Organochlorine pesticides in green mussel, Perna viridis, from the Cienfuegos Bay, Cuba.

The green mussel, Perna viridis, was used to measure bioaccumulated levels of organochlorine pesticides in the marine environment of Cuba. Samples were collected in the Cienfuegos Bay between January and December 2010. The organochlorine pesticides (i.

Distribution of petroleum hydrocarbons and organochlorinated contaminants in marine biota and coastal sediments from the ROPME Sea Area during 2005.

The composition and spatial distribution of various petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs), comprising both aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and selected chlorinated pesticides and PCBs were measured in biota and coastal sediments from seven countries in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman (Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates). Evidence of extensive marine contamination with respect to organochlorinated compounds and PHs was not observed. Only one site, namely the BAPCO oil refinery in Bahrain, was considered to be chronically contaminated.

PCBs in sediments and oysters of Manila Bay, the Philippines.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were analyzed in sediment and oyster samples from coastal sites inside Manila Bay. Concentrations for 13 individual PCB congeners and total PCBs are reported herein. Median SigmaPCB concentration in sediments was 0.

Polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in the aquatic environment of the Mekong River, South of Vietnam.

Polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCBs) were analyzed in sediments and clams' soft tissues from sampling sites in the Mekong River delta from the border with Cambodia to the coast of South China Sea. Concentrations of 13 individual PCB congeners are reported. Median concentration of SigmaPCB congeners was 0.

Ecological risk assessment of PCBs and other organic contaminant residues in Laguna de Terminos, Mexico.

Laguna de Terminos, a wide coastal lagoon system in Campeche, Mexico, was investigated for the contamination by polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs). Distribution of these industrial chemical contaminants along with pesticide residues in the lagoon, as well as their sediment-water partitioning and bioaccumulation by oysters and fish were assessed. Contaminant concentrations in the lagoon were compared with toxicity data for aquatic organisms and the ecotoxicological risks discussed.

Organic contaminants in the marine environment of Manila Bay, Philippines.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCs) and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) were determined in sediments and oysters' soft tissues (Cassostrea gigas) collected in selected sites of Manila Bay. Overall, the concentration levels were very low. In sediments, PCBs were the compounds present in higher concentrations, with Sigma13PCB congeners averaging 0.

Pesticide and PCB residues in the aquatic ecosystems of Laguna de Terminos, a protected area of the coast of Campeche, Mexico.

The coastal lagoon system of Laguna de Terminos, Campeche, Mexico, a natural reserve since 1994, was investigated for contamination by agricultural and industrial chemical residues. Water, sediment and biota samples were analyzed for a wide variety of organochlorine and organophosphorus compounds. Chlorpyrifos was detected in water in concentrations up to 72 pgL(-1) and, amongst organochlorine compounds, summation operator PCB were measured averaging 1177 pgL(-1) and summation operator DDT 279 pgL(-1).

Agrochemical and polychlorobyphenyl (PCB) residues in the Mekong River delta, Vietnam.

An environmental survey on pesticide residues and polychlorobyphenyl compounds (PCBs), encompassing more than 70 polar and non-polar compounds quantifiable by the techniques used, was performed in the Mekong River delta based on analyses of water, sediment and bivalve mollusc samples. Few polar compounds, such as diazinon and fenotrothion, were detected in water but a high number of non-polar chlorinated compounds, such as DDT, HCH, endosulfan and PCBs, were detected in sediments and biota. The highest concentrations measured were of DDT with an average 6.

Coplanar and non-coplanar congener-specificity of PCB bioaccumulation and immunotoxicity in sea stars.

The sea star Asterias rubens (L.), a representative species of the North Sea benthic environment, was exposed to a mixture of 10 selected PCB congeners (3 coplanar or c-PCBs, and 7 non-coplanar) via experimentally contaminated sediments. Both the degree of bioaccumulation and subsequent immunotoxic effects of these PCBs were determined.

Chlorinated hydrocarbons in marine biota and coastal sediments from the Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

The spatial distribution of various organochlorinated compounds was investigated in the Gulf and Gulf of Oman based on marine biota (fish and various bivalves) and coastal sediment collected in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during 2000-2001. Several potential organic contaminants from agricultural (e.g.

Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons in marine biota and coastal sediments from the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

The composition and spatial distribution of aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in biota and coastal sediments from four countries surrounding the Gulf (Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman). The levels of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), aliphatic unresolved mixture and PAHs in sediments and biota were relatively low compared to world-wide locations reported to be chronically contaminated by oil. Only in the case of the sediments collected near the BAPCO oil refinery in Bahrain, having concentrations of 779 microg g(-1) total petroleum hydrocarbon equivalents and 6.

Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons in coastal Caspian Sea sediments.

This investigation represents the first extensive study of the spatial distribution and sources of aliphatic (n-alkanes and unresolved complex mixture of fossil hydrocarbons) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coastal sediments from the Caspian Sea. PAH concentrations, n-alkanes and biomarker profiles all suggested that there was limited petrogenic contamination in the shallow North Caspian Sea sediments, which are coarse with a low total organic carbon content. In contrast, moderate to high petrogenic contamination was found in the South Caspian Sea, in particular in the offshore oil fields near Baku, Azerbaijan.

Organochlorinated compounds in Caspian Sea sediments.

Several organochlorinated contaminants, including numerous pesticides, were determined in coastal sediments from the Caspian Sea. The most important contaminants were p,p'-DDT (up to 7400 pg g(-1)) and its breakdown products, p,p'-DDD (up to 3400 pg g(-1)) and p,p'-DDE (up to 1300 pg g(-1)). Although the contamination was most severe in Azerbaijan, the sediment concentrations and percentage distribution of the three DDT-related compounds indicated that such contamination constitutes a contemporary and ubiquitous problem in the Caspian Sea.

Toxaphene residues from cotton fields in soils and in the coastal environment of Nicaragua.

Toxaphene (camphechlor) was intensively used in the cotton growing fields of Nicaragua for decades with application rates as high as 31 kg ha(-1) in 1985. Although the use of this compound has recently been discontinued in the country, its intensive use in the past and its long persistence in soil allowed for the build up of large reservoirs of toxaphene in agriculture soils and a wide dispersal of residues in the environment. Measurements of toxaphene in coastal areas on the coast of the Pacific Ocean show that environmental concentrations are particularly high in the district of Chinandega, the traditional cotton growing region.

Distribution, fate and effects of pesticide residues in tropical coastal lagoons of northwestern Mexico.

Analyses of pesticide residues in sediments, water and biota of the Altata-Ensenada del Pabellon coastal lagoon system in Sinaloa, Mexico, showed the presence of organochlorine and organophosphorus compounds. For all the compounds analysed, concentrations in sediments were higher near the points of water discharge from ponds and drainage from the agricultural area. Among the organochlorines, total DDTs displayed the largest sedimentary reservoir, followed by total endosulfans and chlorpyrifos.

Global intercomparison for the determination of chlorinated pesticides, PCBs and petroleum hydrocarbons in sediment sample IAEA-417.

A world-wide interlaboratory comparison exercise was organised using a lagoon sediment as sample material (IAEA-417) for the analyses of chlorinated pesticides, PCB congeners and petroleum hydrocarbons. The sample material was analysed by 97 laboratories from 46 countries, representing a rather wide distribution for such an interlaboratory comparison exercise. Whereas quite variable results were reported for most chlorinated pesticides, more consistent interlaboratory results were obtained for PCB congeners and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Ecological risk assessment of pesticide residues in coastal lagoons of Nicaragua.

A detailed investigation on the contamination with chlorinated hydrocarbons and organophosphorous pesticides of the coastal lagoon system of Chinandega district, Nicaragua, allowed the identification of contaminant sources and lagoon areas currently more contaminated. The discharge of rivers into the lagoons is the main transport pathway of pesticide residues; whereas atmospheric depositions are likely to be the main pathway for the introduction of PCBs into the lagoons. Analysis of water samples indicates widespread contamination with soluble organophosphorous compounds, such as dichlorvos, up to 410 ng L(-1), diazinon, up to 150 ng L(-1), and chlorpyrifos, up to 83 ng L(-1).

Persistent organochlorine residues in sediments from the Black Sea.

The extent of contamination of the Black Sea by selected organochlorine compounds has been assessed through the analysis of surficial sediments taken from throughout the region. Concentrations of HCHs at sites influenced by the Danube delta are among the highest recorded on a global basis (up to 40 ng g(-1) dry wt). The ratio between the alpha- and gamma-isomers was relatively low indicating contamination through the use of lindane.

Chlorinated pesticides and PCBs in sediments and molluscs from freshwater canals in the Hanoi region.

The concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs were determined in surface sediments and freshwater molluscs (Angulyagra sp.) from water canals in the region of Hanoi city. Results obtained show that the concentration of sigma DDT compounds in sediments range from 7 to 80 ng/g (dry weight) and from 6 to 864 ng/g (dry weight) in the soft tissues of molluscs.

Determination of organochlorinated compounds and petroleum hydrocarbons in sediment sample IAEA-408. Results from a world-wide intercalibration exercise.

A sediment sample from the intertidal mudflats of the Tagus estuary was prepared, homogenised and distributed globally to laboratories as the IAEA-408 intercomparison material for the analyses of organochlorinated pesticides, PCBs and petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs). A total of 48 laboratories from 36 countries reported their results. The data from participants show that there still remain some difficulties with the accurate determination of organic contaminants such as pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Organochlorine pesticides and PCBs along the coast of north Vietnam.

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in sediments and clams collected from the coast of the north of Vietnam during the rainy season (August-September 1997). Results show that the organochlorine pesticides of major concern are HCHs (1.2-33.

Levels and trends of PCBs, chlorinated pesticides and petroleum hydrocarbons in mussels from the NW Mediterranean coast: comparison of concentrations in 1973/1974 and 1988/1989.

A mussel watch survey was conducted in 1988-1989 along the Mediterranean coast of France and Italy, between Sete and Genoa, in order to assess contamination by organochlorine pesticides, PCBs and petroleum hydrocarbons. Results show concentrations of DDTs (average 130 ng g-1 dry wt.) and PCBs (average 527 ng g-1 dry wt.

Chlorinated hydrocarbons in coastal lagoons of the pacific coast of Nicaragua.

A screening for persistent chlorinated hydrocarbons was carried out in December 1995 in the main coastal lagoons on the Pacific side of Nicaragua, where most of the country's agriculture and pesticide use has been taking place for decades. Results for a wide range of organochlorine pesticides in lagoon sediments show levels that generally were very low in Estero Real, Estero Padre Ramos, and estuary of San Juan del Sur. For example, total DDTs in these lagoons averaged 4.