Title: Transfer and translocation of organochlorine pesticide residues in an agricultural area of Romania

Authors: Carmen Silvia Neamtu, Sabina Stefan, Adriana Bors

Addresses: Environmental Protection Agency for Bucharest, Aleea Lacul Morii 1, Sector 6, Bucharest, Romania. ' Faculty of Physics, Department of Atmospheric Physics, University of Bucharest, P.O. Box MG-11, Magurele, 077125 Bucharest, Romania. ' National Institute of Research-Development for Environmental Protection ICIM Bucharest, Spl. Independentei 294, Sector 6, 060031, Bucharest, Romania

Abstract: The study refers to translocation of some organochlorine persistent pesticides (Lindane, Aldrin, Endosulphane and DDT) in/from soil to surface and underground water and their accumulation in some crops in an agricultural area nearby Bucharest. The samples analysed were soil, surface water (Arges River) and underground water (wells). Pesticide residues were found especially in soil samples, in smaller quantities in surface waters and only in small quantities in underground water. The persistency of these chemicals in soil is correlated with the accumulation process effects in crops (were analysed samples of cabbage, radish and tomatoes), which might be hazardous for human health.

Keywords: organochlorine persistent pesticides; residue accumulation; PLP leaching index; gas chromatography; lindane; aldrin; endosulphane; DDT; Romania; translocation; soil contamination; surface water; underground water; pesticide residues; environmental pollution; crops; cabbage; radish; tomatoes; health hazards.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2010.029696

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2010 Vol.5 No.1/2, pp.114 - 124

Published online: 01 Dec 2009 *

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