The pollution and ecological risk of endosulfan in soil of Huai'an city, China

Endosulfan, a persistent organic pollutant newly listed under the Stockholm Convention, is currently widely produced and used as a pesticide in China. Concentrations of endosulfans (including α-, β-isomers, and their metabolite endosulfan sulfate) were determined in surface soil collected from Huai'an city, where the largest endosulfan producer is located. The concentrations of Σendosulfan (sum of α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, and endosulfan sulfate) at all sites ranged from 0.28 to 44.81 ng/g dry weight (dw), following a lognormal distribution. The geometric mean was 1.09 ng/g dw, and the geometric standard deviation was 3.02. The β-endosulfan levels were consistently greater than those of α-isomer. The concentration ratios of α-endosulfan to β-endosulfan ranged from 0.03 to 0.70, which were much lower than the commercial endosulfan mixture. This is because that α-endosulfan is more volatile and degrades faster than β-endosulfan in soil. The contour map of Σendosulfan levels in soil indicates that the factory was the point pollution source with the highest endosulfan level in its surrounding area, especially the southern area. However, the non-point agricultural sources are more important. Based on Monte Carlo simulation, the Σendosulfan inventory in soil in Huai'an is estimated to be 0.8-3.0 tons. In order to understand the potential ecological risk of endosulfan, the Monte Carlo-based hazard quotient distribution was estimated and showed that Σendosulfan posed a potentially high risk to soil organisms. To our knowledge, this study is the first that reports soil pollution and risk of endosulfan around the manufacturer in China. This study will help China's implementation of Stockholm Convention for the reduction and elimination of endosulfan in future.

[Vertical distribution and source analysis of organochlorine pesticides in sewage irrigation area, Taiyuan city]

Nine profile soil samples were collected from Xiaodian sewage irrigation area in Taiyuan city, and the concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were determined by gas chromatography coupled with electron capture detector (GC-ECD) to analyze the vertical distribution. The results showed that the OCPs were mainly accumulated in the surface soil layer (0-30 cm) with the maximum concentration of 98.56 ng x g(-1), and HCHs, DDTs, endosulfans and methoxychlor were the predominant contaminants compared with other pesticides in the surface soil, which accounted for 85.1% in total OCPs. The concentrations of OCPs were clearly decreased with the increasing of the depth to the top layer in the most profile soils. Beta-HCH and DDE (sum of o,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDE) were the main contaminants in HCH pesticides and DDT pesticides, respectively. Composition analysis indicated that new DDT sources might be introduced into the groundwater irrigation and swamp area recently, and the main source of HCHs and DDTs was the residual of history use in other areas. Most profile soils were defined silt loam in study area. The correlations between the concentration of sigma OCPs and the total organic carbon (TOC) were positively significant in sewage irrigation area and groundwater irrigation area, but they were not significantly correlated in swamp area and background area.

Studies on the fate of ready-mix formulation of endosulfan and cypermethrin in tea

Ready-mix formulation consists of two insecticides-endosulfan (35%) and cypermethrin (5%). To understand the dissipation pattern of the insecticides on made tea from the north-east region of India, it was applied twice in 10 day interval @ 1,000 mL/ha (350 g a.i. endosulfan + 50 g a.i. cypermethrin) and 2,000 mL/ha (700 g a.i. endosulfan + 100 g a.i. cypermethrin) along with untreated control. The made tea samples were collected at 0, 1, 3 and 7 days interval after last application. The dissipation rate of endosulfan and cypermethrin followed first order kinetics. The calculated half-life values were found in the range between 1.7 to 2.1 days for endosulfan and 1.0 to 1.1 days for cypermethrin.

Pesticide application and detection in variable agricultural intensity watersheds and their river systems in the maritime region of Canada

Applications of pesticides in areas of agricultural production have been an environmental concern for the past several decades. Varying-sized watersheds draining regions of intense agriculture in the Maritime Provinces of Canada were monitored between 2003 and 2007 to determine the major in-use pesticides and to gain an understanding of the risks posed to aquatic ecosystems. A questionnaire collected from farmers in one watershed intensively cropped with potato indicated that 43 pesticides were applied with 18 of them being detected in that watershed. Our results across the Maritime region suggested that detection frequencies ranged from 0.0 to 22 % during the study period. Chlorothalonil, linuron, metalaxyl, and metribuzin were detected in 17-22 % of samples collected during rainfall events every year. Other pesticides, such as azinphos-methyl, atrazine, cypermethrin, permethrin, fonofos, and β-endosulfan were detected in ≤17 % of the samples during some years of the study. Concentrations of several pesticides were found to exceed their Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) aquatic life water-quality guidelines in pulses after rain events. The highest proportion of detections exceeding a CCME guideline was for chlorothalonil at 12.9 %, β-endosulfan at 6.0 %, and linuron at 3.4 %. Despite indications that remedial measures offer protection to aquatic environments, spatial and temporal gaps in the data prevented a full evaluation. A dedicated long-term multiple-watershed monitoring program for this region of Canada is therefore recommended.

Monitoring of organochlorine pesticides in and around Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India

Keoladeo National Park (KNP) is an important wintering ground for thousands of birds that undertake a perilous journey over the Himalaya to make a seasonal home in a wetland ecosystem. However, this wetland is now getting polluted by various types of contaminants such as pesticides because of the agricultural practices in the catchment area from where the park receives water. Keeping this in mind, the present study has been undertaken to assess the organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in the sediments inside and around KNP. Samples were collected from the different blocks of the park. The concentrations of α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, δ-HCH, S-HCH, aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, hept.epoxide, endosulfan-I, endosulfan-II, endo.sulfate, S-endosulfan, endrin, 4,4'-DDE, 4,4'-DDD, and DDT were quantified using gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Analysis showed that the samples were contaminated with the above mentioned pesticides and that the concentration of total OCPs in the sediments varied from 0.1173 (dieldrin) to 5.558 ppm (γ HCH) in the samples collected from inside the park, whereas a range of pesticides varying in concentration from 0.1245 (4,4'-DDD) to 7.54 ppm (γ HCH) was found in samples from outside the park. Residues of S-HCH and S-endosulfan were not detected in any of the sediment samples. The occurrence of pesticides inside the park is a major threat to the park's biodiversity. Eco-friendly agriculture practices with minimal use of inorganic chemicals are suggested to minimize the pesticide residue levels in the park.

Influence of organic amendments on the degradation of endosulfan

A laboratory experiment was conducted to study the effect of soil amendments with four different sources of organic matter on the dissipation rate of endosulfan. Farm yard manure (FYM), vermi compost, leaf compost and charcoal, dried, ground (<4 mm) and thoroughly mixed with a calcareous soil at a rate of 2.5 % and placed in plastic pots. Endosulfan was added at 10 μg level. In 30-day incubation period the degradation was fastest in vermin compost, 88.48 %, followed by FYM, seababul leaves and charcoal, recording 87.21 %, 79.41 % and 68.39 %, respectively, as compared to un amended treatment where slow degradation of 65.53 % was observed. The half life was 18.8 days in un-amended soil as compared to 1.01-1.29 days in vermi compost, farm yard manure, charcoal and leaf compost. The amendment with vermin compost, followed by FYM was found to be most effective and enhances the degradation as compared to the other amendments.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorine pesticides in fish from Taihu Lake: their levels, sources, and biomagnification

The investigation of biomagnification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide (OCP) and a new persistent organic pollutant, has been limited in freshwater food chains. The objective of the present study was to investigate the levels with focus on the sources and biomagnification of PAHs and OCPs in fish from Taihu Lake, China. In 193 samples of 24 species investigated, the concentrations ranged from 289 to 9 500 ng/g lipid weight (lw) for PAHs, and from 121 to 904 ng/g lw for OCPs, indicating that the fish in the lake was moderately contaminated. The PAHs mainly originated from both unburned petroleum and combustion of fossil fuels, and the OCPs from aged residues. It was unlikely that most of the PAHs and OCPs were biodiluted through the food chain because their trophic magnification factors were higher than one nevertheless the P-values >0.05. Aldrin, dieldrin, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, and endosulfan sulfate were significantly biomagnified through the food chain.

Levels and seasonal variations of organochlorine pesticides in urban and rural background air of southern Ghana

Urban, suburban and rural background air samples were collected in southern Ghana in 2008 employing polyurethane foam disc passive air samplers (PAS). PAS were analysed for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), namely hexachlorocyclohexanes (α-, β-, γ- and δ-hexachlorocyclohexane), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane including metabolites (o,p'- and p,p'-DDT, DDE and DDD), hexachlorobenzene, pentachlorobenzene, aldrin, dieldrin, endrins (endrin, endrin aldehyde and endrin ketone), isodrin, heptachlors (heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide A and heptachlor epoxide B), chlordanes (α-, β-chlordane, oxychlordane and trans-nonachlor), endosulfans (α- and β-endosulfan and endosulfan sulphate), methoxychlor and mirex using a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer. The levels of OCPs ranged for the individual pesticides from below limit of quantification to 750 pg m(-3) (for α-endosulfan), and current agricultural application seemed to be the main primary source of most abundant pesticides. Re-volatilization of previously used pesticides from contaminated soils could not be ruled out either as potential secondary source of contamination, especially in warm and dry seasons and periods of intensive agricultural activities. Higher atmospheric concentrations were observed in November and December during the dry season compared to lower concentrations observed in June, July and August when the country experiences heavy rains. The highest seasonal variation was observed for currently used pesticides as α-endosulfan. A p,p'-DDT/p,p'-DDE ratio suggested recent inputs of fresh technical DDT.

Organochlorine pesticides in soil under irrigated cotton farming systems in Vertisols of the Namoi Valley, north-western New South Wales, Australia

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) such as DDT and DDE have been detected in the surface 0.2m of Vertisols in the lower Namoi Valley of north western New South Wales, Australia even though they have not been applied to crops since 1982. However, their presence in the deeper soil horizons has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to determine if OCPs were present to a depth of 1.2m in Vertisols under irrigated cotton farming systems in the lower Namoi Valley of New South Wales. Soil was sampled from the 0-1.2m depths in three sites, viz. the Australian Cotton Research Institute, ACRI, near Narrabri (149°36'E, 30°12'S), and two cotton farms near Wee Waa (149°27'E, 30°13'S) and Merah North (149°18'E, 30°12'S) in northern New South Wales, Australia. The OCPs detected and their metabolites were α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, endosulfan sulphate, DDD, DDE, DDT and endrin. The metabolite DDE, a breakdown product of DDT, was the most persistent OCP in all depths analysed. Endosulfan sulphate was the second most persistent followed by endrin>α-endosulfan>β-endosulfan>DDT and DDD. DDT was sprayed extensively in the lower Namoi Valley up to the early 1980s and may explain the persistence of DDE in the majority of soil samples. Dicofol and Dieldrin, two OCPs previously undocumented in Vertisols were also detected. The movement of OCPs into the subsoil of Vertisols may occur when irrigation or rain transports soil colloids and organic matter via preferential flow systems into the deeper layers of a soil profile. Persistence of OCPs was closely correlated to soil organic carbon concentrations. The persistence in soil of OCP's applied to cotton crops grown more than two decades ago suggests that they could enter the food chain. Their presence at depths of 1.2m suggests that they could move into groundwater that may eventually be used for domestic and stock consumption.

Organochlorine pesticide, endosulfan induced cellular and organismal response in Drosophila melanogaster

The effect of endosulfan (0.02-2.0μgmL(-1)) to Drosophila melanogaster (Oregon R(+)) at the cellular and organismal levels was examined. Third instar larvae of D. melanogaster and the strains transgenic for hsp70, hsp83 and hsp26 were exposed to endosulfan through food for 12-48h to examine the heat shock proteins (hsps), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, anti-oxidant stress markers and xenobiotic metabolism enzymes. We observed a concentration- and time-dependent significant induction of only small hsps (hsp23>hsp22) in the exposed organism in concurrence with a significant induction of ROS generation, oxidative stress and xenobiotic metabolism markers. Sub-organismal response was to be propagated towards organismal response, i.e., delay in the emergence of flies and decreased locomotor behaviour. Organisms with diminished locomotion also exhibited significantly lowered acetylcholinesterase activity. A significant positive correlation observed among ROS generation and different cellular endpoints (small hsps, oxidative stress markers, cytochrome P450 activities) in the exposed organism indicate a modulatory role of ROS in endosulfan-mediated cellular toxicity. The study thus suggests that the adverse effects of endosulfan in exposed Drosophila are manifested both at cellular and organismal levels and recommends Drosophila as an alternative animal model for screening the risk caused by environmental chemicals.

Distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in marine sediments directly exposed to wastewater from Cortiou, Marseille

INTRODUCTION

The future 'Calanque National Park' coastlines of the Bouches-du-Rhône and Var departments in France, constitute one of the ten biodiversity hot spots identified in the Mediterranean basin that receives industrial and urban wastewaters discharged from Marseille and its suburbs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Organochlorine pesticides (OCs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in sediments collected from 12 sampling sites (C1-C12) of sewage discharge to the sea from the wastewater treatment plant of Cortiou-Marseille. This study aims to determine the extent of these compounds in the sediments and to establish the possible sources of these contaminants.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Total pesticides in the sediments ranged from 1.2 to 190.6 ng g(-1) dry weight of sediment. The highest value was found at station C1, with a decreasing trend in total OC concentrations seaward. Among these compounds, the concentrations of the sum of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (ΣDDT) were the highest, ranging from 0.7 to 114.3 ng g(-1). PCB concentrations, expressed as equivalent to Arochlor 1260, varied from 9.1 to 226.9 ng g(-1). Individually, the dominant coplanar PCB congeners CB-153, CB-138 and CB-101. Generally, PCB concentrations at stations C2, C3, C5 and C7 were higher than those at stations C10, C11 and C12. Through some pollution indices, we showed the long-term contamination input of these OCs (DDT, endosulfan, HCH and heptachlor cases) rather than a recent release resulting from degradation and long-term weathering (dieldrin, aldrin and methoxychlor cases). Occurrence of PCBs might be due to their resistance to degradation processes or/and chronic inputs.

CONCLUSIONS

By comparison with available sediment quality guideline (SQG) values, the environmental significance and toxicological implications of PCBs and OCs (i) reveal the probable adverse effects for the sediments from C1, C5, C6, C9 and (ii) confirm the adverse effect for marine biota and more particularly for benthic communities at C2-C4, C7 and C8.

Haemocytic leukemia in Prince Edward Island (PEI) soft shell clam (Mya arenaria): spatial distribution in agriculturally impacted estuaries

Intensive farming of potatoes in Prince Edward Island (PEI) relies on the repeated and widespread application of fertilizers and pesticides. In PEI the main potato farming areas are in close proximity and drain directly to estuaries. Runoff from high agricultural activity watersheds could impact benthic organism health in the depositional zone of downstream estuaries. The estuarine filter feeder Mya arenaria (soft-shell clam) could be particularly vulnerable to both particle-adsorbed and water soluble contaminants. M. arenaria is susceptible to haemocytic leukemia. In May 2009, we established that heavily proliferated leukemia (HPL) prevalence was generally higher in PEI estuaries located downstream of high intensity potato farming (Dunk and Wilmot estuaries) watersheds than in estuaries downstream of lower intensity areas. Using Mab-1E10 based immunocytochemistry we observed that leukemic haemocytes from the Dunk and Wilmot estuaries were 1E10 negative whereas those from the Ox/Sheep estuary (low potato farming intensity) were 1E10 positive. The expression of genes in the p53 tumour suppressor pathway enabled us to differentiate groups of leukemic and normal M. arenaria, validating our diagnoses. In October 2009, we confirmed that HPL prevalence was elevated in the Dunk and Wilmot estuaries compared to reference (Souris River). Moreover, leukemia prevalence declined with distance from the river mouths along transects through the Dunk and Wilmot estuaries. The pesticides ß-endosulfan and α-endosulfan were detected in surface sediments from the Dunk and Wilmot estuaries, but not in sediments from either the Souris River or several other lower intensity potato farming watersheds. Our study provides evidence of an association between intensity of potato farming and prevalence of clam leukemia at downstream estuaries in PEI.

Residues of currently and never used organochlorine pesticides in agricultural soils from Zhejiang Province, China

Studies on residues of currently and never used organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) facilitate the assessment of the contamination level, distribution, sources, transportation, and trend of these selected OCPs in China. In this work we investigated the concentration levels of endosulfans and chlordane, which are currently used, and the never used aldrin and dieldrin in the province of Zhejiang, a rainy, and hilly tea-growing province in eastern China. The average/mean residue levels of OCPs was in the order ∑endosulfan > ∑chlordane > aldrin > dieldrin. The residue level was in good agreement with the usage of OCPs in Zhejiang. The spatial distribution showed that the residues of OCPs in soils from the mountain area were always higher than those in soils from the plains. The distribution characteristics were related to usage for current-use OCPs and temperature for never used OCPs. The isomeric ratios and enantiomeric fractions are useful tools to identify the degradation preference of contaminants. The wide range of ratios between trans-chlordane (TC) and cis-chlordane (CC) indicated that the degradation of the two isomers of chlordane was different at different sites. Nonracemic residues of TC and CC were observed in most soils; this is significant since the enantiomers have different toxicities.

Deposition and accumulation of airborne organic contaminants in Yosemite National Park, California

Deposition and accumulation of airborne organic contaminants in Yosemite National Park were examined by sampling atmospheric deposition, lichen, zooplankton, and lake sediment at different elevations. Passive samplers were deployed in high-elevation lakes to estimate surface-water concentrations. Detected compounds included current-use pesticides chlorpyrifos, dacthal, and endosulfans and legacy compounds chlordane, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane-related compounds, dieldrin, hexachlorobenzene, and polychlorinated biphenyls. Concentrations in snow were similar among sites and showed little variation with elevation. Endosulfan concentrations in summer rain appeared to coincide with application rates in the San Joaquin Valley. More than 70% of annual pesticide inputs from atmospheric deposition occurred during the winter, largely because most precipitation falls as snow. Endosulfan and chlordane concentrations in lichen increased with elevation, indicating that mountain cold-trapping might be an important control on accumulation of these compounds. By contrast, chlorpyrifos concentrations were inversely correlated with elevation, indicating that distance from source areas was the dominant control. Sediment concentrations were inversely correlated with elevation, possibly because of the organic carbon content of sediments but also perhaps the greater mobility of organic contaminants at lower elevations. Surface-water concentrations inferred from passive samplers were at sub-parts-per-trillion concentrations, indicating minimal exposure to aquatic organisms from the water column. Concentrations in sediment generally were low, except for dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane in Tenaya Lake, which exceeded sediment guidelines for protection of benthic organisms.

Pesticide residues in tomatoes from greenhouses in Souss Massa Valley, Morocco

Eight pesticide residues in tomato samples collected in the area of Souss Massa Valley (Southern Morocco) were analyzed. The detected residue levels ranged from 0.001 to 0.400 mg kg(-1) for dicofol, from 0.003 to 0.170 mg kg(-1) for procymidone, from 0.001 to 0.250 mg kg(-1) for chlorothalonil, from 0.050 to 0.500 mg kg(-1) for bifenthrin, from 0.001 to 0.010 mg kg(-1) for λ-cyhalothrin, from 0.001 to 0.300 mg kg(-1) for cypermethrin, from 0.010 to 1 mg kg(-1) for deltamethrin and from 0.003 to 1.123 mg kg(-1) for endosulfan. European MRL for endosulfan in tomatoes set in 0.500 mg kg(-1), was exceeded in 8 samples, and MRL for deltamethrin set in 0.300 mg kg(-1) for tomatoes was exceeded in 2 samples.

Phytoextraction of endosulfan a remediation technique

Endosulfan is a cyclodiene insecticide used all over the world for the control of various insect pests on variety of food and non crop products. Despite judicious use endosulfan has been detected in atmosphere, soil, water, sediment, surface water rain water and food stuffs, which is of concern. In view of the above the use of mustard and maize plants as potential phytoremediation inputs have been evaluated. The potential of mustard (brassica campestris Linn.) and maize (Zea Maize) to remove a organochlorine pesticide endosulfan was investigated. The disappearance rate constants of endosulfan from soil were 0.03684, 0.23490 and 0.17272 day(-1) for unplanted treatment, planted with mustard and maize, respectively, which implied that plant uptake and phytoextraction with maize and mustard contributed 47.2% and 34.5%, respectively and other degradation processes took up 38.7% and 35.9%, respectively to the removal of the applied endosulfan from soil. The accumulated endosulfan decreased by 55%-91% in soil after growing the crop plants in soil, suggesting that plant uptake and phytoextraction might be the dominant process for endosulfan removal by the plant. This plant might be utilized as an efficient, economical and ecological alternative to accelerate the removal and degradation of agro-industrial wastewater polluted with endosulfan.

Assessing the endosulfan contamination in an unconfined aquifer

Groundwater samples were analyzed in order to elucidate the fate of endosulfan in the soil and its release mechanism into water of an unconfined aquifer. Residual alfa endosulfan was determined in all the wells; however, beta endosulfan was below 0.001 μg/L. Maximum adsorption rates of alfa and beta endosulfan were 91%-86% on the topsoil; 87%-91% on the subsoil, respectively. About 13%-23% desorption rate on the topsoil and subsoil exhibited the probability of endosulfan movement in the soil. The study showed that a hydrophobic-moderately persistent pesticide can reach to groundwater despite the high clay content of soil.

Application of sorbent impregnated polyurethane foam (SIP) disk passive air samplers for investigating organochlorine pesticides and polybrominated diphenyl ethers at the global scale

As part of continued efforts under the Global Atmospheric Passive Sampling (GAPS) Network to develop passive air samplers applicable to a wide-range of compounds, sorbent-impregnated polyurethane foam (SIP) disk samplers were codeployed and tested against conventional polyurethane foam (PUF) disk samplers. The SIP disk sampler has a higher sorptive capacity compared to the PUF disk sampler, due to its impregnation with ground XAD resin. The two sampler types were codeployed at 20 sites during the 2009, 3-month long spring sampling period of the GAPS Network. Air concentrations for chlordanes (trans-chlordane, cis-chlordane, and trans-nonachlor) and endosulfans (endosulfan I, endosulfan II, and endosulfan sulfate) derived from PUF disk and SIP disk samplers showed near 1:1 agreement and confirmed previous results for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Discrepancies observed for α-HCH and γ-HCH in PUF disk versus SIP disk are attributed to lack of "comparability" of the PUF and SIP data sets, due to differences in effective air sampled by the two devices caused by saturation of these higher volatility compounds in the lower capacity PUF disk samplers. Analysis of PBDEs in PUF and SIP disks showed relatively good agreement but highlighted challenges associated with high blanks levels for PBDEs. The higher capacity SIP disk samplers allowed for the analysis of pentachlorobenzene (PeCBz) and hexachlorobenzene (HCBz) and revealed a relatively uniform global distribution of these compounds. The results of this study further validate the SIP disk sampler as a complement to the PUF disk sampler, with capabilities for a broad range of POPs targeted under international POPs treaties such as the Stockholm Convention on POPs and its Global Monitoring Plan.

Current-use pesticide transport to Costa Rica's high-altitude tropical cloud forest

To gain insight into the atmospheric transport and deposition of organic contaminants in high-altitude forests in the humid tropics, pesticides were analyzed in air, water, and soil samples from Costa Rica. Passive samplers deployed across the country revealed annually averaged air concentrations of chlorothalonil, endosulfan, and pendimethalin that were higher in areas with intensive agricultural activities than in more remote areas. Atmospheric concentrations were particularly high in the intensively cultivated central valley. Only endosulfan and its degradation products were found in soils sampled along an altitudinal transect on the northern side of Volcano Turrialba, which is facing heavily cultivated coastal plains. Consistent with calculations of cold trapping in tropical mountains, concentrations of endosulfan sulfate increased with altitude. Pesticide levels in lake, creek, fog, and arboreal water samples from high-elevation cloud forests were generally below 10 ng · L(-1). Endosulfan sulfate was the most abundant pesticide in water, with concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 9.4 ng · L(-1). Its levels were highest in water sampled from bromeliads. Levels of total endosulfan in water are much lower than the reported median lethal concentration (LC50) value for acute toxicity of α-endosulfan to tadpoles. Although this suggests that the presence of pesticide might not have a direct impact on amphibian populations, the possibility of effects of chronic exposure to a mixture of substances cannot be excluded. Fog was relatively enriched in some of the analyzed pesticides, such as dacthal and chlorothalonil, and may constitute an important deposition pathway to high-altitude tropical cloud forest.

Seasonal variation of organochlorine contaminants in bonito (Sarda sarda L. 1758) and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus L. 1758) in Black Sea region, Turkey

The concentrations of indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine insecticides were determined in bonito (Sardasarda L. 1758) and anchovy (Engraulisencrasicolus L. 1758) from the Black Sea, Turkey. Concentrations of total indicator PCBs ranged between <1-17.0 in bonito, and <1-17.5 ng/g fresh weight in anchovy, and total of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-chlorophenyl-ethane and its metabolites' (DDTs) concentrations ranged between 13.4-26.3, and 2.96-19.0 ng/g fresh weight in bonito and anchovy respectively. PCB 52, p,p'-DDE and endosulfan (α+β) were found dominant in both of the fish species. Except endosulfan, and some DDT metabolites, none of the studied organochlorine pesticides was detected in the fish samples. Concentrations of PCBs in anchovy were found higher than those in bonito, whereas DDT and endosulfan concentrations were found similar in both of the fish species. All of the fish samples had residue concentrations below the maximum residue limits (MRL) recommended by FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Biochemical stress responses in tissues of the cichlid fish Cichlasoma dimerus exposed to a commercial formulation of endosulfan

Median lethal concentration (LC(50)) and sublethal effects of the commercial endosulfan formulation Zebra Ciagro(®) on the fish Cichlasoma dimerus were studied. The 96-h LC(50) was estimated as 17.7 μg/L. In order to investigate sublethal effects, fish were exposed to 25% and 50% LC(1) (3.4 and 6.8 μg/L, respectively). Endosulfan (ED) significantly increased the hemoglobin concentration and white blood cell count after 96 h. Differential leukocytes count was also altered, due to an increase in the percentage of neutrophils in exposed fish. The hepatopancreatic tissue of fish under ED treatment showed a decrease in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase and an increase in alkaline phosphatase. Lipid peroxidation levels in the 6.8-μg/L ED-containing group were higher than those in control fish for all organs tested (gills, hepatopancreas, and brain).

Biodegradation of endosulfan by Mortieralla sp. strain W8 in soil: Influence of different substrates on biodegradation

To examine the bioremediation potential of Mortierella sp. strain W8 in endosulfan contaminated soil, the fungus was inoculated into sterilized and unsterilized soil spiked with endosulfan. Wheat bran and cane molasses were used as substrates to understand the influence of different organic materials on the degradation of endosulfan in soil. Strain W8 degraded α- and β-endosulfan in both sterilized and unsterilized soil. In unsterilized soil with wheat bran+W8, α- and β- endosulfan were degraded by approximately 80% and 50%, respectively after 28 d incubation against the initial endosulfan concentration (3 mg kg(-1) dw). The corresponding values for α- and β-endosulfan degradation with wheat bran only were 50% and 3%. Endosulfan diol metabolite was detected after 14 d incubation in wheat bran+W8 whereas it was not found with wheat bran only. Production of endosulfan sulfate, the main metabolite of endosulfan, was suppressed with wheat bran+W8 treatment compared with wheat bran only. It was demonstrated that wheat bran is a more suitable substrate for strain W8 than cane molasses. Wheat bran+W8 is a superior fungus and substrate mix for bioremediation in soil contaminated with endosulfan.

Persistent organic pollutants associated to water fluxes and sedimentary processes in the Colorado River delta, Baja California, México

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were studied in sediment cores from two distinctive modern channels of the Colorado River (CR) delta. Their abundance and temporal changes are associated with flood-flows from the CR across the USA-Mexico border. The CR channel is directly exposed to river flood-flows while the Hardy River (HR) is a local channel derived mainly from agricultural runoff, geothermal effluents, and treated urban wastewater. Different headwater compositions and degrees of exposure to flood-flows appear to be the factors controlling the composition of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Enrichment of OCPs (46 ng g(-1) dwt in HR and 4.37 ng g(-1) dwt in CR) occurred during or a few years after flooding. PCB-138 (4.2 ng g(-1)dwt) is enriched in HR suggesting its origin in dielectric oils from the geothermal power plant. PCB-28 (2.1 ng g(-1)dwt) in CR may be related with atmospheric input and/or re-deposition of upstream sediments. In surficial sediments (0-3 cm), only HR exceeds international sediment quality guidelines (4,4'-DDE=8.16 ng g(-1)dwt and ΣDDT=8.34 ng g(-1)dwt).

Organochlorine pesticide in fresh and pasteurized cow's milk from Kampala markets

Fresh and pasteurized milk samples from Kampala markets were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides using a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector. Five organochlorine pesticides, namely; aldrin, dieldrin, endosulfan, lindane, DDT and its metabolites were detected in the milk samples and confirmed with a gas chromatograph equipped with a mass spectrometer [GC-MS]. The mean values are expressed in mgkg(-1) milk fat (mf) basis. The mean concentration in the fresh milk (n=54) were: 0.026 ± 0.003 mg kg(-1) mf; 0.002 ± 0.0003 mg kg(-1), below the detection limit; 0.007 ± 0.003 mg kg(-1), 0.009 ± 0.002 mg kg(-1) milk fat for lindane, endosulfan dieldrin and aldrin, respectively. The mean concentrations of p,p'-DDE; p,p'-DDT and o,p'-DDT were 0.009 ± 0.002 mg kg(-1); 0.033 ± 0.007 mg kg(-1) and 0.008 ± 0.001 mg kg(-1) mf, respectively in the fresh milk samples. In the pasteurized milk samples (n=47), the mean concentrations recorded were: 0.008 ± 0.003 mg kg(-1), 0.025 ± 0.004 mg kg(-1), and 0.007 ± 0.001 mg kg(-1), respectively for p,p'-DDE; p,p'-DDT and o,p'-DDT. Alpha and beta-endosulfan recorded the concentration below the detection limit and the mean of 0.022 ± 0.001 mg kg(-1) mf, 0.005 ± 0.002 mg kg(-1) mf, and 0.006 ± 0.0002 mg kg(-1) mf, respectively for lindane, dieldrin and aldrin. Although, most of the residues detected were above the residue limits set by the FAO/WHO (2008), bioaccumulation of these residues is likely to pose health risks to the consumers of milk in Uganda.