Assessment of DDT and metabolites in soil and sediment of potentially contaminated areas of Belém, Amazon Region, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of DDT and metabolites in surface soils and soil profiles from two areas containing deposits of obsolete pesticides in Belém, Amazon Region, Brazil. DDT and metabolites were extracted by microwave assisted extraction and analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Concentrations of total DDT in surface soil samples ranged from 64.22 mg kg-1 in area 1 (A1) to 447.84 mg kg-1 in area 2 (A2). Lower levels were found in soil profiles than at the surface (6.21-21.17 mg kg-1 in A1 and 36.13-113.66 mg kg-1 in A2). pp'-DDT, pp'-DDE and pp'-DDD were detected in sediments at levels of 2.01, 0.96 and 0.35 mg kg-1, respectively. The ratio (DDE + DDD)/ΣDDT was low indicating the recent introduction of DDT to the environment in the two study areas, through the volatilization and atmospheric deposition of the obsolete pesticides.