Mechanisms of movement of organochlorine pesticides from soils to cows via forages

• Published in: Journal of dairy science 1993-06, Vol.76 (6), p.1635-1644
• Main Authors: Willett, L. B, O'Donnell, A. F, Durst, H. I, Kurz, M. M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue - chemistry; adipose tissues; Animal Feed - analysis; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cattle; compose organochlore; compuesto organico del cloro; dairy cows; DDT - analysis; Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene - analysis; environmental factors; facteur du milieu; factores ambientales; Female; Food industries; Food toxicology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gramineas; graminee; grasses; grazing; heavy metals; Insecticides - analysis; Insecticides - metabolism; Insecticides - pharmacokinetics; Lactation; lait; leche; lluvia; metal lourd; metales pesados; milk; Milk - chemistry; ohio; organochlorine compounds; pastoreo; paturage; pesticide; pesticides; plaguicidas; pluie; Poaceae - chemistry; pollution du sol; polucion del suelo; procesos de transporte en el suelo; rain; residu; residues; residuos; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil Pollutants - metabolism; Soil Pollutants - pharmacokinetics; soil pollution; soil transport processes; tejido adiposo; tissu adipeux; transport dans le sol; vacas lecheras; vache laitiere; volatilidad; volatilite; volatility
• ISSN: 0022-0302; 1525-3198
• DOI: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(93)77497-4

When cattle were allowed to graze land previously used as orchards, residues of DDE [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene] were detectable in milk fat and adipose tissues. Concentrations of DDE exceeded 0.3 microgram/g at times. Concentrations of DDE in adipose tissue were similar to those in milk fat at the beginning of lactation; residues in first lactation cows were approximately three times higher than in multiparous cows that were grazing similarly. Based on the equation [DDE, microgram/g]milk fat = 0.28 (daily dose, mg).82, consumption of soil was likely not the sole source of residue when soil concentrations of DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane], DDE, and DDD [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] ranged from nondetected to 3.6, 2.1, and.655 microgram/g, respectively. Grass appeared to be the likely source. Four plots were located on three orchard locations and one control location. Grasses in subplots were harvested at 2-, 4-, or 6-wk intervals during the 18-wk study. Grasses were extracted differentially to determine DDT and DDE residues adhering to the plant surface and those associated with plant tissue. Surface residue was not significant. The DDE averaged between 0.01 and 0.11 microgram/g in dry grass tissues. Differences between residues in grasses among plots were associated with soil residue concentrations. Concentrations of DDE were not associated with air or soil temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, or dry biomass harvested. Precipitation increased the volatilization of residues from soil and deposition in 2- and 4-wk grass samples. Volatilization was confirmed by filter paper traps impregnated with ethylene glycol and suspended 15 cm above the soil surface of pasture plots and in the laboratory model studies.