Contamination of Organochlorine Pesticides and PCBs in Sediments Collected from the East Coast of Thailand

Abstract

Organochlorine pesticides (OCs) and PCBs concentration were analyzed in sediments from east coast of Thailand. The samples were collected in April 2013 and were analyzed by GC/ECD. Organochlorine pesticide concentrations were detected in sediments in the range of 1.06-3.71 ng/g calculated on dry weight basis. T-DDTs concentrations were the highest in OCs group compared to other groups in most of the samples. PCBs concentrations were detected in sediments in the range of 0.04-3.03 ng/g calculated on dry weight basis. This study suggests that there is no correlation between the results of different stations but proximity to the sources of contamination may be the most important determining factor for the dominance of these contaminants. Probably this contamination seems to be localized due to the presence of urban runoff, municipal sewage, industrial waste, outflow from agricultural area and chemical spill.

Keywords

• organochlorine pesticides
• PCBs
• sediment