Publication Date:
2005-05-01
Description:
A study of samples from a broad range of soils across the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1999 has shown evidence that residues of organochlorine pesticides, and in particular DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2- bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane] and related compounds, are present even after several decades since the last application. In particular, residue levels of total DDT {DDTt = DDT + DDD [1,1-dichloro-2,2- bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] + DDE [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene]} in Prince Albert National Park approach some of the highest levels measured to date at non-agricultural locations with concentrations of 119 to 150 ng g-1. Ratios of DDT:DDD:DDE were relatively consistent even from sites separated by several hundred kilometers and seem to be independent of soil properties and sample moisture levels over the region of study. These DDT:DDD:DDE ratios ranged from 9:1:4 for the Prince Albert Park site to 5:1:2 for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Research Centres and privately owned agricultural land. Data collected from AAFC Research Centres showed somewhat elevated levels of lindane [γ-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane] (maximum 14 ng g-1), dieldrin [(1R,4S,4aS,5R,6R,7S,8S,8aR)-1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro-=6,7-epoxy-1,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro- endo-1,4,-exo-5,8-dimethanonaphthalene] (maximum 27 ng g-1) and chlordane [1,2,4,5,6,7,8,8-octachloro-2,3,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7-methanoindene] (maximum 10 ng g-1), while samples collected from sites designated as “background” locations demonstrated a minimal effect from long-range atmospheric transport of organochlorines. Key words: Organochlorine residues, soil, Canada, decomposition products, pesticides
Print ISSN:
0008-4271
Electronic ISSN:
1918-1841
Topics:
Geosciences
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Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
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