Animal Biomonitoring for the Surveillance of Environment Affected by the Presence of Slight Contamination by β-HCH

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of hidden environmental pollution on some blood parameters of sheep to detect susceptible biomarkers able to reveal slight contamination. Four dairy sheep farms, two with semi-extensive and two with intensive type systems were involved in this study. Two farms in different systems were chosen as properly located in a southern area of Latium (Italy), close to the Sacco River, in which contamination with β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) occurred in the past due to industrial waste. A recent study established the presence of low but detectable residual contamination in these areas. The other two farms were outside the contaminated area. Erythrocyte glutathione transferase (e-GST) and oxidative stress parameters were monitored as well as some immune response and metabolic profile parameters throughout the investigated period of four months. The present study showed a relevant and significant increase in e-GST (+63%) in the extensive farming system of the contaminated area, whereas some immune response biomarkers, i.e., white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and lysozyme resulted within the physiological range. In all farms, oxidative stress and acute phase response parameters were also within the physiological range. Our results suggest that e-GST is a very effective alarm signal to reveal “hidden” persistent contamination by β-HCH, and reasonably, by many other different dangerous pollutants.

Degradation Characteristics and Remediation Ability of Contaminated Soils by Using β-HCH Degrading Bacteria

“…Ma ticides, especially hydrophobic pesticides, are heavily adsorbed into the soil substr entering a stream or wetland system, which is related to the n-octanol/water part efficient (Kow) value of the pesticide [35]. A higher Kow value indicates a higher s coefficient in the soil or sediment [36,37]…”

“…Many pesticides, especially hydrophobic pesticides, are heavily adsorbed into the soil substrate after entering a stream or wetland system, which is related to the n-octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow) value of the pesticide [35]. A higher Kow value indicates a higher sorption coefficient in the soil or sediment [36,37]. The subsequent decrease in β-HCH content was due to the degradation by microorganisms in the soil, and the slope of the curve in the figure indicates the rate of β-HCH degradation.…”