Abstract

The present study examines the concentration levels of seven organophosphate esters (OPEs) and nine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cicadas and the influence factors of their habitats on the contamination of cicadas. Adult cicadas, nymphal exoskeletons, soils, and saps were sampled in Japan. The total concentrations of seven OPEs and nine PAHs for the adult cicadas ranged from 107 to 8940 ng/g-dw and from 58.9 to 1580 ng/g-dw, respectively. Some OPEs and PAHs were detected in heads, thoraxes, and abdomens of the adult cicadas. The concentrations were higher in the heads than in the other parts. The relationship between OPEs and PAHs in soils and those in cicadas was considerably positive. For some OPEs and PAHs, the concentrations in the saps tend to be higher as those in the cicadas increase. These tendencies indicate that cicadas intake OPEs and PAHs from soils and saps contaminated with these pollutants. The concentrations of OPEs and PAHs tend to increase with those in the atmospheric depositions. This probably shows that OPEs and PAHs in atmospheric depositions pollute soils, and cicadas intake the pollutants from the contaminated soils and saps.

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