Evaluation of the water quality status of two surface water reservoirs in a Mediterranean island

A 1-year monitoring study is presented on the chemical status of two surface water reservoirs in a decentralized Mediterranean island. Water samples were collected at varying depths in the two surface water reservoirs and different seasons between November 2015 and September 2016, covering both wet and dry periods of the year. Samples were analyzed in order to determine major chemical parameters and priority substances based on the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and the latest revision of the Priority Substances Policy Directive (2013/39/EU). Tested parameters in both reservoirs did not exceed the set limits. Increased pollutant concentrations were observed in the bottom samples. More than 200 pesticide active substances were determined but none of them was above the parametric trigger value (0.1 μg L^-1). Toxic metals were not detected in the examined water samples, whereas the relatively high concentrations of Mn and Cu in the bottom samples are mainly attributed to geogenic background concentrations. Based on the results of the present study, it can be concluded that the chemical situation of both water reservoirs is considered acceptable; however, continuous monitoring should be implemented in the area.

Pesticides residues in milks and feedstuff of farm animals drawn from Greece

The objective of this study was to investigate if milk from dairy sheep and goats, fed mainly with supplementary feed during the winter months, was contaminated with pesticides residues. Tauwo hundred milk samples from sheep and goats were collected from 10 farms of each animals. The sheep and goats farms were selected from those which represent common conventional production and feeding systems in Greece. Milk and feed samples (alfalfa hay, wheat straw, shrubs, pasture and concentrates) were taken from each farm to analyze for pesticides residues. The results showed that the summation operatorendosulfan was the main pesticide residue which was detected in all the concentrates samples at a mean concentration of 5.36 mgkg(-1), which is much higher from the maximum residue level (MRL). In addition, the summation operatorendosulfan was also detected in all the alfalfa hay samples but at a mean concentration of 0.10 mgkg(-1) which is lower than the MRL. The mean concentrations of endosulfan alpha and beta were 2.82 and 2.39 mgkg(-1) in the concentrates samples and 0.08 and 0.02 mgkg(-1) respectively in alfalfa hay samples. In the wheat straw, shrubs and pasture samples no pesticides residues were detected. No pesticide residues were also detected in milk samples of sheep and goats. Thus, this milk from the farms sampled presents no human health risks as far as the contaminants analyzed concerned.