Occurance of organochlorine pesticides in fresh water fish in Assiut markets

ABSTRACT

Organochlorine pesticides total DDT complex [p.p-DDT, o.p-DDT, p.p-DDE and p.p-DDD]; hexachlorocyclobexane isomers [alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-isomers]; heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide; aldrin and dieldrin; endrin and hexachlorobenzene [HCB] were investigated in five species of fresh water fish [Oreochromis niloticus; Clarias lazera; Labeo niloticus; Bagarus bayed and Synodonits species] collected from Assiut markets. Chlorinated residues were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detector [GS-ECD] using capillary column. The analytical results revealed that all samples were ontaminated with one or more of the investigated pesticides. Total DDT complex, total HCH isomers were found in all analyzed saples with the highest values, followed by endrin, HCB, dieldrin, and heptachlors. Total DDT complex average were 1.077, 1.865, 3.911, 3.832 and 3.476 ppm, while total HCH isomers averages were 0.297, 0.160, 0.108, 0.093 and 0.029 ppm in the investigated five species, respectively. The residue levels detected were compared to those of the international limits and its hazardous effects were discussed