Seasonal variation of HCH isomers in open soil and plant-rhizospheric soil system of a contaminated environment

Abstract

Recently, alpha-, beta- and gamma-HCH have been nominated by the POPs Reviewing Committee for inclusion into the Stockholm Convention to address the HCH contamination on a global level. Therefore, there is an urgent need to stop the production of lindane and remediate contaminated soil sites. Based on the monitoring studies, the promising species like W. somnifera and S. torvum may be selected for the on-site phytoremediation of HCH-contaminated soil. The mismanagement of HCH residues from the organochlorine industry and their contemporary relevance often after decades of their deposition is one key example demonstrating the necessity to evaluate the waste deposits of the respective organochlorine productions and need for a strict waste management, and the necessity of an integrated pollution prevention and control strategy for the whole organochlorine industry including also the developing countries.

Evaluation of hexachlorocyclohexane contamination from the last lindane production plant operating in India

“…The isomer pattern found in soil and water around the production site in the present study was found to be significantly different from the pattern reported by Abhilash et al (2008) and Abhilash and Singh (2009) in their phytoremediation study conducted in another field close to lindane production unit. In all soil sample analyses reported by these workers and which were taken from a single area, β-HCH was the dominant isomer present together with significant concentrations of γ-HCH.…”

“…Overall, Σ HCH levels were reduced to <30% of the original levels in 24 days and to less than 3% in 240 days using ex situ biostimulation techniques. In other studies by Abhilash and Singh (2009) results indicating phytoremediation activity at a site contaminated by HCH close to the factory has been reported. While bioremediation or phytoremediation approaches may have potential in addressing HCH contaminated sites it will be necessary to understand fully the limitations of such approaches.…”

“…As a first step in this process, soil and water samples from lindane production unit and its environs were analyzed. This focus was prompted by a recent study on phytoremediation of HCH residues in which HCH contamination was detected in soil close to the lindane producing facility (Abhilash et al 2008;Abhilash and Singh 2009). Maximum Σ HCH (sum total of α-, β-, γ-, and δ-HCH) concentration reported in the soil sampled in this study was 100 mgkg −1 .…”

A spatial, statistical approach to map the risk of milk contamination by β-hexachlorocyclohexane in dairy farms

“…As many other persistent organic pollutants (POPs), β-HCH is resistant to natural degradation, persists for several years in soils and sediments (Calvelo Pereira et al, 2006;Waliszewski et al, 2008;Abhilash and Singh, 2009) and accumulates in vegetables and animal tissues. Mammal intake of β-HCH occurs mainly through the diet and the contaminant is excreted with milk (Hanaoka et al, 2002;Lee et al, 2007;McGraw and Waller, 2009).…”

Assessing Environmental Fate of β-HCH in Asian Soil and Association with Environmental Factors

“…4 Although the use of technical HCH was discontinued in these countries and regions over 10 years ago, the environmental levels of HCH isomers were still high, 5,6 and posed a significant impact on ecosystems. 7 Presently, β-HCH is the predominant isomer in the environment 8 and human body 7 because of its resistance to microbial degradation and strong potential to bioaccumulate. 9 Like other POPs, partitioning and exchange of β-HCH among environmental matrices are strongly affected by temperature.…”