Studies on degradation of 14C-DDT in the marine environment

Chemosphere. 1999 Sep;39(6):959-68. doi: 10.1016/s0045-6535(99)00027-2.

Abstract

Degradation of 14C-DDT was studied in a marine ecosystem for 60 days and in marine sediments under moist and flooded conditions using a continuous flow system for a period of 130 days. 14C-DDT residues were recovered in sediments of the marine ecosystem at uniform level of 60-65% of the applied 14C-activity throughout the incubation period. DDD was a major metabolite in sediments while DDMU was a major metabolite in clams. Clams brought about substantial degradation of DDT. However, 14C-residues recovered form clams are not suggestive of significant bioaccumulation. In the continuous flow experiment, under both moist and flooded conditions, DDT underwent degradation and about 22% of the applied 14C-activity was recovered as volatiles under both conditions. In sediments, extractable 14C-residues accounted for about 30 and 19% under moist and flooded conditions, respectively. DDT was the major compound in extractable residues as identified by TLC-autoradiographic procedures. More bound residues were formed under flooded than under moist conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Bivalvia / metabolism
  • Carbon Radioisotopes
  • DDT / metabolism*
  • Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / analogs & derivatives
  • Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / metabolism
  • Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane / metabolism
  • Ecosystem*
  • Eukaryota / metabolism
  • Geologic Sediments*
  • Insecticides / metabolism
  • Pesticide Residues / metabolism
  • Seawater*

Substances

  • Carbon Radioisotopes
  • Insecticides
  • Pesticide Residues
  • Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene
  • DDT
  • Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane