Résumé : During the years 1972-1993, kepone a persistent pesticide has been used in the banana fields of the French West Indies (Martinique and Guadeloupe) to content a weevil. A slow desorption of the molecule from soil induces its transfer to the sea through the rivers from leaching and erosion. This study intended to take stock on the contamination by kepone of the fishery species around the islands fifteen years after the kepone ban. Furthermore other chemical pollutants were sought in fish and shellfish around the Martinique island. The results confirmed persistence of marine fauna contamination by kepone, mainly in the alluvium areas in front of polluted rivers. They shown also that this contamination may spread more widely but with fast decreasing through the marine food webs. For the other pollutants sought, the results were in general lower than the statutory values. Within these substances, only mercury gave a signal close to the prescribed threshold for top predator samples. Finally, on the whole the observed systems appeared preserved from human chemical pollutants, apart from kepone.
Pendant les années 1972-1993 un pesticide persistant, la chlordécone, a été utilisé dans les bananeraies des Antilles françaises (Martinique et Guadeloupe) pour lutter contre un charançon. Une désorption lente de la molécule fixée dans les sols conduit à son transfert progressif dans les milieux aquatiques puis vers le domaine marin au gré du lessivage et de l'érosion des sols contaminés. La présente étude visait à faire le point sur la contamination de la faune halieutique côtière des Antilles françaises quinze ans après l'interdiction d'usage de la molécule. En parallèle, une recherche systématique d'autres polluants chimiques a été effectuée sur des poissons et des crustacés ainsi que dans des sédiments autour de la Martinique. Les résultats confirment la persistance d'une contamination de la faune par la chlordécone, particulièrement dans les zones alluvionnaires des cours d'eau contaminés. Ils montrent également que cette contamination diffuse plus largement en s'atténuant, à travers les réseaux trophiques marins. Parmi les autres substances recherchées, les résultats dans les espèces d'intérêt halieutique se situent en général sous les concentrations maximales admissibles fixées par la réglementation. Parmi ces molécules, seul le mercure donne un signal de contamination proche de ce seuil chez des grands prédateurs. Ce constat souligne l'état de préservation des milieux observés vis-à-vis de la contamination chimique environnementale, hormis bien évidemment le cas de la chlordécone.

Droits : 2010 Onema / Ifremer
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2009/rapport-6896.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/6896/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : In January and February 2002, the presence of certain agricultural pesticides throughout the coastline of the Caribbean island of Martinique was investigated. The tropical climate of the French West Indies is suitable for banana production, which requires intensive use of pesticides. An inventory of all pesticides used on the island (compounds and tonnage) was compiled. Surveys and analyses revealed the presence of pesticides in the plumes of seven rivers. The organochlorine chlordecone and metabolites of aldicarb were detected at nearly all of the monitored sites, even though the use of chlordecone has been prohibited since 1993. Two triazines (ametryn and simazine) were also identified. The concentrations of carbamates and triazines detected in the water and sediment samples from Martinique are comparable to those reported for mainland France. Chlordecone concentrations in the sediment and particulate matter samples were, however, particularly high in the samples from Martinique. Toxicological implications are discussed. Of particular concern are the high levels of chlordecone (which is bioaccumulating and carcinogenic) and further monitoring of this compound is recommended, especially in fish and other sea-food products.
Marine Pollution Bulletin (0025-326X) (Elsevier), 2005-07 , Vol. 51 , N. 5-7 , P. 612-619

Droits : 2005 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2005/publication-879.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2005.06.026
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/879/

Éditeur(s) : EDP Sciences
Résumé : Martinique is a French overseas department whose economy relies heavily on agriculture. Organochlorine pesticides, mainly chlordecone, were used for banana cultivation to eradicate banana weevil over a period of 40 years. Chlordecone is chemically stable,and has a strong affinity for fatty tissues. It is therefore able to bioaccumulate in animals and thereby represent a threat to ecosystems and man. Soils from banana plantations in Martinique are heavily contaminated with chlordecone. Possible transfer of these molecules from agricultural watersheds to the aquatic environment and the organisms that live in it is feared. The hypothesis that ecosystems of Martinique might be highly contaminated with this organochlorine pesticide was investigated. Chlordecone levels were measured in various freshwater and marine species. Data show a heavy contamination of many carnivorous and detritivorous species (fish and prawns). Concentrations measured in wild or farmed tilapia are among the highest ever reported in the literature. Some coastal species (fish and lobster) were also found to be contaminated, although to a lesser extent. Given the biogeochemical behavior of chlordecone, the most likely route of contamination is food. Detected concentrations in marine organisms are below the tolerated limits established by authorities. however. the impact of other sources of exposure, namely, contaminated water and root vegetables, remains to be investigated.
Aquatic Living Resources (0990-7440) (EDP Sciences), 2006-04 , Vol. 19 , N. 2 , P. 181-187

Droits : EDP Sciences, IFREMER, IRD 2006
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2006/publication-1662.pdf
DOI:10.1051/alr:2006016
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/1662/

Éditeur(s) : Communication, ICES Conference and Meeting (CM), 2010, Nantes
Résumé : Chlordecone is a very persistent insecticide used in banana plantations of the French West Indies between 1972 and 1993. Chlordecone residues were found in inland water, in agricultural and freshwater products, and in marine organisms. This pollution has become of great concern in 2007. Therefore, a governmental action Plan was launched to better assess the pollution and to improve the consumer’s protection. Within this plan, 1048 samples from 69 different species of marine fishes and crustaceans were collected all around both the Guadeloupe and the Martinique Islands and analyzed. The results confirm the presence of chlordecone in marine organisms, with highly variable concentrations (from the detection limit to 1000 μg.kg-1). In 17.9 % of the samples, concentrations exceeded 20 μg.kg-1, the maximum acceptable level in fish according to the French regulation (Anon, 2008). Two main features of this contamination were characterized. 1) Because of the sedimentation of contaminated suspended soil particles, the sheltered bays are more exposed to chlordecone than the open coast where terrigenous flux are dispersed. 2) Species biology, particularly their lifestyle and diet, appear to influence contamination levels. Thus, the more contaminated species live in relation with sediment or are at high trophic level. These results have directly supported political decisions in order to prevent too high exposure of consumers to chlordecone. Fishing activities in sheltered bays have been forbidden for potentially highly contaminated species like benthic crustaceans and top predators. Further studies are under way to assess the importance of the trophic transport of chlordecone within the foodweb, and to evaluate the historical deposition of this insecticide in sediment and its further bioavailability.

Droits : 2010 ICES/CIEM ; Ifremer
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00014/12511/9361.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00014/12511/

Résumé : This study contributes to inventory programme on emerging pollutants in French waters and to the general reflection which will enable to update the list of relevant substnaces to be included in the new monitoring programmes to come. This work concerns the coastal part of the inventory programme on marine waters and sediments of France and five overseas french departments (OFD). In this goal, passive sampling techniques and direct extraction techniques have been tested through the implementation of in situ systems integrators POCIS (Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler) and the extraction by SBSE bars (Stir bar sorptive extraction) directly in the waters sampled. Finally, analyzes of sediment completed the acquisition of data. Arount 40 stations were sampled for shore waters and sediments were collected from 7 stations in France and 5 stations in the OFD (one station/OFD). In analytical terms, 1054 analyzes were carried out on POCIS membranes and only 64 data exceeded the limit of detection (LD), 12726 analyzes came from SBSE extractions and 304 were above the LD and 1536 analyzes in sediment showed that 237 data were above the limit of quantification (LQ). Finally, 169 different substances were investigated and 68 of them were detected at least once in water or sediment. The lack of replicates for POCIS analyzes and those in the sediment limited the statistical treatment of data. The results were used to determine the level of contamination, the detection frequency (FD), the distribution of substances between France and OFD, the comparison with environmental thresholds (the PNEC) and the origin/use of the substances. In littoral waters, 32 substances were identified and 19 were quantified. In the sediment, 47 substances were quantified. Nine substances were detected in both water and sediment. In France, the 15 substances that were quantified at higher frequencies (> 50 %, one out of 2 sites) were quantified in sediments. These are the congeners of PAHs (11 substances), organic forms of tin (2 substances), diethyl lead and 209 PBDE congener. In the OFD, the 22 substances that were quantified at higher frequencies (> 50 %, one out of 2 sites) were measured in sediments. These are congeners of PAHs (13 substances) , alkylphenols ( 3 molecules: the mono and diethoxyate nonylphenol and the 4-ter butylphenol ), the organic forms of tin (2 substances), products of metabolism insecticide DDT ( 2 products), diethyl lead and the 209 PBDE congener. The study of the highest concentrations distribution of substances between France and OFD shows that the 5 (among 19 molecules) highest concentrations in water and the 6 (among 47 molecules) highest concentrations in sediments are found in OFD. Reference to PNEC indicates that four pesticides in water and 11 different substances in sediments exceed the environmental thresholds. Substances with highest detection frequency are found in the sediment. The distribution of data by use or nature of the substance shows that plasticizers and pesticides predominate in raw water, both in France and overseas departments while PAHs in sediments dominate in France and in OFD.
Cette étude contribue au programme d’inventaire des substances chimiques émergentes dans les eaux françaises et à la réflexion qui doit permettre d’actualiser la liste des substances pertinentes à surveiller de manière régulière dans le cadre des nouveaux programmes de surveillance. Ce travail concerne la partie littorale de l’inventaire, sur les eaux brutes et les sédiments de la métropole et des 5 DOM. Dans ce cadre, des techniques d’échantillonnage passif (EP) et d’extraction directe ont été testées grâce à la mise en place in situ de systèmes intégrateurs POCIS (Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler) et à l’extraction par des barres SBSE (Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction) directement dans les eaux échantillonnées. Enfin des analyses de sédiments ont complété l’acquisition des données. L’eau d’une quarantaine de stations a été échantillonnée et des sédiments ont été prélevés sur 7 stations en métropole et dans 5 stations dans les DOM (une station par DOM). En termes analytiques, 1054 analyses ont été réalisées sur les membranes POCIS et 64 dépassaient la limite de détection (LD), 12726 analyses ont concerné les extractions par SBSE pour 304 résultats situés au dessus de la LD et 1536 analyses effectuées dans le sédiment ont donné 237 valeurs supérieures à la limite de quantification (LQ). Au bilan 169 substances différentes ont été recherchées et 68 d’entre elles ont été détectées au moins une fois dans l’eau brute ou le sédiment. L’absence de réplicats pour les analyses POCIS et celles dans le sédiment a limité le traitement statistique des données. Les résultats ont permis de déterminer le niveau de contamination, la fréquence de détection (FD), la distribution métropole/DOM des substances, la comparaison avec les seuils environnementaux (PNEC) et l’origine des substances. Dans l’eau 32 substances ont été identifiées et 19 ont été quantifiées. Dans le sédiment 47 substances sont quantifiées .Neuf substances sont détectées à la fois dans l’eau et le sédiment. En métropole, les 15 substances quantifiées aux plus hautes fréquences (> 50%, soit un site sur 2) sont quantifiées dans les sédiments. Ce sont les congénères de la famille des HAP (11 substances), des formes organiques de l’étain (2 substances), le plomb diéthyle et le congénère 209 des PBDE. Dans les DOM, les 22 substances quantifiées aux plus hautes fréquences (> 50%, soit un site sur 2) sont mesurées dans les sédiments. Ce sont des congénères de la famille des HAP dans (13 substances), des alkylphénols (3 substances : nonylphénols mono et diéthoxylés et 4-ter butylphénol), des formes organiques de l’étain (2 substances), des produits de métabolisation de l’insecticide DDT (2 produits), du plomb diéthyle et du congénère 209 des PBDE. L’étude de la répartition des plus fortes concentrations entre la métropole et les DOM montre que les 5 (sur 19) concentrations les plus élevées mesurées dans l’eau et les 6 (sur 47) plus fortes concentrations mesurées dans les sédiments sont trouvées dans les DOM. Les substances mesurées aux fortes fréquences sont observées dans le sédiment. La référence à la PNEC indique le dépassement de la norme pour 4 pesticides dans l’eau brute et 11 substances diverses dans les sédiments. L’exploitation des données par usage ou nature des substances montre que les plastifiants et les pesticides sont majoritaires dans les eaux brutes, à la fois en métropole et dans les DOM alors que ce sont les HAP qui dominent dans les sédiments, en métropole et dans les DOM.

Droits : 2014 ONEMA, Ifremer
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00259/36994/35483.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00259/36994/