Short Assessment Survey of Organochlorine Pesticides in Marine Environment of Damb (Sonmiani) Balochistan

Abstract

M. Saleem, S. H. N. Rizvi, J. Aftab, S. Kahkashan, A. A. Khan and M. Qammaruddin * National Institute of Oceanography Karachi Pakistan St-47, Block-1 Clifton Karachi Email: * monawwars@gmail.com ABSTRACT To assess the contamination levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) fifteen type (alpha, beta, gamma and delta HCH, Heptachlor, Heptachlor-epoxide, Endosulfan-I, Endosulfan-II, Aldrin, Dieldrin, Endrin, Endrin aldehyde, 4-4 ́ DDT, 4,4 ́ DDE and 4,4 ́ DDD) of OCPS in samples of sea water, sediments, four fish and two crab species were determined in Damb (Sonmiani) coastal area. DDT, HCH and its metabolites found most dominating while Endrin, Dieldrin and Heptachlor recorded higher among the fifteen monitored pesticides in Damb (Sonmiani) coastal water. All these pesticides are found below the chronic concentration levels as set by the Coastal Water Quality Criteria for Washington State. HCH and Heptachlor were observed to be highest in the coastal sediments of Damb (Sonmiani) coastal area and these values are higher than the Canadian Interim Sediment Quality Standard. DDT, Endosulfan, its metabolites and isomers detected high concentration in marine biota, while α-BHC, Heptachlor and Endrin were also detected in low concentration. A preliminary risk assessment indicates that the daily intake of chlorinated pesticides by people consuming fish from the Damb (Sonmiani) coastal area is still very low and, therefore, is not likely to cause an immediate risk.