Detection of residual organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides in agricultural soil in Rio Verde region of San Luis Potosi, Mexico

Abstract

Organochlorine pesticides were intensively used in Mexico from 1950 until their ban and restriction in 1991. However, the presence of these compounds is commonly reported in many regions of the country. The aim of the present study was to identify and quantify residual organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides in agricultural soil in Rio Verde region, San Luis Potosi state, which has been identified as possibly polluted by pesticides. Composed samples from 24 zones covering an area of approximately 5,440 ha were analyzed. The most frequently found pesticides were p,p'-DDT followed by ,p,p'-DDE, heptachlor, endosulfan and γ-HCH whose frequency rates were 100, 91, 83 and 54%, respectively. The concentration of p,p'-DDT in the crops grown in these soils was in the following order: chili > maize > tomato > alfalfa. The results obtained in this study show that p,p'-DDT values are lower or similar to those found in other agricultural regions of Mexico. Methyl and ethyl parathion were the most frequent organophosphate pesticide detected in 100% and 62.5% of the samples with average concentrations of 25.20 and 47.48 μg kg(-1), respectively. More research is needed to establish the background levels of pesticides in agricultural soils and their potential ecological and human health effects in this region.

Nanoparticles of zinc oxide defeat chlorpyrifos-induced immunotoxic effects and histopathological alterations

“…Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a well-known organophosphorothioate insecticide that is used for agricultural and non-agricultural areas. It is a broad-spectrum insecticide used to kill a wide range of insects [2,3]. CPF inhibits acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) enzyme of the nervous system necessary for proper function of the nervous system.…”

Estado Actual De La Investigación Sobre Plaguicidas en México

“…reportó la presencia de OC en suelos agrícolas de Puebla y Estado de México, con 4,4'-DDT a mayores concentraciones (0.99 µg/g). Velasco et al (2014), realizaron análisis de suelos agrícolas del distrito de riego Río Verde en San Luis Potosí y detectaron 4,4'-DDT con las mayores concentraciones (0.14 µg/g), también reportaron paratión metílico y etílico con concentraciones máximas de 0.05 µg/g. García de la Parra et al (2012) donde, la concentración de lindano sobrepasó, en algunas zonas muestreadas, los niveles de acción establecidos en la Guía de Calidad del Suelo de Canadá para la Protección del Ambiente y la Salud Humana.…”

Effects on the reproductive parameters of two generations ofRattus norvegicusoffspring from dams exposed to heptachlor during gestation and lactation

“…Despite international efforts to limit the use of highly toxic compounds, the use of heptachlor has not been regulated in México by Inter Secretarial Commission for Control and Use of Pesticides, Fertilizers, and Toxic Substances (CICOPLAFEST, ; Maya, ). In addition, the heptachlor and its metabolites have been detected in various regions throughout the country from various types of human and environmental samples, reflecting the widespread and recent use of this persistent organochlorine compound (Schettino et al, 2013; Ruiz et al, ; Velasco et al, ; Granados et al, ; Vargas et al, ) .…”