The comparative danger of chemical weapons and organophosphorus pesticides for aquatic ecosystem health

摘要

Among many xenobiotics entering aqueous media, different organophorphorus and carbamates compounds are, of particular hazard, due to their high toxicity and selective action. Being wide spread environmental contaminants, the anticholinesterase (antiChE) compounds are probably the most toxic man-made chemicals. Many compounds of this class are used as pesticides, drugs and chemical weapons. Currently, dozens of pesticides (organophosphates and carbamates) capable of polluting the aqueous media through runoff from agricultural lands or as a result of chemical industry accidents are produced. The forthcoming destruction of chemical weapons, among which a major part are antiChE compounds (sarin, soman, Vx), can also lead to water pollution. Although the stability of these substances in water is not high (for example, when compared to organochlorine compounds), certain xenobiotics of this class are highly toxic in humans, animals and particularly for hydrobionts).