Quantification by ELISA of Aldrin/Dieldrin in river Nile water and tap water samples collected in Egypt

An indirect competitive ELISA was developed for the quantitative analysis of aldrin/dieldrin. This has been used to monitor the levels of these pesticides in water samples collected in Egypt. The detection range of the aldrin/dieldrin assay in water was 5–10 ppm without enhancement. River Nile water samples and tap water samples (n = 25) were collected from 25 stations in 16 different governorates in Egypt. Pesticides were detected in 10 of the 25 Nile water samples (40%) at levels from 10 to 110 ppb. In tap water samples, pesticides were not detected at levels greater than the lower limit of the assay. The technique described provides a rapid, economical, highly sensitive and specific method of analysis that is relatively simple to perform and interpret. It will be extremely useful in monitoring levels of pesticides in water used for human consumption.     

Aldrin poisoning of Sarus cranes (Grus antigone) and a few granivorous birds in Keoladeo National Park,Bharatpur, India

Between 1987–88 and 1989–90, 18 Sarus cranes (Grus antigone), more than 50 collared doves (Streptopelia decaocto) and a few blue rock pigeons (Columba livia) were found dead during winter in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, which coincided with the application of aldrin in the crop fields around the Park. Brain tissue of Sarus cranes, collared doves and blue rock pigeons contained an average of 19.33 (3.56–43.46), 15.19 (7.40–20.70), and 20.42 (14.61–26.23) ppm, wet weight, of dieldrin, respectively. Dieldrin in other tissues ranged from 0.78 ppm to 92.26 ppm in Sarus cranes, 3.44 ppm to 66.17 ppm in collared doves and 16.92 ppm to 20.99 ppm in blue rock pigeons. Residues of aldrin were as high as 89.75 ppm in the gastrointestinal tract of a Sarus crane and 104.00 ppm in a collared dove. Very high residues of aldrin in the gastrointestinal tract, and dieldrin at much higher quantities in the brain than the lethal level (4–5 ppm) clearly indicate that dieldrin, after being metabolized from aldrin, was responsible for the deaths. A decline in the breeding population of Sarus cranes in Keoladeo National Park has been noticed, and is suspected to be an indication of its general population trend. The Registration Committee under the Indian Insecticide Act of 1968 has decided to include aldrin in the banned list with the ban taking effect from January 1994.     

The action of cyclodiene pesticides on oxidative phosphorylation in rat liver mitochondria.

The effects of a number of chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides have been studied on isolated rat liver mitochondria. Inhibition of mitochondrial function was found to be dependent upon the ratio of pesticide to protein, and to some extent upon the type of pesticide. Most of the pesticides tested exerted more than one effect depending upon the concentration. At low concentrations (less than 20–25 nmoles/mg protein). State 3 respiration, DNP-activated respiration and valinomycin-induced swelling were inhibited by certain cyclodienes. These results cannot be explained by inhibition of the electron transport chain or uncoupling. They appear to be associated with restrictions of ion movements across the membrane (DNP, valinomycin-K⁺ complex, ADP). On increasing the concentration of pesticide, lysis of the membranes and uncoupling can be induced. The electron transport chain can also be inhibited, but only with 5–10 times greater concentrations of pesticide than required for uncoupling. In general, the cyclodiene pesticides are slightly more effective inhibitors than the non-cyclodienes tested.2 The effectiveness of the cyclodienes is, however, dependent upon its stereochemical properties. These findings suggest that the cyclodienes may inhibit mitochondria in a common, and, perhaps, specific manner. The specificity and mode of action of cyclodienes was found to be similar to that described earlier (B.D. Nelson and C. Williams, Agric. fd Chem.19, 339 (1971)), using growing yeast cells as the test system.     

Application of an Adsorption Process on Selected Materials,Including Waste,as a Barrier to the Pesticide Penetration into the Environment

The article presents research on using the adsorption process of aldrin (a chloro-organic pesticide that most often occurs in the environment near expired pesticide burials). The research used three sorbents: two activated carbons and compost from sewage sludge as a low-cost sorbent. Obtained adsorption isotherms belong to the L group according to the Giles classification. The test results and their analysis confirm that the IZO application facilitates the analysis of the adsorption process. The study results also confirm that compost can be a cost-effective alternative to commercial activated carbons to build barriers protecting the environment against existing leaking expired pesticide burials.     

Mortality from the pesticides aldrin and dieldrin in British Sparrowhawks and Kestrels

Among 1029 dead Sparrowhawks and 1055 dead Kestrels from various parts of Britain that were examined over the period 1963–90, the main causes of death were (a) collisions of various kinds (b) starvation or disease and (c) organochlorine poisoning. The main chemical which caused poisoning was HEOD, derived from the insecticides aldrin and dieldrin. Other deaths were attributed to poisoning by DDE (the main metabolite of the insecticide DDT) and by HE (heptachlor epoxide, derived from the insecticide heptachlor). Sparrowhawks whose deaths were attributed to HEOD poisoning contained 5–85 µg g^–1 HEOD in their livers (wet weight), while Kestrels contained 6–99 µg g^–1 HEOD. Such birds were typically lighter in weight than collision victims, but heavier than starved or diseased birds. In the period 1963–75, HEOD probably accounted for about 50% of all recorded Sparrowhawk deaths and 39% of all recorded Kestrel deaths in eastern arable districts, but a smaller proportion elsewhere. Geographical variation in the proportion of deaths attributed to HEOD paralleled variation in the proportion of land devoted to arable crops on which aldrin and dieldrin were mainly used. It also paralleled variation in the extent of population decline in these species. Moreover, the proportion of deaths attributed to HEOD declined between 1963–75 and 1976–86, following a marked reduction in aldrin-dieldrin use, and fell to nil in 1987–90, when aldrin and dieldrin were withdrawn altogether. Over this period, the populations of both species recovered from a decline which occurred in the late 1950s, when aldrin-dieldrin were first introduced.     

Effect of Aldrin on Accessory Sex Glands and Plama Testosterone Levels in Rats/Der Einfluß von Aldrin auf die akzessorischen Geschlechtsdrüsen und die Plasma- Testosteron-Werte der Ratte

The effects of aldrin, an organochlorine insecticide, on accessory sex glands and plasma testosterone levels in rats were studied. The aldrin was administered i.p. for 13 days and 26 days at a dose of 150 micrograms/kg. Relative weights of prostate, seminal vesicles and coagulating glands were significantly decreased in the treated rats compared to those in controls. In addition, there was a significant fall in acid phosphatase activity in prostate and fructose content in accessory sex glands was also observed in treated animals. Plasma testosterone values showed a decrease with the duration of treatment. HCG supplementation with aldrin treatment prevented all those untoward effects of aldrin in experimental rats.