Pesticides in rain

40 rainwater samples were collected in Hannover and near Peine (Lower Saxony, Germany) in 1992 using a wet-only collector. The samples were extracted by solid phase extraction and analyzed by GC/MS for 59 pesticides. 11 pesticides were found in more than 10 samples. The highest concentrations were observed for terbuthylazine (0.003 – 0.52 μg/L ), metolachlor (0.003 – 0.51 pg/L, mean: 0.10 μg/L), metalaxyl (0.006 – 0.48 μg/L, mean: 0.10 pg/L) and chlorothalonil (0.003 – 1.1 μg/L, mean: 0.16 μg/L). The concentrations show a seasonal dependence reflecting the application periods.     

A comparison of mussels (Perna viridis) and semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) for monitoring chlorinated trace organic contaminants in Hong Kong coastal waters.

A comparison of mussels (Perna viridis) and semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) was carried out at five sites, representing a gradient of contaminant concentrations, in Hong Kong coastal waters. Mussels, originally collected from a “clean” location, were deployed along with SPMDs at each site for 30 days. Analyses for chlorinated pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) indicated that SPMDs have potential as monitoring tools, and to some extent can overcome the problems associated with mussels, such as natural variability, differing age, sex, and physical condition. However, in most cases, SPMDs failed to rank the sites in the same order as mussels in terms of contaminant concentrations. Nonetheless, in localities where mussels cannot survive – as shown at Kwun Tong in the present experiment – SPMDs may be valuable in providing an indication of potentially bio-available lipophilic pollutants.     

Photolytic degradation of methyl-parathion and fenitrothion in ice and water: Implications for cold environments

Here we investigate the photodegradation of structurally similar organophosphorus pesticides; methyl-parathion and fenitrothion in water (20 °C) and ice (−15 °C) under environmentally-relevant conditions with the aim of comparing these laboratory findings to limited field observations. Both compounds were found to be photolyzed more efficiently in ice than in aqueous solutions, with quantum yields of degradation being higher in ice than in water (fenitrothion > methyl-parathion). This rather surprising observation was attributed to the concentration effect caused by freezing the aqueous solutions. The major phototransformation products included the corresponding oxons (methyl-paraoxon and fenitroxon) and the nitrophenols (3-methyl-nitrophenol and nitrophenol) in both irradiated water and ice samples. The presence of oxons in ice following irradiation, demonstrates an additional formation mechanism of these toxicologically relevant compounds in cold environments, although further photodegradation of oxons in ice indicates that photochemistry of OPs might be an environmentally important sink in cold environments.     

Pesticides exposure in Pakistan: a review

This is the first systematic review of studies done since 1960, and to give an integrated picture of pesticides exposure to humans, animals, plants, waters, soils/sediments, atmosphere etc. in Pakistan. Authors have extracted data from different departments, published literature in research journals and National reports. Although the wide-spread usage of pesticides in Pakistan has controlled the pests, but like other countries, it has started causing environmental problems in the area. In some areas of Punjab and Sindh groundwater has been found contaminated and is constantly being under the process of contamination due to pesticide use. There is considerable evidence that farmers have overused and misused pesticides especially in cotton-growing areas. It is evident from the biological monitoring studies that farmers are at higher risk for acute and chronic health effects associated with pesticides due to occupational exposure. Furthermore, the intensive use of pesticides (higher sprays more than the recommended dose) in cotton areas involves a special risk for the field workers, pickers, and of an unacceptable residue concentration in cottonseed oil and cakes. The authors have also discussed the merits and demerits of different studies. The review will set the future course of action of different studies on pesticide exposure in Pakistan. Data limitations are still the major obstacle towards establishing clear environmental trends in Pakistan. The authors suggest that a reliable monitoring, assessment and reporting procedures shall be implemented in accordance with appropriate environmental policies, laws and regulations in order to minimize the pesticides exposure.     

长江口九段沙水域有机氯农药分布

对九段沙（HCHs）水域采集滩涂水样以及沉积物，进行GC-ECD检测，研究有机氯农药的分布。结果表明，九段沙水域水体中六六六含量为6．6～17．1ng／L，平均值9．93ng／L，滩涂沉积物中的六六六含量为2．32～6．30ng／g；九段沙水域水体中滴滴涕（DDTs）含量4．99～46．6ng／L，平均值为18．53ng／L，滩涂泥样中的滴滴涕（DDTs）含量5．9～70．83ng／g。从异构体成分分析，九段沙水域受到了陆上林丹使用的影响，但是东海海水的冲刷能降低林丹所占六六六含量的比例；另外滴滴涕则显示较早期的污染，表现为代谢物（DDD和DDE）含量较高的现象，同时调查发现该水域在近期可能有滴滴涕输入。