Abstract
It is difficult to assess pollution in remote areas of less-developed regions owing to the limited availability of energy, equipment, technology, trained personnel and other key resources. Passive sampling devices (PSDs) are technologically simple analytical tools that sequester and concentrate bioavailable organic contaminants from the environment. Scientists from Oregon State University and the Centre Régional de Recherches en Ecotoxicologie et de Sécurité Environnementale (CERES) in Senegal developed a partnership to build capacity at CERES and to develop a pesticide-monitoring project using PSDs. This engagement resulted in the development of a dynamic training process applicable to capacity-building programmes. The project culminated in a field and laboratory study where paired PSD samples were simultaneously analysed in African and US laboratories with quality control evaluation and traceability. The joint study included sampling from 63 sites across six western African countries, generating a 9000 data point pesticide database with virtual access to all study participants.
Highlights
Characterization of pesticides and other contaminants in aquatic systems in remote regions of less-developed countries presents many challenges
We found during the first Oregon State University (OSU) training at CERES that the laboratory facilities were inadequate for trace pesticide analysis
OSU at CERES pesticide confirmation results confirmation process illustrated, gas chromatograph (GC) detector compromised, replacement needed first joint paired field and laboratory study with western Africa and US laboratory capacity built and data generated with quality assurance plan 9000 pesticide data points generated use of Passive sampling devices (PSDs) in western Africa agricultural systems assessing bioavailable pesticide characterization to support human and ecological risk assessments
Summary
Characterization of pesticides and other contaminants in aquatic systems in remote regions of less-developed countries presents many challenges. The objectives related to building scientific and technical capacity in African laboratories are: (i) to provide the foundation necessary to properly conduct integrated environmental monitoring, chemical analysis and human and ecological health risk assessment; (ii) to contribute to building and strengthening in-country capacities to enable local, national and regional environmental monitoring that would generate the high-quality data necessary for setting protective standards for human and environmental health; and (iii) to contribute to the development of a robust model for sustainable agricultural production, including ecological modelling and human health modelling/assessments, as discussed further in Jepson et al [18] and Settle et al [19]. — all field and most in-laboratory QC met DQOs — virtual instrument site created to train/share data overcome building and resource inadequacies for trace pesticide monitoring passive sampling devices (PSD) technology unreliable back-up power supply poor bldg materials = high pesticide BG unreliable source of lab reagents & consumables poor instrument & bldg maint. 3.35353 3.39433 3.37364 3.36003 26.54265 26.54340 26.53413 25.99425 25.92165 25.99187 sampling dates 9 Feb – 23 Feb
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