Levels, Distribution and Health Risk Assessment of Organochlorine Pesticides in Agricultural Soils from the Pearl River Delta of China

Siyu Yao, Jiahui Huang (), Haijun Zhou, Cuiting Cao, Tao Ai, Huanhuan Xing and Jianteng Sun ()
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Siyu Yao: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China
Jiahui Huang: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China
Haijun Zhou: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China
Cuiting Cao: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China
Tao Ai: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China
Huanhuan Xing: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China
Jianteng Sun: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 20, 1-13

Abstract: To reveal the pollution status of agricultural soils along with rapid urbanization and economic growth, a large regional survey of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in agricultural soils was conducted in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) of China. The results showed that the total residues of 23 OCPs were in the range of ND-946 ng/g dry weight. OCP residues showed distinct spatial distribution characteristics within the PRD. OCPs were mainly found in areas with high agricultural production and industrial activities. Higher OCP concentrations were observed in the top layer of soil, while the concentration decreases to marginal levels when the soil depth is greater than 50 cm. OCPs are mainly derived from historical use. Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) in the top soil of the study area are mainly from the use of lindane. Soil pH was negatively and significantly correlated with total OCP concentration. The human health risk assessment showed no health risk for children, while for adults, there is a non-carcinogenic risk, which needs to be noticed. Agricultural activities and industrial production have made the region a pollution hotspot and should arouse more stringent regulation to protect the environment and food safety.

Keywords: organochlorine pesticides; pearl river delta; agriculture soil; spatial distribution; source identification; human health risk (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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