Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa.
Chemosphere. 2013 Nov;93(8):1494-9. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.07.047. Epub 2013 Aug 20.
Maputaland in northern KwaZulu-Natal is a biodiversity hotspot and host to a number of ecologically important systems, including Lake Sibaya, southern Africa's largest natural freshwater lake. The region is malaria endemic and this study reports the presence of DDT and its metabolites in the sediments of Lake Sibaya that have resulted from the widespread and continued use of DDT in the region. DDT residues (p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, and p,p'-DDE) were detected at all 11 sites sampled, with total concentrations ranging from 0.8 to 123 ng g(-1). Total DDT concentrations at Lake Sibaya represent some of the highest levels reported in South Africa, with most samples exceeding sediment quality guideline values. The findings from this study raise concerns and indicate that urgent further work is needed to investigate the potential for bioaccumulation, which could adversely affect breeding fish, bird, and crocodile populations in the region. While this study represents the first report on DDT contamination in Lake Sibaya, results have important implications for a number of other aquatic ecosystems within the Maputaland ecoregion, as well as the many local people who depend on them.
夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省北部的马普托兰是生物多样性热点地区，也是许多生态重要系统的所在地，包括非洲南部最大的天然淡水湖——锡巴亚湖。该地区疟疾流行，本研究报告称，由于该地区广泛持续使用滴滴涕，导致其在锡巴亚湖底沉积物中存在滴滴涕及其代谢物。在所有 11 个采样点均检测到滴滴涕残留（p,p'-滴滴涕、p,p'-滴滴伊和 p,p'-滴滴滴），总浓度范围为 0.8 至 123ng/g。锡巴亚湖的总滴滴涕浓度是南非报告的最高水平之一，大多数样本超过了沉积物质量指导值。本研究的结果令人担忧，表明迫切需要进一步开展工作，以调查生物累积的可能性，这可能对该地区的繁殖鱼类、鸟类和鳄鱼种群产生不利影响。虽然本研究是关于锡巴亚湖滴滴涕污染的首次报告，但研究结果对马普托兰生态区的许多其他水生态系统以及依赖这些生态系统的许多当地人民具有重要意义。
