Assessing Environmental Fate of β-HCH in Asian Soil and Association with Environmental Factors

Abstract

Chinese Gridded Pesticide Emission and Residue Model was applied to simulate long-term environmental fate of β-HCH in Asia spanning 1948−2009. The model captured well the spatiotemporal variation of β-HCH soil concentrations across the model domain. β-HCH use in different areas within the model domain was simulated respectively to assess the influence of the different sources of β-HCH on its environment fate. A mass center of soil residue (MCSR) was introduced and used to explore environmental factors contributing to the spatiotemporal variation of β-HCH soil residue. Results demonstrate that the primary emission dominates β-HCH soil residues during the use of this pesticide. After phase-out of the pesticide in 1999, the change in β-HCH soil residues has been associated with the Asian summer monsoon, featured by northward displacement of the MCSR. The displacement from several major sources in China and northeastern Asia shows a downward trend at a 95% confidence level, largely caused by environmental degradation and northward delivery of β-HCH under cold condition in northern area. The MCSRs away from the India and southern and southeastern Asia sources show a rapid northward displacement at a 99% confidence level, featuring the cold trapping effect of the Tibetan Plateau.

Current status of persistent organic pesticides residues in air, water, and soil, and their possible effect on neighboring countries: A comprehensive review of India

“…Modeling results suggested that contamination of β-HCH in soil residue of the TP is due to Indian, Southeast Asian and Chinese sources, driven by the Indian summer monsoon and East Asian monsoon respectively. Further, they found that residue levels β-HCH from Indian sources was higher than from South Asian countries (Xu et al, 2012). Likewise, Xu et al (2013a) found a significant influence of India γ-HCH emissions on western China, assisted by the Indian monsoon, leading to a north-eastward migration of contaminants from India.…”

“…The distribution pattern throughout the TP strongly suggests that the main sources of OCPs may be from the Indian subcontinent. Xu et al (2012) assessed the environmental fate and source-receptor relationships of β-HCH from 1948 to 2009 over Asia, and its association with environmental factors using ChnGPERM. Modeling results suggested that contamination of β-HCH in soil residue of the TP is due to Indian, Southeast Asian and Chinese sources, driven by the Indian summer monsoon and East Asian monsoon respectively.…”

Air–Seawater Exchange of Organochlorine Pesticides along the Sediment Plume of a Large Contaminated River

“…9−11 Despite primary emissions of OCPs being restricted or banned completely in most parts of the world, large burdens are currently stored in agricultural soils, especially in areas where they were widely used in the past. 12,13 This is the case in China, where OCPs were used in agriculture until 1983. 14 A global ban resulted in a general and significant decline in atmospheric concentrations.…”

Assessing Cancer Risk in China from γ-Hexachlorocyclohexane Emitted from Chinese and Indian Sources

“…Indian monsoon provides a route of favorable atmospheric transport from India to China in spring and summer. 13 Higher atmospheric concentration levels of many POPs in India 14−17 than in China 18 would yield significant deposition of these contaminants to Chinese environment through LRAT. 19 γ-Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), listed as a new POP by the Stockholm Convention in 2009, is one of the toxic chemicals extensively used in India 14−17 and China.…”