Organochlorine Pesticide Contamination in Surface Water, Sediment, and Air Precipitation of Lake Victoria Basin, East Africa

No abstract available.     

Lack of Widespread Organochlorine Pesticide Contamination in South American Resident Passerines

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology -     

Organochlorine Contamination in Bald Eagle Eggs and Nestlings from the Canadian Great Lakes

Unhatched eggs and plasma samples from prefledged bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) from a recovering population in the Canadian Great Lakes Basin were contaminated with organochlorine compounds at levels comparable to those reported for eagle populations in several areas of the United States. PCBs were among the most commonly detected contaminants and occurred at high concentrations in plasma. Plasma PCB concentrations in Lake Erie nestlings were significantly higher than in chicks from Lake Nipigon (0.130 and 0.047 mg/kg wet weight, respectively). Blood levels of mirex were higher in nestlings from Lake Superior compared to those from Lake Erie (0.0012 and 0.0006 mg/kg wet weight, respectively). Migration routes and over-winter locations of avian prey that constitute a part of the bald eagle chick's diet are likely to contribute to these spatial contaminant patterns in plasma. Atmospheric deposition and a cold condensation effect for chlordane compounds may have produced higher levels of these compounds in plasma samples from Lake Superior compared to samples from Lake Erie (0.020 and 0.008 mg/kg wet weight, respectively). Levels of DDE in plasma were generally low, ranging in concentration from 0.02 mg/kg wet weight for lakes Erie and Nipigon to 0.06 mg/kg wet weight for Lake Huron. Concentrations of organochlorines in eaglet plasma remained relatively stable between 1990 and 1996; no significant trends associated with year of sampling were detected. The data from Lake Erie showed no correlation between productivity and plasma levels of PCBs or DDE during this time period. There were no indications that the concentrations of contaminants detected were adversely affecting productivity in Canadian Great Lakes bald eagle populations. Residue levels in eggs from Lake Erie eagle territories were equally or more contaminated than eggs from other highly contaminated environments in the United States such as the Great Lakes and Columbia River estuary. Concentrations of DDE and PCBs in Lake Erie eggs declined significantly between 1974 and 1994. Although dieldrin and chlordane levels showed a similar decline, these relationships were not statistically significant. Mirex concentrations were relatively stable. Eggs from Lake of the Woods were significantly less contaminated than those from Lake Erie (PCBs: 3 and 84 mg/kg wet weight, respectively; DDE: 3 and 24 mg/kg wet weight, respectively). Reproductive success (number of young produced/active nest) remained constant between 1982 and 1996 and productivity is sufficient to maintain an increasing population. The number of active nests has increased during this period indicating that the population is expanding and might be expected to do so until suitable habitat becomes limiting. Reductions in organochlorine levels, reintroduction efforts, immigration from other populations, and changes in habitat quality have likely contributed to the observed growth in the number of breeding pairs. Received: 30 October 1997/Accepted: 10 July 1998     

Mississippi Oxbow Lake Sediment Quality During an Artificial Flood

Surface sediment quality was assessed during a 35-day artificial flood in a shallow (<1.5 m) oxbow lake along the Coldwater River, Mississippi, using Hyalella azteca 28-day bioassays. Seventeen pesticides were monitored in sediments before, during and after flooding, with increases in atrazine and metolachlor concentrations coinciding with two unexpected storm events, 51 and 56 mm, during and after flooding, respectively. Mean 28-day H. azteca survival was >85% throughout this study. However, growth was affected at three sites during flooding with limited growth recovery after flooding. Patterns in observed growth impairment were associated with changes in atrazine (R ² = 0.524) and fipronil sulfone (R ² = 0.584) concentrations.     

Organochlorine levels in adipose tissue of women from a littoral region of Argentina

Organochlorine compounds (OCCs), such as pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are persistent lipophilic chemicals identified as endocrine disruptors, mainly with estrogen-like effects. Northeastern Argentina, near the Paraná River, is characterized by intensive farming and agricultural activities and industrial development, and is therefore prone to high incidences of environmental and dietary exposure to OCCs. Hence, we conducted a study to (1) estimate the organochlorine residues present in mammary fat tissue in a population of women from this littoral region and (2) identify potential sources of exposure to OCCs. Our subjects were 76 women (residing in and around Santa Fe city and not occupationally exposed to organochlorines) who underwent excision biopsy of a breast lesion or had plastic surgery. Both frequency of occurrence and levels of organochlorine residues were high in breast adipose tissue of all the participants. The organochlorine residues most frequently found were p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) in all the subjects analyzed, hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in 86.8%, and beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH) in 75.0%. The incidence of PCB congeners was very low. p,p'-DDE and beta-HCH residues reached the highest levels, 4794 and 1780 ppb, respectively. The diet was a relevant source of exposure, consumption of animal fat and freshwater fish playing a significant role. Bioaccumulation was evidenced by the significant positive association between organochlorine levels and body mass index (p = 0.0003) and the age of the patient (p = 0.0002). The frequency and levels of OCCs found in our study population raise concerns regarding Argentinean exposure to these endocrine disruptors.     

上海和宜兴地区食品和人乳腺组织中有机氯农药污染现状

[目的]了解上海和宜兴地区环境和人体中有机氯农药的污染现状。[方法]分别在上海和宜兴两城市采集20种食物样品及5份人乳腺组织，采用GC-ECD方法对样品中有机氯含量进行测定。[结果]滴滴涕及其代谢物(DDTs)是此次检测到的主要有机氯农药污染物，DDTs、六六六(HCHs)、六氯苯及其代谢物(HCB)、氯丹(CHLs)在食品中的检出率分别为85％、64％、59％和53％，食品中HCHs，HCB，CHLs含量较低；而人乳腺组织中DDTs和HCHs的含量很高，可分别达19000ng／g脂肪和17000ng／g脂肪。[结论]上海及宜兴地区食物和人乳腺组织中普遍还能检测到有机氯农药的残留，但较前期监测数据已有明显下降。     

Effects of Water Contamination on Site Selection by Amphibians: Experiences from an Arena Approach With European Frogs and Newts

Pesticide residues in breeding ponds can cause avoidance by at least some amphibian species. So far, outdoor experiments have been performed only with artificial pools in areas where the focus species usually occur and new colonization has been observed. Results of this kind of study are potentially influenced by natural disturbances and therefore are of limited comparability. We used an easily manufactured and standardizable arena approach, in which animals in reproductive condition for some hours had a choice among pools with different concentrations of a contaminant. Because there has been much debate on the potential environmental impacts of glyphosate-based herbicides, we investigated the impact of glyphosate isopropylamine salt (GLY-IS), Roundup LB PLUS (RU-LB-PLUS), and glyphosate’s main metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) on individual residence time in water. The following European amphibian species were tested: Common frog (Rana temporaria), Palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus), and Alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris). The residence time in water was not significantly affected by concentrations below or slightly above the European Environmental Quality Standards for AMPA or the German “worst-case” expected environmental concentrations for GLY-IS and RU-LB-PLUS. Occasionally, microclimatic cofactors (nightly minimum ground temperature, water temperature) apparently influenced the residence time. The major drawback of such quick behavior studies is that results can only be transferred to perception and avoidance of contaminated water but not easily to site selection by amphibians. For example, testing oviposition site selection requires more natural water bodies and more time. Hence, to develop a standard procedure in risk assessment, an intermediate design between an arena approach, as presented here, and previously performed field studies should be tested.     

Organochlorine Pesticides and PCBs in a Southern Atlantic Coastal Lagoon Watershed, Argentina

There recently have been increasing interest in South America on organic pollutants from the coastal marine environment. This study intended to seek out the occurrence and distribution of persistent organochlorine compounds in the Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon watershed. The levels were measured in sediments and associated crabs. Though a significant number of PCBs (mainly penta- and hexachlorinated congeners) were detected, the concentrations were very low (in the order of ppbs), indicative of an estuarine environment with little industrial development. On the other hand, pesticide residues were higher than PCBs in one or two orders of magnitude, as a result of the important agricultural activities in the area. Heptachlor epoxide, DDT and its metabolites, and γ-HCH were the predominant OC pesticides in sediments as well as in crabs. Significant differences among geographical areas: Channel 5 and Vivoratá Creek (northern and southern sampling sites, respectively) contained detectable pesticide concentrations (heptachlor epoxide, DDE, DDD, and mirex). Received: 22 February 2000/Accepted: 27 September 2000     

Distribution and Sources of Organochlorine Pesticides in Taihu Lake, China

Thirty surface sediments, corresponding overlying water and porewater samples were collected for analysis of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from Taihu Lake, China in May 2010. Altogether six OCPs, i.e. hexachlorobenzene (HCB), β-hexachlorohexane (β-HCH), p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDD, p,p′-DDT, and o,p′-DDT were detected, and the total OCPs varied from 7.84 to 32.23 ng g^?1 in sediments, from 136.97 to 2,185.14 ng L^?1 in porewater and from 24.27 to 154.07 ng L^?1 in overlying water, respectively. The highest levels of contamination in sediment was observed in southeast of the lake, while in water and porewater samples highest levels were found in Zhushan Bay, the seriously polluted area in the north part of Taihu Lake. The partition coefficient of measured OCPs between sediment-overlying water was five and six fold higher than that between sediment-porewater, indicating the different distribution patterns of OCPs among sediment, overlying water and porewater matrices. The ratios of DDT/(DDD + DDE) ranged from 0.57 to 2.28 in sediments, 0.93–13.02 in porewater and 0.84–15.98 in overlying water, respectively, suggesting the potential new source of DDTs into the lake. The ratios of o,p′-DDT/p,p′-DDT in the three matrices were centered around 0.2–0.3, indicating the o,p′-DDT in the lake was originated from historical usage of technical DDTs.     

Contamination of Selected Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) in Sediment from CauBay River, Hanoi

This work investigated the contamination status of selected organochlorine pesticides (OCPs: p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDD, α, β, γ, δ-HCH) in sediment of the CauBay river. Wide occurrence and remarkable residue levels of these two OCPs have been found in the study areas. ΣDDT concentrations ranged from 51.84 to 92.76 ng.g^?1 dry weight, whereas ΣHCH concentrations ranged from 4.56 to 11.39 ng g^?1 dry weight. All of the sampling sites exceeded the effects range median levels for DDT (>46.1 ng g^?1). The analyzed results show that ΣDDT and ΣHCH displayed uniform high and low distribution, respectively. There is no recent input of DDT and HCH in the study area.     

Contamination by Selected Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) in Surface Soils in Hanoi, Vietnam

An evaluation of selected organochlorine pesticide residues [p,p′- dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), p,p′- dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), p,p′- dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), α, β, γ and δ- hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)] in the surface soils of Hanoi, Vietnam was carried out. Sixty representative soil samples were collected from the centre of Hanoi and five surrounding districts. In agricultural areas, ΣDDT concentrations ranged from < 0.02 to 171.83 ng g⁻¹ (mean 89.86 ng g⁻¹) dry weight, whereas ΣHCH concentrations ranged from < 0.05 to 20.57 ng g⁻¹ (mean 8.03 ng g⁻¹) dry weight. Investigation of the ratio of different isomers in the soil samples indicates that there has been no recent input of DDT and HCH in the study area.     

Organochlorine concentration dynamics in Lake Michigan chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

To investigate how trophic level and physiological processes influence organochlorine (OC) chemical concentrations in chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and their offspring, data on polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), and OC pesticides and metabolite concentrations in Lake Michigan chinook salmon muscle tissue, eggs, sac fry, and prey fish were analyzed. Total concentrations of PCBs in chinook salmon decreased exponentially from the mid-1970s to mid-1980s, but the concentrations have since shown an asymptotic response, a trend also seen in alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), an exotic planktivore that is the principal prey of chinook salmon in western Lake Michigan, and bloater (Coregonus hoyi) an endemic planktivore. The total concentration of PCBs in chinook salmon were positively correlated with fish length. OC concentrations in chinook salmon eggs were positively correlated with the concentrations of these compounds in the muscle tissue of the gravid fish. Egg and sac fry OC concentrations were also positively correlated. Estimates of the quantities of various OCs in chinook salmon muscle tissue and eggs, reveal that between 22% and 40% of the quantities of these compounds are eliminated through spawning.     

Organochlorine Contamination and Physiological Responses in Nestling Tree Swallows in Point Pelee National Park, Canada

Point Pelee National Park in southwestern Ontario, Canada—a major migratory route and vital breeding area for many birds—has localized areas of organochlorine (OC) contamination from the 1950s and 1960s. During 2002, we investigated the effect of tissue OC contaminant levels on the physiology and growth of nestling tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in the nestlings positively correlated with hepatic ethoxy-, benzyloxy-, and pentoxyresorufin-o-dealkylase enzyme activities and liver size. Despite detectable physiologic changes associated with body burdens of PCBs, reproductive success of breeding pairs was not affected. Hatching date was negatively correlated with PCB levels, alkoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (alkROD) activities, liver size, and serum protein levels. alkROD activities were largely dependent on hatching date because insect prey contaminated with PCBs were only abundant during a limited period of time during the breeding season.     

Health Risk Assessment of Organochlorine Contaminants in Fish from a Major Lake (Baiyangdian Lake) in North China

Organochlorine contaminants (OCs) in fish were determined to evaluate the potential risk to humans consuming fish originating in Baiyangdian Lake, North China. Relatively low levels of PCBs, HCHs and DDTs were observed, with mean concentrations ranging from 0.28 to 3.28 ng/g, wet weight. Among various fish species tested, the highest burden of OCs was recorded in northern snakehead (7.39 ng/g, wet weight) and the lowest was in grass carp (2.04 ng/g, wet weight). The hazard ratios (HRs), based on noncancer risk were all less than 1.0, while the HRs based on cancer risk exceeded 1.0 only for PCBs based on the 90th percentile concentration.     

太湖淡水螺体内微囊藻毒素污染动态研究

目的了解太湖淡水螺体内微囊藻毒素的污染状况及其富集规律。方法实验模拟环形螺生长环境,在养殖水中添加8μg/L的微囊藻毒素,实验为期50 d,每隔10 d进行取样。同时,2011年5月和7月,采集太湖梅梁湾两个监测点的水样和环形螺,采用液质联用方法测定水样和环形螺中可食组织、不可食组织中微囊藻毒素含量。结果养殖试验中各组织均有微囊藻毒素积累,可食组织中积累量缓慢持续上升,不可食组织中毒素积累呈波浪形上升;不可食组织(最大值为9.44μg/kg)对毒素的积累能力明显大于可食组织(最大值为1.6μg/kg)。两个监测点螺蛳的可食部分和不可食部分中均检微囊藻毒素,不可食部分微囊藻毒素含量是可食部分的5.4~11.7倍。结论太湖环形螺体内存在微囊藻毒素污染,且存在富集作用。