Avian Exposure to Pesticides in Costa Rican Banana Plantations

Mortensen, Spencer R.; Johnson, Kevin A.; Weisskopf, Carol P.; Hooper, Michael J.; Lacher, Thomas E.; Kendall, Ron J.

doi:10.1007/s001289900662

Cited by 24 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Few studies have regarded the presence and environmental impact of agrochemical substances used in banana culture on the aquatic ecosystem of the Atlantic region of Costa Rica [8,11]. Mortensen and colleagues [12], in their study of avian exposure to pesticides in Costa Rican banana plantations, included data on pesticide residues in water samples collected from drainage canals and streams of a banana plantation area.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pesticide residues in the aquatic environment of banana plantation areas in the North Atlantic Zone of Costa Rica

Castillo

Ruepert

Solis

2000

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

160

100

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Abstract-A study of pesticide residues in surface waters and sediments was undertaken in the Suerte River Basin, Costa Rica, that drains into the Tortuguero conservation area. Samples were collected in streams, packing plants, and the Suerte River. The most frequently measured compounds in surface water samples were the fungicides thiabendazole, propiconazole, and imazalil; the nematicides terbufos and cadusafos; and the insecticide chlorpyrifos. At the conservation area, propiconazole was detected in 43% of the samples at concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 1.0 g/L. In 25% of the samples collected at this site, a nematicide (cadusafos, carbofuran, or ethoprophos) was detected (0.06-6.2 g/L). According to this study, most of the insecticide-nematicides analyzed pose a risk for acute or chronic toxicity to aquatic organisms based on the exposure levels and toxicity values from the literature. Ametryn, imazalil, and thiabendazole also exceeded the calculated chronic risk ratio. The most frequently detected compounds in sediments were thiabendazole, chlorpyrifos, imazalil, and propiconazole. The occurrence was higher in the packing plants and streams. Pesticides in waters and sediments of Tortuguero conservation area could pose a threat to this wetland and an additional stress to the endangered species that inhabit this area. More information is needed regarding the distribution and stability of pesticides in the lagoon system as well as of the effects of mixtures of low levels of pesticides and their degradation products on representative species of the Tortuguero ecosystem. Meanwhile, all measures to reduce the emissions of pesticides from the banana plantations and the packing plants should be taken.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pesticide residues in the aquatic environment of banana plantation areas in the North Atlantic Zone of Costa Rica

Castillo

Ruepert

Solis

2000

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

160

100

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Leaching and aerial transport of pesticides applied to leaves increase the risk of dispersion of these products in the environment and affect ecosystems and human health (Mortensen et al 1998, Konstantinou et al 2006). Conventional production of bananas requires great quantities of agrochemicals, particularly fungicides, to control the disease Black Sigatoka .…”

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confidence: 99%

Soil and Water Pollution in a Banana Production Region in Tropical Mexico

Geissen

Ramos

Bastidas-Bastidas

et al. 2010

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol

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The effects of abundant Mancozeb (Mn, Zn—bisdithiocarbamate) applications (2.5 kg ha−1week−1 for 10 years) on soil and surface-, subsurface- and groundwater pollution were monitored in a banana production region of tropical Mexico. In soils, severe manganese accumulation was observed, wheras the main metabolite ethylenethiourea was near the detection limit. Surface and subsurface water was highly polluted with ethylenethiourea, the main metabolite of Mancozeb (22.5 and 4.3 μg L−1, respectively), but not with manganese. In deep ground water, no ethylenethiourea was detected. The level of pollution in the region presents a worrisome risk for aquatic life and for human health.

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“…Compared with other crocodilians, caiman within the present study generally had relatively low pesticide concentrations. Within blood samples from American crocodiles in the Tarcoles river, Costa Rica, 3 organochlorines were detected: aldrin (10 ng/g), 4,4′DDT (52 ng/g), and 4,4′‐DDE (4.2 ng/g) . The high amount of parent compounds (aldrin and DDT) indicates a more recent, heavy use of pesticide in the Tarcoles River than within the Rio Suerte.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pesticides in blood from spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) downstream of banana plantations in Costa Rica

Grant¹,

Woudneh

Ross

2013

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) are fish-eating crocodilians that inhabit freshwater habitat in tropical regions of the Americas. To assess the exposure of caiman to pesticides from banana plantations, the authors collected whole blood samples (30 mL) from 14 adult caiman that were captured in the North Atlantic region of Costa Rica. Blood samples were analyzed for 70 legacy- and current-use pesticides and breakdown products using newly developed ultra-trace, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Caiman accumulated pesticides ranked by concentration as dieldrin > permethrin > mirex > 4,4'-DDE > alpha-endosulfan > heptachlor epoxide > oxychlordane > heptachlor > cypermethrin. Caiman within the high-intensity banana crop watershed of Rio Suerte had higher pesticide burdens relative to other more remote locations (F = 12.79; p = 0.00). Pesticide concentration decreased with distance from upstream banana plantations in this river system (F = 20.76; p = 0.00). Caiman body condition was negatively correlated with total pesticide concentrations (F = 6.23; p = 0.02) and with proximity to banana plantations (F = 5.05; p = 0.04). This suggests that either pesticides elicited toxic effects in caiman, resulting in diminished overall health, or that the quantity or quality of their prey was reduced by pesticides downstream of plantation waterways. The authors' results indicate that pesticide use in banana plantations is impacting a high trophic level species inhabiting one of the most important wilderness areas in Costa Rica (Tortuguero National Park).

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Avian Exposure to Pesticides in Costa Rican Banana Plantations

Cited by 24 publications

References 5 publications

Pesticide residues in the aquatic environment of banana plantation areas in the North Atlantic Zone of Costa Rica

Pesticide residues in the aquatic environment of banana plantation areas in the North Atlantic Zone of Costa Rica

Soil and Water Pollution in a Banana Production Region in Tropical Mexico

Pesticides in blood from spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) downstream of banana plantations in Costa Rica

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