The levels and distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in sediments from the Haihe River, China

The levels and distribution patterns of the selected organochlorine pesticides (OCPs = p,.p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, pp'-DDD, alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-HCH) in surficial sediments from the Haihe River and Dagu Drainage River of Tianjin were investigated by means of gas chromatography coupled with micro-electronic capture detector (GC-mu ECD). Concentrations of OCPs in the sediments from the Haihe River ranged from 1.88 to 18.76 ng g(-1) (mean 7.33 ng g(-1)) for Sigma HCH, 0.32-80.18 ng g(-1) (mean 15.94 ng g(-1)) for Sigma DDT. Compared with the Haihe River, the Dagu Drainage River was much more contaminated by HCHs and DDTs, wherein Sigma HCH ranged from 33.24 to 141.03 ng g(-1) (mean 87.74 ng g(-1)) and Sigma DDT ranged from 3.60 to 83.49 ng g(-1) with a mean value of 35.52 ng g(-1). The concentration distribution of Sigma DDT and Sigma HCH was different indicated their different contamination sources. Composition analyses indicated that a recent usage or discharge of HCH and DDT into the Dagu Drainage River. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.