Irrigation-induced pollution of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in paddy field ecosystem of Liaohe River Plain, China

Abstract

In order to assess the influence of long-term irrigation of polluted river water on the ecological health of the rice fields in the low reach of Liaohe River Plain, a series of environmental samples and biological samples in rice fields, including sediments, paddy soils, mitten-handed crabs (Eriocheir sinensis), loaches (Misgurnus anguillicaudatu) and frog (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus), were collected from the area far away from industrial zones, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (HCH, DDT, HCB and Mirex) were analyzed by high resolution gas chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). The comparison of pollutant concentrations and profiles verified that the significant contribution of river water irrigation to PCBs contaminations in paddy soils and the mutual influence of organochlorine pesticide contamination between river sediments and paddy soils. Bioaccumulations of PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in mitten-handed crabs and loaches were site-specific, suggested that they were both the good indicators of ecosystem health. Mitten-handed crabs had the highest capacity to accumulate PCBs and organochlorine pesticides, and also they had the strong ability to degrade these pollutants in their bodies, especially for DDT and HCH. The biota-soil accumulation factors (BSAF) of HCH, DDT, Mirex, HCB Σ Σ and PCB Σ s in mitten-handed crab were calculated to be 24.5, 15.3, 122.2, 28.1 and 54.6, respectively. In view of the strong bioaccumulation ability, the health risk should be concerned for the cultivation of mitten-handed crabs in paddy fields in the low reach of Liaohe River Plain.

Characteristics of residual organochlorine pesticides in soils under different land-use types on a coastal plain of the Yellow River Delta

“…HCH concentrations in the soils were comparable to the data reported in the Xinghua Bay and the IndoGangetic Plain, but slightly higher than on the Liaohe River Plain, three alluvial plains with a longterm history of human cultivation (Zhang et al 2011b;Teng et al 2013;Singh et al 2007). It should be noticed that current levels of endosulfans were much higher than those in Zhejiang and Shanghai agricultural soils and comparable to those in Mexico and Spain (Zhang et al 2012a, b;Jiang et al 2009;Cantu-Soto et al 2011;Plaza-Bolaños et al 2012).…”

Bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants in the deepest ocean fauna

“…In grossly polluted areas, levels can be far higher 16 , reaching up to 314 ng g -1 dw in in Guam, 240 ng g -1 dw in Japan and 160 ng g -1 dw in Australia. Indeed, in the Mariana, the highest level of PCBs were fifty times more contaminated than crabs from paddy fields fed by the Liaohe River, one of the most polluted rivers in China 18 . The only NW Pacific location with values comparable to the Mariana Trench is Suruga Bay (Japan), a highly industrialised area with historically heavy usage of organochlorine chemicals 19 .…”

Eco-Toxicological Approach as a Contribution to Integrated Water Management on Okpara Dam at Kpassa in Benin: Evaluation of Contamination of Fish and Surface Water by Organochlorine Pesticides

“…They can be attached to soil for years. They can also be transported in the air over long distances; Sources: Made by authors using STATA.11 [13]. those chemicals persiste in the environment even in places where there are no human inhabitant.…”