{"id":29676,"date":"2021-08-12T00:01:36","date_gmt":"2021-08-12T04:01:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/?p=29676"},"modified":"2021-08-11T10:14:20","modified_gmt":"2021-08-11T14:14:20","slug":"study-identifies-the-presence-of-organochlorine-pesticides-among-south-china-sea-coral-reefs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2021\/08\/study-identifies-the-presence-of-organochlorine-pesticides-among-south-china-sea-coral-reefs\/","title":{"rendered":"Study Identifies the Presence of Organochlorine Pesticides among South China Sea Coral Reefs"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Beyond Pesticides<\/em>, August 12, 2021) A recent study published in\u00a0Chemosphere<\/em><\/a>\u00a0identifies the concentration, consequences, and potential sources of 22 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) among corals in the South China Sea (SCS) for the first time. SCS corals exhibit a higher affinity toward bioaccumulation of OCPs, which are legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under the\u00a0Stockholm Convention<\/a>\u2014a global treaty to eliminate POPs. The study finds the distribution of OCPs in coral tissue matches that of the surrounding oceanic air samples. Hence, atmospheric concentrations of OCPs\u2014influenced by continental air masses\u2014migrate from the atmosphere to seawater through gas exchange.<\/p>\n

Coral reefs are one of the largest ecosystems in the ocean, sustaining marine biodiversity and providing many goods and services. However, living coral populations are rapidly declining due to ocean acidification, oceanic warming, habitat destruction, and pollution from human activity across the globe. From\u00a0rare corals<\/a>\u00a0off the coast of Florida to\u00a0well-established hard corals<\/a>\u00a0in the Great Barrier Reef, these communal organisms are sensitive to various environmental stressors that threaten biodiversity. Although several\u00a0studies<\/a>\u00a0demonstrate the volatile, toxic nature of POPs, much less research evaluates the impact POPs have on biodiversity over time. The globe is currently going through the\u00a0Holocene Extinction<\/a>, Earth\u2019s 6th mass extinction, with one million species of plants and animals at risk. With the increasing rate of biodiversity loss, advocates say it is essential for government agencies to research how previous and ongoing use of POPs can impact present-day species. Likewise, collaborative, global monitoring of POPs can help leaders identify the effect on vulnerable species of the chemicals\u2019 long-range transport and the most effective unified global strategy. The researchers note, \u201cUnderstanding the dynamics of air-seawater exchange and the within-ocean processing of POPs in the SCS is critical to obtain better insight into their global fate and behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n

Researchers investigated the occurrence, taxonomic profiles, and geographical distribution of organochlorine pesticides in coral tissue. They compared results to ambient air and seawater OCP distribution\/concentration from the South China Sea. Target chemicals included 22 OCPs: six DDT compounds, four hexachlorocyclohexane compounds (HCHs), five chlordane compounds (CHLs), heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide A and B, two endosulfans (ENDOs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB),\u00a0p<\/em>,p<\/em>\u2032-methoxychlor (MXC), and three Drins (aldrin, endrin, and dieldrin). Using gas chromatography-tandem, researchers measured OCP concentration in SCS coral tissue, air, and water samples.<\/p>\n

The study results indicate 17 of the 22 OCPs are detectable in seawater, and all 22 OCPs are detectable in ambient air samples from the SCS. The most prominent chemicals amid air and water samples are CHLs, HCBs, DDTs, and Drins. Although coastal corals have higher chemical concentrations than offshore species, the chemical composition is similar, with DDT and CHL\u00a0 compounds dominant among tissue samples. Researchers attribute the difference in OCP concentration among coastal and offshore corals to oceanic currents and storms influencing pollution distribution.<\/p>\n

Long-range atmospheric transport and condensation are significant contributors to the global contamination of environmental pollutants like OCPs. Most concerning are the persistent properties of OCPs that allow these substances to remain in the environment long after use. Some of these long-lived chemicals include regionally\u00a0banned pesticides<\/a>\u00a0that are highly toxic to humans and animals: DDT, heptachlor, and lindane. These pesticides cause various adverse effects, from respiratory issues, nervous system disorders, and birth deformities to various common and uncommon cancers. Although some, but not all, manufacturing and use of specific OCPs have declined in the U.S., OCPs remain a global issue, as much of the developing world still report usage. Continued manufacturing and utilization of OCPs increase the probability of long-range transport of these chemicals and their deposition across the globe via precipitation. However, OCPs still mobilize and accumulate in regions void of industrial or agricultural activities, like glacier tops and remote territories.\u00a0Arctic snowmelt threatens to re-release chemicals<\/a>\u00a0entrapped in ice, further contributing to toxic chemical transportation and passive pesticide exposure globally. The glacial melting caused by the climate crisis will only add to atmospheric and waterway contamination. The release of volatile OCPs will enter waterways at the same concentration levels as before ice entrapment, even after several decades.<\/p>\n

Pesticide contamination is already a global issue. Clean air, water, and healthy soils are integral to ecosystem function to support life. However, toxic pesticide residues readily contaminate all ecosystems, frequently existing in\u00a0soils<\/a>, water (solid<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0liquid<\/a>), and the surrounding\u00a0air<\/a>\u00a0at levels\u00a0exceeding<\/a>\u00a0U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set standards. Scientific literature demonstrates pesticides\u2019 long history of adverse effects on the environment, including\u00a0wildlife<\/a>,\u00a0biodiversity<\/a>, and\u00a0human health<\/a>. Pesticides can present acute and long-term health impacts worldwide, especially to farmers,\u00a044 percent<\/a>\u00a0of whom experience pesticide poisoning every year. Furthermore, a\u00a0recent study<\/a>\u00a0discovered DDT metabolite (DDE\u2019) residues are detectable in residents of Chicago who consume more glasses of tap water per day. Therefore, the ubiquitous nature of pesticides impacting all ecosystems and the health of their inhabitants is a cause of concern for future human, animal, and environmental well-being.<\/p>\n

Although this study is the first to identify organochlorine pesticides in corals specific to the South China Sea, numerous studies identify risks to coral reef habitats from chemical pollution. In\u00a0March 2020, coverage<\/a>\u00a0of a report by the Australian government showed that agricultural pesticides are severely damaging the Great Barrier Reef. A\u00a0University of Queensland study<\/a>\u00a0finds pesticide mixtures discharging from rivers and streams contaminate the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon, with 99.8 percent of samples containing up to 20 different pesticide compounds. Moreover, the combined impact, or synergism, between pesticides and warmer oceanic temperatures puts\u00a0coral reef fish<\/a>\u00a0at a greater risk of adverse health effects, including endocrine disruption. The discovery of such intensive penetration of pesticides among coral reefs adds to the growing record of damage on these marine ecosystems.<\/p>\n

Overall, OCP concentrations are declining in the South China Sea as many nations ban organochlorine compounds, yet chemical concentrations remain highest in corals near continental areas. The study identifies various routes of OCP exposure among corals, including dietary uptake and\u00a0partitioning behavior<\/a>\u00a0or absorption. Isomer ratios reveal that most OCP contamination stems from the current use of technical chlordane (termiticide) and historical uses of other OCPs. Previous records indicate air and sediments from China, Vietnam, and Pakistan contain inputs of chlordane and DDTs. However, researchers find higher levels of DDT among the coral population relative to chlordane, due to the extensive use of the chemical in counties around the South China Sea. India and Vietnam permit the use of DDT to control mosquitoes under the Stockholm Convention. Furthermore, high temperatures and chemical volatility play a role in organochlorine pesticide availability as primarily gas residues rather than particles in the SCS. Thus, researchers determine that atmospheric deposition of OCPs is a main route of contamination among corals in the SCS. The study concludes, \u201cThe present study provides baseline data for future studies of OCPs in CRRs. Nevertheless, studies linking pollution monitoring and\u00a0ecotoxicology<\/a>\u00a0are needed to assess the potential environmental effect of OCPs on corals in future studies. Additionally, analyzing the level of OCPs on a larger temporal-spatial scale is needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chemical contamination is ubiquitous in marine environments. Consequently, it is essential to understand the impacts of interactions with other environmental pollutants, especially in contaminated ecosystems like waterways. Furthermore, climate crisis implications like\u00a0melting glaciers<\/a>\u00a0present a new concern over the high levels of chemical concentrations in the oceans from DDT, its metabolites, and other persistent organic pollutants, trapped in ice. Therefore, to\u00a0protect the nation\u2019s and world\u2019s waterways<\/a>\u00a0and reduce the number of pesticides that make their way into drinking water, toxic pesticide use must end.<\/p>\n

Beyond Pesticides has long advocated for federal\u00a0regulation that considers potential synergistic and additive threats<\/a>\u00a0to ecosystems and organisms. Replacing pesticides with\u00a0organic, nontoxic alternatives<\/a>\u00a0is crucial for safeguarding public health, particularly communities vulnerable to pesticide toxicity. Learn more about pesticide hazards and their impact on wildlife through\u00a0Beyond Pesticides\u2019 wildlife program page<\/a>. For more information about pesticide contamination in water, see the\u00a0Threatened Waters<\/a>\u00a0program page and Beyond Pesticides\u2019 article\u00a0Pesticides in My Drinking Water? Individual Precautionary Measures and Community Action<\/a>.<\/p>\n

All unattributed positions and opinions in this piece are those of Beyond Pesticides.<\/em><\/p>\n

Source:\u00a0Chemosphere<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Beyond Pesticides, August 12, 2021) A recent study published in\u00a0Chemosphere\u00a0identifies the concentration, consequences, and potential sources of 22 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) among corals in the South China Sea (SCS) for the first time. SCS corals exhibit a higher affinity toward bioaccumulation of OCPs, which are legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under the\u00a0Stockholm Convention\u2014a global treaty to eliminate POPs. The study finds the distribution of OCPs in coral tissue matches that of the surrounding oceanic air samples. Hence, atmospheric concentrations of OCPs\u2014influenced by continental air masses\u2014migrate from the atmosphere to seawater through gas exchange. Coral reefs are one of the largest ecosystems in the ocean, sustaining marine biodiversity and providing many goods and services. However, living coral populations are rapidly declining due to ocean acidification, oceanic warming, habitat destruction, and pollution from human activity across the globe. From\u00a0rare corals\u00a0off the coast of Florida to\u00a0well-established hard corals\u00a0in the Great Barrier Reef, these communal organisms are sensitive to various environmental stressors that threaten biodiversity. Although several\u00a0studies\u00a0demonstrate the volatile, toxic nature of POPs, much less research evaluates the impact POPs have on biodiversity over time. The globe is currently going through the\u00a0Holocene Extinction, Earth\u2019s 6th mass extinction, with one million species of plants and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":29679,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29676","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nStudy Identifies the Presence of Organochlorine Pesticides among South China Sea Coral Reefs - Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2021\/08\/study-identifies-the-presence-of-organochlorine-pesticides-among-south-china-sea-coral-reefs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Study Identifies the Presence of Organochlorine Pesticides among South China Sea Coral Reefs - Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"(Beyond Pesticides, August 12, 2021) A recent study published in\u00a0Chemosphere\u00a0identifies the concentration, consequences, and potential sources of 22 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) among corals in the South China Sea (SCS) for the first time. SCS corals exhibit a higher affinity toward bioaccumulation of OCPs, which are legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under the\u00a0Stockholm Convention\u2014a global treaty to eliminate POPs. The study finds the distribution of OCPs in coral tissue matches that of the surrounding oceanic air samples. Hence, atmospheric concentrations of OCPs\u2014influenced by continental air masses\u2014migrate from the atmosphere to seawater through gas exchange. Coral reefs are one of the largest ecosystems in the ocean, sustaining marine biodiversity and providing many goods and services. However, living coral populations are rapidly declining due to ocean acidification, oceanic warming, habitat destruction, and pollution from human activity across the globe. From\u00a0rare corals\u00a0off the coast of Florida to\u00a0well-established hard corals\u00a0in the Great Barrier Reef, these communal organisms are sensitive to various environmental stressors that threaten biodiversity. Although several\u00a0studies\u00a0demonstrate the volatile, toxic nature of POPs, much less research evaluates the impact POPs have on biodiversity over time. 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SCS corals exhibit a higher affinity toward bioaccumulation of OCPs, which are legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under the\u00a0Stockholm Convention\u2014a global treaty to eliminate POPs. The study finds the distribution of OCPs in coral tissue matches that of the surrounding oceanic air samples. Hence, atmospheric concentrations of OCPs\u2014influenced by continental air masses\u2014migrate from the atmosphere to seawater through gas exchange. Coral reefs are one of the largest ecosystems in the ocean, sustaining marine biodiversity and providing many goods and services. However, living coral populations are rapidly declining due to ocean acidification, oceanic warming, habitat destruction, and pollution from human activity across the globe. From\u00a0rare corals\u00a0off the coast of Florida to\u00a0well-established hard corals\u00a0in the Great Barrier Reef, these communal organisms are sensitive to various environmental stressors that threaten biodiversity. Although several\u00a0studies\u00a0demonstrate the volatile, toxic nature of POPs, much less research evaluates the impact POPs have on biodiversity over time. The globe is currently going through the\u00a0Holocene Extinction, Earth\u2019s 6th mass extinction, with one million species of plants and […]","og_url":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2021\/08\/study-identifies-the-presence-of-organochlorine-pesticides-among-south-china-sea-coral-reefs\/","og_site_name":"Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/beyondpesticides","article_author":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/beyondpesticides\/","article_published_time":"2021-08-12T04:01:36+00:00","og_image":[{"width":620,"height":320,"url":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/coral-1.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Beyond Pesticides","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@ByondPesticides","twitter_site":"@ByondPesticides","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Beyond Pesticides","Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2021\/08\/study-identifies-the-presence-of-organochlorine-pesticides-among-south-china-sea-coral-reefs\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2021\/08\/study-identifies-the-presence-of-organochlorine-pesticides-among-south-china-sea-coral-reefs\/"},"author":{"name":"Beyond Pesticides","@id":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/#\/schema\/person\/1b5c0a0981b549cc5b628770073031f4"},"headline":"Study Identifies the Presence of Organochlorine Pesticides among South China Sea Coral Reefs","datePublished":"2021-08-12T04:01:36+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2021\/08\/study-identifies-the-presence-of-organochlorine-pesticides-among-south-china-sea-coral-reefs\/"},"wordCount":1361,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2021\/08\/study-identifies-the-presence-of-organochlorine-pesticides-among-south-china-sea-coral-reefs\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/coral-1.png","inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2021\/08\/study-identifies-the-presence-of-organochlorine-pesticides-among-south-china-sea-coral-reefs\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2021\/08\/study-identifies-the-presence-of-organochlorine-pesticides-among-south-china-sea-coral-reefs\/","url":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2021\/08\/study-identifies-the-presence-of-organochlorine-pesticides-among-south-china-sea-coral-reefs\/","name":"Study Identifies the Presence of Organochlorine Pesticides among South China Sea Coral Reefs - 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