Total Pesticide Concentrations Research Articles

Serum concentrations of pesticides including organophosphates, pyrethroids and neonicotinoids in a population with osteoarthritis in Saudi Arabia

Human exposure to pesticides is widespread and has received much attention in recent years because of its link to adverse health outcomes. Measurement of urinary concentrations of pesticides and their metabolites is often used in the assessment of body burdens of these chemicals. However, pesticides and their metabolites can be present in blood circulatory system, although little is known on serum levels of pesticides. In this study, we aimed to examine the occurrence and profile of four organophosphate (OP), five pyrethroid (PYR) insecticides, two phenoxy acid (PA) herbicides, 14 neonicotinoid (neonic) insecticides and six dialkylphosphate metabolites in serum from 25 individuals diagnosed with osteoarthritis in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 2-Isopropyl-4-methyl-6-hydroxypyrimidine (IMPY), 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPY), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 3-phenoxybenzoic acid, N-desmethyl acetamiprid, dimethylphosphate (DMP) and dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP) were detected in ≥80% of the serum samples analyzed. Metabolites of OPs, DMTP (median concentration: 2.14 ng/mL), DMP (1.04 ng/mL) and TCPY (0.84 ng/mL), collectively accounted for 67–83% of the total serum pesticide concentrations. Serum concentrations of pesticides were similar to or lower than those reported in urine. Our preliminary evidence suggests that serum can be used as a matrix for the assessment of exposure to OPs, PYRs, PAs and neonics.

Pesticide residues in agricultural topsoil from the Hainan tropical riverside basin: Determination, distribution, and relationships with planting patterns and surface water

Pesticide residues were assessed in rice-vegetable rotation topsoil from tropical riverside basin. The 256 tropical topsoil samples from the Nandu River Basin (NRB) and Wanquan River Basin (WRB) in Hainan (China) were taken from 2018 to 2019. A total of 32 current-use pesticides (CUPs) and nine legacy pesticides (LPs) were detected using a method based on a QuEChERS technique. The highest residues were from the fungicide carbendazim (257.2 μg/kg) and the insecticide imidacloprid (139.4 μg/kg). The nine LPs (8 organochlorine pesticides and chlorpyrifos) were detected in 84.4% of the samples with mean concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 675.4 μg/kg. The two most commonly detected pesticides were imidacloprid and emamectin benzoate with detection rates of 96.8% and 91.8%, respectively. The highest total concentration of pesticides from the NRB and WRB was detected in July. The highest average number of multi-residues (16) was recorded in January, compared to 14 and 12 in July and November, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the multiple pesticide residues in soil and vegetable planting types (p < 0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between the pesticide number in topsoil and the pesticide number in water (p < 0.01). The multiple pesticide residues found in surface water were consistent with those in topsoil, suggesting a potential risk of water contamination in the rice-vegetable rotation.

Serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and the metabolic syndrome in Akwesasne Mohawks, a Native American community

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of diseases that tend to occur together, including diabetes, hypertension, central obesity, cardiovascular disease and hyperlipidemia. Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) has been associated with increased risk of development of several of the components of the MetS. The goal of this study is to determine whether the associations with POPs are identical for each of the components and for the MetS. The subject population was 601 Native Americans (Akwesasne Mohawks) ages 18 to 84 who answered a questionnaire, were measured for height and weight and provided blood samples for clinical chemistries (serum lipids and fasting glucose) and analysis of 101 PCB congeners and three OCPs [dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and mirex]. Associations between concentrations of total PCBs and pesticides, as well as various PCB congener groups with each of the different components of the MetS were determine so as to ask whether there were similar risk factors for all components of the MetS. After adjustment for other contaminants, diabetes and hypertension were strongly associated with lower chlorinated and mono-ortho PCBs, but not other PCB groups or pesticides. Obesity was most closely associated with highly chlorinated PCBs and was negatively associated with mirex. High serum lipids were most strongly associated with higher chlorinated PCBs and PCBs with multiple ortho-substituted chlorines, as well as total pesticides, DDE and HCB. Cardiovascular disease was not closely associated with levels of any of the measured POPs. While exposure to POPs is associated with increased risk of most of the various diseases comprising the MetS, the specific contaminants associated with risk of the component diseases are not the same.

Мониторинг хлорорганических пестицидов в грудном молоке женщин Кыргызстана

Статья посвящена актуальной проблеме химической безопасности, до сих пор не исследованной должным образом - последствиям широкого применения пестицидов в исторический период 1970-80-х гг. на территории республик бывшего СССР, что до сих пор оказывает негативное влияние на экологическую ситуацию. Приведены результаты выполненных анализов на наличие стойких органических загрязнителей - хлорорганических пестицидов (ХОП) в грудном молоке 108 женщин, проживающих в сельской местности на юге Кыргызстана в разных экологических зонах. В пробах грудного молока 37 из 108 обследованных женщин обнаружены четыре вида ХОП: дихлородифенилэтилен (ДДЭ) и три изомера гексахлорциклогексана - альфа-ГХЦГ, бета-ГХЦГ и гамма-ГХЦГ. Доля лиц с ХОП в грудном молоке составляла от 0 до 100 процентов в различных группах, максимальная обнаруженная суммарная концентрация ХОП достигала 0,29 мг/л. Результаты рассмотрены в связи с данными о наличии источников загрязнения в местах бывшего применения пестицидов. Источником загрязнения ХОП в условиях юга Кыргызстана могут быть территории, расположенные на высоте свыше 3500 м над уровнем моря, которые в прошлом были очагами чумы и где в 1980-е годы были проведены дустации норок возбудителей инфекции сурков с использованием ДДТ (дихлородифенилтрихлорэтан). Кроме того, вторичными источниками загрязнения ХОП являются бывшие агроаэроплощадки и склады ядохимикатов, находившиеся в активном использовании более 30 лет назад. Полученные и литературные данные проанализированы с целью разработки мероприятий, направленных на реабилитацию окружающей среды и защиту здоровья населения. The current study highlights a challenging issue of chemical safety, which has not yet been adequately studied, i.e. far-reaching after-effects of widespread use of pesticides in the historical period of the 1970-80s on the territory of the former USSR republics, which still has an adverse impact on the environment. Results of analyzes for the presence of persistent organic pollutants - organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in breast milk of 108 women living in rural areas of southern Kyrgyzstan in different ecological zones are presented. Four types of OCPs have been found in the breast milk samples obtained from 37 of 108 women, i.e. dichlorodiphenylethylene (DDE) and three isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane - alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, and gamma-HCH. The proportion of women with OCPs detected in the breast milk varied in the range from 0 to 100 percent with the maximum total pesticide concentration reaching 0.29 mg/L. The results are discussed in terms of data available for sources of pollution at the sites of the former pesticide use. Possible sources of OCP pollution in southern Kyrgyzstan can be associated with territories located at an altitude of more than 3,500 m above sea level, which have been former foci of plague and where marmot holes have been treated with DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) as an infection pathogen-fighting agent, in the 1980s. Additionally, the secondary sources of OCP pollution can be attributed to the former pesticides storehouses, agro-air strips, etc., which have been intensively used more than 30 years ago. The obtained and published literature data are analyzed for the purpose of developing measures aimed at rehabilitation of the environment and human health protection.

Assessment of pesticides in surface water samples from Swedish agricultural areas by integrated bioanalysis and chemical analysis

BackgroundPesticide residue contamination of surface water in agricultural areas can have adverse effects on the ecosystem. We have performed an integrated chemical and bioanalytical profiling of surface water samples from Swedish agricultural areas, aiming to assess toxic activity due to presence of pesticides. A total of 157 water samples were collected from six geographical sites with extensive agricultural activity. The samples were chemically analyzed for 129 commonly used pesticides and transformation products. Furthermore, the toxicity was investigated using in vitro bioassays in the water samples following liquid–liquid extraction. Endpoints included oxidative stress response (Nrf2 activity), estrogen receptor (ER) activity, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activity. The bioassays were performed with a final enrichment factor of 5 for the water samples. All bioassays were conducted at non-cytotoxic conditions.ResultsA total of 51 pesticides and transformation products were detected in the water samples. Most of the compounds were herbicides, followed by fungicides, insecticides and transformation products. The highest total pesticide concentration in an individual sample was 39 µg/L, and the highest median total concentration at a sample site was 1.1 µg/L. The largest number of pesticides was 31 in a single sample. We found that 3% of the water samples induced oxidative stress response, 23% of the samples activated the estrogen receptor, and 77% of the samples activated the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Using Spearman correlation coefficients, a statistically significant correlation was observed between AhR and ER activities, and AhR activity was strongly correlated with oxidative stress in samples with a high AhR activity. Statistically significant relationships were observed between bioactivities and individual pesticides, although the relationships are probably not causal, due to the low concentrations of pesticides. Co-occurrence of non-identified chemical pollutants and naturally occurring toxic compounds may be responsible for the induced bioactivities.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that integrated chemical analysis and bioanalysis can be performed in water samples following liquid/liquid extraction with a final enrichment factor of 5. AhR and ER activities were induced in water samples from agricultural areas. The activities were presumably not caused by the occurrence of pesticides, but induced by other anthropogenic and natural chemicals.

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.

Ecological risk and estimates of organophosphate pesticides loads into the Central Mediterranean Sea from Volturno River, the river of the “Land of Fires” area, southern Italy

The organophosphate pesticides pollution in the Volturno River and its environmental impact on the Tyrrhenian Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea) were estimated. Eight selected organophosphate pesticides (diazinon, dimethoate, malathion, chlorpyrifos, pirimiphos-methyl, fenitrothion, methidathion and tolclofos-methyl) were determined in the water dissolved phase, suspended particulate matter and sediment samples collected from 10 sites in different seasons. Total organophosphate pesticides concentrations ranged from 0.12 to 65.09 ng L−1 in water (as the sum of the water dissolved phase and suspended particulate matter) and from 1.19 to 23.17 ng g−1 in sediment samples. It has been calculated that the discharge of pollutants from the Volturno river into the Tyrrhenian Sea was about 71.815, 31 g year−1; for this reason the river is to be considered one of the main mouths of organophosphate pesticides in the Tyrrhenian Sea. In relation to environmental risk assessment, the concentrations of most OPPs in water and sediments from the Volturno River and its estuary were lower than guideline values, but the mean concentration of chlorpyrifos (5.41 ng L−1) in the Volturno River and Estuary has been shown that the ecological integrity of the river watercourse is possibly at risk.

Evaluating polar pesticide pollution with a combined approach: a survey of agricultural practices and POCIS passive samplers in a Tunisian lagoon watershed.

A study of pesticides in the Bizerte lagoon watershed on the Mediterranean coast of Tunisia showed that herbicides and fungicides are the most commonly used compounds. A survey was made of selected farmers. Pesticide contamination was monitored in the water column and sediments at four selected sampling sites (lagoon (A) and in three oueds-Chegui (B), Garaa (C), and Tinja (D)). Polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) were used to assess pesticide contamination. Thirty-two pesticides were investigated; the total concentration of active ingredients ranged from 35.9ngL-1 in Tinja oued to 1246ngL-1 in Chegui oued. In the lagoon, the total concentration of pesticides was 67.7ngL-1. In the sediments, the highest concentration was measured in Chegui oued in the spring (31ngg-1 dw). The main compounds found in the analyzed sediments were prosulfocarb and tebuconazole molecules.

Urinary concentrations and profiles of organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticide metabolites and phenoxyacid herbicides in populations in eight countries

Concentrations of nine metabolites of organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides, as well as two phenoxy herbicides, were determined in 322 urine samples collected from eight countries during 2006–2014 by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The target pesticides were found ubiquitously, indicating widespread exposure of humans to pesticides in these countries. The highest sum concentrations of 11 pesticides were found in urine collected from Vietnam (median, 28.9 ng/mL), followed in decreasing order by samples from India (14.2 ng/mL), China (13.6 ng/mL), Korea (12.5 ng/mL), Greece (12.3 ng/mL), Saudi Arabia (11.3 ng/mL), the USA (7.9 ng/mL), and Japan (7.1 ng/mL). Organophosphorus compounds accounted for 62–77% of the total urinary pesticide concentrations. Para-nitrophenol (metabolite of parathion and methyl parathion) and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (metabolite of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl) were the major metabolites, especially in India (72%), China (69%), and Greece (66%). Differences in urinary pesticide concentrations between genders (male vs. female), age groups (categorized as ≤20, 21–49, and ≥50 years), and cities (Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Qiqihar) were examined. On the basis of the concentrations measured in urine, total daily intakes (DIs) of pesticides were estimated. The DIs of chlorpyrifos were found to be higher for populations in Vietnam, Greece, India, China, and Korea (≥9.6 μg/day) than those estimated for the other countries (<5 μg/day). The DIs of parathion (≥9.6 μg/day) in populations of China, India, and Korea were higher than those estimated for the other countries (5.7–9.3 μg/day). This is the first study to establish baseline levels of exposure of a variety of pesticides in several Asian countries.

Accumulation of organochlorine pesticides in reef organisms from marginal coral reefs in South Africa and links with coastal groundwater

Coral reefs support rich levels of biodiversity, but are globally threatened by a multitude of factors, including land-sourced pollutants. Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in three species of coral reef invertebrate at five sites along the Maputaland coast, South Africa were quantified. We aimed to assess spatial and interspecies variations in pesticide accumulation. Markedly high levels of a range of OCP residues were detected within tissues, with total concentrations (ng g−1 ww) ranging from 460 to 1200 (Sarcophyton glaucum), 1100–3000 (Sinularia gravis) and 450–1500 (Theonella swinhoei), respectively. A decreasing gradient in total pesticide concentrations was detected southward from Regal Reef, opposite Lake Sibaya, the hypothesised source of the pollutants. Observed gradients in pesticide concentrations and nitrogen isotope signatures indicated coastal groundwater to be the likely source of the pollutants. Further studies are required to assess the potential ecotoxicological impacts of these contaminants at the organismal and ecosystem level.

The use of groundwater crustacean communities as indicators for aquifers quality in the semi-arid region of north-central Chile

Chile has large extensions of arid and semi-arid regions throughout the whole country, where the intensive demands and use of water resources, especially groundwater for irrigations and mining activities, increased dramatically over the last decades. The aquifer depletions due to water abstraction for irrigation and nutrient loads, exert major alterations of water quality, groundwater recharge and the natural renewal rate. All these factors diminish the aquifer value for the users and contribute to the degradation of groundwater as environment and habitat for fauna. This intensive use of groundwater resources in Chile brought to significant social and economic benefits, but their inadequate management resulted in negative environmental, legal and socioeconomic consequences. In this study, we aimed at providing a first assessment of environmental alterations of groundwater ecosystems from agricultural watersheds in northern Chile by specifically evaluating the effects of nitrogen and pesticide loads on groundwater communities and identifing the ecosystem service alterations due to agricultural activities. The study has been performed in a glacial aquifer from Coquimbo region; 250 km north of Santiago de Chile, the floodplain of which is dominated by agriculture (fruits tress, vineyards). Due to low regional precipitations (100-240 mm/year) the aquifer is primarily recharged by snowmelt from the Andean chain and surface runoff. The relative groundwater levels, groundwater temperature, chemical analysis of nitrogen and total phosphorus and pesticide concentrations were examined, along with the evaluation of crustacean biodiversity and spatial distribution pattern. Stygofauna taxonomic richness and the presence of stygobites have been related more to groundwater level stability than to chemical water parameters indicating that over-exploitation has a negative impact on habitat suitability for groundwater invertebrates. Groundwater biota assessment is essential in understanding the impact produced by agriculture activities on groundwater as a resource and as ecosystem, a nexus that becomes more and more widely recognized. The rationale and the preliminary results of this study are summarized in the Suppl. material 1.

Effects of fungal-assisted algal harvesting through biopellet formation on pesticides in water

Recent research has demonstrated the potential of using filamentous fungi to form pellets with microalgae (biopellets), in order to facilitate harvesting of microalgae from water following algae-based treatment of wastewater. In parallel, there is a need to develop techniques for removing organic pollutants such as pesticides and pharmaceuticals from wastewater. In experiments using the microalga Chlorella vulgaris, the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger and biopellets composed of these microorganisms, this study investigated whether fungal-assisted algal harvesting can also remove pesticides from contaminated water. A mixture of 38 pesticides was tested and the concentrations of 17 of these were found to be reduced significantly in the biopellet treatment, compared with the control. After harvesting, the concentration of total pesticides in the algal treatment did not differ significantly from that in the control. However, in the fungal treatment and biopellet treatment, the concentration was significantly lower (59.6 ± 2.0 µg/L and 56.1 ± 2.8 µg/L, respectively) than in the control (66.6 ± 1.0 µg/L). Thus fungal-assisted algal harvesting through biopellet formation can also provide scope for removing organic pollutants from wastewater, with removal mainly being performed by the fungus.

DETERMINATION OF PESTICIDES IN RIVER SURFACE WATERS OF CENTRAL CHILE USING SPE-GC-MS MULTI-RESIDUE METHOD

In areas with agricultural activity, the excessive use of pesticides can contaminate water resources. That is why a multi-residue method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) and gas chromatography analysis coupled to mass spectrometry (GS-MS) was used to determine eleven pesticides and five degradation products in surface water of Central Chile. The parameters that can affect the efficiency of the SPE process were optimized considering the information available in bibliography. As in other studies, the best results were obtained when 500 mL of water was pre-concentrated using Oasis HLB polymer cartridges and acetone and acetonitrile were used as solvents for the elution. To ensure good quantification, matrix-matched standards were used, providing good linearity in the studied concentration range (0.10-1.5 μg L-1), with recovery percentages > 60%, precisions 87% of the pesticides analyzed in this research were detected in more than one sampled site in both seasons. The most ubiquitous compounds were desethylterbuthylazine (DET), pyrimethanil, cyprodinil and diazinon, and the compounds detected in highest concentration were simazine and degradation products derived from triazines. Las Cabras and Tahuilla irrigation canals presented the highest concentrations of pesticides. Significant differences were found in the total concentration of pesticides for sites sampled at the end of the summer and winter season.

Occurrence, spatial distribution, and seasonal variation of emerging trace organic pollutants in source water for Shanghai, China

The long-term low concentrations of trace “contaminants of emerging concern” (CECs) can have potential toxic effects on human health and serious risks to the ecological environment. This study investigated the occurrence, spatial distributions, and seasonal variations of 65 target CECs, including 35 pesticides, 17 antibiotics, 7 microcystins, 5 estrogens, and 1 plasticizers in Shanghai's source water. The detected pesticides and antibiotics of sulfonamides and macrolides were relatively ubiquitous in source water of Shanghai, with levels decreasing in the following order: pesticides (average (avg.) 0.0003–1.67 μg/L) > antibiotics (avg. 0.1–14.1 ng/L). While microcystins, estrogens, and plasticizers (ng/L) were non-ubiquitous, with detected species of below 50%, and detection frequencies of mostly below 50%. Pesticide concentrations did not show obvious variations in the water from the inlets of the two rivers. Compare to all other water sources of Shanghai, the much higher concentrations of antibiotics found in the Y3, H2 reservoir and H3 were mainly from roxithromycin and sulfapyridine, roxithromycin and sulfadiazine, and sulfamethazine and roxithromycin, which accounted for 69.5%, 88.1% and 70.8% of the total concentration in corresponding water source, respectively. Pesticide concentrations in the Huangpu River were higher in the wet season than in the flat season, while the concentration decreased in the Yangtze River during the wet season. In Y1, Y3 and Y4, there were relatively large differences in pesticide levels in the wet season, and flat season when the maximal contribution of the pesticide concentration was from acephate, which accounted for about 67% of the total pesticide concentration. The levels of antibiotics in the flat season were higher than those in the wet season in both water sources. Overall, improvement of raw water quality was observed after entering the reservoir except for microcystin.

Organochlorine Pesticides Contamination of Some Rivers in Abia State- Nigeria

The use of pesticides by most Nigerian farmers to control pests and increase crop yield has been severally reported by many agricultural scientists in Nigeria. Hence this study is aimed at evaluating the level of pesticide contamination of some selected river waters in Abia State, Nigeria. The contamination of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from nine selected rivers in Abia State Nigeria was investigated to estimate the current level of pollution in these rivers. The Iyi Achi river in Ndielu-Ugwueke, Iyi Oba river in Okanu Ohafia and Iyi Ivere Atani in Arochukwu were selected from the North Senatorial zone. While Iyi Ocha river in Umukabia-Umuahia, Iyi Okwuta river in Okwuta Ibeku- Umuahia and Iyi Ogba Lelu river in Old Umuahia were selected from the Central Senatorial zone. For the South Senatorial zone, Ojii river in Ihie Ngwa, Azumini blue river in Azumini Ndoki and the Asa river in Ohambele- Ndoki were selected for this study. The total pesticides concentration was in the range of 0.039 – 0.192 mg/L in the rivers water. The common OCPs detected in these river water were α-BHC, β – BHC, Dieldrin and endrin. Iyi-Ocha river had the highest concentration of total OCPs (0.192 mg/L), followed by Azumini river 0.126 mg/L, Ojii river 0.120 mg/L, Iyi Okwuta 0.113 mg/L, Iyi Ogba Lelu 0.104 mg/L. While Iyi Ivere Atani in Arochukwu and Iyi Oba river had 0.067 mg//L and 0.039 mg/L respectively. α - BHC, β – BHC, Dieldrin and endrin were the most common OCPs detected. Various concentration patterns between the selected river waters were observed. Iyi Ocha river, Iyi Okwuta river and Ogba Lelu river were contaminated with α-BHC, β – BHC, and endrin. Ojii river and Azumini river were contaminated with α-BHC and β – BHC only, while Iyi Achi, Iyi Oba, Iyi Ivere Atani in Arochukwu and Iyi Asa river is contaminated with α-BHC, β – BHC, Dieldrin and endrin. The OCPs levels in all the rivers sampled were generally below the WHO standard levels.

Differences in the levels of pesticides, metals, sulphites and ochratoxin A between organically and conventionally produced wines

Organic products are generally recognized to be healthier and safer than conventional products. However, the actual scientific data regarding the importance of organic production on particular contaminant/additive content of wines is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate contents of pesticides, metals, sulphites and ochratoxin A in organically (org) and conventionally (conv) produced wines from eleven locations in different winegrowing regions of Croatia. All wines contained significantly lower levels of residues as compared to the maximum limits (MLs) with the exception of excessive amounts of Cu and Zn in one sample. Pb and Mg were mainly significantly less represented in org wines. There were no significant differences in the content of sulphite or ochratoxin A between org and conv wines. Significantly lower total pesticide concentrations and average number of pesticides per sample were obtained in org wines. The majority of ochratoxin A positive wines were from conv wine producers.

Pesticide pollution status in cocoa plantation soil

Management of cocoa plantation field relied on the use of pesticides over the years; hence, the fate of such chemicals is one of the most debated issues among the stakeholders. Young and old cocoa plantation fields from 4 major cocoa producing States in Nigeria were selected as the study area. Eight composites soil samples collected from 3 portions of 6 transect measured area (100 x 50m) of the field were transported to the laboratory in sterile glass jar for analysis. A total of 19 organochlorine pesticides residues; (aldrin, α-hexachlorohexane, β-hexachlorohexane, γ-hexachlorohexane, δ-hexachlorohexane, α-chlordane, γ-chlordane, p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane, p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, p,p’-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, dieldrin, endosulfan I, endosulfan-II, endosulfan sulfate, endrin, endrin aldehydes, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide and metoxychlor) were analyzed with gas chromatography equipped with electron capture detector. The results revealed the variation in the number of residues detected among the study fields. Endosulfan-I had the highest value g organochlorine pesticides residue detected. Most of the residue concentrations were within the European Union regulatory standard of Czech Republic. Other-cyclodine group had the highest concentration value among the evaluated organochlorine pesticides groups. The significant (P < 0.05) higher concentration of total organochlorine pesticides were observed in old fields. Composition quotients values indicate that most of the observed organochlorine pesticides residues were products of historical usage. There were strong correlations among the total organic carbon contents of soils and the total organochlorine pesticides compounds. Government regulatory agencies are encouraged to vigorously embark in further monitoring and ensuring the safety compliance of farmers towards the use of pesticides in Nigeria farms.

Monitoring of 45 pesticides in Lebanese surface water using Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler (POCIS)

The aim of this study is to assess the dissolved concentration of 45 pesticides in the surface waters of the Lebanese Republic using Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler "POCIS". All of the sampling sites are located in the major agricultural land areas in Lebanon. POCIS (n = 3) were deployed at Ibrahim River, Qaraoun Lake and Hasbani River for a duration of 14 days. The total concentration of pesticides ranged from not detected (nd) to 137.66 ng.L-1. Chlorpyrifos, DDE-pp, diazinon and Fenpropathrin were the most abundant compounds. Qaraoun Lake and Hasbani River were found to be more polluted than Ibrahim River, since they receive large amounts of waste water derived from nearby agricultural lands and they had the lowest dilution factor. The aqueous average concentration of the target compounds were estimated using sampling rates obtained from the literature. Comparison between Time Weighed Average concentrations "TWA" using POCIS and spot sampling is presented. Results showed that POCIS TWA concentrations are in agreement with spot sampling concentrations for Ibrahim and Hasbani Rivers. The toxicity of the major detected pesticides on three representative aquatic species (Daphnia magna, Scenedesmus quadricauda and Oncorhynchus mykiss) is also reported.

Monitoring Organophosphorous Pesticides Residues in the Shahid Rajaei Dam Reservoir, Sari, Iran

Levels of eight different types of organophosphorous pesticides in water samples from different parts of the Shahid Rajaei dam reservoir in north of Iran were monitored. Water samples were collected from different locations of the reservoir in June, July and September of 2015 and in February 2016. Water samples were extracted with dichloromethane solvent and quantified using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analyses. The results showed that all pesticides were detected for all periods and include dichlorvos, trifluralin, diazinon, methyl parathion, fenitrothion, malathion, profenofos and ethion. The highest concentrations were found in the summer that is related to malathion (on average 0.78μg L-1). In midwinter, no pesticide residues were detected. The results showed that concentration of single and total pesticides for all stations were greater than the maximum contamination level of the European Economic Commission.

Determination of Organochlorine Pesticides in Sediments Using Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry

Seventeen Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) were evaluated in 14 surface sediment samples from a dam lake in Northwestern Turkey. As analytical tool GC-Mass system; HP (Hewlett Packard) 6890 series gas chromatograph coupled with HP 5973 mass spectrometer was used. The HP 5MS capillary column had 30 m length with 0.32 mm internal diameter. A 0.25 mm film thickness cross-linked with stationary phase of 5% Phenyl methyl siloxane and Ultra-pure Helium gas was used as mobile phase. Ultrasonic bath extraction method was applied and cleaned up process were carried up with anhydrous Na2SO4 and Florisil column. Total pesticides concentrations were ranged from=0.237-2.39 mg/kg for dry weıght. Percent total organic carbon (TOC) were observed between 1 and 3%. Average total OCP concentrations was 58.00 ± 45.44 mg/kg. The total concentrations of OCPs in sediment samples ranged from 12.9 to 169.9 mg/kg, with a mean value of 58.00 mg/kg. Although organochlorine pesticides have been banned in Turkey still the residues can be seen in sediment samples indicating the use of prohibited pesticides in the country. Comparison of organochlorine pesticides concentrations in sediment samples with other lakes in Turkey implies the higher concentration therefore higher usage of synthetic chemicals.