| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6333325 | Science of The Total Environment | 2013 | 7 Pages |
Contamination by organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), such as hexachlorobenzene (HCB), DDTs and hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs) was examined in surface soils from paddy, upland and wetland fields in the region around the Hongze Lake in 2009, and some factors influencing residual levels of OCPs in soils were analyzed. DDTs and HCHs were the predominant contaminants in soils. The residual levels of OCPs in cultivated soils were significantly higher than those of corresponding counterparts in wetland soils. It indicated the agricultural usage amount of OCPs principally accounted for the presence of their residues in soil. Among these organochlorines and their metabolites detected in the soil samples, β-HCH and p, p'-DDE were the two dominant substances of HCHs and DDTs, respectively. The ratio of w(DDT)/w(DDD + DDE) and the ratio α-HCH/γ-HCH also suggested residual HCHs and DDTs in soil resulted from technical HCH (no elimination of Lindane) and DDT applied in this region in the past and there has been no recent input. The analysis of linear correlation indicated that soil pH and TOC influenced the residues of α-HCH and β-HCH, respectively. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed the contents of OCPs in soils probably were related to their usage amount in the past and octanol-water coefficient (Kow). Compared with the corresponding data from other places and the protection guidelines of Netherlands, US EPA and China, the region around the Hongze Lake may be generally categorized as a slightly polluted area and it is suitable for agriculture production.
⺠The soil contents of OCPs in the area around Hongze Lake were firstly examined. ⺠HCHs and DDTs were the predominant contaminants in soils. ⺠The usage amount and Kow remarkably influenced residual status of OCPs in soils. ⺠Neither pH nor TOC significantly influenced levels OCPs in soils. ⺠The region, as a slightly polluted area, is suitable for agriculture production.
