Persistent chlorinated pesticides in fish species from Qiantang River in East China

Thirteen organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in 18 fish species from Qiantang River were firstly determined by GC-ECD. To elucidate the sources and the environment fate of these pollutants, water and sediment samples were also analyzed for OCPs contents. Total concentrations of OCPs in fish muscles ranged from 7.43 to 143.79 ng g−1 wet weight (ww) with highest concentration recorded in sole fish (Cynoglossus abbreviatus), a benthic carnivore. The results indicated that carnivore fish have higher OCPs concentration than other fish with different feeding modes. OCPs concentration in fish was in the range of 1.86–5.85, 2.65–133.51 and 1.94–12.48 ng g−1 for HCHs (α-, β-, γ-, δ-HCH), DDTs (p,p′-DDD, p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDT, o,p′-DDD) and other OCPs (aldrin, diedrin, endrin, heptachlor, heptachlor expoide), respectively. The highest OCPs concentration in fish organs of four big fish species was found in brain of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), 289.26 ng g−1 ww followed by kidney, liver, heart and gill. Among the OCPs analyzed, DDE, γ-HCH and heptachlor were the predominant contaminants in fish muscle, which indicated that there was recent input of lindane. Significant correlation was observed between concentrations of DDTs and lipid content as well as between OCPs and lipid contents in fish species. Both field water bioconcentration factors (BCF) and sediment BCF showed a positive correlation with octanol-water partition coefficients (Kow) in the sole fish.