Levels and Distribution of Pollutants in the Waters of an Aquatic Ecosystem in Northern Mexico

Abstract

The availability of good quality water resources is essential to ensure healthy crops and livestock. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of pollution in Bustillos Lagoon in northern Mexico. Physical-chemical parameters like sodium, chloride, sulfate, electrical conductivity, nitrates, and the pesticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) were analyzed to determine the water quality available in the lagoon. Although DDT has been banned in several countries, it is still used for agricultural purposes in Mexico and its presence in this area had not been analyzed previously. Bustillos Lagoon was divided into three zones for the evaluation: (1) industrial; (2) communal lands; and (3) agricultural. The highest concentrations of sodium (2360 mg/L) and SAR (41 meq/L) reported in the industrial zone are values exceeding the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) irrigation water quality guidelines. DDT and its metabolites were detected in all of the 21 sites analyzed, in the agricultural zone ∑DDTs = 2804 ng/mL, this level is much higher than those reported for other water bodies in Mexico and around the world where DDT has been used heavily. The water in the communal zone is the least contaminated, but can only be recommended for irrigation of plants with high stress tolerance and not for crops.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals in water and recent advances on their detection using electrochemical biosensors

“…However, it is still being used in some developing countries or regions to fight against malaria. Ochoa-Rivero et al 76 reported that DDT with a total amount of 2804 ng mL −1 was found in agricultural areas in Mexico. The value was extremely higher than those detected in water sources from other areas in Mexico or other countries where DDT was used.…”

“…The value was extremely higher than those detected in water sources from other areas in Mexico or other countries where DDT was used. 76 With the consideration upon the continuous consumption of DDT, the WHO issued a guideline value of 1000 pg mL −1 in drinking water. 77…”

Plaguicidas Organoclorados en Agua De La Laguna Negra De Puerto Marqués, Acapulco, Guerrero, México

“…Se sabe que la Secretaría de Salud en México es la única institución que emplea y aplica DDT en las zonas costeras, de ahí el arrastre de partículas o la volatilización del plaguicida (Pérez-Maldonado et al 2006). Ochoa-Rivero et al (2017) afirman que el DDT aún se emplea en México en la agricultura debido a su efectividad y asequibilidad, como demuestran los estudios de análisis de agua superficial del norte del país; esto, aunado a la falta de un inventario real del uso de plaguicidas en las regiones agrícolas del territorio nacional. En general, la proporción (DDE + DDD)/DDT para la época seca fue >1, lo que demuestra acumulación y degradación del DDT (Fig.…”

Water Pollution Prediction in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area and Countermeasures for Sustainable Development of the Water Environment

“…At present, the grey model GM (1,1) is widely used for the prediction of hydropower, energy, water pollution levels, etc. [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Wastewater discharge in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area is influenced by a variety of factors, including production mode and the residential styles of the area.…”