Assessment of DDT and Metabolites in Soil and Sediment of Potentially Contaminated Areas of Belém, Amazon Region, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of DDT and metabolites in surface soils and soil profiles from two areas containing deposits of obsolete pesticides in Belém, Amazon Region, Brazil. DDT and metabolites were extracted by microwave assisted extraction and analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Concentrations of total DDT in surface soil samples ranged from 64.22 mg kg in area 1 (A1) to 447.84 mg kg in area 2 (A2). Lower levels were found in soil profiles than at the surface (6.21-21.17 mg kg in A1 and 36.13-113.66 mg kg in A2). pp'-DDT, pp'-DDE and pp'-DDD were detected in sediments at levels of 2.01, 0.96 and 0.35 mg kg, respectively. The ratio (DDE + DDD)/ΣDDT was low indicating the recent introduction of DDT to the environment in the two study areas, through the volatilization and atmospheric deposition of the obsolete pesticides.

Water and sediment pesticide contamination on indigenous lands surrounded by oil palm plantations in the Brazilian Amazon

“…The monoculture area comprises 2287.8 ha within 5 km from the boundaries of the indigenous land. To put the crop in place, 333.8 ha of secondary forest in regeneration were suppressed [ 11 ], coherently with documented deforestation rates recently evidenced in eastern Amazon [ 28 ].…”

“…Regarding organochlorine insecticide DDT, banned in the country between 1985 and 2009, in theory, its probable origin is the widespread use of this compound in the past for malaria control in the Amazon, when these compounds were not always properly stored [ 28 ]. Now classified as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) by the Stockholm Convention [ 35 ], endosulfan and DDT are organochlorines with high toxicity and ability to bioaccumulate and persist for very extended periods of time in the environment.…”

“…Regarding the analysis of the sediment samples, a mass of 2 g of the fine fraction (P3) of each sample was conditioned into a 75 mL Teflon tube with 20 mL of 50% acetone/dichloromethane solution (organic extract). In a microwave device, the solution went through a heating ramp (30 °C–120 °C) for 30 min, with medium stirring and pressure of 800 w. The extract was cooled to room temperature and subjected to a clean-up procedure [ 28 ].…”

Evaluation of the degree of contamination of breast milk by organochlorine pesticides in the Lower Amazon region: a preliminary study

“…The presence of DDT in Amazonian soil occurs through direct application or by the superficial runoff of DDT applied to house walls, even when deposited in the air and adsorbed by clay and/or organic matter Acta Scientiarum. Health Sciences, v. 45, e62604, 2023 (Rodrigues, Souza, Silva Rocha, Costa, & Mendes, 2017;Torres et al, 2009). DDT is also volatile, with a vapor pressure of 1.60 10 -7 torr at 20°C, and can be transported long distances from the application site.…”

Quais agrotóxicos estão contaminando os solos brasileiros?

“…Entretanto, o predomínio de habitações precárias não permitiu uma aplicação adequada do DDT, causando o insucesso da ação e posterior contaminação destas áreas (Loiola, Silva, & Tauil, 2007). Durante e após o uso e proibição do DDT no Brasil, inúmeros locais acabaram tornando-se depósitos de agrotóxicos e de embalagens vazias, ao qual grande parte destes locais estão sob controle da FUNASA (Rodrigues, et al, 2017). A partir deste contexto, Research, Society and Development, v. 9, n. 3, e114932569, 2020 (CC BY 4.0) | ISSN 2525-3409 | DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v9i3.2569 Rodrigues et al (2017), buscou investigar amostras de solo coletadas em dois pontos no Estado do Pará que foram utilizados para depósitos de agrotóxicos e que há a presença de residências.…”