Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in soils and sediments, southeast China: A case study in Xinghua Bay

This study evaluated the contamination status and distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) between Xinghua Bay and adjacent watersheds in Putian region, southeast China. Twenty-five surface soil samples and two sediment cores were collected from two watersheds and the Xinghua Bay, respectively. Results showed that the concentrations of OCPs in samples of the Mulan River Watershed (MRW), the Qiulu River Watershed (QRW), the inner bay core (IBC) and the open bay core (OBC) were in the range of 4.96-38.20 ng/g, 4.62-22.80 ng/g, 1.84-80.46 ng/g and 1.87-23.43 ng/g, respectively. The mean concentration of OCPs was in an order: IBC > MRW > QRW > OBC. The higher concentration of OCPs in recent periods may suggest that a certain amount of OCPs were still input to this area.

► Sediment and soil play an important role in global distribution and fate of POPs. ► OCPs in soils were determined to evaluate contamination status and distribution. ► OCPs in sediment cores were detected to reveal the tendency of vertical distribution. ► Comparison of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in soils and sediments.