Collection of human and environmental data on pesticide use in Europe and Argentina: Field study protocol for the SPRINT project

Current farm systems rely on the use of Plant Protection Products (PPP) to secure high productivity and control threats to the quality of the crops. However, PPP use may have considerable impacts on human health and the environment. A study protocol is presented aiming to determine the occurrence and levels of PPP residus in plants (crops), animals (livestock), humans and other non-target species (ecosystem representatives) for exposure modelling and impact assessment. To achieve this, we designed a cross-sectional study to compare conventional and organic farm systems across Europe. Environmental and biological samples were/are being/will be collected during the 2021 growing season, at 10 case study sites in Europe covering a range of climate zones and crops. An additional study site in Argentina will inform the impact of PPP use on growing soybean which is an important European protein-source in animal feed. We will study the impact of PPP mixtures using an integrated risk assessment methodology. The fate of PPP in environmental media (soil, water and air) and in the homes of farmers will be monitored. This will be complemented by biomonitoring to estimate PPP uptake by humans and farm animals (cow, goat, sheep and chicken), and by collection of samples from non-target species (earthworms, fish, aquatic and terrestrial macroinvertebrates, bats, and farm cats). We will use data on PPP residues in environmental and biological matrices to estimate exposures by modelling. These exposure estimates together with health and toxicity data will be used to predict the impact of PPP use on environment, plant, animal and human health. The outcome of this study will then be integrated with socio-economic information leading to an overall assessment used to identify transition pathways towards more sustainable plant protection and inform decision makers, practitioners and other stakeholders regarding farming practices and land use policy

Verhalten von schwerfluechtigen Chlorkohlenwasserstoffen an Schwebstoffen des Elbe-Aestuars

SIGLESpecial print from Vom Wasser (1988) v. 70 p. 265-280 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman

Chemical Contaminants in the Wadden Sea: sources, transport, fate and effects

The Wadden Sea receives contaminants from various sources and via various transport routes. The contaminants described in this overview are various metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn) and various organic contaminants (polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and lindane (hexachlorocyclohexane, γ-HCH)). In addition, information is presented about other and emerging contaminants such as antifouling biocides (e.g. TBT and Irgarol), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), poly- and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) and pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs).Special attention is given to biogeochemical processes that contribute to the mobilization of contaminants in the surface sediments of the Wadden Sea. Finally, the effects on organisms of contaminants are reviewed and discussed.The main source of contaminants in the Wadden Sea are the rivers Rhine (via de Dutch coastal zone), Elbe and Weser. The Wadden Sea is not a sink for contaminants and adsorbed contaminants are transported from east to west. The surface sediments of the Wadden Sea are an important source for contaminants to the water above. The input and concentration of most contaminants have significantly decreased in water, sediments, organisms (e.g., mussel, flounder and bird eggs) in various parts of the Wadden Sea in the last three decades. Remarkably, the Cd concentration in mussels is increasing the last decades.In recent decades, the effects of contaminants on organisms (e.g., flounder, seal) have fallen markedly. Most of the affected populations have recovered, except for TBT induced effects in snails. Little is known about the concentration and effects of most emerging contaminants and the complex environmental mixtures of contaminants.It is recommended to install an international coordinated monitoring programme for contaminants and their effects in the whole Wadden Sea and to identify the chemical contaminants that really cause the effect. © 2013 Elsevier B.V

Chlorkohlenwasserstoff-Verteilung in Sedimenten und Schwebstoffen der Elbe

Special print from Vom Wasser (1986) v. 67 p. 23-38 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

Erfassung und Beurteilung der Belastung der Elbe mit oekosystemrelevanten Organika. Bd. 1: Schwerfluechtige Chlorkohlenwasserstoffe in Sedimenten und Pestizide in der Wasserphase

Im ersten Teil des Forschungsvorhabens erfolgte eine Bestandsaufnahme und Bewertung hinsichtlich der Belastung mit schwerfluechtigen Chlorkohlenwasserstoffen (SCKW) und Pestiziden im Elbeeinzugsgebiet. Fuer die Stoffgruppe der SCKW wurde erstmalig ein einheitlicher Ueberblick ueber den Belastungszustand der Sedimente der Elbe von der Quelle bis zur Muendung einschliesslich der wichtigsten Nebenfluesse erarbeitet. Hierbei ergaben sich fuer einzelne SCKW regionale Belastungsschwerpunkte. Aus charakteristischen Stoffmustern liessen sich Hinweise auf Haupteintragspfade in die Elbe ableiten. Im Zeitraum 1992-1995 war fuer einige SCKW eine stromabwaerts gerichtete Verlagerung belasteter Sedimente erkennbar. Dennoch war im Untersuchungszeitraum keine generelle Abnahme der Belastung festzustellen. Sofern Zielvorgaben vorlagen, wurden sie von allen Substanzen zum Teil deutlich ueberschritten. In einem umfangreichen Screening wurden 76 Pestizidwirkstoffe in Zeitmessreihen und Laengsprofilen untersucht. Grundsaetzlich zeigte sich eine hohe zeitliche und raeumliche Variabilitaet der auftretenden Konzentrationen. Fuer 42 der 76 untersuchten Pestizide lagen Positivbefunde vor. Hiervon wurde fuer 28 Stoffe der Trinkwassergrenzwert zumindest vereinzelt ueberschritten. Fuer eine Reihe von Pestiziden wurden Zielvorgaben oder vorlaeufige Bewertungskriterien fuer das Schutzgut aquatische Lebensgemeinschaften ueberschritten, bzw. es lag der begruendete Verdacht hierfuer vor. Bei den in unter Verdacht stehenden Substanzen liessen unzureichende analytische Bestimmungsgrenzen keine abschliessende Bewertung zu. Als Konsequenz hieraus wurde im zweiten Teil des Forschungsvorhabens ein Ion Trap GC/MS"2 Verfahren entwickelt, das die geforderte Spezifitaet und Empfindlichkeit aufwies. Aufgrund von Matrixeffekten ergaben sich fuer eine Vielzahl der untersuchten Wirkstoffe hohe Messunsicherheiten im Bereich der instrumentellen Bestimmungsgrenzen, weshalb das Verfahren nicht abschliessend validiert werden konnte. (orig.)In the first part of the research project the status of pollution of chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHC) and pesticides in the Elbe catchment area was evaluated with regard to quality objectives and criteria. For CHC for the first time an extensive overview over the contamination of sediments in the Czech and German part of the Elbe including its main tributairies was achieved. For individual compounds regional hot spots were observed. Major inputs to the Elbe river were derived from differences in characteristic compound pattern. Between 1992 and 1995 a downstream transport of contaminated sediments was supposed due to changed concentrations of individual compounds. However no general decrease of contamination was observed. Existing quality objectives were severely exceeded. A broad screening for 76 pesticides was conducted by analysing time series as well as length profiles. Generally the pesticides showed a high temporal and spatial variability. 42 of the 76 compounds were detected above the limits of determination. From these 28 exceeded at least occasinally the drinking water limit. For a number of compounds quality objectives or criteria with regard to aquatic wildlife were exceeded. For the majority of pesticides either quality objectives were not available or the analytical limits of determination were not sufficiently low to allow a defined assessment. As a consequence in the second part of the research project on Ion Trap GC/MS"2 method was developed, which met the required specifity and sensitivity. Due to matrix-induced enhanced responses for a large number of pesticides, high measurement uncertainties were noticed in the ng/L range. For this reason the Ion Trap GC/MS"2 method could not finally be validated. (orig.)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: RN 8908(2000,8,1) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekUmweltbundesamt, Berlin (Germany)DEGerman

Vorkommen und Verhalten organischer und anorganischer Mikroverunreinigungen in der mittleren und unteren Elbe. T. 1 und 2 Abschlussbericht

After development and verification of analytical methods for the identification of organic micropollutants, nonvolatile chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHC), N- and N-containing pesticides, chlorophenols, phthalates, organo-tin compounds as well as selected heavy metals (HM) have systematically been investigated in River Elbe samples. Analyses have been performed mostly in the separated phases water and suspended particulate matter (SPM) due to the fact that especially HCHs and HMs are to a large extent seston bound. The results of our investigations show that the transport of SPM-bound substances occured espisodically. Consequently we recommend changing some BLMP-measuring locations into longterm measuring stations especially in the river mouth and river influenced coastal regionsSIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: RN 8908(93-122) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman

Trennung von Wasserproben in Schwebstoff und Wasser zur Bestimmung organischer Spurenstoffe in Oberflaechengewaessern

SIGLEReprint from Z. Wasser Abwasser Forsch. (1990) v. 23 p. 217-220 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman

Postmortem health and pollution investigation on harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) of the Islands Helgoland and Sylt

Helgoland and Sylt are important centers of tourism in the North Sea. Harbor and grey seals are one reason for the attraction of these islands. However, little is known about these local seal groups. The present post mortem health and pollution study describes a multiparameter investigation of \ufb01ve ill harbor seals which were shot for animal welfare reasons. Firstly, results of pathology and blood investigations support the bad prognosis of survival made in the \ufb01eld. Signs of in\ufb02ammation in organs, malnutrition, a high-stress level, and reduced thyroid activity were found. Secondly, metal and organic contaminants were investigated. Metal pollutants in blood, liver, muscle, and kidney tissue were not elevated. Lead and mercury concentrations showed a decreased level compared to former studies. Additionally, interesting insights were found for several organic contaminants in comparison with other studies. The Helgoland seals may be in\ufb02uenced by the contaminants of the Elbe plume