Profiles of Organochlorine Pesticides in Earthworms from Urban Leisure Areas of Beijing, China

Abstract

In this study, organochlorine pesticides (HCHs and DDTs) in earthworm and soil contacted closely with it were determined for the purpose of the risk assessment of chemicals in the urban leisure environment. The level of total hexachlorocyclohexanes and (HCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) in earthworms was 0.6500-44.78 ng g -1 and 18.97-1.112 9 104 ng g -1 , respectively. Absolutely high levels of DDT and its metabolites in earthworm and correlative soils samples, and the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of DDTs probably presents certain risk to the higher trophic organisms through its food chain, especially birds.

Persistence and Changes in Bioavailability of Dieldrin, DDE, and Heptachlor Epoxide in Earthworms Over 45 Years

“…As part of a study examining the bioaccumulation of DDE in robins inhabiting orchards in Canada, Harris et al (2000) reported average DDE concentration factors (dry weight) of 3.77-5.21 at their three sites. Earthworms from parks in Beijing, China, had a median DDT (sum of all compounds) concentration factor (dry weight) of 7.47 (Li et al 2010). Earthworms from fields historically contaminated on the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland, USA, had geometric mean concentration factors (dry weight) of 8.9 (DDE), based on 9 plots, and 6.5 (dieldrin), based on 6 plots (Tetra Tech 2009).…”

Enhancement effect of two ecological earthworm species (Eisenia foetida and Amynthas robustus E. Perrier) on removal and degradation processes of soil DDT

“…In addition, earthworms can also accumulate the DDTs due to their ingestion of soil. [35][36][37][38] In the present study, DDT loss via volatilization, leakage and bioaccumulation in the presence of earthworms could be included in the 3.59% difference of average undetected DDTs between the controls and earthworm treatments.…”