Spatial Distribution and Ecological Risk Assessment of Residual Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) in South American Marine Environments

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been intensely used and produced in South America. Although they were banned before the year 2000 (excepting endosulfan, which has been recently banned in several countries), OCPs remain detectable in marine environments of this continent, sometimes at risky levels for biota. This manuscript summarizes studies on OCP levels in the air, water, sediment, bivalves, fish, and marine mammals of the South American coasts and open waters over the last 20 years, tackling their spatial distribution and analyzing their associated ecotoxicological risk. Recent Findings: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study integrating all available information on current levels of OCPs in South American marine environments. The 63 researches reviewed studied punctual sites or environmental compartments. Summary: The OCP levels were higher in semi-enclosed environments such as bays and estuaries, close to large cities. In terms of individual OCPs, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its degradation products were more abundant than other OCPs in all the environmental compartments, excepting air, for which the most abundant OCP was endosulfan. Depending on the location and the environmental matrix, hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), heptachlors, mirex, and endosulfans followed DDTs. Aldrin, dieldrin and endrin, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and chlordanes were found at very low levels in most matrices and sites, with some exceptions. Considering their potential ecotoxicological risk, most sites would be safe for biota; however, the levels of some OCPs could damage the structure and function of the communities of several coastal sites in a short or long term, mainly in southeastern Brazil and on the coast of the Argentine Pampas. Moreover, it remains to evaluate many sites potentially contaminated by OCPs.