4,4′-DDE and Endosulfan Levels in Agricultural Soils of the Çukurova Region, Mediterranean Turkey

Abstract

Mediterranean Turkey has long been at the forefront of Turkish agriculture and the use of organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs) in this area rose considerably between the 1940s and 1980s. This study aimed to determine OCP residue levels in agricultural soils collected from the Mersin and Adana Districts, Çukurova Basin in Mediterranean Turkey. Most soil samples were contaminated with one, or both, of two OCP metabolites; 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (4,4'-DDE) and endosulfan sulfate. 4,4'-DDE occurred in 27 of the 29 samples and ranged from 6 to 1090 µg kg(-1)-dry soil (ds)(-1), while six samples contained endosulfan sulfate ranging between 82 and 1226 µg kg(-1)-ds(-1). Generally, horticultural and corn-planted soils contained only 4,4'-DDE, whereas greenhouse cultivation appeared to accumulate both residues. This study indicated that 4,4'-DDE occurred above acceptable levels of risk in agricultural soils of Mersin District and further studies on the qualitative and quantitative assessment of OCPs in other agricultural regions with intensive pesticide use are necessary to fully understand the impact of OCPs on agricultural soil in Turkey.

Validation of a Method Scope Extension for the Analysis of POPs in Soil and Verification in Organic and Conventional Farms of the Canary Islands

“…As shown in Table 5 and Figure 5 (summations), we found significant differences in the concentrations of p,p’-DDE, p,p-DDD, and dieldrin, although in the opposite directions to those theorized by other authors [ 72 , 73 ]. Our results indicated that the concentration of organochlorines in farms devoted to mixed vegetable cultivation was much higher than that in vineyards, which would present levels very much in line with those reported recently in studies around the world [ 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 ]. This further highlights the need for robust and reliable analytical tools to routinely monitor levels of persistent and semi-persistent organic pollutants because, as we have seen, levels can vary greatly from place to place.…”

“…This further highlights the need for robust and reliable analytical tools to routinely monitor levels of persistent and semi-persistent organic pollutants because, as we have seen, levels can vary greatly from place to place. much in line with those reported recently in studies around the world [65][66][67][68][69]. This further highlights the need for robust and reliable analytical tools to routinely monitor levels of persistent and semi-persistent organic pollutants because, as we have seen, levels can vary greatly from place to place.…”

“…However, the levels of two contaminants (p,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDD) did attract our attention, not so much because of the frequency of detection, which was similar to that reported in other studies (>70% of the samples), but because of the high concentrations detected. In fact, p,p'-DDE levels in the samples of our series presented mean (364.6 ± 698.7 ng g −1 ) and median (58.7 ng g −1 ) values that are much higher than those reported in other recent studies in Turkey [65], India [66], Poland [67,68], or Iran [69]. In fact, the highest value in our series (2305.6 ng g −1 ), which paradoxically was found in a farm dedicated to organic vegetable farming, was about twice the median value reported for a region of Azerbaijan that has been reported to be historically contaminated by DDT (and its metabolites), because it was subjected to intensive aerial spraying campaigns [70].…”

Pesticide residue levels in vegetables and surface waters at the Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia

“…Excessive application and improper handling of pesticides affect the environment and cause serious health problems to human beings and animals. Organochlorine pesticides are persistent and bio-accumulate in the environment (Akca et al 2016 ; Fiedler et al 2013 ). They cause ecological problems and have a great impact on human health (Agarwal et al 2015 ; Fiedler et al 2013 ).…”

Pesticide Pollution in Agricultural Soils and Sustainable Remediation Methods: a Review

“…The fungicide cyazofamid has a short life in differently textured agricultural soils and therefore has little chance of contaminating groundwater [102]. OCs and their metabolites pose a grave risk in agricultural soils as OCs were detected in 27 of 29 soil samples tested in Turkey and ranged from 6 to 1090 μg kg −1 dry soil in areas where OCs were heavily used between the 1940s and 1980s in Turkey [2]. 4,4′-DDE was present above the acceptable risk levels in the agricultural soils of Mersin District in Turkey [2].…”