Spray deposition of two insecticides into surface waters in a South African orchard area

Drift from pesticide spray application can result in contamination of nontarget environments such as surface waters. Azinphos-methyl (AZI) and endosulfan (END) deposition in containers of water was studied in fruit orchards in the Western Cape, South Africa. Additionally, attention was given to the contamination in farm streams, as well as to the resulting contamination of the subsequent main channel (Lourens River) approx. 25 km downstream of the tributary stream inlets. Spray deposit decreased with increasing distance downwind and ranged from 4.7 mg m(-2) within the target area to 0.2 mg m(-2) at 15 m downwind (AZI). Measured in-stream concentrations of both pesticides compared well with theoretical values calculated from deposition data for the respective distances. Furthermore, they were in the range of values predicted by an exposure assessment based on 95th-percentile values for basic drift deposition (German Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry [BBA] and USEPA). Pesticide deposition in the tributaries was followed by a measurable increase of contamination in the Lourens River. Mortality of midges (Chironomus spp.) exposed for 24 h to samples obtained from the AZI trials decreased with decreasing concentrations (estimated LC50 from field samples = 10 microg L(-1) AZI; lethal distance: LD50 = 13 m). Mortality in the tributary samples averaged 11% (0.5-1.7 microg L(-1) AZI), while no mortality was discernible in the Lourens River samples (0.041 microg L(-1)). The sublethal endpoint failure to form tubes from the glass beads provided was significantly increased at all sites in comparison with the control (analysis of variance [ANOVA], Fisher's protected least significant difference [PLSD], p < 0.01).     

Green supply chain management in the chemical industry: structural framework of drivers

ABSTRACT

The main purpose of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) is to improve the quality of supply chain management strategies and environmental performance. As per current statistics, the chemical industry is growing fast in Bangladesh. In order to compete for global competition, GSCM is essential in this sector. This paper proposes a systematic approach of structural framework whose aim is to enhance the probability of constructive implementation of GSCM in the field chemical industry in Bangladesh. Therefore, this framework evaluates the appropriate interrelationship along with the drivers of GSCM in the chemical industry. In total, eight drivers were finalized from an associated literature review with the help of survey and by taking expert opinions via the Delphi methodology. In addition to MICMAC analysis, the driving and the dependence powers for all the drivers were determined. Moreover, the structural frameworks for the drivers were developed by means of total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) technique. As a result, the findings indicate that the most significant driver was supplier pressure and willingness and the most important barrier was high cost. Finally, the main objective of this research is expected to help industrial managers to evaluate and understand the critical areas where they should emphasize to implement GSCM in the chemical industry.