High Concentrations Of Pesticides Research Articles

Transcriptomic, biochemical and individual markers in transplanted Daphnia magna to characterize impacts in the field

Daphnia magna individuals were transplanted across 12 sites from three Spanish river basins (Llobregat, Ebro, Jucar) showing different sources of pollution. Gene transcription, feeding and biochemical responses in the field were assessed and compared with those obtained in re-constituted water treatments spiked with organic eluates obtained from water samples collected at the same locations and sampling periods. Up to 166 trace contaminants were detected in water and classified by their mode of action into 45 groups that included metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, illicit drugs, and other industrial compounds. Physicochemical water parameters differentiated the three river basins with Llobregat having the highest levels of conductivity, metals and pharmaceuticals, followed by Ebro, whereas the Jucar river had the greatest levels of illicit drugs. D. magna grazing rates and cholinesterase activity responded similarly than the diversity of riparian benthic communities. Transcription patterns of 13 different genes encoding for general stress, metabolism and energy processes, molting and xenobiotic transporters corroborate phenotypic responses differentiated sites within and across river basins. Principal Component Analysis and Partial Least Square Projections to Latent Structures regression analyses indicated that measured in situ responses of most genes and biomarkers and that of benthic macroinvertebrate diversity indexes were affected by distinct environmental factors. Conductivity, suspended solids and fungicides were negatively related with the diversity of macroinvertebrates cholinesterase, and feeding responses. Gene transcripts of heat shock protein and metallothionein were positively related with 11 classes of organic contaminants and 6 metals. Gene transcripts related with signaling paths of molting and reproduction, sugar, protein and xenobiotic metabolism responded similarly in field and lab exposures and were related with high residue concentrations of analgesics, diuretics, psychiatric drugs, β blockers, illicit drugs, trizoles, bisphenol A, caffeine and pesticides. These results indicate that application of omic technologies in the field is a promising subject in water management.

An integrated approach for assessing influence of agricultural activities on pesticides in a shallow aquifer in south-eastern Norway

The study examines the influence of agricultural activities on pesticides in groundwater in an area with fluvial deposits of sand with a top layer of sandy silt and silt, intensive cultivation of potatoes and cereals, and drinking water supplies of households from local groundwater wells. Information about local agricultural practice and washing sites for pesticide spraying equipment, properties of soils and deeper deposits, hydrogeology and groundwater flow, simulations of pesticide leaching, and contents of pesticides and nitrate in groundwater samples from drinking water wells was used to explore extension and reasons of pesticide contamination of groundwater. Pesticides were found in a majority of the sampled wells. Eight different pesticides and metabolites were detected in groundwater samples. The results demonstrate that on fluvial deposits diffuse pollution from spraying of fields with pesticides can result in groundwater contamination in Nordic climate. Higher concentrations of pesticides in some wells can be explained by point source contamination from washing sites. The occurrence of pesticides in drinking water wells touches up the question whether pesticides should be given general approvals, or approvals should include restrictions or recommendations regarding use on areas with high risk of groundwater contamination. Combination of washing sites for pesticide spraying equipment and groundwater wells for drinking water requires attention, proper equipment and practice, and knowledge about pesticides, soil and water to avoid contamination. Samples from wells adjacent to washing sites for pesticide equipment might overestimate average pesticide concentrations in groundwater bodies. In Nordic areas attention should be given to pesticide pollution of shallow groundwater in fluvial deposits. To provide basis for interpretation of results and planning of mitigation measures against pesticide contamination, an integrated approach using information about agronomical practice and point sources, soil properties, hydrogeology and simulations of pesticide leaching is recommended for future surveys and monitoring of pesticides in groundwater.

High serum organochlorine pesticide concentrations in diabetics of a cotton producing area of the Benin Republic (West Africa)

The Borgou region of northern Benin is a major cotton producing area and consistently uses higher amounts of pesticides than other areas of the country. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), poorly handled, have been widely used and are still illegally present. We therefore hypothesized that serum OCP levels would be high in Borgou. As part of a case–control study on diabetes status and pesticide exposure, we measured the distribution of serum concentrations of 14 OCPs by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. A sample of 118 diabetic subjects was selected using a four-stage cluster sampling with 54.2% of men and 45.8% of women; 43% lived in urban areas, 14.4% were obese and 39.8% had high economic status. The four detected OCPs were p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE, β-HCH and trans-nonachlor with respective geometric means (geometric standard deviation) of 497.1 (4.5), 20.6 (7.9), 2.9 (3.4), and 2.0 (2.3) ng/g of total serum lipids. OCP levels were significantly higher in obese, wealthier and more educated subjects and in those living in urban areas as compared to the other groups, particularly for p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDT and β-HCH. Levels of DDT and DDE were higher than reported in other countries where DDT is no longer permitted. The low DDT/DDE ratio of 0.05 suggests past human exposure through food contamination. There is thus a need to reinforce governmental regulations for a more responsible use of pesticides in the country, in order to reduce health risks associated with persistent organic pollutants.

Determination of flumioxazin residue in food samples through a sensitive fluorescent sensor based on click chemistry

A sensitive and selective fluorescent sensor for flumioxazin was designed based on the formation of strong fluorescence compound (1,2,3-triazole compounds) via the reaction of the alkynyl group in flumioxazin with 3-azido-7-hydroxycoumarin, a weak-fluorescent compound, through the Cu+-catalysed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction. The fluorescence increase factor (represented by F/F0) of the system exhibited a good linear relationship with the concentrations of flumioxazin in the range of 0.25–6.0μg/L with a detection limit of 0.18μg/L (S/N=3). Also, the proposed fluorescent sensor demonstrated good selectivity for flumioxazin assay even in the presence of high concentration of other pesticides. Based on such high sensitivity and selectivity, the proposed fluorescent sensor has been applied to test the flumioxazin residue in some vegetable and water samples with satisfied results.

The Impact of Chemical Compounds on Benthic Invertebrates from the Danube and Danube Delta Systems

The aim of this study is to assess freshwater sediment in terms of biological and preliminary toxicological control linked to a series of variables along the Danube River and Danube Delta systems. The research is focused on eight points of the Romanian sector in the summer to autumn of 2012. Results show a high concentration of metals, pesticides, and petroleum products in sediment samples in the monitored period. The survey is designed to gauge the total chemical pollution effects on the composition, living, and growth of benthic organisms. To assess the toxic hazard of contaminated sediment samples, a microbiotest with meiobenthic ostracods Heterocypris incongruens was performed with evaluation of mortality and growth-inhibition percentages. The preliminary results showed an increase of sediment toxicity, in terms of growth inhibition (>80%), especially at Murighiol and Ivancea. The chemical pressures alongside the temporal conditions were important variables which affected benthic communities. Low benthic diversity was found in the Isaccea–St. Gheorghe Branch sector of the Danube River. In terms of ecological status, the study reveals that the Danube and Danube Delta ecosystem are eutrophic systems equilibrated for good ecological status.

Ethoprophos fate on soil–water interface and effects on non-target terrestrial and aquatic biota under Mediterranean crop-based scenarios

The present study aimed to assess the environmental fate of the insecticide and nematicide ethoprophos in the soil–water interface following the pesticide application in simulated maize and potato crops under Mediterranean agricultural conditions, particularly of irrigation. Focus was given to the soil–water transfer pathways (leaching and runoff), to the pesticide transport in soil between pesticide application (crop row) and non-application areas (between crop rows), as well as to toxic effects of the various matrices on terrestrial and aquatic biota. A semi-field methodology mimicking a “worst-case” ethoprophos application (twice the recommended dosage for maize and potato crops: 100% concentration v/v) in agricultural field situations was used, in order to mimic a possible misuse by the farmer under realistic conditions. A rainfall was simulated under a slope of 20° for both crop-based scenarios. Soil and water samples were collected for the analysis of pesticide residues. Ecotoxicity of soil and aquatic samples was assessed by performing lethal and sublethal bioassays with organisms from different trophic levels: the collembolan Folsomia candida, the earthworm Eisenia andrei and the cladoceran Daphnia magna. Although the majority of ethoprophos sorbed to the soil application area, pesticide concentrations were detected in all water matrices illustrating pesticide transfer pathways of water contamination between environmental compartments. Leaching to groundwater proved to be an important transfer pathway of ethoprophos under both crop-based scenarios, as it resulted in high pesticide concentration in leachates from Maize (130µgL−1) and Potato (630µgL−1) crop scenarios, respectively. Ethoprophos application at the Potato crop scenario caused more toxic effects on terrestrial and aquatic biota than at the Maize scenario at the recommended dosage and lower concentrations. In both crop-based scenarios, ethoprophos moved with the irrigation water flow to the soil between the crop rows where no pesticide was applied, causing toxic effects on terrestrial organisms. The two simulated agricultural crop-based scenarios had the merit to illustrate the importance of transfer pathways of pesticides from soil to groundwater through leaching and from crop rows to the surrounding soil areas in a soil–water interface environment, which is representative for irrigated agricultural crops under Mediterranean conditions.

Vías de exposición a plaguicidas en escolares de la Provincia de Talca, Chile

ObjectiveTo describe pesticide concentrations in distinct environmental matrices at two time points (low and high seasons in local agricultural production) and to estimate the association between the presence of pesticide residues in matrices and the use of pesticides in the home with the sociodemographic variables of schoolchildren in the Province of Talca, Chile. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 190 schoolchildren. Families were surveyed about their children's vegetable consumption in school and at home, the use of pesticides in the home, and other sociodemographic variables. Additionally, we measured pesticide residues in vegetables and water consumed by the schoolchildren and in the soil of 14 schools. ResultsAt both time points, the vegetable matrix had the highest pesticide concentration, both in urban and rural schoolchildren. The most common pesticide residues in vegetables were chlorpyrifos, diphenylamine, pyrimethanil, and thiabendazole. In the home, pyrethroid and organophosphate pesticides were mainly used in summer. Dangerous pesticide residues such as azinphos methyl and dimethoate were found in vegetables consumed by the children in schools and households, and organochlorines were found in the soil in some schools. ConclusionsPesticide exposure should be limited and the health effects related to pesticide exposure should be assessed in the school population.

Investigating the Role of PGPM in Assisting Plant Growth Under Stress Caused by Organophosphate Pesticide- Phorate

Farmers across the world face the challenge of compromised agriculture productivity due to abiotic stress. Residual pesticides accumulating in the soil rhizospere are often found to cause a chemical imbalance in the soil microclimate resulting in chemical toxicity and osmotic stress. Plant growth promoting microorganisms (PGPM) are popularly studied for their ability to enhance plant growth by providing stress tolerance to plants. The present study is to investigate the role of PGPM in reducing toxicity caused due to accumulation of organophosphate pesticide (OPP) - Phorate. Isolation, evaluation and selection of best phorate tolerant PGPM strains was done by various rounds of purification and biochemical characterization assays. Isolates of PGPM from the rhizospere of Pearl Millet-PB, Maize PM, Pigeon Pea-PA, Sugarcane-PS and Sorghum-PJ were studied for their ability to tolerate a wide range of OPP (150 ppm to 1050 ppm). Subsequently, in vitro plant bioassay was performed to select the isolate that can provide best growth promotion property to host plant when challenged with pesticide phorate. The parameters studied to evaluate growth promotion abilities were percentage germination, seed vigor and total biomass. We were successful in isolating, evaluating and selecting best PGPM strains for providing tolerance to host plant under phorate induced stress. Out of the four isolates tested, isolates PM and PB showed better tolerance to phorate and recorded higher LD50 and MIC values as compared to other isolates. When compared with control, OPP stress subjected PM and PB showed best tolerance to OPP with LD50 981 ppm/unit OD and 1249 ppm/unit respectively and MIC values as 1050 ppm. However from the plant bioassay it was evident that between PM and PB, PM was a better bioinoculant as it contributed to plant growth with respect to all studied parameters (viz. percentage germination and seed vigor) where as PB stood as second best at providing growth support to host plants when challenged with phorate. Culture isolate PM emerged as the choicest isolate that can be further explored as a potential bioinoculant under pesticide stressed conditions. Isolate PB, with comparable pesticide tolerance (very near MIC & LD50 values) as PM, was clearly outcompeted by PM when it came to supporting plant growth (evident from in vitro plant bioasaay). A Culture having high pesticide tolerance under in vitro conditions, may or may not possess the ability to support plant growth when used as a bioinoculant at high pesticide concentrations. The study clearly emphasizes the importance of host response studies for making selection of rhizobacteria for the purpose of remediating pesticides. PB with comparable pesticide tolerance with PM under in vitro conditions was clearly outcompeted by PM when it came to supporting plant growth (as evident from results of plant bioasaay). The study offers proof that, inoculation with carefully selected pesticide tolerant PGPM can have a positive impact on plant growth even under high concentration of organophosphate pesticides. © 2015 iGlobal Research and Publishing Foundation. All rights reserved. NOTE: Full length manuscript of Gupta et al. Investigating the Role of PGPM in Assisting Plant Growth

Comparative Study of Bunt Pathogen Resistance to the Effects of Fungicides in Callus Co-Cultures <i>Triticum aestivum</i> with Tilletia caries

The morphophysiological and molecular-genetic parameters of T. caries isolates collected from various fields of Southern Urals agrocenoses have been analysed. Isolate 1 of wheat callus had a high growth rate in vitro even in the presence of 0.1 mg/l fungicide Baitan. Isolate 2 of wheat callus had a low growth rate whereas 0.1 mg/l Baitan significantly inhibited its growth. Comparison of nucleotide sequences of 18S RNA gene of the two isolates showed high level of homology between them, but a large number of nucleotide substitutions have been found. The most characteristic excision was five nucleotides at position 461 of the isolate 2, compared with the isolate 1. Our results allow to assume that the environmental stress including high pesticide concentration may cause the resistance of T. caries pathogen to fungicides.

Persistent organochlorine pollutants and metals residues in sediment and freshwater fish species cultured in a shallow lagoon, Egypt

Six freshwater fish species cultured in Lake Edku fish farm, one of the northern Nile Delta lakes in Egypt that receives input from numerous anthropogenic activities in addition to agriculture wastes through several huge drains, were collected for the detection and evaluation of residues of the persistent organochlorine (OC) pollutants polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-di(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), total cyclodienes (TC), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and heavy metals (Cu, Cd and Pb) in their edible parts. In all fish and sediment samples, PCBs were found in higher concentrations than pesticides; the edible parts of Mugil capito, Tilapia galilaeus, Tilapia zilli and Clarias lazera had the highest PCBs (3.49, 0.83, 1.06 and 4.29 ng/g wet weight respectively), PCB 28 being most prevalent in Mugil capito and Clarias lazera with ratios 86 and 62%, respectively, of the total PCBs. PCB 180 was most prevalent in Tilapia zilli (about 56% of the total PCBs). In these four fish species OCs were found in the order: PCBs>DDTs>HCHs>TC. The other two species (Tilapia nilotica and Tilapia aureus) had the highest concentrations of pesticides (7.58 and 1.13 ng/g wet weight, respectively) with HCHs being most prevalent (96% and 74% of the total pesticides, respectively). OCs were found in the order: HCHs≫PCBs>DDTs>TC in the edible Tilapia nilotica, and in the order: PCBs>HCHs>DDTs>TC in the other species. The mean concentrations of PCBs and pesticides in sediments are 539.66±48.8 and 259.17±81.2 ng/g dry weight, respectively. Among the studied metals in the edible parts of the fish samples, about 67% of the samples contained marginally higher Pb content in the edible parts, above the European Community's legal limit. About 50% of the samples contained marginally higher Cd content (N.D to 0.88 μg/g) above the permissible level of Cd in fish edible parts; the Cu content ranged from 0.37–2.36 μg/g, with a marginally higher content in the fish but below the maximum permissible limits. As for the concentration of the studied metals in sediments of Edku lagoon, results showed that copper had the highest concentration (2.2±0.37 μg/g) in the lake sediment.

Chlorinated pesticides in stream sediments from organic, integrated and conventional farms

To determine if current sheep/beef farming practices affect pesticide residues in streams, current-use and legacy chlorinated pesticides were quantified in 100 sediment samples from 15 streams on the South Island of New Zealand. The study involved five blocks of three neighboring farms, with each block containing farms managed by organic, integrated and conventional farming practices. Significantly higher concentrations of dieldrin, ∑ endosulfans, ∑ current-use pesticides, and ∑ chlorinated pesticides were measured in sediments from conventional farms compared to organic and integrated farms. However, streams in the latter two farming categories were not pesticide-free and sometimes contained relatively high concentrations of legacy pesticides. Comparison of measured pesticide concentrations with sediment quality guidelines showed that, regardless of farming practice, mean pesticide concentrations were below the recommended toxicity thresholds. However, up to 23% of individual samples contained chlorpyrifos, endosulfan sulfate, ∑ DDT, dieldrin, or ∑ chlordane concentrations above these thresholds.

Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Karaboğaz Lake from Kızılırmak Delta, Turkey

Monitoring of pesticide residues in water and sediments was conducted for the coastal shallow Karaboğaz Lake, northern Turkey. During a one-year study period, eight pesticides (malathion, etofenprox, molinate, oxamyl, propamocarb hydrochloride, tebufenozide, linuron, piperonyl butoxide) were detected in water and in sediments, all at μg/L and μg/kg concentrations, respectively. Temporal variation in pesticide concentrations was observed. Highest pesticide concentrations in water and sediment were from tebufenozide and etofenprox, respectively. Aquatic risk assessments revealed that out of eight pesticides detected, three showed unaccaptable risk: malathion, oxamyl and etofenprox.

Organochlorine pesticides in nest substratum and infertile eggs of American crocodiles (Reptilia, Crocodylidae) in a Mexican Caribbean atoll

As top predators, crocodilians can bioaccumulate high concentrations of persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) that may have adverse effects on their physiology and health. Recent and illegal uses of OCPs in Mexico could affect populations of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), already threatened by other factors. We analyzed 16 OCP compounds using gas chromatography with electron capture detection in seven infertile eggs and in the substratum of nine nests of American crocodiles in Banco Chinchorro, an atoll off the Mexican coast of the Yucatan peninsula. Nest type, clutch size and distance from nests to nearest lagoon were also recorded, while total length of the females attending each nest was measured directly or estimated. Although Banco Chinchorro is isolated from the mainland and from known sources of contamination, OCP residues were detected in egg and nest substratum samples collected from the atoll. OCP concentrations in eggs (range: 0.002-4.000 ppb) and nest substrata (range: 0.01-1.82 ppb) are ten to thousands times lower compared to other studies. Total OCP concentration (sum of all OCPs) in nest substrata decreased with increasing distance from the shore, suggesting that eggs deposited farther from the shore were less exposed to OCP absorption from substratum. Total OCP concentrations in eggs were positively correlated with total length of females and thus with their age. We speculate that maternal transfer from laying females is likely the major source of contaminants in eggs. Future investigations are needed to identify the origin of contaminants in Banco Chinchorro.

Physiological and Genetic Responses to Pesticide Mixture Treatment of Veronica beccabunga

The effects of a five-pesticide mixture on pesticide accumulation, phytohormone levels (indole-3-acetic acid, gibberellic acid, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid), pigment contents (total chlorophyll and carotenoid), antioxidant enzyme (catalase and guaiacol peroxidase) activities, lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde), and DNA profiles were investigated in the leaves of Veronica beccabunga. Laboratory-acclimatized plants were treated with a mix of five pesticides (atrazine, disulfoton, chlorpyrifos, metalaxyl, and ethion) in doses of 50 ppt, 1 ppb, 100 ppb, and 1 ppm for 1, 3, and 6 days. The accumulation of each pesticide, from highest to lowest, was as follows: chlorpyrifos, atrazine, metalaxyl, disulfoton, and ethion. The amounts of total chlorophyll and protein decreased with increased pesticide concentration. Antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde amount increased linearly with increasing pesticide exposure. However, the highest pesticide concentration caused decreases in guaiacol peroxidase (POD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content at all treatment times. Both jasmonic and salicylic acid levels increased with pesticide exposure and decreased gradually after. It was also determined that application of the pesticide mixture affected the DNA profiles of V. beccabunga. The most band changes were detected on the sixth day of treatment.

Sorbent-amended compost filter socks in grassed waterways reduce nutrient losses in surface runoff from corn fields

Surface runoff from row-crop fields frequently has high concentrations of sediment, nutrients, and pesticides, particularly in the first few events after tillage and agrochemical application. Compost filter socks placed in grassed waterways can further reduce sediment concentration as runoff is transmitted offsite but are generally ineffective in removing dissolved chemicals. Therefore, we investigated the effect of adding a proprietary sorbent, Nutriloxx, to filter socks filled with composted bark and wood chips on sediment, nutrient, and glyphosate concentrations in runoff. Surface runoff from one tilled and one no-till watershed planted to corn (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) was routed into two parallel, 30 m (99 ft) long, grassed waterways. Three, 46 cm (18 in) diameter filter socks filled with Nutriloxx-amended compost were placed 5 m (16.5 ft) apart across the upper half of one waterway and in the lower half of the paired waterway. Automated samplers were used to obtain samples above and below the treated waterway segments in the 2009 and 2010 crop years. The effectiveness of the grassed waterways and filter socks was highly dependent on tillage treatment and timing and size of the runoff events. In 2009, there were no sizable events during the early growing season. Consequently, erosion was minimal, and no significant effects on sediment concentration were detected. Averaged for both watersheds, however, the amended filter socks contributed to an additional 28% reduction in dissolved phosphate-phosphorus (PO₄-P) concentration compared to waterway segments without filter socks (significant at <i>p</i> = 0.05). The filter socks, however, significantly increased sulfate (SO₄) concentrations up to 20-fold in the first sampled event, but SO₄ concentrations declined rapidly with subsequent events. Similarly, the filter socks increased concentrations of calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and sodium (Na), but this was not significant in all instances. In 2010, runoff-producing rainfall occurred frequently during the growing season, and the filter socks significantly decreased sediment and PO₄-P concentrations from the tilled watershed. In addition, large reductions in ammonium-nitrogen (NH₄-N) concentrations were noted (average &gt; 7-fold), but field observations suggested that this was due to physical trapping of eroded coated-urea fertilizer prills rather than sorption. The filter socks continued to contribute to significantly increased SO₄ concentrations from both watersheds. Filter socks can effectively reduce sediment losses when used in agricultural applications, and adding selective sorbents can increase their ability to retain nutrients. However, losses of sorbent components need to be considered.

Groundwater quality as a geoindicator of organochlorine pesticide contamination after pesticide tomb reclamation: a case study of Franciszkowo, northwestern Poland

The need of surface soil removal during reclamation of the former underground landfills makes environmental monitoring difficult to perform. Environmental quality assessment after reclamation is very important because it provides information about: (1) the efficiency of remediation, (2) the rate of biodegradation of contaminants which were not removed during reclamation works and (3) the possible migration of contaminants from soil and permeable host rocks to surface waters and groundwaters. The concept of geoindicators, which was introduced to facilitate the assessment of environmental changes, can help assess environmental quality at sites previously subjected to reclamation. The groundwater quality is usually used as a geoindicator of inorganic contaminants. This concept was applied to find changes in organochlorine pesticide concentrations in groundwaters after toxic pesticide burial ground reclamation. The aim of this study was to monitor the concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and their metabolites in groundwaters at the former pesticide landfill site after its remediation. The study showed that very high concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and their metabolites in a contaminated soil had a small influence on pesticide concentrations in groundwaters and that this influence decreased in time. It has been 2 years since reclamation of the landfill took place, and the concentrations of organochlorine pesticides in groundwaters dropped to acceptable levels within the current environmental quality standards.

Comparison of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls residues in vegetables, grain and soil from organic and conventional farming in Poland

Organic and conventional crops were studied by identifying the relationship between persistent organic pollutants in cereals, vegetables and soil. The residues of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in grains (rye and wheat), vegetables (carrots and beets) and soil collected from the fields. PCB residues recorded in the beets from organic farming were as high as 3.71 ppb dry weight (dry wt.), while in the soil from conventional farming of beets 0.53 ppb dry wt. Among vegetables, higher concentrations of pesticides were detected in organically grown beets (190.63 ppb dry wt.). Soil samples from the organic farming contained lower levels of organochlorine pesticide residues compared to the conventional farming. Taking into account toxicity equivalent (TEQ), the conventionally grown carrots accumulated the most toxic PCBs. Non-ortho and mono-ortho PCBs were also noted in the grain of conventionally grown rye and amounted to 3.05 pg-TEQ/g wet wt.

Residues of Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) in Agricultural Soils of Zhangzhou City, China

AbstractA soil survey was conducted in Zhangzhou City, an important agricultural region in south of the Fujian Province, China. 93 surface soil samples were collected in the paddy fields, vegetable lands, orchards and tea plantations from Zhangzhou City. An additional soil profile was sampled in a paddy field as previous research had indicated high concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the paddy fields. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) ranged from 0.64–78.07 ng g−1 dry weight and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) ranged from 0.72–30.16 ng g−1 dry weight in the surface soil of the whole study region. Ratios of α-HCH/γ-HCH < 4 and o, p′-DDT/p, p′-DDT > 1 in all soil samples suggested that lindane and dicofol were widely applied in this region in the past. Concentrations of HCHs and DDTs in soils from the four land use types followed the orders: paddy fields > vegetable lands > tea plantations > orchards and tea plantations > orchards > paddy fields > vegetable lands, respectively. Analyses of the data showed no correlation (r < 0.1) between elevation and OCPs contents in paddy fields, orchards and vegetable lands, indicated no significantly different features in distribution of HCHs and DDTs in the soils from low lying plains and mountains and the unsystematic usage of OCPs, and highlighted the fragmented nature of agricultural production in Zhangzhou, as well as the reemission of OCPs from the soils, where high OCPs concentrations were found, in Longhai of Zhangzhou. In addition, no obvious relationship between the OCPs and total organic carbon (TOC) (r < 0.3) was observed in the soil profile. The mean contribution of dicofol in total DDTs was 66% in the whole Zhangzhou region. The approximate burdens of HCHs and DDTs in the surface layer of 0–20 cm were 0.44 and 1.55 t, respectively. The storage of both HCHs and DDTs in soil surface layer (0–20 cm) accounts for 40% burden of the soil layer of 0–50 cm (1.10 t HCHs and 3.87 t DDTs), in which the highest concentrations of OCPs were observed in soil profile.

Pesticide induced marrow toxicity and effects on marrow cell population and on hematopoietic stroma

Long term inhalation of toxic pesticides used for the domestic and industrial purposes have been shown to cause moderate to severe hematotoxicity and increased incidence of several marrow degenerative diseases, specifically hypoplastic bone marrow failure condition in humans. The progression of pesticide induced hematotoxicity and the exact underlying mechanisms of toxicity that play major role in limiting normal hematopoiesis are not quite well explained. In this present study, we have developed an animal model of hypoplastic bone marrow failure following pesticide exposure to show the deleterious effects of toxic pesticides on mouse hematopoietic system. Here we have presented the results of studying long-term marrow explant culture, IL-2, IL-3 and IL-5 receptors expression profile, fibroblast colony forming unit (CFU-F), hematopoietic progenitor cell colony formation and caspase-3 expression by the bone marrow cells. We have also identified the expression levels of several extracellular apoptosis markers (CD95/Fas) and intracellular apoptosis inducer proteins (pASK1, pJNK, caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3) in the bone marrow cells of pesticide exposed mice. The long-term marrow explant culture demonstrated the impairment in proliferation of the stromal cells/stromal fibroblasts in culture. Decreased IL-2, IL-3 and IL-5 receptors expression profile essentially hinted at the suppressed cytokine activity in the pesticide exposed marrow. CFU-F analysis showed the defect in functional maturation of the stromal fibroblasts. The decreased hematopoietic progenitor cell colony formation indicated the toxicity induced inhibition of cellular proliferation and functional maturation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in pesticide exposed marrow. We have detected a sharp increase in the expression levels of both the extracellular Fas-antigen and intracellular apoptosis inducer proteins in the bone marrow cells of pesticide exposed mice that explained well, the apoptosis pathway involved following marrow toxicity. The decreased proliferation and functional maturation of marrow stromal cells and hematopoietic progenitors with subsequent increase in marrow cellular apoptosis following pesticide toxicity provided the base necessary for explaining the increased incidence of hypoplastic bone marrow failure in humans exposed to moderate to high concentrations of pesticides.

Effect of insecticides alone and in combination with fungicides on nitrification and phosphatase activity in two groundnut (Arachis hypogeae L.) soils

The effect of selected pesticides, monocrotophos, chlorpyrifos alone and in combination with mancozeb and carbendazim, respectively, was tested on nitrification and phosphatase activity in two groundnut (Arachis hypogeae L.) soils. The oxidation of ammonical nitrogen was significantly enhanced under the impact of selected pesticides alone and in combinations at 2.5 kg ha(-1) in black soil, and furthermore, increase in concentration of pesticides decreased the rate of nitrification, whereas in the case of red soil, the nitrification was increased up to 5.0 kg ha(-1) after 4 weeks, and then decline phase was started gradually from 6 to 8 weeks of incubation. The activity of phosphatase was increased in soils, which received the monocrotophos alone and in combination with mancozeb up to 2.5 and 5.0 kg ha(-1), whereas the application of chlorpyrifos singly and in combination with carbendazim at 2.5 kg ha(-1) profoundly increased the phosphatase activity after 20 days of incubation, in both soils. But higher concentrations of pesticides were either innocuous or inhibitory to the phosphatase activity.