PCBs, DDTs and other chlorinated hydrocarbons in marine organisms from the Mediterranean coast of Israel

Abstract

Commercially exploited species of fish and shellfish taken along the coast of Israel were examined for organochlorine residues to evaluate in the present state of concentration and to serve as a baseline for monitoring in the future. Organochlorines analyzed were DDT and metabolites, PCBs (Aroclor 1242, 1254, and 1260), BHC (alpha and gamma) and aldrin. For Mullus barbatus no differences in the pesticide concentrations in this species were found among the sampling stations. The correlation coefficient shows a positive relation in the concentration of DDTs with increasing length of fish. Upeneus moluccensis showed a higher concentration of pesticides in the Tel-Aviv area than at the other three stations. An inverse relation was noted between DDTs, PCBs and the total length of the fish. Saurida undosquamis showed a positive relationship between the concentrations of DDTs, PCBs and the total length of the fish. In about 25% of the Parapeneus longirostris, but there was a significant negative correlation between the concentrations of PCBs and the body length. DDTs were found in all samples investigated and, except for one sample of Mullus barbatus, all samples included PCBs as well. BHC was found in 75% of the samples and aldrin only in 40%. 6 references, 3 figures, 3 tables.