The concentration of some organochlorine pesticides in the surface sediments of the Shatt al-Arab river

Abstract EN

Thirteen organochlorine compounds have been identified in the surface sediments of six stations along the Shatt Al-Arab estuary for the period from Sep.

2020–Mar.

2021 as organochlorine pesticides, namely DDD, DDE, Aldrine, Dieldrin, Heptachlor, Epoxyheptachlor, Endrine, Endrine ketone, Lindane, ethoxychlor, Endosulfan, Alpha-lindane, and Delta-lindane, using a gas chromatographic device connected to a GC-mass spectrometer equipped with an electronic hunting detector GC-ECD.

the highest total concentration of pesticides (41.54 µg / kg dry weight) was recorded in Al-Fao station, while the lowest total concentration of pesticides (21.61 µg / kg dry weight) was in the al-dayer station.

the percentage of organic matter TOC% in sediments and the texture of the sediments were also measured.

positive correlation between TOC% and the total rate of pesticides in the six stations, and there is a correlation between the percentage of each silt and mud with the total rate of pesticides in sediments.