Insecticides, Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Metals in African Lake Ecosystems: III. Lake Nakaru, Kenya

The concentrations of various pesticides, PCB's, and metals in samples of water, bottom sediments, plankton, benthic insects, and fish from lake Nakuru in Kenya were measured. The lake is in a National Park, but is a closed system with no outlet, making it vulnerable to pollution from toxic Chemicals. Levels of most pesticides were low; the most prevalent pesticide was DDE, followed by DDD, dieldrin, and DDT. Water and bottom sediment samples did not have any discernible insecticide residues. Levels of most metals were not unusual; it was difficult to distinguish between metals that occurred naturally and metals that were introduced by humans.