coordinated environmental monitoring programmes.     

Accumulation of organochlorine contaminants in double-crested cormorants

Cormorant eggs and lipid samples from juvenile Cormorants were analyzed for 14 organochlorine contaminants. Low concentrations (geometric mean < 0.05 microg/g) of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), lindane, oxy-chlordane, heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin, endrin, mirex, DDD and DDT in eggs primarily reflected the wintering-ground origin of organochlorine contaminants. Overall geometric mean concentrations of DDE and PCBs in Cormorant eggs were 3.90 and 2.22 microg/g egg respectively, and would not affect reproduction or eggshell thickness. Eggshells averaged 0.44 mm in thickness and no correlation (r2 = 0.17) with log-transformed DDE residues in Cormorant eggs was evident. Only DDE and PCBs were detected in lipid samples from 5- to 8-week-old Cormorants (geometric mean approximately 1.0 microg/g lipid for each compound). The PCB: DDE ratios in Cormorant lipid from some individual colonies were 2-3.5 times greater than the ratio in eggs from the same colony, suggesting an accumulation of PCBs related to local diet. Juvenile Cormorants might serve as regional indicators of chemical residue contamination in Alberta, and provide a temporal perspective on changes in contaminant burdens in aquatic ecosystems.     

Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, mercury, cadmium, copper, selenium, arsenic, and zinc in the harbour seal, Phoca vitulina, in Norwegian waters

Residue levels of the chlorinated hydrocarbons polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), total DDT, alpha-, beta- and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and oxychlordane in blubber, and the elements mercury, cadmium, copper, selenium, arsenic, and zinc in liver, of 82 harbour seals, Phoca vitulina, were determined. The seals were found dead or dying in Norwegian waters during the disease outbreak caused by a morbilli virus in 1988. Of the chlorinated hydrocarbons, the highest concentrations were found of PCBs, which were 2-4 times higher than the total DDT concentrations. P,p'-DDE was the main contributor to the total DDT, and constituted about 80%. The PCB and total DDT concentrations ranged from 0.4-38 and 0.1-8.8 mg kg(-1), respectively. The mercury concentrations ranged from 0.1-89 mg kg(-1). Significantly higher mean levels of PCBs (13 mg kg(-1) and mercury (16 mg kg(-1)) were found in blubber and liver, respectively, of seals from the Southern coast of Norway, as compared to the corresponding mean levels in seals from the Oslofjord (8.8 and 4.1 mg kg(-1)), and at the Northwestern coast (5.8 and 7.9 mg kg(-1)), respectively. A significant positive correlation was found between the concentrations of selenium and mercury. When the seals were grouped according to sex and age, females of ageclass > 1 and pups of both sexes had significantly lower PCB and total DDT levels than males ageclass > 1. Significantly higher hepatic mercury levels were found in seals ageclass > 1 as compared to pups. Only low levels of the other organochlorines, cadmium and arsenic, were found. Copper and zinc were considered to be present at normal physiological levels. The present organochlorine and heavy metal concentrations gave no support to suggestions that organochlorines and heavy metal pollution may be directly involved in the observed seal deaths.     

Persistent organochlorine residues in northern fur seal from the Pacific coast of Japan since 1971

The present study was conducted to determine the residue levels of persistent organochlorines such as PCB homologues, DDT and its metabolites, and HCH isomers in the ventral blubber of female northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) collected off Sanriku, the Pacific coast of northern Japan, since 1971. Among the organochlorines examined, the concentrations of PCBs and DDTs were found to be high in all samples. The residue levels of these two contaminants showed a drastic reduction following maturity and then a slight increase after the retirement from pregnancy/menopause. Temporal variation of PCB and DDT residues showed maximum levels around 1976 and then decreased, whereas HCH residue levels revealed a very slow declining pattern. Considering the concentrations and compositions of the residues, the northern fur seal is likely to be exposed to organochlorine contamination deriving from global terms. In this context, continuous contamination has been foreseen with regard to PCB and HCH residues. The pattern of organochlorine residues indicated that the northern fur seal has higher metabolic capacity than Dall's porpoise, while it is comparable to those of larga seal and Steller sea lion.     

Organochlorine pesticide residue and PCBs in harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) incidentally caught in Scandinavian waters

During Norwegian and Danish harbour porpoise projects 1987-1991, subcutaneous blubber samples of 34 male harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) were collected. Animals from three geographical locations, ranging from 56 degrees N, 12 degrees E to 71 degrees N, 26 degrees E, were chosen in order to study the organochlorine (OC) contamination in this species inhabiting the northeastern part of the North Atlantic Ocean, the northern North Sea and Kattegat, at the locations of Tufjord, Vestlandet and Gilleleje, respectively. Analytical standards used consisted of the industrial chemicals PCBs (22 individual PCB congeners and 6 industrial mixtures which contained 104 PCB congeners or group of congeners) and HCB, and the organochlorine pesticides DDT, HCH, the cyclodienes endrin, dieldrin and the chlordane metabolites oxychlordane and trans-nonachlor, and heptachlor epoxide. A total of 16 PCB congeners or groups of congeners, all the DDT metabolites except o,p'-DDD, and all the pesticides were detected in all animals. The concentrations of sigmaPCB (sum of concentrations of 47 detected PCB congeners) and sigmaDDT (sum of concentrations of all DDT detected compounds) ranged from 3.7-65.3 and 3.2-45.0 microg g(-1) lipid weight, respectively. The range of mean concentrations of dieldrin, endrin and trans-nonachlor was 1-3 microg g(-1), while mean concentrations of HCHs, heptachlor epoxide, and HCB were <1 microg g(-1). No significant variation in PCB congener pattern was apparent between geographical areas. The major PCB congeners nos 147/123, 153, 138/163/164, 182/187 and 180 at Gilleleje, Vestlandet and Tufjord represented 53%, 45% and 44% of sigmaPCB, respectively. A significant difference was found between the number of PCB congeners in blubber of newborn and older porpoises. This might indicate the presence of a blood/placenta barrier and/or selective mammary transport of PCBs with specific structures. A significant OC accumulation with age was apparent, with the exception of HCB and HCHs. Geographical differences in the levels of OCs were apparent for all compounds except for dieldrin and heptachlor epoxide. Significantly higher levels of chlordane metabolites (trans-nonachlor and oxychlordane) and endrin were found in the group of animals from the northern location Tufjord, while sigmaDDT, p,p'-DDTs, HCHs and PCBs were highest in the group of animals from the southern location Gilleleje. Highest levels of the o,p'-substituted DDTs were found in specimens from the middle location Vestlandet. These findings indicate little or no regular migration of harbour porpoise between these three locations. No correlations were found between OC concentrations and blubber thickness. Although mean values of sigmaDDT and sigmaPCB were in the lower end of previously reported levels in harbour porpoise from adjacent waters in the eastern part of the North Atlantic Ocean and along the coasts of North America, these levels are relatively high. The organochlorine concentrations in harbour porpoises in the present study were 2-3 times higher than corresponding OC levels detected in harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) from the same areas.     

Seabird eggs as bioindicators of chemical contamination in Chile

Seabird eggs were used as bioindicators of chemical contamination in Chile. Brown-hooded Gull (Larus maculipennis), Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus), Trudeau's Tern (Sterna trudeaui), Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus), and Pink-footed Shearwater (Puffinus creatopus) eggs were sampled at different breeding sites during the 1990s. Mercury and organochlorines (PCBs, DDT, HCB, HCH, and PCP) were quantified to reveal the interspecific differences, spatial and temporal trends in contamination levels. Trudeau's Tern displayed the highest levels of mercury (486 ng g(-1) wet weight). The highest sumDDT concentrations were measured in Brown-hooded Gulls (726 ng g(-1)). PCB levels were similar among the species (102-236 ng g(-1)), but the composition of the PCB mixture was different in Pink-footed Shearwaters. With the exception of the Brown-hooded Gull, all species studied presented similar and low levels of organochlorines (sumOHa). Residues of PCB and related compounds were not detected in any of the seabird eggs analyzed in Chile. Geographical variation was low, although levels of industrial chemicals were slightly higher in eggs from Concepción Bay, and agricultural chemicals in eggs from Valdivia. Also interannual variation was low, but some evidence was found of decreasing levels in gull eggs throughout the time of the study. The causes of the low levels and small variability in space and time of environmental chemicals in Chilean seabirds are discussed. We propose the use of seabirds in future monitoring of the development of chemical contamination in Chile.     

Age dependence of the concentrations of harmful substances in Baltic herring (Clupea harengus)

The age dependence of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Hg, CH₃1bHg, DDT, DDD, DDE, HCH, HCB and the PCBs have been studied in Baltic herring of 1 to 6 years of age. Lead, cadmium, mercury and the organochlorine concentrations increase significantly with age. In the case of the DDTs and the PCBs, the variations can be attribued almost totally to the combined effect of age and variations in the lipid percentage.     

Mercury and organochlorine content of Dipper Cinclus cinclus eggs in south-west Ireland: trends during 1990-1999

A sample of 124 deserted/infertile dipper (Cinclus cinclus) eggs was collected in south-west Ireland during six seasons (1990-1994 and 1999) and analysed for mercury and organochlorines. Mercury was detected in three of the 6 years but no trend was observed. DDT occurred above the limit of detection in only two eggs, one each in 1993 and 1994. In contrast, two derivatives of DDT (DDE and TDE) were found much more commonly. DDE occurred in over 87% of eggs, while TDE contamination was less widespread and reached a maximum of 60% in 1993, with none detected in 1991 or 1999. There was no trend in occurrence of DDE or TDE across years. PCB contamination was present consistently over the 10-year period, with little change in the proportion of contaminated eggs collected over time. In all years, the lowest recorded occurrence of total PCBs was 69% expressed on a formulation basis as Arochlor 1254. PCB congeners 138, 153 and 180 dominated. The congener pattern was similar across years with the exception of 1990 when congener 118 dominated. A distinct trend of high values of contaminants was observed in 1990 and 1993. In 1990, PCB 118 was the dominant contaminant, while in 1993, HEOD, DDE, PCB 138 and PCB 153 were primary contributors to the observed result. Other contaminants (HCB, PCB 101, gamma-HCH, PCB 170 and PCB 180) showed little obvious patterns between years and occurred at relatively low levels. No pattern was observed in contaminants when eggs were grouped according to river or altitude. These data provide a baseline for organochlorine contamination levels in Irish freshwater ecosystems against which future trends can be assessed.     

Organochlorine and mercury contamination in fish tissues from the River Nestos, Greece

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, other organochlorine pesticides such as hexachlorobenzene (HCB), chlordane compounds (CHLs, including trans-chlordane and cis- and trans-nonachlor) and the heavy metal mercury were quantified in muscle and liver of the European chub (Leuciscus cephalus, Linnaeus, 1758) and in the muscle of the barbel (Barbus cyclolepis, Heckel, 1837) at two sampling sites of the River Nestos, Greece. PCBs in muscle and DDTs in the liver tissues were the predominant organochlorinated contaminants. Among the PCBs, congeners 47 (up to 9.60 ng g(-1) wet wt.), 180 (up to 1.15 ng g(-1) wet wt.) and 190 (up to 1.50 ng g(-1) wet wt.) were the most frequent and abundant. The contamination degree by the sum of PCBs on the fish tissue samples from the River Nestos is lower or similar to PCB levels found in other ecosystems. Among the organochlorine pesticides, essentially only p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE and alpha-, beta- and gamma-HCH were found, with the former appearing at mean levels up to 30.71 ng g(-1) wet wt. From a public health standpoint, residue organochlorine pesticide levels from our work are considerably lower than the recommended tolerance limits. Finally, mean values of Hg in chub were significant lower (up to 31.04 ng g(-1) wet wt.) compared to those detected on barbel (up to 169.27 ng g(-1) wet wt.). The concentrations of Hg in fresh water fish from the River Nestos did not exceed WHO and US EPA health guidelines, and were suitable for human consumption.     

Organochlorine levels in viperine snake Natrix maura carcasses from the ebro delta (NE Spain): Sexual and size-related differences

Organochlorine compounds (PCBs, DDTs and HCB) in carcasses from a population of the Viperine Snake (Natrix maura) living in the Ebro Delta were analyzed. This is a wetland area on the Mediterranean coast where the natural ecosystem has been partially substituted by rice fields. High levels of pollutants (mainly DDTs and PCBs) have been detected in several species living in this area, due to the production of these compounds by a former industrial activity upstream as well as agricultural activity in the Delta. Organochlorines were analyzed in adult males and females, and in immature snakes. DDTs (mainly p,p′-DDE) were the most abundant pollutant present. The DDT/PCB ratio was higher than expected, which is consistent with the position of the Viperine Snake in the trophic web as well as the type of prey consumed. Immature snakes had more organochlorines than adults. However, the broad range of concentrations shown by immature snakes, suggested that part of the organochlorine load is transferred from gravid females to their eggs. In adults, organochlorine concentrations increased with carcass weight in both males and females. This increase was higher in males since females lost contaminants through fat investment during vitellogenesis. Seasonally, PCBs and DDTs levels increased in spring when snakes showed higher feeding activity, whereas higher levels of HCB were present at the end of summer, when the river input increased. Furthermore, HCB does not seem to biomagnify well across the trophic chain. Organochlorine concentrations in Viperine Snake carcasses were high since: 1) the dry tissue had less than 5% of fat, and 2) snakes were caught many years after the DDT ban, supporting the fact that cleaning of the ecosystem does not occur easily. These results indicate that snakes are adequate as indicators of the contamination in natural ecosystems but sex and body size of the samples should be taken into account for interpretation of results.     

Polychlorinated biphenyl and organochlorine insecticide residues in human adipose tissue in Poland

Concentrations of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and organochlorine insecticides such as DDT, HCHs (hexachlorocyclohexanes), HCB (hexachlorobenzene) and chlordanes were determined in human adipose fat from the provinces of Skierniewice and Gdańsk in Poland collected during 1979 and 1990, respectively. The mean levels (microg g(-1) lipid weight basis) in Skierniewice and Gdańsk were found to be 1.2+/-0.44 and 1.5+/-1.3 for PCBs, 25+/-16 and 15+/-13 for DDT, 0.53+/-0.17 and 0.25+/-0.09 for HCHs, 0.36+/-0.22 and 0.26+/-0.23 for HCB, and 0.11+/-0.08 and 0.07+/-0.04 for chlordanes, respectively. Very high concentrations of DDT were detected, with the maximum value as high as 52 microg g(-1) lipid weight in Skierniewice and 47 microg g(-1) lipid weight in Gdańsk. PCB residues contained in the human fat from Polish cadavers are comparable to those of the levels reported for industrialized nations. It is appraised from the levels of DDT and PCBs in Poles' fat that the Polish environment is still experiencing both types of contamination, arising from agricultural and industrial activities. Contamination of humans by other organochlorine insecticides was relatively lower.     

Organohalogenated compounds in pine needles from Beijing city, China

Pine needles collected from 22 sites of six areas in Beijing city, China, were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) combined with organic extraction for extractable organohalogens (EOX) and extractable persistent organohalogens (EPOX). The concentrations of EOX (EOX = ECl + EOBr + EOI) were in the order of EOCl > EOBr > EOI. About 1.6-34% of EOCl remained as extractable persistent organochlorine (EPOCl) after treatment with concentrated sulfuric acid, which suggested that major fractions of EOCl in pine needles were an acid-liable or acid-soluble fraction. The fact that pine needle contained higher EOCl contents in chemical industrial and traffic hub areas indicated that chemical industries and exhaust emission from vehicle were the main sources of organochlorines in the Beijing's air. The relative proportions of the known organochlorines (such as HCHs, DDTs, chlordanes, HCB and PCBs) to total EOCl and EPOCl were 0.32-0.76% and 2.5-11.4%, respectively, which implied that a major portion of the EOCl and EPOCl measured in pine needles was unknown. The organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs) and PCBs concentrations in six areas were as follows: sigma HCH (sigma HCH = alpha- + beta- + gamma- + delta-HCH), 11.7-20.8 ng/g; sigma DDT (p,p'-DDT + p,p'-DDE + p,p'-DDD), 12.5-113.3 ng/g; hexachlorobenzene (HCB), 1.1-5.3 ng/g; sigma chlordane (cis-chlordane + trans-chlordane + heptachlor), 1.7-9.5 ng/g, sigma PCB, 41.8-270.5 ng/g, on dry weight basis. The samples from chemical industrial area and residential area nearby chemical industries contained the highest concentrations of sigma DDT, HCB, sigma chlordane and sigma PCB, while the contamination levels of most OCPs and PCBs in iron-steel industrial area were the lowest. The ratios of alpha/gamma-HCH (ranged from 0.9-1.5) and p,p'-DDT/DDTs (ranged from 72.1% to 91.0%) revealed the presence of the recent use of lindane and DDTs or impure dicofol in Beijing.     

Hair analysis: another approach for the assessment of human exposure to selected persistent organochlorine pollutants

Hair analysis was used for the assessment of exposure to organochlorine pollutants in specimens from Greece, Romania and Belgium. A simple method (using 3 N HCI as incubation reagent, liquid-liquid extraction with hexane/ dichloromethane (DCM), alumina/acid silica clean-up and GC-ECD/GC-MS analysis) was used for screening of specimens. The highest organochlorine load (up to 148 ng/g hair for the sum of PCB, DDT and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers) was found in samples from a group of Greek women with past occupational exposure to pesticides. DDTs were the main organochlorine pollutants in Greek samples (up to 70%), while in Belgian hair samples their contribution was reduced to 40%. PCB mean concentration was higher in Belgian specimens (up to 14 ng/g hair). Lindane (y-HCH) was the main HCH isomer found in the samples (up to 82% in the Greek samples). Contribution of p,p'-DDT to the sum of DDTs was higher in Greek samples and indicates recent exposure to technical DDT. Similar PCB 153/sum PCBs ratios were found for each of the three countries suggesting similar sources of pollution with PCBs (mainly dietary). Artificially coloured hair samples were found to have lower, but not statistically significant concentrations of organochlorine pollutants than the non-coloured hair.     

Organic compounds temporal trends at some invertebrate species from the Balearics, Western Mediterranean

Concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlore diphenyl trichloretane (DDT), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH or lindane) were determined in tissue of marine benthic invertebrates such as Mytilus galloprovincialis, Chamelea gallina, Venus verrucosa, Lithophaga lithophaga and Paracentrotus lividus. Species were selected due to their habitat, trophic level, feeding behaviour and their consumption. Invertebrate species were systematically sampled from December 1996 to December 2005 from several sites along the Balearic Islands. The highest concentrations of PCBs (785ng/g lipid) were found in M. galloprovincialis while the lowest concentrations were found in the sea-urchin P. lividus (193ng/g lipid). Among the 7 PCB quantified congeners the higher values are mainly obtained for CB138 and CB153. All bivalves presented higher PCBs contents than the sea-urchin P. lividus are possibly linked with the bioaccumulation process of POPs throughout the food web and to differential detoxifying mechanisms. The concentration of SigmaDDT exceeds that of HCB and gamma-HCH at all species and sampling stations. DDT concentrations ranged from 0.4ng/g ww at the bivalve C. gallina in 2002, to values of 15.8ng/g ww at the bivalve L. lithophaga in 1998. The values obtained for the organic compounds (HCH, HCB, PCBs, DDT) depend upon the place and year of sampling and are compared to values found by other authors for the mussel M. galloprovincialis in other Mediterranean areas. gamma-HCH and HCB were found in lower concentrations than the other POPs.     

Organochlorine pesticides, PCBs and mercury in antarctic and subantarctic seabirds

Between 1978 and 1983, eggs from 15 species of Antarctic and Subantarctic seabirds were collected and analysed for organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, and mercury residues. The lowest levels of these chemicals were detected in the eggs of Adélie Penguins from Prydz Bay. Antarctica. On a wet weight basis, the mean concentrations in eggs of these penguins were 0.01 μg/g HCB, 0.005 μg/g DDE, less than 0.1 μg/g PCBs (1260) and 0.02 μg/g mercury. Such values indicate that the environmental levels of these contaminants in the biotypes of these species are extremely low, and present no significant threat.

The highest levels of contaminants were found in the eggs of species which breed in Antarctica and migrate to regions well north of the Antarctic Convergence in the non-breeding season. On a wet weight basis, Northern Giant-Petrel eggs contained 0.11 μg/g HCB, 0.95 μg/g DDE and 1.8 μg/g PCB (1260), and 1.8 μg/g mercury. There are indications that DDE levels are increasing for both Southern and Northern Giant-Petrels, and it is possible that reports of a decreasing number of breeding pairs of these species at several colonies are due to one or more of these contaminants reaching toxic levels.

Analysis of penguin tissues show that preen gland lipid is suitable for monitoring the body burden of organochlorine insecticides and PCBs in seabirds.

Variation in DDE and mercury residue levels for some of these species suggest that the biotypes in which they live are quite different, and that the Antarctic Convergence may have a major influence in protecting the Antarctic ecosystem from these pollutants.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in various bird species from northern China

Little data are available on organochlorine contamination in Chinese terrestrial birds of prey. This study examined the presence of PCBs, DDTs and other organochlorine pesticides in various raptors from northern China. DDE exhibited the highest concentrations among targeted compounds. Greatest levels (23.5-1020 mg/kg lipid weight) were observed in Eurasian sparrowhawks. This may be due to their stopover in southeastern China, where high DDT and dicofol applications have been documented. Residential kestrels exhibited much lower DDE, but similar PCB and HCH concentrations. ΣTEQs and PCB-126/-77 concentration ratios exhibited significant positive correlations with ΣPCB concentrations, respectively. Similar results were also demonstrated by a meta-analysis of previously published data across avian species. Possible hepatic sequestration of coplanar PCB-77, -126, -169 and -118 was observed as liver TEQs increased in Eurasian sparrowhawks. These observations may indicate an induction of CYP1A enzymes, as a result of elevated contamination in some 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.     

Organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in fish from lakes of the Tibetan Plateau and the implications

High mountains may play significant roles in the global transport of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This work aims to investigate the levels, patterns and distribution of semi-volatile organoclorine pollutants and to improve the understanding of the long-range atmospheric transport and fate of contaminants on the Tibetan Plateau. A total of 60 fish samples were collected from eight lakes located between 2813 and 4718 m above sea level across the Plateau. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were measured in fish muscle. The results showed that concentrations of DDT, HCH and HCB were comparable to or lower than those found in remote mountains of Europe, Canada and US, while PCB concentrations in fish were, on average, about 4-150 times lower on Tibet than at other mountain areas. The transport and fate of contaminants in the Plateau are significantly influenced by the unique climatological and meteorological conditions, particularly by the summer Indian monsoon and winter westerly jet stream.     

Chlorinated hydrocarbons in the tissues of South Polar Skuas (Catharacta maccormicki) and Adélie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliea) from Ross Sea, Antarctica

High rates of egg infertility and embryo death in a colony of South Polar Skuas breeding in the Antarctic were similar to those in polluted North Atlantic populations of the Great Skua. Such loss could not be linked to factors such as organochlorine pollutants, as levels of DDE and PCBs in the contents of skua eggs from the population were only a small fraction of those in polluted skua populations from the Northern Hemisphere. Average eggshell thickness for skuas nesting on Ross Island has shown no significant change since the introduction of DDT. Concentrations of DDE and PCBs in South Polar Skuas were 13 and 22 times higher, respectively, than those in the eggs of sympatric Adélie Penguins, and this probably reflects the greater exposure of skuas to pollution when they migrate north of the Antarctic Convergence in winter. Residues in liver tissue showed a similar trend, and a higher rate of mixed function oxidase induction in skua liver compared to that of penguins is consistent with the trends seen in pollutant levels. The same PCB congener predominated in both skua and penguin samples. Comparisons with historical residue data suggest that global levels of DDT residues are declining.     

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.