Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorinated pesticides in birds from a contaminated region in South China: association with trophic level, tissue distribution and risk assessment

Abstract

Purpose Birds have been used successfully for biomonitoring of the levels and effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the environments; however, there is exceedingly little data on organochlorinated pesticide (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) residues in bird inhabiting in China. In the present study, we detected the concentrations of PCBs, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs) and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) in muscle, liver and kidney of birds that inhabit in an e-waste recycling site. Associated with the stable isotope ratio (δ 15 N), we investigated the effect of trophic level on the body burdens of persistent contaminants in birds. The tissue distributions of contaminants in these birds were examined, and a preliminary risk assessment was also conducted. Materials and methods Specimens from eight bird species were collected from Qingyuan County, Guangdong Province, South China. Pectoral muscle, liver and kidney tissues were Soxhlet-extracted and finally dissolved in isooctane. Both PCBs and OCPs were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The subsamples for nitrogen stable isotope analysis were lyophilized, ground and analyzed by a flash EA 112 series elemental analyzer interfaced with an isotope ration mass spectrometer. Results and discussion PCBs exhibited the highest concentrations among all target compounds, and a preliminary risk assessment suggested that adverse effects might occur in some birds for its high level. Generally, the concentrations of pollutants in liver and kidney were higher than those in muscle, which was mainly driven by passive diffusion to the 'lipid-compartment'. Significant differences in level of contaminants were obtained among species due to the varieties in dietary composition and habitat. An increasing trend was obtained between concentrations of PCBs and DDTs with trophic levels; however, HCHs exhibited the same level among species. Recommendations and perspectives Because of the e-waste recycling activities, the study area has been heavily polluted by PCBs. Studies on the species-specific hazard assessment associated with exposure to PCBs are urgently needed in the study of birds in the area.

PCBs and DDTs in light-vented bulbuls from Guangdong Province, South China: Levels, geographical pattern and risk assessment

“…The highest PCB concentration was observed in the e-waste recycling area, suggesting that e-waste is 31, 52, 60, 66, 74, 99, 101, 105, 115/87, 118, 128, 130, 137, 138, 146, 149/139, 153, 156, 158, 164/163, 171, 172, 175, 180, 183, 187, 190, 191, 194, 195, 203, 205, 206, and one of the important sources of PCBs in the study site. Previous studies have also reported that much higher PCB concentrations were detected in aquatic biota such as waterbirds, fish, and hydrobiidae at the same sampling site (Luo et al, 2009;Zhang et al, 2010Zhang et al, , 2011. These results indicate that higher PCB levels in biota from Guangdong Province could be linked to high density of e-waste recycling activities in this region.…”

Levels and distribution of organochlorine pesticides and hexachlorobutadiene in soils and terrestrial organisms from a former pesticide-producing area in Southwest China

“…2a). Data for OCP concentrations in these three birds from other areas are scarce; however, as shown in Table 3, the OCP concentrations in the birds in this study were comparable to those in omnivorous birds from other regions (Dhananjayan et al 2011;Zhang et al 2011). Conversely, the OCP levels in these studied birds were lower than those reported Fig.…”

“…Additionally, high concentrations of OCP residues in soils can be volatilized and subsequently enter into vegetation or animals through the air. Moreover, multiclass plants can easily absorb and accumulate OCPs from soils directly, and terrestrial animals may bioaccumulate OCPs through food chains (Dhananjayan et al 2011;Zhang et al 2011). As a result, vegetation and terrestrial animals around pesticide factories may be at risks.…”

Occurrence and distribution of organochlorine pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments from Qinghai Lake, northeast Qinghai–Tibet plateau, China

“…This includes several endangered species, such as black stork (Ciconia nigra) and black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis). Contamination of the lake by POPs could pose potential health risks to the birds (Fisk et al, 2001;Lam et al, 2008;Zhang et al, 2011). Few studies have been performed to investigate POPs in the Qinghai Lake area.…”