Levels and distribution of some persistent organochlorine pesticide residues and polychlorinated biphenyls in water and soils of Omar al-Mokhtar location, Libya

Abstract EN

This study reports the concentration levels of the organochlorine pesticide (OCPs) residues in the soil and underground water samples collected from Omar AL-Mokhtar, Libya.

A total of 5 soil and 5 underground water samples were collected from the study region.

The levels of 7 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), which included (Heptachlor, Aldrin, Heptachlor Epoxide, Dieldrin, Endosulfan, 4,4-DDT, and Beta endosulfan) and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers (alpha, gamma, and delta), were determined, and 7 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (PCB28, PCB5, PCB101, PCB1188, PCB135, PCB138, PCB180).

The OCPs concentrations were determined using gas chromatography (GC) equipped with Electron Capture Detector.

The results showed contamination of soil and underground water of the region with several persistent organic pesticides contaminated with the studied pesticides.