Residues of Organochlorine Pesticides in Water and Suspended Particulate Matter from Xiangshan Bay, East China Sea

Residual levels, distribution and possible sources of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in nine water column and suspended particulate matter (SPM) samples collected from Xiangshan Bay, East China Sea were investigated. Total OCPs concentrations in water column and SPM ranges from 2.88 to 34.72 ng/L and 2.47 to 29.94 ng/L, respectively, which exceed the US Environmental Protection Agency regulatory limits. Moreover, low ratio of alpha-HCH/gamma-HCH and high ratios beta- and gamma-HCH suggested the cocktail input pattern of fresh and weathered HCHs. Meanwhile, low ratio of (DDE + DDD)/DDT and high ratios p,p'- and o,p'-DDT reflected a dicofol type DDT pollution pattern.