Correction:Making the Complicated Simple:A Minimizing Carrier Strategy on Innovative Nanopesticides

The Nano-Micro Letters(2024)16:193,article by Shangguan et al.,entitled“Making the Complicated Simple:A Minimizing Carrier Strategy on Innovative Nanopesticides”(Nano-Micro Lett.https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01413-5),was published online on 14 May,2024,with errors.The structural formulas and captions of the three acyl chlorides in Fig.3A were wrong.They should be as shown below.

Evaluation of Agricultural Contamination Level by Heavy Metals and Pesticides in Sediments of Rivers and Water Bodies for Shrimp Fishing in the Lower Ouémé: Case of the Aguigadji, Ahlan and Sele Stations in Benin

This study assessed sediment contamination by heavy metals and pesticide active ingredients linked to chemical inputs used in agricultural activities in the lower Ouémé. Pesticide residues from the organochlorine, pyrethroid and organophosphorus families were investigated by gas chromatography, and heavy metals (Cd, Pb, As, Ni, Zn, Fe, Mg, Cr and Hg) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The metallic pollution indices, the contamination factor (CF) and the ecological risk index were calculated. The results revealed 8 active ingredients in the rainy season and 9 in the dry season. Glyphosate was the active ingredient with the highest concentration at all stations, 9.65 ± 0.84 mg/kg recorded in the dry season at the Aguigadji station. All glyphosate values were above the EQS. DDT, Atrazine and Endosulfan also showed high concentrations in the dry and rainy seasons. Emamectin, Abamectin and Lambda Cyhalothrin also showed high concentrations in the dry season at Aguigadji, Ahlan and Sele. Only glyphosate was recorded at the control station (Toho), but in very low concentrations. Lead showed the highest concentrations at all the stations, 265.96 ± 21.02 mg/Kg in the rainy season and 255.38 ± 79.09 mg/Kg in the dry season, all detected at the Aguigadji station and above the EQS. Zn, Ni, Fe, Cu and Cr were all representative in both the dry and rainy seasons at the contaminated stations. Manganese showed high concentrations in the rainy season. Pb showed very high contamination (FC ≥ 6) at the Aguigadji and Ahlan stations and significant contamination (3 ≤ FC 6) at the Sele station in both the rainy and dry seasons. Ni, Hg and Cd, showed either moderate or significant contamination at the contaminated stations. The risk values showed a considerable ecological Ri (190 ≤ Ri < 380) in the rainy season and a moderate ecological Ri (95 ≤ Ri < 190) in the dry season at these contaminated stations.

Agricultural Contamination of the Surface Waters of the Upper Ouémé in Benin: The Case of Heavy Metals and Pesticides

Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the degree of contamination of surface waters by heavy metals and pesticides. Method: To this end, data were collected in December 2022 from four specific sampling stations: Okpara, Térou, Affon and Adjiro. Levels of heavy metals, including cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, nickel and lead, were measured and subjected to in-depth statistical analysis using graphical summation models. In addition, the concentrations of pesticide active ingredients present in the samples were interpreted and evaluated. The statistical data collected during this study were processed using R software, version 3.5.0. Results: The values obtained at the different stations Okpara, Térou, Affon and Adjiro are respectively Arsenic (2 × 10-4 mg/L;2.2 × 10-1 mg/L;1.2 × 10-4 mg/L;2 × 10-4 mg/L), Cadmium (4.4 × 10-5 mg/L;1.1 × 10-2 mg/L;10-4 mg/L;4 × 10-4 mg/L). Then Copper (7 × 10-4 mg/L;3 × 10-3 mg/L;7 × 10-4 mg/L;1 × 10-4 mg/L), Iron (1.51 mg/L;6.4 × 10-1 mg/L;2.0012 mg/L;2.9 × 10-1 mg/L), Lead (0 mg/L;0 mg/L;1.5 × 10-3 mg/L;1.5 × 10-3 mg/L). Mercury, nickel and chromium were not detected in surface waters. It is important to note that the values obtained for trace metals (Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Mercury, nickel and chromium were not detected in surface waters. It is important to note that the values obtained for trace metals (cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, nickel and lead) were all below the guideline standards set by the WHO in 2006 for uncontaminated surface waters. This indicates that the surface waters of the Upper Ouémé were below acceptable contamination thresholds in terms of heavy metals. However, the presence of pesticide active ingredients such as cyfluthrin, endosulfan-alpha, endosulfan-beta, profenosfos, tihan, atrazine, gala super and glycel clearly indicates that these surface waters are subject to agricultural contamination.

Sensitivity of Commercial Enzyme Inhibition Colorimetric Pesticide Residue Rapid Test Kit to a Variety of Pesticides

[Objectives]To fully understand the quality of commercial enzyme inhibition-colorimetric pesticide residue rapid detection kits,so that they can play a greater role in the detection and supervision of agricultural products.[Methods]The sensitivity of 28 kinds of pesticides was determined by using the commercially available enzyme inhibition colorimetric rapid detection kit with Hendu brand.[Results]There was a significant difference in the sensitivity of the kit to each pesticide,and the kit was more sensitive to dichlorvos among the 28 pesticides tested.The sensitivity to methyl isosalifos,dimethoate,isocarbophos,fenthion and phorate was poor,and the sensitivity to quinalphos was different between 3.0 and 2.5 mL.[Conclusions]The large difference of the sensitivity of the enzyme inhibition-colorimetric rapid detection kit for pesticide residues to different kits is a reason for the false positive and false negative test results of the kit,which needs to be considered by relevant personnel.

Resistance Monitoring of Field Populations of Panonychus citri to Three Pesticides

[Objectives]The paper was to investigate the development of Panonychus citri resistance to commonly used pesticides in major citrus producing areas in China,and to screen out new green and efficient agents for its control and prevention.[Methods]The resistance changes of field populations of P.citri to abamectin,pyridaben,and bifenazate in 12 locations across five provinces in China were compared using the leaf disc impregnation method.[Results]P.citri in the tested areas exhibited the most severe resistance to abamectin,with approximately 91.7%of the field populations showing high levels of resistance to abamectin(112.1-560.5 times);50%of P.citri populations exhibited high levels of resistance to pyridaben(123.0-202.7 times),while the remaining populations showed intermediate levels of resistance(25.6-80.3 times);except for the Zhejiang Xiangshan 2019 and Jiangxi Yudu 2019 populations,which exhibited a medium level of resistance to bifenazate,the remaining 10 monitored populations demonstrated a high level of resistance to bifenazate(140.4-686.1 times).[Conclusions]It is advisable to discontinue the use of abamectin and bifenazate due to significant resistance observed in populations of P.citri monitored in 12 locations across 5 provinces.It is recommended to reduce the frequency of pyridaben use and alternate with other acaricides that have different mechanisms of action due to the varying degrees of resistance developed.

Recognition mechanism and sequence optimization of organophosphorus pesticides aptamers for better monitoring contaminations in food

Aptamers as a kind of biological recognition element have shown great potential in monitoring and the rapid quantification of organophosphorus pesticides(OPPs). However, molecules of OPPs are structurally similar and original aptamers selected by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment are usually long-chain bases, which hamper the further application under OPPs-aptamer recognition. The aim of the research was to develop a new strategy to design oligonucleotide sequences for binding OPPs by combination of experimental and molecular modeling methods. 3D models of aptamers binding OPPs were constructed, and binding energy and the most probable binding site for the OPPs were then determined by molecular docking, and the binding sites were further confirmed by the results of 2-AP replaced experiments. Based on the docking results, a new aptamer for detection 4 representative OPPs with only 29 bases was designed by reasonable truncation and mutation of the reported aptamer(named S4-29). The interaction between this new aptamer and OPPs were analyzed by molecular docking, microscale thermophoresis, circular dichroism and fluorometric analysis. The results revealed that the new aptamer exhibit more superior recognition performance to OPPs, which can be promote the monitoring ability of OPPs contaminations in food.

Efficacy of High-efficiency Formula Pesticides for Controlling Sesamia inferens Walker and Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner

[Objectives]This study was conducted to screen high-efficiency formula pesticides and precise and efficient application techniques for the prevention and control of Sesamia inferens Walker and Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner.[Methods]Field efficacy trials were conducted using different combinations of 70%directed enhanced thiamethoxam seed treatment dispersible powder and 46%monosultap·Bacillus thuringiensis wettable powder.[Results]70%directed enhanced thiamethoxam ZF 450 g/hm^(2)+46%monosultap·B.thuringiensis WP 2250 g/hm^(2)had good control effects on both S.inferens and C.lanigera,so it was an ideal high-efficiency formula pesticide for controlling sugarcane S.inferens and C.lanigera.From January to May,combining with new plant or perennial root cultivation management,70%directed enhanced thiamethoxam ZF 450 g/hm^(2)can be evenly spread on sugarcane ditches and sugarcane stumps after being well mixed with fertilizers applied per hectare,and covered with soil in a timely manner,and during the peak incubation period of the first and second generation of S.inferens eggs from March to May,46%monosultap·B.thuringiensis WP 2250 g/hm^(2)was sprayed to the leaf surface in the mixture with water 675 kg with an electric backpack or a motorized sprayer.In such a way,the control efficacy on dead heart seedlings could reach over 89.8%,and that on C.lanigera could reach 100%.Meanwhile,it could effectively and concurrently control thrips,and the increases in yield and sugar content could reach 29310 kg/hm^(2)and 5.9 percentage points,respectively.[Conclusions]The promotion and application of the formula pesticide could achieve precise application and control of sugarcane pests,and improvement of sugarcane quality and planting efficiency,and help promote green prevention and control of sugarcane diseases and pests and the sustained high-quality development of the sugar industry.

Application of Biological Pesticides in Medicinal Plants

At present, the excessive application of traditional chemical pesticides, serious pesticide residue pollution and destruction of the ecological balance in China have become important factors affecting the quality and safety of medicinal material. Biological pesticides are rapidly developed due to their characteristics of high efficiency, low toxicity and residue. This study aimed to introduce the specific property of biological pesticides, review the classification of biological pesticides and their application in medicinal plants, analyze the problems in the production and utilization process of biological pesticides, and forecast the developmental prospect.

Regional selection of insecticides and fungal biopesticides to control aphids and thrips and improve the forage quality of alfalfa crops

The efficacies of biological and conventional chemical insecticides against two major insect pests of alfalfa(aphids and thrips)were compared in three sites across China’s alfalfa belt.In addition,the persistence of the residues of chemical insecticides in alfalfa and their influence on the quality of alfalfa hay were examined.Efficacy varied among the different biological and chemical insecticides.The chemical insecticides were significantly more effective than biopesticides in a short time-frame.The efficacy period of biopesticides was significantly longer than that of chemical insecticides,and the corrected mortality rate of aphids in all regions was above 50%at 14 days after application.The analysis of pesticide residues showed that the residual doses of all the pesticides were within the allowed ranges after the safe period.The acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber contents in alfalfa hay were higher and the protein content was lower in chemical insecticide treatments than in biopesticide treatments in Hebei.The relative feeding value of alfalfa hay treated with Metarhizium anisopliae IPP330189 was the highest among the treatments.Compared with chemical insecticides,the yield of alfalfa hay was higher in the biopesticides treatments.Biopesticides show a stronger control effect on insect populations and also a better improvement in the quality of alfalfa hay than chemical insecticides.This study provides a basis for exploring and developing a comprehensive control regime for alfalfa insect pests in the different alfalfa-growing regions in China,and for reducing chemical insecticide usage and improving forage quality.

Problems in the Use of Pesticides by Farmers and Countermeasures

Pesticide safety is an important guarantee for food security.At present,there are many problems in the process of choosing pesticides by farmers,such as low discernment ability and difficulty in retroactive blame,slow replacement of medical equipment,slow promotion of technology assistance,lack of professional knowledge,difficult to grasp the key points of application,improper use of pesticides,large resistance to reducing quantity and increasing efficiency,etc.In order to use pesticides rationally and realize safe production,countermeasures and suggestions on pesticide application are put forward from the aspects of drug development and application,promotion of biopesticides,change of farmers concept and cultivation of new farmers.

Selection of High-efficient Safe Pesticides for Controlling Tea Lesser Leafhopper(Empoasca vitis)

[Objective] This study was conducted to select a batch of new high-effi- cient low-toxicity high-selectivity pesticides for the application in tea gardens. [Method] This experiment was designed with 12 treatments including clear water as the CK, in randomized block arrangement, with 4 replications, and each plot had an area of 30 m2. The pesticides were sprayed in the high occurrence period of larvae of tea lesser leafhopper when tea shoots grew vigorously. [Result] In the 11 pesti- cides, 100 g/L bifenthrin EC , 70% imidacloprid WDG and 150 g/L indoxacarb EC were the best pesticides with efficacies above 90%; and in the bio-pesticides, 0.5% azadirachtin SC showed an efficacy over 87.97%. [Conclusions] Among the tested pesticides, 100 g/L bifenthrin EC , 70% imidacloprid WDG and 150 g/L indoxacarb EC could effectively control tea lesser leafhopper during the outbreak of tea lesser leafhopper, and when the occurrence degree of tea lesser leafhopper is below the medium level, environment-friendly 0.5% azadirachtin SC, 0.5% veratrine SC, 0.3% matrine SC and 4.0×10^10 spores/g Beauveria bassiana OD could be selected.

Control Effect of Botanical Pesticides against Ectropis oblique hmpulina and Empoasca pirisuga in Tea Plantation

[ Objective ] The paper was to study the effects of several botanical pesticides against two pests in tea plantation. [ Method] Using randomized block de- sign, different concentrations of botanical pesticides were sprayed during the young larvae periods of Ectropis oblique hmpulina Wehrli and peak periods of Empoasca pirisuga, the reduction rate of population and control effects were investigated after spraying for 1,3,7 and 10 d. [ Result] 5% rotenone EC 800 times had the best control effect against E. oblique hmpulina, and 0.5% veratridine soluble liquid 800 times had the best control effect against E. pirisuga. 0. 5% veratridine soluble liquid, 0.2% celangulin EC, 0.3% matrine water agent and 7.5% rotenone EC could be selected as the pesticides for the control of E. oblique hmpulina; 0. 5% veratridine soluble liquid, 0. 2% celangulin EC, 0.3% azadirachtin EC, 0.3% matrine water agent and 7.5% rotenone EC could be selected as the pesticides for the control of E. pirisuga, of which 0. 3% azadiraehtin EC 600 times showed the best durable effect against E. pirisuga with control effect of 100% after spraying for 7 d. [ Conclusion] The results provided basis for application of botanical pesticides in pests control in tea plantation.

Chinese Herbal Medicine Resources with Bacteriostatic and Insecticidal Activities and Their Application as Pesticides

Herbal pesticides refer to the active ingredients extracted from herbs which are used for pest and disease control in crops or pure substances isolated from them. They are of great significance for the production of pollution-free agricultural products, as well as for exploiting the abundant plant resources in China for the prevention and control of pests. In this paper, the advantages of herbal pesticides,such as being environment-friendly, diverse patterns of action, safety for higher animals and the natural enemies of pests and making it hard for pests to produce resistance were first stated; then, Chinese herbal medicine resources with antibacterial and insecticidal activities from 49 families and their functions were reviewed, and 19kinds of herbal pesticides that have been developed and applied in China and seven kinds that have been produced on a large scale were also introduced; finally,three issues deserving further exploration during the development and application of herbal pesticides were presented, that is, research in variety selection and cultivation of herbs, and methods for extraction of active ingredients; basic research in the structure identification of herbal active ingredients, and the relationship between plant variety and active ingredients; development of lead compounds based on herbal active ingredients.

Comparison of Two Procedures for Extraction and Clean-up of Organophosphorus and Pyrethroid Pesticides in Sediment

Two procedures were compared for extraction and clean-up of 20organophosphorus and 19 pyrethroid pesticides in sediment to identify the more effective procedurefor groups of pesticides or individual compounds. In Procedure I, methanol/water and n-hexane wereused for extraction, and 1:10 (v/v) dichloromethane in n-hexane and acetone were used as eluents foreluting the analyte through the cartridge, with one evaporating steps on a rotary evaporator andtwo eluting steps on the cartridge. n-hexane/acetone (2:1, v/v) was used for extraction and elutionin Procedure II with one evaporating step on a rotary evaporator and one eluting step on thecartridge. All extractions were performed under an ultrasonic bath and gas chromatography and massspectrometry were utilized for measurements. Procedure II was developed as a rapid, timesaving, lesscostly and safer substitute for Procedure I which was an old method. Procedure II was moreeffective for almost all the organophosphorus pesticides tested and 11of the 19 pyrethroidpesticides, while Procedure I was more appropriate for analysis of 5 pyrethroid pesticides. However,recoveries of most pyrethroid pesticides were fairly low. Thus, further studies should focus onadjustment and formulation of solvents for more efficient extraction and clean-up of pyrethroidpesticides from sediment samples.

Control Efficacy of Botanical Pesticides Against Apolygus lucorum(Meyer-Dür.) and Erythroneura apicalis(Nawa) for Grape

Apolygus lucorum（Meyer-Dür.） and Erythroneura apicalis（Nawa） are important pests that affect the quality and the yield of grapevine and cause huge economic losses. This paper focuses on the selection of effective botanical pesticides to control A. lucorum and E. apicalis. This experiment explores the effect of several botanical pesticides for A. lucorum and E. apicalis, including the 0.5% veratrine, the0.6% Oxygen·Lactone agent, the 5% natural pyrethrin, the composite neem pesticide, the rotenone and the composite nicotine. The 0.5% veratrine shows a stable control efficacy, which is higher than 60% in Chengdu, while the composite nicotine shows the highest efficacy against A. lucorum, which is above 70%. In Yinchuan,the 0.5% veratrine shows the highest efficacy, against the first generation adults and the second generation larvae of E. apicalis, while the 5% natural pyrethrin shows 100% control efficacy against E. apicalis in Nanjiang. The 0.5% veratrine and the composite neem could be used as effective pesticides to control A. lucorum and the 5% natural pyrethrin can be used to control E. apicalis. They could be widely used in the production of pollution-free grapes.

Effect of Four Pesticides on Controlling Autumn Cowpea Greenhouse Whitefly

In order to mitigate the occurrence and damage of cowpea whitefly, reduce chemical pesticide consumption, residue and environmental pollution, the methods of forecasting, randomized block design andstatistical analysis were used in field efficacy trials, to study the control effect of cowpea anthracnose by usingchemical pesticides dinotefuran, acetamiprid, pymetrozine, and bio-pesticide avermectin. The results showed that after applying 1.85% avermectin EC 375 g, 20% dinotefuran SP 600 g, 5% acetamiprid WP 600 g, and 25% pymetrozine WP 600 g （control pesticide） per hm2 once every 5-8 days, and 3 times continuously underserious autumn occurrence of greenhouse whitefly, the control efficacy was 90.9%, 97.0%, 88.0%, 93.9%respectively on the 7th day after the pesticides application; 97.4%, 92.1%, 84.2%, 89.4% respectively on the 14th day after the pesticides application; and 95.6%, 86.7%, 82.2%, 84.5%, respectively on the 20th day afterthe pesticides application. The control effects among avermectin, acetamiprid and pymetrozine were not significantly different, while the effects of avermectin and pymetrozine were significantly higher than that of acetamiprid on the 7th day. The control effects among avermectin, dinotefuran and pymetrozine were not significantly different, while significantly higher than that of acetamiprid on the 14th day. The control effect of avermectin was significantly higher than that of dinotefuran, acetamiprid and pymetrozine on the 20th day. Meanwhile, the control effect of avermectin was slightly lower, higher and much higher than that of dinotefuran on the 7th, 14th, 20th day respectively after the treatment. These results indicated that the four pesticides,especiaLly biopesticide avermectin, were ideal pesticides, which could not only be used for controlling cowpea whitefly, but also realize modern, green, organic and ecological agricultural production.

Separation of chlorinated hydrocarbons and organophosphorus, pyrethroid pesticides by silicagel fractionation chromatography and their simultaneous determination by GC-MS

A silicagel fractionation procedure for environmental sample extracts, which separates chlorinated hydrocarbons(CHCs) and organophosphorus, pyrethroid pesticides into two groups for subsequent instrumental analysis, was developed in this study. This method was achieved by optimizing the fraction cut-off volume of elution and different solvents. Using fully activated silica gel and cut-off CHCs collection after 10 ml 10% dichloromethane (DCM) in n-hexane passing through the column resulted in satisfactory separation of CHCs and organophosphorus, pyrethroid pesticides. This procedure had a higher reliability for CHCs than for organophosphorus, pyrethroid pesticides, because there is a relatively reliable recovery for CHCs. This approach is less expensive due to reducing sample pre-treatment time and solvent consumption.

Potentialities of Maize on the Removal of Organochlorine Pesticides from Contaminated Soils

In this paper, glasshouse experiments were conducted to determine the accumulation, distribution and transformation of DDTs and HCHs by maize under pot culture conditions. The culture soil was spiked with the organic pollutants and samples were collected in different durations. Analysis of the plants at harvest showed that the selected plant varied widely in their ability to remove and translo- cate DDTs and HCHs from the soil, the bioconcentration factor ranged from 0.004 to 0.027 for the shoot and from 0.036 to 0.097 for the roots, and the translocation factors were lower than 0.1 with variation between DDTs and HCHs, but no signifi- cant differences were observed. DDTs appeared to have accumulated by both pas- sive adsorption and active absorption, p,p＇-DDT and p,p＇-DDE were the major metabolite and the transformation was mediated by reductive dehalogenation, the affinity of the OCPs for lipids is one of the major factors affecting their uptake and translocation within the plants.

Residual Characteristics of Organochlorine Pesticides in Lou Soils with Different Fertilization Modes

Soll samples with three fertilization treatments （no fertilizer, corn straw and farm manure） collected from a Lou soil （Eum-orthic Anthrosol classfied using Chinese Soil Taxonomy） in northwestern China were analysed for residual levels and their characteristics of organochlorine pesticides （α-HCH, β-HCH,γ-HCH, δ-HCH, HCB, o, p＇-DDT, p, p＇-DDT, o, p＇- DDE, p,p＇-DDE, p,p＇-DDD, α-endosulfan, dieldrin and endrin）. Organochlorine pesticides （OCPs） were detected in all soil samples except δ-HCH and their total concentrations ranged from 159.31 ± 9.00 to 179.77 ± 2.58 ng g^-1 with an order of HCHs 〉 DDTs 〉 （dieldrin ＋ endrin） 〉 HCB 〉 α-endosulfan. Among all the compounds, γ-HCH had the highest concentration followed by p, p＇-DDE. The residual levels of HCH isomers and DDT as well as their metabolites in soil with different fertilization treatments were in the order of γ-HCH 〉β-HCH ≈ α-HCH 〉 δ-HCH and p,p’-DDE 〉 p, p’-DDT 〉 o,p＇-DDT 〉 p, p＇-DDD ≈ o, p＇-DDE, respectively. DDE/DDT ratios ranged from 1.59 ± 0.13 to 3.35± 0.16 and endrin/dieldrin ratios from 1.40 ±0.06 to 9.20± 4.05, both indicating no new occurrence of these pesticides in these soils, while α-HCH/γ-HCH ratios of 0.04 indicated a new input of lindane （almost pure γ-HCH） in the past several years. The farm manure treatments showed lower DDT residues than samples without fertilizer. Also addition of corn straw and farm manure increased soil organic matter content and decreased the soil pH which could retard the degradation of DDT in the soil.

Levels, distributions, and source identification of organochlorine pesticides in the topsoils in Northeastern China

Seventeen topsoil samples （9 urban, 4 suburban, 3 rural and 1 background） were collected in/around Harbin, a typical city in northeast of China, to measure concentration levels of organocholrine pesticides （OCPs） in topsoil of Northeastern China in 2006. Hexachlorohexanes （HCH）, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane （DDT）, and hexachlorobenzene （HCB） were detected in soil samples with mean concentrations （in pg/g dry weight （dw）） of 7120, 5425, and 1039, respectively. The mean concentrations for other OCPs were very low, 4.8 pg/g dw for chlordane and 3.3 pg/g dw for endosulfan. Source identification analysis reveals that all OCPs found in soil samples were due to historical use of these chemicals or from other source regions through long- and short-range atmospheric transport. DDT was mainly used in the rural sites, whereas the sources of HCB, chlordane and endosulfan were mainly in the urban area. HCH was found almost equally in both urban and rural area. Soil concentrations of all detected OCPs, except HCHs, in and around Harbin were much lower than those in the southeast of China, which is expected since the use of these OCPs in the former was much lower than that in the latter, however higher HCH concentrations in and around Harbin than those found in most places of the Southeast China is not expected. It is suggested that high HCH concentration in soil of Northeast China was most likely due to long-range atmospheric transport （LRAT） from Southeast China and the cold condensation process.