Occurrence of priority organic pollutants in Strymon river catchment, Greece: inland, transitional, and coastal waters.

Twenty-five sampling stations were selected in order to monitor persistent organic pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine (OC) pesticides and total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) in surface water from Kerkini Lake, the Strymon River, its main tributaries and estuary in N. Aegean Sea during January to July, 2008, according to recent European Union (EU) guidelines. The data were divided among the high (January to April) and the low flow season (May to July). Generally, the values for organic pollutants were within the range reported worldwide for surface water. Elevated PAHs concentrations were observed compared with other places in Greece. Anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene exceeded maximum allowable concentration (MAC) of the relative EU guideline. Also, concentrations above MAC were observed for OCs, γ-HCH, and a-endosulfan. Despite the fact that it is banned since 1972, Aldrin was detected during the monitoring season (from limit of detection (LOD) to 15 ng L(-1)). Total PCB concentrations ranged from LOD to 162 ng L(-1). In addition, the load of organic pollutants was estimated in April (high flow) and June (low flow) in selected sampling stations. According to this estimation, napthalene, anthracene, and fluoranthene (PAHs), total dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), aldrin, and total PCBs had the highest load. Taking into account the relative EU guidelines concerning the pollutants studied, the water quality in the Strymon River catchment could be characterized as poor, which can lead to negative impacts to its biota.

Sorption of the antiparasitic drug eprinomectin in three soils.

Batch equilibrium studies were conducted to determine eprinomectin partitioning behavior in three Greek soils (agricultural, pastoral and riparian soil). An analytical method was developed to quantify eprinomectin in aqueous 0.01 M CaCl2. Recovery was 95% and limits of detection and quantification were both 0.005 mgL⁻¹. An existing method for its quantification in soil was successfully tested in this study. Mass balance determinations showed that we accounted for 89-98% of the eprinomectin spiked in 5 g soil/25 mL 0.01 M CaCl2. The concentration specific adsorption distribution coefficient (K(d)(ads)) ranged from 6.4 to 21.4 L kg⁻¹ while concentration specific desorption distribution coefficient (K(d)(des)) ranged from 23.2 to 124.6 L kg⁻¹. The Freundlich model adequately described adsorption and desorption with n values from 0.6 to 1.07. Hysteresis between adsorption and desorption was observed in two (agricultural and pastoral) soils. Moreover, eprinomectin binding to the clay mineral vermiculite and natural peat was tested. The drug binds to both materials. Hydroxyl groups and the nitrogen group present in eprinomectin are probably responsible for the binding to vermiculite. Coefficient K(d)(ads) significantly correlated with cation exchange capacity (CEC), Fe and Cu content of the soils when data for eprinomectin and data for ivermectin and abamectin were combined. These could be evidence that eprinomectin fate is related not only to organic matter (lipophilic binding) but also to clay content and other charged inorganic groups typically present in the soil environment.

Analytical procedure for the determination of eprinomectin in soil and cattle faeces.

A new analytical HPLC-fluorescence method was developed for the quantitative determination of eprinomectin (EPM) in soil and cattle faeces. EPM was extracted with acetone and acetonitrile from soil and cattle faeces, respectively. Solid phase extraction and derivatization reaction with N-methylimidazole in the presence of trifluoroacetic anhydride and acetic acid were applied. The limit of quantitation was 1 ng g(-1) air dried soil and 2.5 ng g(-1) moist cattle faeces. Overall recovery (RSD) was 89% (8) in soil and 85% (10) in cattle faeces and its good reproducibility (RSD<15%) allows the application of the method in advanced ecotoxicological studies, required for the environmental fate assessment of EPM.

The presence of environmental pollutants in the semen of farm animals (bull, ram, goat, and boar).

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls are widely used in agriculture and industry, respectively, and may affect male reproduction function. Although several pollutants have been detected in human semen, similar studies in farm animals have not appeared. In the present study, the semen of bulls, rams, goats, and boars was assayed for the organochlorine pesticides hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-isomers), dieldrin, and heptachlor epoxide, for DDT-related chemicals (o,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDT), and for the PCBs congeners (PCB-52, -101, -138, -150, and -180). In all species of farm animals, the most frequently detected pollutants were p,p'-DDE (80-100% of samples), HCB (73.9-100%), and gamma-HCH (69.6-100%). Species differences in the concentrations of HCB, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-HCH, dieldrin, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, and PCBs were noted as well as differences in the concentrations of some isomers of HCH, DDT-related chemicals, and PCB congeners in the same species.

The presence of environmental pollutants in the follicular fluid of farm animals (cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs).

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls are widely used in agriculture and industry, respectively. The present study assessed the burden of environmental pollutants in the follicular fluid of farm animals (cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs). An analytical method combining a solid-phase extraction with (C(18)) for clean-up and GC-electron capture detection using a capillary column was implemented for isolation and determination of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Of the organochlorine pesticides, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-isomers), dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, and the DDT-related chemicals (o,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDT) were detected and of the PCBs, the congeners PCB-52, -101, -138, -153, and -180 were detected. In all species of farm animals, the most frequently detected pollutant was gamma-HCH (90-100% of samples) followed by HCB (80-100%), and p,p'-DDE (75-90.91%). Species differences in the concentrations of HCB, beta-HCH, heptachlor epoxide, and DDT-related chemicals in follicular fluid were noted as well as differences in the concentrations of some pollutants within the same species.

Modified method for electron capture gas-liquid chromatographic determination of diethylstilbestrol residues in urine of fattened bulls.

A gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) method with electron capture (EC) detection was developed for determining diethylstilbestrol residues in the urine of fattened bulls. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is extracted into benzene, and then into 1N sodium hydroxide. The pH of the phenolic fraction (alkaline phase) is adjusted to 10.2 and DES is extracted again into benzene. Sample extracts are cleaned up on silica gel. Trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) is used as acylation reagent, and the derivatized sample is chromatographed on a 3% OV-17 column and measured with a 63Ni EC detector. The method is suitable for determining residues at levels as low as 2 ppb.