Environmental distribution and food-web transfer of DDT and fipronil sulfone in agricultural wetland ecosystems: A case study of oriental stork restoration habitats

Hae-Suk Lee; Chi-Hwan Lim

doi:10.7744/kjoas.530304

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2026 Vol.53, Issue 3 Preview Page Next Page

Food & Chemistry

Environmental distribution and food-web transfer of DDT and fipronil sulfone in agricultural wetland ecosystems: A case study of oriental stork restoration habitats

1 September 2026. pp. 325-339

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Abstract

This study evaluated the environmental distribution and food-web transfer characteristics of p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′-DDE) and fipronil sulfone in agricultural wetland ecosystems using a restored oriental stork (Ciconia boyciana) population inhabiting both managed feeding and natural food-web environments in Yesan and Taean, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea. Samples were collected from soil, stream water, prey organisms, stork eggs, feathers, and regurgitated materials. The results showed that p,p′-DDE was not detected in environmental matrices but was detected in externally supplied prey organisms, including horse mackerel (Trachurus japonicus), as well as in stork eggs, feathers, and regurgitated materials. The mean concentrations of p,p′-DDE in stork eggs ranged from 0.023 to 0.065 mg/kg, and the biomagnification factor (BMF) ranged from 11.35 to 32.60. In contrast, fipronil sulfone was detected in soil and naturally collected prey organisms from the Taean region but was not detected in stork-related samples. In addition, fipronil sulfone concentrations differed significantly among sample groups (F = 3.98, p = 0.007). Comparison of the same restored stork population under managed feeding and natural food-web environments demonstrated distinct occurrence and food-web transfer characteristics between p,p′-DDE and fipronil sulfone. p,p′-DDE was detected primarily in biological samples and exhibited high BMF values, whereas fipronil sulfone was mainly detected in environmental matrices and lower trophic prey organisms, indicating limited transfer to higher trophic levels. These findings suggest that the environmental fate and trophic transfer of pesticide residues in agricultural wetland ecosystems differ according to their persistence and bioaccumulation characteristics. Furthermore, an integrated assessment incorporating environmental matrices, prey organisms, and upper trophic predators is essential for evaluating long-term ecological exposure in agricultural wetland ecosystems.

Keywords

agricultural wetland ecosystem

fipronil sulfone

food-web transfer

oriental stork

p,p′-DDE

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Information

Publisher :Institute of Agricultural Science, Chungnam National University
Publisher(Ko) :충남대학교 농업과학연구소
Journal Title :Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
Journal Title(Ko) :농업과학연구
Volume : 53
No :3
Pages :325-339
Received Date : 2026-06-16
Revised Date : 2026-07-24
Accepted Date : 2026-07-29
DOI :https://doi.org/10.7744/kjoas.530304

Korean Journal of Agricultural Science ISSN:2466-2402(Print) 2466-2410(Online) 농업과학연구

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