Downloaded by 80.82.77.83 on May 27, 2018 | https://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: June 1, 1972 | doi: 10.1021/ba-1972-0111.pr001
PREFACE
Much concern has recently been expressed about the introduction and subsequent distribution of organic pesticides throughout man's environment. Some of this concern is real and genuine as it is based upon scientific evidence. However, much of the concern is based upon emotional hysteria and scientific demagogy. If restrictions or bans should be placed upon the organic pesticide, then the decision should be based upon scientific evidence and not upon emotional speculation. This symposium examines the fate of organic pesticides in one of man's environments—i.e., the aquatic environment. Hopefully, some insight may be derived into the occurrence and distribution of organic pesticides throughout various natural aqueous systems so that an evaluation of environmental hazards or damage may be made. The organic pesticide and/or a derivative probably entered natural aquatic environments concurrently with the development of the first manufacturing process. No doubt there was a waste disposal problem which led to a discharge into a river or some other body of water. Some evidence that potable, recreational, irrigational,fish,and shellfish waters were contaminated with pesticides began to appear in the literature about 1945. However, much of the early evidence was largely circumstantial as observed from physiological responses of aquatic organisms. More recently, the advent of chromatographic separation procedures and of such confirmatory procedures as nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry has led to the positive identification of organic pesticides in aquatic environments and in the attendant solid phases of bottom sediments. The presence of a contaminant in any environment poses several questions. How was the contaminant introduced into the environment? How may its occurrence be recovered and confirmed? How is the contaminant distributed and transported throughout the environment? What is the stability of the contaminant toward the natural chemical and biological forces that would provide the opportunity for degradation? If degradation occurs, then is it complete or partial? If partial, then what are the metabolites and what is their effect on the environment? This symposium was given the title of "Fate of Organic Pesticides in Aquatic Environments." Admittedly, the word "fate" suggests the large and difficult task of following the organic pesticide and their mevii
Faust; Fate of Organic Pesticides in the Aquatic Environment Advances in Chemistry; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1972.
Downloaded by 80.82.77.83 on May 27, 2018 | https://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: June 1, 1972 | doi: 10.1021/ba-1972-0111.pr001
tabolites into every nook and cranny of the various aquatic environments. This is not the intent of the symposium as the chapters in this book testify. It is, however, the intent to gather together some scientific evidence on the distribution and stability of organic pesticides in aquatic environments. Four major topics are covered (a) occurrence, recovery, and identification, (b) distribution and transport mechanisms, (c) stability and metabolites from chemical systems, and (d) stability and metabolites from biological systems. Thefirstarea stresses the problems of sampling, recovering, and confirming the occurrence of organic pesticides in aquatic environments. It is imperative that irrevocable evidence must be obtained before an indictment is imposed. The second topic area examines some of the mechanisms responsible for the distribution and transport of organic pesticides through aquatic environments. The mobility question is explored. The third topic area indicates the stability of organic pesticides toward such chemical degradative agents as ultraviolet radiation, inorganic oxidants, and hydrolysis. The occurrence of metabolites is stressed here. The fourth topic area examines biological systems for the accumulation and/or degradation of organic pesticides. The accumulative aspects were stressed here. SAMUEL D. FAUST Department of Environmental Sciences Rutgers, The State University New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903 May, 1972
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Faust; Fate of Organic Pesticides in the Aquatic Environment Advances in Chemistry; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1972.
