Assessment of persistent organochlorine pollutants in sediments from Lake Manzala, Egypt

► High levels of OCs were found at sites near wastewater discharges. ► The composition of DDT and its metabolites suggest old input of DDT. ► Levels of OCs were low to moderate compared to other coastal regions worldwide. ► Areas of expected potential ecotoxicological risk were identified. ► The profiles of ∑OCPs and ∑PCBs in core sediments revealed recent inputs.