Role of ground water on hexachlorocyclohexane (lindane) detections in surface water in western Canada

Abstract

Abstract-Interrelationships between surface water and groundwater dynamics of ␣-and ␥-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) were investigated by determining their detection frequency and concentrations in surface water that originated primarily from surface runoff of snow and rain and in surface water that originated from ground water. In the prairie ecozone in Saskatchewan, where lindane (␥-HCH) is currently used, lindane and ␣-HCH were detected in about 50% of water samples taken from lakes and ponds that are recharged primarily by surface runoff (N ϭ 43 sites). Maximum concentrations for lindane and ␣-HCH were 0.011 and 0.004 g/L, respectively. Isomers of HCH were not detected in any of the eight prairie springs that were examined (N ϭ 10 samples). These springs originate from ground water located beneath agricultural lands. In the montane ecozone of Alberta where lindane is not used for agricultural purposes, only ␣-HCH was detected frequently in the Waterton and Athabasca rivers. From 1976 to 1992, ␣-HCH was detected in 81% of water samples from the Waterton River with no significant difference in detection frequency through the year ( 2 for 12 months ϭ 14.6, d.f. ϭ 11, p ϭ 0.20, N ϭ 163 samples). The site on the Waterton River is located downstream from a series of large lakes with multiyear storage of surface water. In contrast, discharge for the Athabasca River originates primarily from surface water during summer and ground water during winter. Detection frequency for ␣-HCH during these seasons was 53% and 2%, respectively, with the annual pattern a normal distribution. These results indicate that HCH isomers were not detected frequently in surface waters that originate from ground water.

Patterns of groundwater concentration and fate of lindane in an irrigated semiarid area in Argentina

“…Lindane was recently reported to be detected in river waters, lakes, and ponds in areas where it was used about 10 to 15 years ago in southern Saskatchewan, Canada, whereas little evidence exists of long‐range atmospheric transport of this pesticide. A product of decomposition of lindane, α‐HCH, was rarely found during the winter time in the Athabasca River, Alberta, Canada, which receives waters from underground aquifers at that time of the year [23]. In New Jersey, USA, lindane and other HCH isomers were detected less frequently in groundwater than in surface waters [24].…”

Variations in α‐Hexachlorocyclohexane enantiomer ratios in relation to microbial activity in a temperate estuary

“…5). Although, in general, groundwater is not an important source of HCHs [32,33], watershed runoff during periods of increased precipitation may be a large source of HCHs to temperate estuaries [30]. Thus, during periods of high freshwater flow, it is not possible to ascertain to what extent the deviations in ␣-HCH ERs from predicted conservative mixing are caused by biodegradation versus inputs of nonracemic mixtures via watershed runoff.…”

Mobilization of pesticides on an agricultural landscape flooded by a torrential storm

“…3), where it was primarily applied as a seed treatment to canola for protection against feeding on the emerging shoot by flea beetles. Lindane is frequently detected in surface waters in western Canada [28,29]. Of the insecticides, lindane had the highest mean concentration in wetlands (6.9 ng/L).…”