Detection and determination of chlorinated pesticide residues in fish from Tehran reservoirs

Abstract

One hundred samples of fish from Karadj and Latian lake (two of the reservoirs supplying Tehran with potable water) were analysed for detection and determination of pesticide residues. DDT, including its metabolites TDE and DDE, were the pesticides commonly found. In the Karadj reservoir the mean concentration of total DDT compounds found in whole fish was 0.049 ± SD 0.0032 ppm while that of the Latian reservoir was 0.065 ± SD 0.007 ppm. The mean concentration of the pesticide in fat was 3.11 ± 0.21 and 4.85 ± 0.13 ppm, respectively. This shows the Latian reservoir to be more contaminated. Extreme concentrations of pesticides in Latian fish were found in Varicorhinus nikolskii, while in Karadj fish the highest level of the pesticide occurred in Salmo-trutta fario and the lowest concentration in Varicorhinus nikolskii. Samples collected in summer showed the highest concentrations of the pesticides.