Levels and Distribution of Organochlorine Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Water and Sediment from the International Anzali Wetland, North of Iran

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and PCBs were determined in water and sediment from the Anzali Wetland, north of Iran. The total concentrations of OCPs were 71.75-315.16 ng/l, 1.8-12.68 ng/g dry wt in water and sediments respectively, and those of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the two phases were: nd-141.09 ng/l and 0.39-2.64 ng/g dw, respectively. Also, the results indicated that beta-HCH, DDE were the most common organochlorine pesticides contaminants. In this study, the aPCB/aDDT reflect the relative importance of agricultural than industrial sources in this area. a significant difference was observed between the stations. Station number 3 showed the highest range of the pollutants studied.