Pesticides in Fresh Potatoes Sold in Farmers’ Markets in Alberta,Canada

Fresh potatoes (228 samples) from 34 farmers’ markets in Alberta were analyzed for 29 pesticides. Residues of three different pesticides were found in the samples tested with chlorpropham being most frequently detected (n = 13) at concentrations ranging from 15 to 7,600 μg kg⁻¹. Azoxystrobin (n = 11) and imidacloprid (n = 8) were found at concentrations ranging from 0.6 to 5.1 and 15–31 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. All pesticide concentrations were below Canadian maximum residue limits as established for potatoes. No pesticide residues were detected in 23 potato samples obtained from certified organic farmers.     

Evaluation of the QuEChERS Method and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for the Analysis Pesticide Residues in Water and Sediment

A method for the determination of pesticide residues in water and sediment was developed using the QuEChERS method followed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. The method was validated in terms of accuracy, specificity, linearity, detection and quantification limits. The recovery percentages obtained for the pesticides in water at different concentrations ranged from 63 to 116%, with relative standard deviations below 12%. The corresponding results from the sediment ranged from 48 to 115% with relative standard deviations below 16%. The limits of detection for the pesticides in water and sediment were below 0.003 mg L⁻¹ and 0.02 mg kg⁻¹, respectively.     

Assessment of Metal Concentrations in Two Cyprinid Fish Species (Leuciscus cephalus and Tinca tinca) Captured from Yeniçağa Lake, Turkey

This study was performed to investigate certain major and toxic metal concentrations in muscle, gill and liver tissues of two Cyprinid species (Leuciscus cephalus, Tinca tinca). Generally liver and gill tissue exhibited higher metal concentrations than did muscle. The highest metal concentrations found in tench and chub muscle tissues were determined to be Al (59.01–108 mg kg⁻¹), Zn (45.23–57.81 mg kg⁻¹), Fe (9.23–16.03 mg kg⁻¹) and Ba (3.50–2.69 mg kg⁻¹) respectively. The level of metal accumulation is evaluated for potential risk to human health based on international standards. Zinc, lead and arsenic values of muscle tissues of the fishes were found to be above the allowed limits for human consumption.     

Seasonal Changes of Macroinvertebrate Communities in a Stormwater Wetland Collecting Pesticide Runoff From a Vineyard Catchment (Alsace,France)

Agricultural land use may influence macroinvertebrate communities by way of pesticide contamination associated with agricultural runoff. However, information about the relation between runoff-related pesticides and communities of benthic macroinvertebrates in stormwater wetland that receive agricultural runoff does not currently exist. Here we show changes in macroinvertebrates communities of a stormwater wetland that collects pesticide-contaminated runoff from a vineyard catchment. Sixteen runoff-associated pesticides, including the insecticide flufenoxuron, were continuously quantified at the inlet of the stormwater wetland from April to September (period of pesticide application). In parallel, benthic macroinvertebrate communities, pesticide concentrations, and physicochemical parameters in the wetland were assessed twice a month. Twenty-eight contaminated runoffs ranging from 1.1 to 114 m³ entered the wetland during the study period. Flufenoxuron concentrations in runoff-suspended solids ranged from 1.5 to 18.5 μg kg⁻¹ and reached 6 μg kg⁻¹ in the wetland sediments. However, flufenoxuron could not be detected in water. The density, diversity, and abundance of macroinvertebrates largely varied over time. Redundancy and formal concept analyses showed that concentrations of flufenoxuron, vegetation cover, and flow conditions significantly determine the community structures of stormwater wetland macroinvertebrates. This study shows that flow conditions, vegetation cover, and runoff-related pesticides jointly affect communities of benthic macroinvertebrates in stormwater wetlands.     

Organochlorine Pesticides in Muscle of Wild Seabass and Chinese Prawn from the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea,China

Muscle samples from wild seabass and Chinese prawn collected from the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea, China were analyzed for 22 organochlorine pesticides. DDTs were the predominant contaminants in all samples. The concentration of DDTs in seabass was 247 μg kg⁻¹ wet wt (from 4.30 to 2,089 μg kg⁻¹ wet wt). Significantly, concentration of DDTs in seabass was much higher than that in prawn (6.51 μg kg⁻¹ wet wt). Very high concentrations of DDTs and high DDT/DDTs ratio were found in seabass samples from some locations, which imply there might be new inputs of DDT into the marine environment.     

Assessment of Antifouling Biocides Contaminations in Maizuru Bay, Japan

The concentrations of organotin compounds in the aquatic environment of Maizuru Bay and their spatial distribution are discussed. The concentrations of tributyltin (TBT) compounds in water samples ranged from 0.001 to 0.002 μg l⁻¹, and monobutyltin compounds were the dominant species among the butyltin compounds. TBT concentrations in Maizuru Bay are low compared with other coastal waters of Japan. Drastic differences in TBT concentrations were not observed among the Maizuru Bay sites. Phenyltin compounds were not detected in the water samples. Concentrations of TBT and triphenyltin (TPT) in sediment from Maizuru Bay ranged, respectively, from 0.9 to 11 μg kg⁻¹, from 0.2 to 17 μg kg⁻¹ dry weight (dw). TBT concentrations in Maizuru Bay were lower than those in other coastal areas of Japan. TPT concentrations were greater than TBT concentrations in the fishing port. The concentrations of TBT and TPT in blue mussels (M. galloprovincialis) from Maizuru Bay were in the range of 2.4 to 9.3 μg kg⁻¹ and 0.2–13 μg kg⁻¹ wet weight (ww), respectively. A tolerable average residue level (TARL) was estimated at 74.8 μg kg⁻¹ from a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.25 bis(tributyltin)oxide μg kg⁻¹ body weight day⁻¹. TBT concentrations detected in blue mussel samples were lower than the TARL values. The acceptable concentration of TPT, which were calculated using acceptable daily intake instead of TDI, was 127 μg kg⁻¹. Concentrations of TPT in blue mussel samples were also lower than the TARL. TBT compounds in blue mussel samples were at similar levels among the various sampling sites, indicating that TBT is not currently being used in ship hull paints; the ratios of degradation products of TBT and TPT were greater than those of the parent compounds. Concentrations of alternative biocides in water samples were also investigated in the bay. Although Sea-Nine 211, M1, and Pyrithiones were not detected, Diuron and Irgarol 1051 were detected at 0.010–0.257 and at 0.002–0.018 μg l⁻¹, respectively. Concentrations of Diuron were great in the shipping route and near the shipyard, whereas the concentration of Irgarol 1051 was great at the fishing port. Concentrations of Diuron and Irgarol 1051 in sediment from Maizuru Bay ranged, respectively, from <0.08 to 12, from <0.08 to 9.8 μg kg⁻¹ dw, respectively. Despite being a semi-enclosed bay, we found that sediment in Maizuru Bay is not contaminated by alternative biocides to the degree found in other coastal areas. Copper concentrations of sediment were at ordinary levels, and those of blue mussels were slightly lower than those reported previously in other coastal areas of Japan. In both the sediment and blue mussels, there was no correlation between the presence of copper and antifouling biocides.     

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Republic of Macedonia Using a Plant Assay

Different plant organs (leaves, flowers, stems, or roots) from four plant species—Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae), Robinia pseudoacacia L. (Fabaceae), Taraxacum officinale (Asteraceae), and Matricaria recutita (Asteraceae)—were evaluated as possible bioindicators of heavy-metal pollution in Republic of Macedonia. Concentrations of Pb, Cu, Cd, Mn, Ni, and Zn were determined in unwashed plant parts collected from areas with different degrees of metal pollution by ICP-AES. All these elements were found to be at high levels in samples collected from an industrial area. Maximum Pb concentration was 174.52 ± 1.04 mg kg⁻¹ in R. pseudoacacia flowers sampled from the Veles area, where lead and zinc metallurgical activities were present. In all control samples, the Cd concentrations were found to be under the limit of detection (LOD <0.1 mg kg⁻¹) except for R. pseudoacacia flowers and T. officinale roots. The maximum Cd concentration was 7.97 ± 0.15 mg kg⁻¹ in R. pseudoacacia flowers from the Veles area. Nickel concentrations were in the range from 1.90 ± 0.04 to 5.74 ± 0.03 mg kg⁻¹. For U. dioica leaves and R. pseudoacacia flowers sampled near a lead-smelting plant, concentrations of 465.0 ± 0.55 and 403.56 ± 0.34 mg kg⁻¹ Zn were detected, respectively. In all control samples, results for Zn were low, ranging from 10.2 ± 0.05 to 38.70 ± 0.18 mg kg⁻¹. In this study, it was found that the flower of R. pseudoacacia was a better bioindicator of heavy-metal pollution than other plant parts. Summarizing the results, it can be concluded that T. officinale, U. dioica, and R. pseudoacacia were better metal accumulators and M. recutita was a metal avoider.     

Potential Health Risk of Total Arsenic from Consumption of Farm Rice (Oryza sativa) from the Southern Caspian Sea Littoral and from Imported Rice in Iran

In this study, Arsenic (As) was measured in several varieties of imported and local cultivated rice. Soil samples collected from rice farms situated in south Caspian Sea (Iran) were also studied. The mean concentration of As in imported rice, local farmed rice and soil, were determined as 0.28, 0.39 and 3.80 μg g⁻¹ dry weight, respectively. Estimated daily intake of As through human consumption of imported and local produced rice was 0.77 and 1.074 μg day⁻¹ kg⁻¹ B.W., respectively. These values are much lower than the tolerable daily intakes estimated by JECFA. The As concentration in the soil (3.80 μg g⁻¹ dry) was below acceptable limit for agricultural soil of 20.0 mg kg⁻¹ as recommended by the European Community (EC). No correlation between the As concentrations in rice and soil samples was found (p > 0.05).     

Organochlorine Compounds in Pine Needles from Croatia

Levels of seven organochlorine pesticides and 17 congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were analysed in pine needles collected at eight sites along eastern Adriatic coast (Croatia). The concentration of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs ranged between 0 (below determination limit) and 7.44 ng g⁻¹ in 1-year-old needles and between 0 (below determination limit) and 15.57 ng g⁻¹ dry weight in 2-year-old needles. Organochlorine levels were compared with those found in urban and mountain areas.     

Dissipation and Residues of N-(2-Bromophenyl)-2-(4,6-Dimethoxypyrimidin-2-Yloxy)Benzylamine Residues in Rape and Soil Under Field Conditions

N-(2-Bromophenyl)-2-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yloxy)benzylamine, compound A, is a highly active herbicide. Field trials indicate that it controls major weeds with a good tolerance on rape by postemergence application. In the present study, it was studied the dissipation behavior of compound A residues in rapes and soils. Analyses were carried out using high performance-liquid chromatography with diode array detection. The limits of detections (LOD) of compound A in rape plant and rape seed samples were 0.03 mg kg⁻¹ and its in soil was 0.02 mg kg⁻¹. At three different spiking levels mean recoveries and relative standard deviation (RSD) from spiked samples in five replicated experiment for each matrix were in the range 87.3%–96.4% and 2.9%–8.7%, respectively. The dissipation rate was found to vary with the nature of the studied sample. In soil, half-live were 33 and 25 days in Yunnan and Zhejiang, respectively, while in rape, it was 7.2 and 8.5 days. The residual amounts of compound A in rape and soil samples were below LOD after the recommended dosage and two times dosage. According to the calculation of the ADI of compound A and other data, the result suggest that the MRL for compound A in rape is 1 mg kg⁻¹.     

Residues of Organochlorine Pesticides in Soils from the Southern Sonora,Mexico

Although, the Yaqui and Mayo valleys are the most important agricultural areas in Sonora, there is only limited data of the pesticides residue in soils in these valleys. This study measured the organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in 234 soil samples (residential and agricultural) from 24 communities. The global results (mean, range) indicated that benzene hexachloride (19.2, ND-938.5 μg g⁻¹), endrin (6.6, ND-377.3 μg g⁻¹) and DDTs (36.45, ND-679.7 μg g⁻¹) were the dominant contaminants. Soil is one of the most important routes of exposure to OCPs in the population of southern Sonora and this study can be used to establish background levels of OCPs.     

Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Determination of Pb, Cd, and Cu in Pinus nigra L. and Eriobotrya japonica Leaves Used as Biomonitors in Environmental Pollution

The assessment of trace metal pollution in Gaziantep city-Turkey has been studied using plant leaves of Pinus nigra L. and Eriobotrya japonica as biomonitor. The concentrations up to 3,056 mg Pb kg⁻¹ in the needles of Pinus nigra L., and 367 ng Cd g⁻¹ in the leaves of Eriobotrya japonica were determined. The observed Cu concentrations were in range of 1.6–7.1 mg kg⁻¹. The Pb, Cd, and Cu levels in soils were determined to be in the range of 17–602, 0.142–0.656, and 12–38 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. It was concluded that Pinus nigra L. can be considered as both biomonitor of atmospheric Pb pollution and hyperaccumulator plant.     

Ecotoxicity of Aged Uranium in Soil Using Plant,Earthworm and Microarthropod Toxicity Tests

Discrepancies about probable no effect concentrations (PNEC) for uranium in soils may be because toxicity tests used freshly contaminated soils. This study used 3 soils amended with a range of uranium concentrations 10 years previously. The toxicity tests with northern wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus); earthworm (Eisenia andrei) were not affected below ~1,000 mg U kg⁻¹, and the soil arthropod Folsomia candida was not affected below ~350 mg U kg⁻¹. Survival of Orthonychiurus folsomi was diminished 20% (EC₂₀) by ~85–130 mg U kg⁻¹, supporting a PNEC in the range of 100–250 mg U kg⁻¹ as derived previously.     

HCH and DDT in Sediments from Marine and Adjacent Riverine Areas of North Bohai Sea, China

Residues of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) and their environmental risks in surface sediments collected from marine and adjacent riverine/estuarine areas in the northern Bohai Sea, China, were investigated. Concentrations of ΣHCH and ΣDDT in sediments ranged from below detection (<LOD) to 1964.97 ng g⁻¹ dry wt (dw; mean, 92.51 ng g⁻¹ dw) and <LOD to 86.46 ng g⁻¹ dw (mean, 9.23 ng g⁻¹ dw), respectively. Concentrations of HCH and DDT were generally higher in marine than riverine sediments. Concentrations of HCH and DDT residues found in the present study were higher than those reported in marine and river/estuary sediments from other areas of the world. The source of HCH in sediments could be explained by the large amount of historical use, while DDT seemed to be a combination of erosion of the weathered soils and long-range atmospheric transport. Concentrations of HCH in sediments from the study areas did not exceed sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), with the exception of γ-HCH. However, risks posed by concentrations of DDT observed in sediments were found to be moderate to high compared with those posed by consensus-based SQGs. Although the mean sedimentary concentrations of HCH and DDT found in the area of the northern Bohai Sea, China were lower than suggested SQGs in general, their concentrations in some locations were close to or above the SQGs for adverse effects in benthic organisms and, thus, remain a cause for concern.     

Total Mercury in Liver and Muscle Tissue of Two Coastal Sharks from the Northwest of Mexico

Total mercury (THg) in liver and muscle of three costal sharks from Mexico were evaluated. The highest concentrations of THg in muscle tissue of juveniles were found in Sphyrna lewini (0.82 ± 0.33 mg kg⁻¹ wet basis). Rhizoprionodon longurio adults had the highest concentrations (0.92 ± 1.03 mg kg⁻¹). THg concentrations in liver were low compared to those found in muscle tissue; higher levels were found in liver of juvenile S. lewini (0.250 ± 0.07 mg kg⁻¹). Results showed that 35 % of muscle tissue samples are above the precautionary limit (0.50 mg kg⁻¹ of THg) and a 7 % exceeded the maximum limit for human consumption (1 mg kg⁻¹).     

Assessment of the Amur River Ecosystem Pollution with Benzene and Its Derivatives Caused by an Accident at the Chemical Plant in Jilin City,China

Assessment of concentrations of benzene and its derivatives in the Amur water and fish caught in summer and autumn 2006 was carried out after Jilin chemical plant accident (winter 2005) in the People’s Republic of China. Fish sampling of Leiocassis ussuriensis conducted in the Amur River near Khabarovsk identified benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, isopropylbenzene, xylene reaching to 16, 98.7, 55, 54, and 206 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. For Hypophthalmichtys molitrix Valenciennes sampled in the lower reaches of the Amur benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene were found in amounts to 9, 15.4, 16 μg kg⁻¹, and, benzene and xylene reaching 6 and 16 μg kg⁻¹ were found in Huso dauricus and benzene and xylene of 2–6 and 13–16 μg kg⁻¹, respectively, in Acipenser schrenckii. The above toxicants were not detected in the Amur water near the river mouth in autumn 2006.     

Residue Dynamics of Spirotetramat and Imidacloprid in/on Mango and Soil

Spirotetramat is a unique insecticide having both phloem and xylem mobility and imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, is one of the most widely used in the world. The combination formulation is very effective against sucking pests of mango. Residue dynamics of spirotetramat and imidacloprid in/on mango and soil was studied following application of the combination formulation, spirotetramat 12 % + imidacloprid 12 % (240 SC) at 90 and 180 g a.i. ha⁻¹. Spirotetramat residues in/on mango fruits were 0.327 and 0.483 mg kg⁻¹ after giving 3 applications at 90 and 180 g a.i. ha⁻¹, respectively. The residues remained on mango fruits for 7 days and dissipated with the half-life of 3.3 and 5.2 days, respectively. Residues of spirotetramat-enol, the major metabolite of spirotetramat in plant, were not detected in mango fruits. Initial residues of imidacloprid on mango fruits from the two treatments were 0.329 and 0.536 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Imidacloprid residues remained on mango fruits beyond 15 days and dissipated with the half-life of 5.2 and 8.2 days. The residues of spirotetramat, spirotetramat-enol and imidacloprid were found below quantifiable limit of 0.05 mg kg⁻¹ in mature mango fruits and field soil at harvest.     

Lead/Cadmium Contamination and Lead Isotopic Ratios in Vegetables Grown in Peri-Urban and Mining/Smelting Contaminated Sites in Nanjing,China

Lead/cadmium contamination in vegetables grown in peri-urban area of Nanjing, China was assessed and the route for metals entering into plants was investigated through lead isotopic tracing. Results show that agricultural soils have been polluted with Cd. Contents of Pb (22.1–37.5 mg kg⁻¹ dw) and Cd (2.53–4.19 mg kg⁻¹ dw) in vegetables’ edible parts nearby a lead/zinc mining/smelting plant were beyond their maximum allowable limit prescribed in the (EC) No 1881/2006. Pb isotope ratios in plants differed from those in the corresponding soils, suggesting that soils were not the only contamination source of Pb and Cd in plants.     

Perfluorooctanoic Acid and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate in Two Fish Species Collected from the Roter Main River,Bayreuth, Germany

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are widely distributed in the environment. In this study the accumulation potential of PFOA and PFOS in two fish species with different feeding strategies, i.e. chub (Leuciscus cephalus) and river goby (Gobio gobio) inhabiting a river receiving treated waste waters from a municipal waste water treatment plant, were estimated. PFOS was detected in chub (7–250 μg kg⁻¹ wet weight) and river goby (70–400 μg kg⁻¹ wet weight) with bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of 4600 (liver) and 11,000 (organs). PFOA concentrations in both fish were low and in chub mostly below detection limit.     

Heavy Metal Contaminants in Tissues of the Garfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Belone belone</Emphasis> L., 1761, and the Bluefish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pomatomus saltatrix</Emphasis> L., 1766, from Turkey Waters

Levels of contaminants in fish are of particular interest because of the potential risk to humans who consume them. Fish samples were collected through the coastal waters of Turkey and the contents of cadmium, cobalt, chrome, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, zinc and lead in the liver and muscle tissues were determined. Among the metals analyzed, copper, zinc and iron were the most abundant in the different tissues while cadmium and lead were the least abundant both in Belone belone and Pomatomus saltatrix. Metal concentrations in muscles of fish species were found 0.01–0.38 mg kg⁻¹ for cadmium, 0.01–0.53 mg kg⁻¹ for cobalt, 0.05–1.87 mg kg⁻¹ for chromium, 0.21–5.89 mg kg⁻¹ for copper, 9.99–43.3 mg kg⁻¹ for iron, 0.14–1.33 mg kg⁻¹ for manganese, 0.06–4.70 mg kg⁻¹ for nickel, 0.09–0.81 mg kg⁻¹ for lead, 3.85–15.9 mg kg⁻¹ for zinc, respectively. Regional changes in metal concentration were observed in the tissues of both species, but these variations may not influence consumption advisories.