Pesticides In Agricultural Areas Research Articles

Occurrence and distribution of pesticides and transformation products in ambient air in two European agricultural areas

Pesticides present a significant risk for both humans and the environment. However, quantitative data for a broad range of airborne pesticides in agricultural areas are missing. During or after the application, pesticides can reach the atmosphere and partition between the particulate and gaseous phase. As part of the EU project SPRINT, weekly ambient air samples were collected from two agricultural areas in Portugal (vineyard) and the Netherlands (potatoes, onions, and sugarbeet) between April 2021 and June 2022 using high-volume air samplers. The samples were analysed for 329 pesticides, of which 99 were detected. The most frequently detected compounds included the fungicides folpet, fenpropidin and mandipropamid, the insecticide chlorpyrifos-methyl, the herbicide terbuthylazine, and the metabolite prothioconazole-desthio, which were found with detection frequencies between 40 and 57 %. Pesticide concentrations ranged between 0.003 ng/m3 and 10 ng/m3. Remarkably, 97 % of the samples contained at least one pesticide and in 95 % of the samples, pesticide mixtures were present. The calculated particle phase fractions correlated with the octanol-air partitioning coefficient for most of the investigated compounds. Furthermore, calculated daily inhalation rates for individual pesticides and pesticide mixtures were far below the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) with a margin of exposure (MOE) of >1000 for the highest calculated daily inhalation rate for a child. However, as this value only includes pesticide intake from food and drinking water and considering that 91 % of the detected pesticides are associated with potential adverse human health effects. These findings highlight the broad range of airborne pesticides in agricultural areas and the need for quantitative data to include the intake of mixtures of highly hazardous pesticides by inhalation in human risk assessment.

Comprehensive multiresidue chromatographic methods for monitoring pesticides in agricultural areas and corresponding plant protection zones

This article reports a comprehensive analytical method for the identification and quantification of a broad range of pesticides in green plant crops. The sample preparation method for pesticides involved an optimization of the QuEChERS-based extraction protocol, with sample mass, volume of added water, and the type of cleanup sorbent as variables. A sorbent combination based on ENVI-Carb and ChloroFiltr was examined. A highly efficient method was developed for the purification of plant extracts with 900 mg MgSO4, 150 mg PSA, and 15 mg ENVI-Carb at the d-SPE stage, combined with gas chromatography and liquid tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of 197 pesticides in crop plants containing chlorophyll. The method was validated in accordance with the requirements of international guidelines SANTE/11312/2021. The method was applied to quantify pesticide residues in 29 pairs of green crop plants and plants from the corresponding crop protection zone to verify whether the zones are effective barriers to prevent pesticides from penetrating outside agricultural areas. The number and types of agrochemical preparations were chosen by farmers. In total, more than 60 one- and several-component pesticide formulations were applied to the crops included in the study. The pesticide residues were detected in 21 crop samples and 3 samples from protection zones. Epoxiconazole, an active substance that was banned for use in 2021, was found in a spring barley sample. Based on the conducted research, the effectiveness of the protection zones has been clearly demonstrated, and it has been proven that environmental migration of pesticides and unauthorized agricultural practices pose a risk to ecosystems.

Impact of Pesticides on Beneficial Insects in Various Agroecosystem: A Review

Beneficial insects play a vital role in natural pest control and pollination in agricultural crops. The use of synthetic pesticides in agricultural areas is harmful to both natural enemies and pollinators. Pesticides impair the survival of a variety of life cycle stages, limit reproductive capability, alter host fitness for parasitising or predation, reduce parasitoids' emergence from sprayed host eggs, and cause direct death. When natural enemies are decreased, pest population dynamics, such as resurgence and secondary pest eruption, may suffer even more devastating repercussions. Pollinator decline decreases agricultural yield. This study intends to investigate the side effects of synthetic and botanical pesticides on beneficial insects in order to provide a foundation for future research into the detrimental effects of synthetic and botanical pesticides on these insects. This information will aid in optimising pesticide use in integrated pest management programmes by implementing more sustainable and environment friendly methods such as the use of correct doses and selective insecticides in agricultural areas.

The Nursing Assessment of Work History in Agricultural Areas with Liver and Kidney Functions in Farmers

The demand to increase the productivity of agricultural products greatly drives the use of pesticides in agricultural areas. Uncontrolled use of pesticides by farmers and non-compliance with the use of personalprotective equipment leads to long-term poisoning that can affect liver and kidney function. However, the relationship between them is poor research. This study aimed to find the relationship between the history of work in agricultural areas with liver and kidney function in farmers. The design of this study was cross-sectional.Respondents for this survey were 36 persons, drawn by purposive sampling. For data, collection questionnaires and interviews are of work history in the agricultural area and observation of laboratory data in the medicalrecords of patients. Data analysis was bivariate analysis with linear regression with p-value <0.05. The normality test with the KolmogorovSmirnov test shows all variables are abnormal distributions (p>0.05). In the analysis with linear regression methods there is a correlation between many pesticides with the value of SGOT (p=0.001) and SGPT (p=0.034), use of PPE with a level of creatinine (p=0.019) and SGOT (p=0.008). Urea has a fairly weak relationship with a work history in the agricultural areas (R=0.157), creatinine has a moderate relationship (R=0.471), SGOT has a weak relationship (R=0.362), and SGPT has a weak relationship (R=0.320). Farmers' local knowledge and wisdom can assist in recognizing and early handling threats due to hazardous materials in the agricultural environment. Therefore, it is necessary to make efforts to minimize the risk of exposure to pesticides, including through the use of personal protective equipment.

Prevalence and Identification of Carbofuran Degrading Bacteria from Agricultural Fields and Associated Water Bodies

The extensive use of pesticides in agricultural areas is done to assure protection against insect invasion, to raise crop production, to improve fertility and soil quality, and therefore to efficiently contribute to an agriculture-based economy. However, the unfortunate reality is that the long-term presence of these pesticides in the environment as a result of their complex and xenobiotic chemical structures leads to bioaccumulation as well as bio-magnification, which in turn causes toxicity, chronic disabilities, hormonal imbalance, reproductive and endocrine dysfunctionalities, and many other health issues in humans as well as other vertebrates and causes ecosystem derangement. Similar results are produced by one of the most widely used N-methylcarbamate-based pesticides, carbofuran. There is no better solution to this issue than breakdown of leftover pesticide in the environment to harmless, native components through biological agents, ideally indigenous bacteria. Carbofuran, one of the most widely used N-methylcarbamate-based insecticides, has comparable effects. In light of this, a study was conducted to identify and characterize bacteria that have the innate ability to not only survive pesticide applications to rice and vegetable fields, but also to use the pesticides as a source of energy and break them down into harmless, environmentally friendly components. As a result, samples were taken from a Savar rice and tomato field shortly after a pesticide application, and Carbofuran 5G was the insecticide selected to check for degradability given to its widespread use there. Bushnell Haas broth and Bushnell Haas agar media were employed for enrichment, plating, and subsequent cultures to generate pure culture, with supplemented carbofuran of different concentrations serving as the only carbon source. The identities of the 17 isolates that could grow there were verified by sequencing after PCR and product purification. The evolutionary relatedness was determined using phylogenetic analysis with MEGAX. Acinetobacter spp., Rahnella spp., Chitinophaga spp., Serratia spp., Stenotrophomonas spp., Achromobacter spp., Pseudoxanthomonas spp., and Klebsiella spp. were the bacteria that were found.
 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 39, Number 2, December 2022, pp 68-74

Combined Effect of Pesticides Containing Active Ingredients of Chlorpyrifos and Mancozeb on the DNA Damage of Chlorella Sorokiniana Shihira and Krauss

The intensive use of pesticides in agricultural areas can leave residues of pesticide mixtures on the soil surface. Surface run-off can carry pesticide residues, enter water bodies, and then may affect non-target organisms. Chlorpyrifos and mancozeb are active ingredients commonly contained in pesticides applied in shallot farming. This study aims to evaluate the combined effect of pesticides containing active ingredients of chlorpyrifos and mancozeb on the growth and DNA damage of the microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana. The test organism was exposed to the combined concentration of chlorpyrifos:mancozeb, i.e., 0:0, 20%:20%, 20%:80%, 80%:20%, and 80%:80% of the individual EC50 of each pesticide with sampling time at hours 0, 6, 24, and 48. Microalgae growth was estimated by cell counting method, and DNA damage was analyzed by alkaline comet assay method with parameters, i.e., Tail Intensity (TI%), Head Intensity (HI%), Tail Moment (TM), Olive Tail Moment (OTM), and Tail Factor (TF). The results showed that the combined pesticides inhibited the growth of C. sorokiniana, with the highest growth inhibition being at a combined concentration of 80%:80%. The TM and OTM values of C. sorokiniana increased with the increase of combined concentrations at an exposure period of up to 24 hours. In conclusion, the combined exposure could induce growth inhibition and DNA damage of Chlorella sorokiniana, mainly in the first 24 hours. The TM and OTM can be used as sensitive biomarkers for biomonitoring pesticide pollution.

Snails as Temporal Biomonitors of the Occurrence and Distribution of Pesticides in an Apple Orchard

The intensive use of pesticides in agricultural areas and the resulting effects have created a need to develop monitoring programs for their active assessment at low cost. This research entails a biomonitoring study of the pesticides in an apple orchard, using juvenile Cornu aspersum (O. F. Müller, 1774) snails exposed in field microcosms. The snails were deployed at three different locations in the orchard area and were used to assess the temporal biomonitoring of 100 different semi-volatile and non-volatile pesticides. The study was performed over an 18-week period and targeted the center, the border, and the outside of the orchard. Results showed that greater levels of pesticides were detected at the center of the orchard as compared to the other sites. The type and level of the applied pesticide influenced its environmental dissipation, as significantly greater levels of semi-volatile pesticides were accumulated by the caged snails in comparison to non-volatile pesticides. The presence of semi-volatile pesticides in the snails outside the orchard revealed the usefulness of these species in the biomonitoring of off-site pesticide emissions. The findings of this study showed that C. aspersum can serve as a reliable and effective model organism for the active biomonitoring of pesticide emissions in agricultural sites.

Natural enemies feeding on some Centaurea species in the Yüksekova basin

BackgroundExcessive and unconscious use of pesticides in agricultural areas negatively affects ecosystem services and biodiversity and threatens human and environmental health. Therefore, natural enemies (biological control agents) that could be utilized to suppress the infestation of diseases, pests and weeds have attracted the attention of scientists globally. There are limited studies on the occurrence of natural enemies on Centaurea species in the Yüksekova basin, Turkey. The Yuksekova basin has a rich floristic diversity; however, remained unexplored and underutilized. Limited use of pesticides, and the presence of natural enemies feeding on weeds in the region have recently attracted the attention of researchers for searching biological control agents. Asteraceae is the dominant family in the region with the highest diversity, causing significant yield losses in agricultural area of the basin. MethodsTherefore, preliminary studies were conducted to determine the natural enemies feeding on the genus Centaurea. The region was divided into 10 × 10 cm systematic grids and occurrence of Centaurea species, and their natural enemies were recorded. ResultsThe survey identified 10 species belonging to Centaurea genus in the study area. Different insect species, i.e., Lixus pulverulentus Scopoli, Larinus grisescens Gyllenhal and Bangasternus orientalis Capiomont belonging to Curculionidae (Coleoptera) family were observed to feed and spend biological periods on Centaurea behen L., Centaurea pterocaula Trautv. and Centaurea iberica Trev. ex Spreng species. ConclusionsIt is estimated that the natural enemies recorded on Centaurea species could be potentially used in biological control of the species on which they were recorded in the current study. However, detailed studies on host specificity and efficacy of the identified insect species are needed.

Exposure of Anopheles gambiae larvae to a sub-lethal dose of an agrochemical mixture induces tolerance to adulticides used in vector control management.

The heavy use of pesticides in agricultural areas often leads to the contamination of nearby mosquito larvae breeding sites. Exposure to complex mixtures of agrochemicals can affect the insecticide sensitivity of mosquito larvae. Our study objective was to determine whether agrochemical residues in Anopheline larval breeding sites can affect the tolerance of adults to commonly used adulticides. We focussed on Fludora® Fusion, a vector control insecticide formulation combining two insecticides (deltamethrin and clothianidin) with different modes of action. An. gambiae larvae were exposed to a sub-lethal dose of a mixture of agrochemical pesticides used in a highly active agricultural area on the Ivory Coast. Comparative bioassays with Fludora Fusion mixture and its two insecticide components (deltamethrin and clothianidin) were carried out between adult mosquitoes exposed or not to the agrochemicals at the larval stage. A transcriptomic analysis using RNA sequencing was then performed on larvae and adults to study the molecular mechanisms underlying the phenotypic changes observed. Bioassays revealed a significantly increased tolerance of adult females to clothianidin (2.5-fold) and Fludora Fusion mixture (2.2-fold) following larval exposure to agrochemicals. Significantly increased tolerance to deltamethrin was not observed suggesting that insecticide exposure affects the adult efficacy of the Fludora Fusion mixture mainly through mechanisms acting on clothianidin. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the potential of agrochemicals to induce various resistance mechanisms including cuticle proteins, detoxification action and altered insecticide sequestration. These results suggest that although the Fludora Fusion mixture is effective for adult vector control, its efficacy may be locally affected by the ecological context. The present study also suggests that, although the complex interactions between the use of agrochemicals and vector control insecticides are difficult to decipher in the field, they still must be considered in the context of insecticide resistance management programmes.

Quantitative assessment of multiple pesticides in silicone wristbands of children/guardian pairs living in agricultural areas in South Africa

Little is known about personal and time-integrated exposure to past and current used pesticides in agricultural areas and within-family exposure similarities. We aimed to assess exposure to pesticides using silicone wristbands in child/guardian pairs living on farms and in villages within two agricultural areas in South Africa.Using silicone wristbands, we quantified 21 pesticides in child/guardian pairs in 38 households over six days in 2018. Levels (in ng/g wristband) of pesticides and their transformation products (12 current-use pesticides and nine organochlorine pesticides) were measured using GC–MS/MS. We assessed the correlation between pesticide levels and between household members using Spearman correlation coefficients (rs). Multivariable generalized least squares (GLS) models, using household id as intercept, were used to determine level of agreement between household members, exposure differences between children and guardians and exposure predictors (study area, household location [farm vs. village] and household pesticide use).We detected 16 pesticides with highest detection frequencies for deltamethrin (89%), chlorpyrifos (78%), boscalid (56%), cypermethrin (55%), and p,p′-DDT (48%). Most wristbands (92%) contained two or more pesticides (median seven (range one to 12)). Children had higher concentrations than guardians for four pesticides. Correlation between the pesticide levels were in most cases moderate (rs 0.30–0.68) and stronger in children than in guardians. Five pesticides showed moderate to strong correlation between household members, with the strongest correlation for boscalid (rs 0.84). Exposure differences between the two agricultural areas were observed for chlorpyrifos, diazinon, prothiofos, cypermethrin, boscalid, p,p′-DDT and p,p′-DDE and within areas for cypermethrin.We showed that for several pesticides children had higher exposure levels than guardians. The positive correlations observed for child/guardian pairs living in the same household suggest non-occupational shared exposure pathways in these communities.

Occurrence and risk assessment of pesticides in a Mediterranean Basin with strong agricultural pressure (Guadiana Basin: Southern of Portugal)

The study aimed to assess the occurrence and the environmental risk of a group of 51 selected pesticides in the Guadiana Basin (a biodiversity hotspot, in the Mediterranean). The most abundant pesticides were bentazone and 2,4-D, while terbuthylazine together with terbutryn constituted the most ubiquitous pesticides. Eighteen out of the 38 pesticides detected are no longer approved in Europe, and 5 of them are included in the list of priority substances. The risk assessment showed that azinphos ethyl, diflufenican, irganol, imidacloprid, and oxadiazon occurred occasionally, but always in concentrations above their respective ecotoxicological threshold value. Contrary, bentazone, terbuthylazine, and terbutryn presented a high risk in most of the sampled locations and periods.The site-specific risk assessment showed a spatial and temporal pattern, with a higher risk occurring mainly in intermittent streams, in the drought period. The presence of pesticides banned from the EU market since 2009 showed the importance of improving the monitoring process, to identify the main sources of pollution and the fate of these emerging compounds. The results showed the need of implementing actions to improve the sustainable use of pesticides in agricultural areas, working with farmers and management entities to reduce the contamination of aquatic ecosystems. Transboundary water governance is also required to solve potential transboundary contamination problems.

Groundwater vulnerability assessment using water quality index (WQI) under geographic information system (GIS) framework in parts of Uttar Pradesh, India

Groundwater resources are affected in principle by three major activities. First is excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural areas. The second is untreated/partially treated wastewater to the soil/water and the third one is excessive pumping and improper management of aquifers. Due to large-scale urban growth which has triggered domestic effluents and on the other hand industrial development activities has resulted in the generation of a copious volume of industrial effluents directly and indirectly contaminate the groundwater. In a drinking water quality assessment, the decision-making based on water quality data is a crucial issue because several parameters compromise its quality. There has been considerable advancement in the field of water quality assessment particularly based on the principle of the water quality index (WQI) using modified concepts. The study area which includes part of Varanasi and Sant Ravidas Nagar districts are centers for urban growth along with industrial setup in Uttar Pradesh, India. Water quality index (WQI) is an index reflecting the composite influence of different water quality parameters which is considered for calculation. 50 numbers of groundwater samples were collected from various locations in the study area as per the standard protocol prescribed by the American Public Health Association (APHA). Twenty-two water quality parameters have been considered for the calculation of water quality index viz. pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total hardness (TH), total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity, sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), nitrates (NO3−), bicarbonate (HCO3−), chlorides (Cl−), sulphates (SO4−), fluorides (F−), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). The Bureau of Indian Standard has been considered to assess the suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes and the calculation of the water quality index (WQI). Correlation study among various physicochemical properties also reflects certain significant negative relationships. The current study shows that 50% of the collected water samples are non-suitable for the drinking water category and the rest is falling under the good, moderate, poor, very poor as per the Water Quality Index (WQI) classification. The present study is quite helpful for the proper planning and management of available water resources for drinking purposes.

Status of insecticide susceptibility in Anopheles arabiensis and detection of the knockdown resistance mutation (kdr) concerning agricultural practices from Northern Sudan state, Sudan

BackgroundChemical control has been the most efficient method in mosquito control, the development of insecticide resistance in target populations has a significant impact on vector control. The use of agricultural pesticides may have a profound impact on the development of resistance in the field populations of malaria vectors. Our study focused on insecticide resistance and knockdown resistance (kdr) of Anopheles arabiensis populations from Northern Sudan, related to agricultural pesticide usage. ResultsAnopheles arabiensis from urban and rural localities (Merowe and Al-hamadab) were fully susceptible to bendiocarb 0.1% and permethrin 0.75% insecticides while resistant to DDT 4% and malathion 5%. The population of laboratory reference colony F189 from Dongola showed a mortality of 91% to DDT (4%) and fully susceptible to others. GLM analysis indicated that insecticides, sites, site type, and their interaction were determinant factors on mortality rates (P < 0.01). Except for malathion, mortality rates of all insecticides were not significant (P > 0.05) according to sites. Mortality rates of malathion and DDT were varied significantly (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.05 respectively) by site types, while mortality rates of bendiocarb and permethrin were not significant (P >0.05). The West African kdr mutation (L1014F) was found in urban and rural sites. Even though, the low-moderate frequency of kdr (L1014F) mutation was observed. The findings presented here for An. arabiensis showed no correlation between the resistant phenotype as ascertained by bioassay and the presence of the kdr mutation, with all individuals tested except the Merowe site which showed a moderate association with DDT (OR= 6 in allelic test), suggesting that kdr genotype would be a poor indicator of phenotypic resistance. ConclusionThe results provide critical pieces of information regarding the insecticide susceptibility status of An. arabiensis in northern Sudan. The usage of the same pesticides in agricultural areas seemed to affect the Anopheles susceptibility when they are exposed to those insecticides in the field. The kdr mutation might have a less role than normally expected in pyrethroids resistance; however, other resistance genes should be in focus. These pieces of information will help to improve the surveillance system and The implication of different vector control programs employing any of these insecticides either in the treatment of bed nets or for indoor residual spraying would achieve satisfactory success rates.

Pesticide bioremediation in liquid media using a microbial consortium and bacteria-pure strains isolated from a biomixture used in agricultural areas.

Microorganisms' role in pesticide degradation has been studied widely. Insitu treatments of effluents containing pesticides such as biological beds (biobeds) are efficient biological systems where biomixture (mixture of substrates) and microorganisms are the keys in pesticide treatment; however, microbial activity has been studied poorly, and its potential beyond biobeds has not been widely explored. In this study, the capacity of microbial consortium and bacteria-pure strains isolated from a biomixture (soil-straw; 1:1, v/v) used to treat agricultural effluents under real conditions were evaluated during a bioremediation process of five pesticides commonly used Yucatan Mexico. Atrazine, carbofuran, and glyphosate had the highest degradations (>90%) using the microbial consortium; 2,4-D and diazinon were the most persistent (DT50=8.64 and 6.63 days). From the 21 identified bacteria species in the microbial consortium, Pseudomonas nitroreducens was the most abundant (52%) according to identified sequences. For the pure strains evaluation 2,4-D (DT50=9.87 days), carbofuran (DT50=8.27 days), diazinon (DT50=8.80 days) and glyphosate (DT50=8.59 days) were less persistent in the presence of the mixed consortium (Ochrobactrum sp. DGG-1-3, Ochrobactrum sp. Ge-14, Ochrobactrum sp. B18 and Pseudomonas citronellolis strain ADA-23B). Time, pesticide, and strain type were significant (P<0.05) in pesticide degradation, so this process is multifactorial. Microbial consortium and pure strains can be used to increase the biobed efficiency by inoculation, even in the remediation of soil contaminated by pesticides in agricultural areas.

Ecological risk of pesticide contamination in a Brazilian river located near a rural area: A study of biomarkers using zebrafish embryos

Aquatic environments are affected by the use of pesticides in agricultural areas near rivers. To assess the impact of pesticide residues on affected environments Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos have become an alternative model for biomonitoring studies. In the present study, zebrafish embryos were used as bioindicator of water quality in the Vacacaí river, located in the city of Santa Maria, southern Brazil. We hypothesized that it would be possible to observe changes in the biomarkers tested in the embryos. Exposures were performed over a total of eight months during the year 2018 using water collected in a river located near agricultural areas. Twenty-four pesticides were found in river water samples. The most frequently found were atrazine, quinclorac and clomazone. During exposure (96h) spontaneous movement, the heart rate and hatching rate were evaluated. After the exposure time the embryos were euthanized for biochemical assays. We analyzed biomarkers such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT). We observed increases in GST and TBARS, especially during periods of major water contamination such as January, February, October, and November. Pesticides can affect the development of native species that reproduce during periods of high agricultural production. These results demonstrate the potential use of biochemical parameters combined with developmental and behavioral analyses in zebrafish embryos for biomonitoring studies.

Resveratrol ameliorates the physiological, biochemical, cytogenetic, and anatomical toxicities induced by copper(II) chloride exposure in Allium cepa L.

Excessive copper (Cu) exposure ultimately results in toxicosis in all organisms. The protective potential of resveratrol compound against the CuCl2 toxicity was evaluated in Allium cepa L. root tip cells. For this aim, A. cepa bulbs were divided into six groups and the groups were treated with tap water, 400 mg/L resveratrol, 800 mg/L resveratrol, 20 μM CuCl2, 400 mg/L resveratrol + 20 μM CuCl2, and 800 mg/L resveratrol + 20 μM CuCl2 solutions, respectively for 72 h. The first group irrigated with tap water was accepted as control. All groups were screened for the germination percentage, root elongation, total bulb weight gain, micronucleus (MN) frequency, mitotic index (MI), chromosomal aberrations, and anatomical changes. Furthermore, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) level as an indicator of lipid peroxidation were investigated. It was found that CuCl2 exposure alone triggered a definite negative effects on all parameters examined. On the other hand, the groups treated with resveratrol did not have statistically different values compared to the control group. Resveratrol doses induced a remarkable recovery in growth parameters including germination percentage, root elongation, and total bulb weight gain when applied with CuCl2. In these groups, MN frequency, chromosomal aberrations, and anatomical abnormalities were alleviated, whereas the MI levels increased significantly. Moreover, lipid peroxidation level and antioxidant enzyme activities showed a marked amelioration when resveratrol and CuCl2 were applied together. Copper compounds have become common pollutants due to their direct uses as pesticides in agricultural areas as well as their spreading to natural areas from industrial fields. The study clearly demonstrated the therapeutic potential of resveratrol against the harmful effects of CuCl2 exposure in Allium roots. So, resveratrol could be considered as a plant-derived restorative agent for the reduction of the risks from the other copper compounds.

Effects of 2,4-D-based herbicide (DMA® 806) on sensitivity, respiration rates, energy reserves and behavior of tadpoles

Increased use of sugarcane pesticides and their destination to non-target environments in Brazil has generated concerns related to the conservation of more vulnerable groups, such as amphibians. Besides the high skin permeability, tadpoles are constantly restricted to small and ephemeral ponds, where exposure to high concentrations of pesticides in agricultural areas is inevitable. This study evaluated chronic effects caused by sub-lethal concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid herbicide on energy storage, development, respiration rates, swimming performance and avoidance behavior of bullfrog tadpoles (Lithobates catesbeianus). Firstly, we conducted acute toxicity test (96 h) to estipulate sub-lethal concentrations of 2,4-D and evaluate the sensitivity of three tadpoles’ species to this herbicide. Results showed that Leptodactylus fuscus presented the lowest LC50 96 h, 28.81 mg/L, followed by Physalaemus nattereri (143.08 mg/L) and L. catesbeianus (574.52 mg/L). Chronic exposure to 2,4-D (125, 250 and 500 μg/L) delayed metamorphosis and inhibited the growth of tadpoles at concentrations of 125 μg/L. Effects on biochemical reserves showed that 2,4-D increased total hepatic lipids in tadpoles, although some individual lipid classes (e.g. free fatty acids and triglycerides) were reduced. Protein and carbohydrates contents were also impaired by 2,4-D, suggesting a disruption on energy metabolism of amphibians by the herbicide. In addition to biochemical changes, respiration rates and swimming speed were also decreased after chronic exposure to 2,4-D, and these responses appeared to be correlated with the changes detected in the basic energy content. Avoidance test indicated that tadpoles of L. catesbeinus avoided the presence of 2,4-D, however they were unable to detect increasing gradients of the contaminant. Our data showed that chronic exposure to 2,4-D impaired biochemical, physiological and behavioral aspects of tadpoles, which may compromise their health and make them more vulnerable to environmental stressors in natural systems.

Pesticides in the typical agricultural groundwater in Songnen plain, northeast China: occurrence, spatial distribution and health risks.

Songnen plain is an important commodity grain base of China, and this is the first study on the comprehensive detection of multiple pesticides in groundwater. Based on an analytical method of 56 pesticides, 30 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed. At least 4 pesticides were detected in each sample and 32 out of 56 pesticides were detected. The average detected levels of individual pesticides were approximately 10-100ng/L. Organophosphorus pesticides and carbamate pesticides were the dominant pesticides, and their percentage of total pesticide concentrations were 35.9% and 55.5%, respectively. Based on the spatial distribution, the characteristic of nonpoint source pollution was indicated in the whole study area except for a point source pollution with the influence of a sewage oxidation pond. Nine core pesticides and three distinct clusters of the core pesticides with various concentration patterns were revealed by cluster analysis. Linear regression identified a significant relationship between the cumulative detections and the cumulative concentrations, providing access to identify the outlying contaminant events that deviate substantially from the linear trend. A new insight for prediction of pesticide occurrence was provided by the Pearson correlation between some individual pesticide concentrations and the cumulative detections or the cumulative concentrations. According to health risk assessment, the residual pesticides posed medium risks for children and infants and approximately 90% of risks were composed of β-HCH, dimethoate, ethyl-p-nitrophenyl phenylphosphonothioate and methyl parathion. These findings contributed to establishing a database for future monitoring and control of pesticides in agricultural areas.

Presence of organochlorine pesticides and characterization of biomarkers in wild mice living in crop fields

The use of pesticides in crops bordering conservation areas poses risks for wildlife incidentally exposed; its effects in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, are still unknown. Wild mice that inhabit farming land play a key ecological role, and can also be used as bioindicators of wildlife exposure to pollutants. The objectives of this work were to determine the presence of organochlorine pesticides (OC) in liver and evaluate the seasonal response of enzymatic biomarkers (BM) such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and catalase (CAT). Wild mice (Mus musculus) were captured between June 2015 and April 2016 in a watermelon crop of a rural community in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Individual mice were sacrificed in situ, followed by tissue dissection (liver, brain and skeletal muscle). Pesticides were determined by gas chromatography; BM activity was estimated by spectrophotometry. We captured 35 individuals, with a capture success of 2.33%. The prevailing OCs detected were drines in both climatic seasons. The rainy season influenced the activity of biomarkers to a greater extent, since AChE showed a lower activity (16 % and 40 % in brain and liver, respectively). GST was activated during the same season (77 % higher), while CAT did not show significant differences between seasons. There was no significant correlation between OC concentrations and biomarker activity, except for drines and AChE in the brain. OC concentrations recorded in the present work are below (2- and 20-fold lower) those reported in other works on rodents under controlled conditions. BM activity suggests that rainfall seem to exacerbate the effects of pesticides on mice; however, it seemingly does not pose a risk for their survival. The use of wild mice as bioindicators is a valuable and practical tool to detect disturbances derived from the use of pesticides in agricultural areas. Further research is recommended using a broader BM battery to identify those pollutants with the most severe effect on the physiology of wild animals incidentally exposed to pesticides.

Cytogenetic damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of children exposed to pesticides in agricultural areas of the department of Cordoba, Colombia

Pesticides offer benefits, like optimization of agricultural production and disease control; however, these toxic substances can contaminate the environment and pose risks to human health. The aim of this study was to assess pesticide exposure and frequency of cytogenetic damage in infant populations in agricultural areas of the department of Córdoba, Colombia. Urine and peripheral blood samples were taken from children living in the villages of La Ceibita (municipality of Cereté), Cabuya (municipality of San Carlos), Aguas Negras (municipality of Montería), Pelayito (municipality of San Pelayo), and the city of Monteria (control group). The work evaluated biomarkers of exposure to pesticides (atrazine urinary concentrations (ATZ) and its metabolites) and biomarkers of cytogenetic damage (micronucleus frequency (MN), nuclear buds, and apoptotic cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes). Measurable ATZ concentrations and/or its metabolites were recorded in the Pelayito, Aguas Negras, and Cabuya zones, which had higher MN frequencies, nuclear buds, and apoptotic cells than the control. Infant exposure to one of the more-often used pesticides in the agricultural areas evaluated and an increasing trend in the frequency of markers of cytogenetic damage in the groups of the agricultural areas, as compared to the control group, were evident.