Distribution and bioaccumulation of organochlorine pesticides in surface sediments and benthic organisms from Taihu Lake, China

Levels and patterns of organochlorine pesticides in agricultural soils in an area of extensive historical cotton cultivation in Henan province, China

“…The percentages of α-HCH and β-HCH decreased compared with the primitive components but the percentages of δ-HCH and γ-HCH increased. Generally, α-, β-and γ-HCH are the most common isomers of HCHs in the environment but much higher concentrations of δ-HCH were detected in our present study, similar to the results obtained from the Beijing Guanting reservoir (Xue et al 2006) and surface sediments of Taihu Lake (Zhao et al 2009). However, the explanations require further study.…”

“…The average concentration of DDTs (71.3 ng g −1 ) in historical cotton fields was higher than that (38.5 ng g −1 ) in other fields, while the average content of p,p-DDE was 50.3 ng g −1 in historical cotton fields and 18.9 ng g −1 in other fields. Technical DDT and HCH were produced and consumed widely in China and they have therefore been generally considered to be representative of the composition of OCPs in assessing pollution levels (Zhao et al 2009). Some survey results of agricultural soils in other regions are listed in Table 3 for comparison with the present study.…”

“…Generally, p,p-DDT is the active ingredient in DDTs and is degraded to p,p-DDE under aerobic conditions and to p,p- DDD under anaerobic conditions (Zhao et al 2009). Over recent decades the majority of DDT in soils has degraded to DDE and DDD, resulting in the differences between historical cotton fields and other fields.…”

Levels and distributions of organophosphate flame retardants and plasticizers in sediment from Taihu Lake, China

“…In recent years, Taihu Lake has been subjected to increasing and more serious contamination due to rapid urbanization and industrial and agricultural development. It has been found that Taihu Lake has suffered from accelerated eutrophication resulting from overloading of nitrogen and phosphorus, thereby posing a health risk to the population surrounding the lake [31][32][33][34]. Extensive studies have disclosed a serious deterioration of water quality due to pollutants derived from household, industrial, and agricultural discharge, and several kinds of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been detected in air, water, sediment, and even biota in the region.…”

“…Extensive studies have disclosed a serious deterioration of water quality due to pollutants derived from household, industrial, and agricultural discharge, and several kinds of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been detected in air, water, sediment, and even biota in the region. Among the POPs detected are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), PBDEs, 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane, decabromodiphenylethane, dechlorane plus (DP), and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) [30][31][32][33]35]. Until now, there has been no information about the pollution status of OPs in this region.…”