Endosulfan sulfate in carbon-rich soil: quantification and risk assessment implications
摘要
Endosulfan sulfate, an organochlorine pesticide (OCP), has been detected in agricultural fields across India. While the geographic dispersion of endosulfan sulfate in India is linked to health risks, the relationship between endosulfan sulfate levels and soil organic carbon in agricultural soil remains to be clarified. To assess the risks associated with OCPs, 55 soil samples from agricultural, industrial, and residential areas were collected and analyzed. The current study utilized triple quadrupole mass spectrometry gas chromatography to identify the concentrations of OCPs. Data analysis involved box plots, error plots, significance testing, and correlation methods. Health risk assessment was conducted using soil screening levels for agricultural, industrial, and residential areas, along with risk quotient methods. The findings indicated that OCPs were predominantly present in agricultural soil, with significant levels of endrin (98 ng g−1), benzene hexachloride (25 ng g−1), and heptachlor (27 ng g−1) was detected. Additionally, high quantities of metabolites, such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, lindane, β-endosulfan, and aldrin suggest prior exposure of humans to these pesticides in agricultural fields. The present study aimed to quantify the levels of OCPs and investigate their spatial distribution to identify areas with higher pesticide concentrations in the soil. Health risks associated with exposure to OCPs are increasing in agricultural areas of Uttar Pradesh, India, primarily due to ingestion and skin contact.