Distribution of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Farm Fish, Sediments and Water from Punjab (India)

Abstract

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic chemicals that are adversely affecting animal and human health and the environment around the world. They persist for long periods of time in the environment and can accumulate and pass from one species to the next through the food chain. The present study aimed for determination of POPs residues in farm fish and its environment. Total 195 farm fish, 39 sediments and 39 water samples were collected from Punjab and then analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and confirmed by GC-mass spectrometry. Residues of lindane, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, endosulfan sulfate, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)-28, PCB-138, and PCB-180 were detected with mean levels of 22.6, 15.3, 22.7, 23.7, 26.9, 27.3, and 25.7 ng/g in farm fish samples, respectively. In the fishpond sediment samples presence of lindane and p,p'-DDE residues were noticed with mean levels of 17.7 and 9.4 ng/g, respectively. Residues of p,p'-DDE and endosulfan sulfate were detected with a mean level of 14.9 and 64.4 ng/g in fish pond water samples. The comparison of overall mean residues of POPs observed in fish samples throughout Punjab revealed that the levels were below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) described by EU-MRLs, Italian-MRLs, FDA-2001, and FAO-1983. The presence of POPs residues in the aquatic environment requires continuous monitoring for the safeguard of human health.