Measurement of pollution levels of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides in water, soil, sediment, and shrimp to identify possible impacts on shrimp production at Jiquilisco Bay

Abstract

This study aims to identify levels of several organochlorine and organophosphorus compounds in shrimp-raising areas of coastal El Salvador, to assess potential impacts on shrimp growth and survival that hamper the sustainability of aquaculture in the region. The paper reports the current levels of γ-HCH, 4,4'-DDT, 4,4'-DDE, 4,4'-DDD, endrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, parathion, methyl parathion, and etoprophos in soils (depth 20 cm), sediments (depth 5 cm), shrimp (Penaeus sp.), and water of three rearing ponds and also in the sediment (depth 5 cm) and water surrounding those ponds in Jiquilisco Bay. Sampling was carried out during the dry (January-March) and rainy (June-August) seasons of 2008. The presence of pesticides in the samples of water, shrimp, and sediment at shrimp ponds was not detected in either season; however, in soil samples (depth 20 cm) taken from these ponds, heptachlor, endrin, dieldrin, 4,4'-DDD, and 4,4'-DDT were identified at concentrations below the method limit of quantification (LOQ), and 4,4'-DDE was found in a concentration falling in the range from 3.85 to 19.61 ng/g. In samples of water taken at the bay water intakes to the rearing ponds, we observed dieldrin concentrations in the range between 0.085 ng/mL and 0.182 ng/mL during the dry season. In the samples of sediments taken in the surrounding areas of shrimp ponds, we found-for both seasons-that in 60 % of the samples, 4,4'-DDE was present in concentrations ranging from 3.75 ng/g to 30.97 ng/g. Additionally, in the rainy season, we observed heptachlor in sediment at concentrations below the method quantification limit. It was concluded that organochlorine compounds from pesticides are still present in Jiquilisco Bay, trapped in deep sediment, even though they have been banned since the 1980s. These were not detected in shrimp tissue, surface water, and shallow sediment in rearing ponds, and hence, we do not believe their presence has any major impact on shrimp production in sampled areas.

Pesticide-Handling Practices in Agriculture in El Salvador: An Example from 42 Patient Farmers with Chronic Kidney Disease in the Bajo Lempa Region

“…Poisonings related to the misuse of pesticides carried out by farmers has been identified in farmers' families, including children [70]. In Bajo Lempa region the impact of the pesticides in the environment has been detected in Jiquilisco Bay, in the Ramsar site close to the studied communities [71] and in the Estero de Jaltepeque [72]. A polluted environment enlarges the exposition of pesticides to farming population.…”

Chronic Kidney Disease in Children and Adolescents in Salvadoran Farming Communities: NefroSalva Pediatric Study (2009–2011)

“…[6] Tres condiciones generales caracterizan a las regiones incluidas en este estudio: altos niveles de pobreza, condiciones laborales insalubres, [20,35] y un medio ambiente contaminado con residuos de pesticidas y, en los casos del Bajo Lempa y Las Brisas, también con metales pesados. [36][37][38][39] Además, las condiciones de trabajo de estos trabajadores agrícolas se caracterizan por el uso indiscriminado de agroquímicos (combinando varios a la vez, algunos de ellos prohibidos, utilizados sin protección, y con la consecuente contaminación del medio ambiente) [36] y una actividad física intensa (que causa una profusa sudoración) durante muchas horas a altas temperaturas y sin la hidratación adecuada. [20] Este estudio tuvo dos etapas: • Una etapa de pesquisa de la ERC, que implicó la realización de la determinación de marcadores urinarios del daño renal y la estimación de la función renal.…”

Monitoring of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticide residues in water during different seasons of Tighra reservoir Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India

“…The identification of compounds was done by comparing the spectrum of unknown pesticides with the spectrum of known pesticides. The analytical LOD and limit of quantification (LOQ) were calculated as per the reported method (Nomen et al 2012). The LOD and LOQ, purity percentage of standard, recovery percentage, and spike level for the OCPs and OPPs are given in Table 1.…”