Pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls drained into north coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt

Water samples were collected monthly from the mouths of Edku Lake, El-Amia drain, and El-Umum drain on the north coast of Egypt, and concentrations of pesticides and PCBs were determined. All of the water sources examined drain into the Mediterranean Sea. The study was conducted over a 1-yr period. PCBs, hexachlorobenzene, lindane, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, and p,p'-DDT were detected in all samples. Measurable levels of herbicides, fungicides, and organophosphorus insecticides were detected at different times of the year, which corresponded to their use.