Organochlorine and metal pollution in aquatic organisms sampled in the Doñana National Park during the period 1983-1986.

Abstract

The study area, Donana National Park, is located in the South South-West of Spain, and this is one of the most important reservation of Europe. Samples of aquatic organism were obtained from the principal waterway of Donana National Park to determine the degree of organochlorine and metal contamination of this environment. The sampling was carried out during the period 1983-1986 in order to collect six aquatic species in four sites along the Brazo de la Torre. An agricultural area in the North-West side of the Park and a working mine at about 40 km from its northern boundary were considered as the likely main polluting sources of organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, and heavy metals respectively. The aquatic organism species chosen for analysis were: American crayfish (Procambarus clarckii), carp (Cyprinus carpio), barbel (Barbus barbus), grey mullet (Mugil capito), eel (Anguilla anguilla), and frog (Rana perezi).