Occurrence and distribution of organochlorine pesticides – lindane, p,p′-DDT, and heptachlor epoxide – in surface water of China

Abstract

Persistent organochlorine pesticides pollutants (OCPs) have been reported to occur at relatively high concentrations in some Chinese waters. In order to map the distribution of organochlorine pesticides in the surface water throughout China, samples were collected from over 600 sites in seven major river basins and three main internal rivers drainage areas during 2003 and 2004. The surface water samples were analyzed for the representative organochlorine pesticides contaminants including lindane (gamma-HCH), p,p'-DDT and heptachlor epoxide. In general, the most frequently detected compound was lindane, being detected in 83.9% of samples (mean=31.3 ng/l; range <0.17-860 ng/l), and the highest concentration was present in the Yellow River basin. p,p'-DDT was detected in 63.1% of the samples collected (mean=14.6 ng/l; range <0.14-368 ng/l) with the highest concentration present in the Huaihe River basin. Heptachlor epoxide was detected in only 9.3% of water samples (range <0.11-10 ng/l). Measured concentrations for the three compounds were low and rarely exceed the environment quality standard for surface water of China. Lindane was more frequently detected at much higher concentrations in the rivers of northern China compared with those of southern China. The sites with higher concentration of lindane and p,p'-DDT mainly occurred in the Yellow River and Huaihe River basins, so the results of this investigation indicate that the organochlorine pesticide contamination of Yellow River and Huaihe River basins should be of particular concern relative to the other basins. When compared with other regions of the world, it appears that the Chinese surface water is moderately polluted by lindane and p,p'-DDT.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the lower atmosphere and surface waters of the Chinese Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, and Yangtze River estuary

“…Longerchained PFCAs (C N 8) were not detected in most of the surface water samples. Gao et al (2008) reported a high detection frequency for PFDA and PFUnDA in sediment and attributed the degradation of precursors as the cause. In the surface waters, PFDA and PFUnDA concentrations were below the detection limit (0.02 ng/L).…”

“…The western part (W63 and W64, 52-60 ng/L) of the Laizhou Bay mouth exhibited lower ∑PFAS concentrations than the eastern part (W65-66, 108-118 ng/L). The western part is mainly influenced by the Yellow River, which recently suffered from decreasing water discharge and serious pollution (Gao et al, 2008;He et al, 2006). The eastern part is the gateway through which coastal water and adjacent river water move out of the Laizhou Bay.…”

Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution in China: Causes and Mitigation Measures

“…A survey during 2003-2004 of 217 reservoirs and 406 rivers and lakes in seven major river basins revealed that surface waters in China also suffered from moderate pollution by OCPs (Gao et al 2008). Lindane (c-HCH) and p,p 0 -DDT were detected in 84 and 63% of sites, with a mean concentration of 0.0313 lg L -1 (ND *0.860 lg L -1 ) and 14.6 lg L -1 (ND *0.368 lg L -1 ), respectively.…”

Occurrence and levels of pesticides in South Lebanon water

“…[27] It was found in drinking water, groundwater, river, and land runoff at seven locations in the USA and Europe at nanolevels. [28] Recently, this compound was detected in Chinese surface water samples [29] and rivers in Vietnam. [30] DDT has been always defined as the most abundant group among OCP due to its long-time usage and high persistency.…”