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

Mar Pollut Bull. 2012 Aug;64(8):1713-20. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.03.022. Epub 2012 Apr 16.

Abstract

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in surface and core sediment samples collected from Manzala Lake, the largest of the Egyptian coastal lakes. Total concentrations of OCPs and ∑7 PCBs (ICES) in sediments ranged from 0.63 to 31.31 ng/g and 0.26 to 31.27 ng/g, respectively. Geographical distribution indicates that levels of contaminants were significantly higher in areas which are mainly influenced by municipal discharge, indicating significant sources of these compounds in urbanised areas. The composition of DDT and its metabolites suggest old input of DDT. The levels of contaminants in Manzala Lake were similar or lower than those observed in comparable areas worldwide. The profiles of ∑OCPs and ∑PCBs in a core from a site heavily impacted by sewage discharge have highest concentrations in the surface core section indicating recent inputs. Assessment of ecotoxicological risk indicated that sediments in two sites were likely to pose potential biological adverse impact.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Egypt
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Geologic Sediments / chemistry*
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / analysis*
  • Lakes / chemistry*
  • Pesticides / analysis
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*
  • Water Pollution, Chemical / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated
  • Pesticides
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls