The use of steroid markers to assess sewage contamination of the Black Sea.

Analyses of faecal steroids in coastal sediments taken from throughout the Black Sea indicate chronic sewage contamination at some locations. These include Sochi, where concentrations of coprostanol up to 5400 ng g(-1) (dry wt) were recorded, and in the coastal areas adjacent to the Danube delta (2600 ng g(-1) dry wt). Comparatively high values of 5beta/(5beta+5alpha) isomeric ratios of cholestan-3-ol and cholestan-3-one are reported at these locations and are characteristic of sediments contaminated with sewage. Lower concentrations of coprostanol are reported for Bosphorus sediments (12-440 ng g(-1) dry wt) and in the region of Odessa (130-290 ng g(-1) dry wt). Isomeric ratios at these locations also confirm sewage as a significant contributor to steroids in the Bosphorus, but lower values of the ratios indicate only minor sewage inputs in Odessa. In contrast, steroid concentrations and compositions from most Ukrainian sites are characteristic of uncontaminated environments. To place these results into perspective, the range in levels of coprostanol in the Black Sea sediments compares to the lower to mid-range of concentrations reported for coastal sediments on a world-wide basis, with Black Sea sedimentary levels substantially below those previously reported for heavily impacted sites.

Toxaphene residues from cotton fields in soils and in the coastal environment of Nicaragua.

Toxaphene (camphechlor) was intensively used in the cotton growing fields of Nicaragua for decades with application rates as high as 31 kg ha(-1) in 1985. Although the use of this compound has recently been discontinued in the country, its intensive use in the past and its long persistence in soil allowed for the build up of large reservoirs of toxaphene in agriculture soils and a wide dispersal of residues in the environment. Measurements of toxaphene in coastal areas on the coast of the Pacific Ocean show that environmental concentrations are particularly high in the district of Chinandega, the traditional cotton growing region. Toxaphene residues measured in soils attained 44 microg g(-1) (dry weight) while concentrations in lagoon sediments attained 6.9 microg g(-1) (dry weight) near the mouth of the rivers flowing across the agricultural region. Measurements in aquatic biota showed concentrations as high as 1.6 microg g(-1) (dry weight) in the soft tissues of clams. The toxaphene reservoir in soils combined with the obvious persistence of this compound in soils and lagoon sediments allows predicting that toxaphene will remain in the coastal ecosystem at relatively high concentrations for many years. Toxic effects in lagoon fauna are likely to be observed especially in benthic species that may recycle this compound from sediments. Consumption of seafood, in particular of clams (Anadara spp.) from the more contaminated areas, may expose the population to unacceptably high intake of toxaphene, 30 microg d(-1) per person, with the diet.

Persistent organochlorine residues in sediments from the Black Sea.

The extent of contamination of the Black Sea by selected organochlorine compounds has been assessed through the analysis of surficial sediments taken from throughout the region. Concentrations of HCHs at sites influenced by the Danube delta are among the highest recorded on a global basis (up to 40 ng g(-1) dry wt). The ratio between the alpha- and gamma-isomers was relatively low indicating contamination through the use of lindane. Concentrations of DDTs (0.06-72 ng g(-1) dry wt) and PCBs (0.06-72 ng g(-1) dry wt) were not especially high in comparison to levels reported from throughout the world. The DDE/DDT ratio was, however, low indicating fresh inputs and hence current usage of DDT within the Black Sea region.

Petroleum and PAH contamination of the Black Sea.

Concern has been expressed regarding the extent of contamination of the Black Sea. Analyses of coastal sediments taken from throughout the region indicate, however, that levels of petroleum hydrocarbons (2-300 microg g(-1) dry wt total hydrocarbons) are generally comparable to those encountered in the Mediterranean and are lower than concentrations reported for highly contaminated areas such as the Gulf, Hong Kong, Taiwan and New York Bight. Highest concentrations of total hydrocarbons (>100 microg g(-1) dry wt) were associated with discharges from Odessa, Sochi and the River Danube. Chronic/degraded petroleum was the major contributor at these sites. Samples from the Ukrainian coastline were comparatively clean (<10 microg g(-1) dry wt total hydrocarbons). Major contributions of fresh oil (as indicated by sigma n-C14-34) occur through the River Danube. Concerning total PAH, concentrations (7-638 ng g(-1) dry wt) compare to relatively unpolluted locations in the Mediterranean and are much lower than levels reported for polluted UK estuaries (e.g. Mersey, Tyne, Thames). Both pyrolytic and petrogenic PAH are present in most samples, although petroleum derived PAH are dominant at Sochi and pyrolytic sources are prevalent in the Bosphorus region. The absence of a correlation between total hydrocarbons and PAH (R2 = 0.04) indicates different primary sources for the two.

Chlorinated hydrocarbons in coastal lagoons of the pacific coast of Nicaragua.

A screening for persistent chlorinated hydrocarbons was carried out in December 1995 in the main coastal lagoons on the Pacific side of Nicaragua, where most of the country's agriculture and pesticide use has been taking place for decades. Results for a wide range of organochlorine pesticides in lagoon sediments show levels that generally were very low in Estero Real, Estero Padre Ramos, and estuary of San Juan del Sur. For example, total DDTs in these lagoons averaged 4.5 +/- 3.4 ng g-1 dry weight, which may be considered a baseline level for the region. Other compounds such as HCHs, BHC, endosulfan, heptachlor, endrin, toxaphene, and aroclors were present in concentrations even lower, generally below 1 ng g-1 dry weight. However, sediments of the Esteros Naranjo-Paso Caballos system at Chinandega district contained pesticide residues in much higher levels, attaining maximum values of 1,420 ng g-1 and 270 ng g-1 dry weight, respectively, for toxaphene and total DDTs. Other compounds such as aroclors, chlordane, endosulfan, and dieldrin were also present in the sediments of this lagoon system, but in lower concentrations. The very high concentrations of toxaphene and DDTs in this lagoon are a result of the intensive use of these pesticides in cotton growing in the district of Chinandega. Due to the long environmental half-lives of these compounds (t(1/2) > 10 years in temperate soils), their concentrations in lagoon sediments will likely remain high for years to come. Based on these results, the development of the new shrimp farming activities in the Pacific coastal lagoons should be restricted to selected areas.