Polychlorinated biphenyl congeners and organochlorine insecticides in the water column and sediments of Daya Bay, China

PCBs and organochlorines have contaminated a key aquacultural area in China. Samples of sub-surface water, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and surface sediments collected from Daya Bay, China have been analysed for 12 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and 18 organochlorine insecticides, using gas chromatography electron capture detection. Total PCB levels varied from 91.1 to 1355.3 ng l −1 in water and from 0.85 to 27.37 ng g −1 dry weight in sediments. The levels of total organochlorine insecticides were in the range 143.3–5104.8 ng l −1 in water and 2.43–86.25 ng g −1 dry weight in sediment. None of the target compounds were detected in SPM. The levels of total hexachlorocyclohexanes in water varied from 35.5 to 1228.6 ng l −1, whilst in sediments they ranged from 0.32 to 4.16 ng g −1 dry weight. For the sum of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), their levels were in the range 26.8–975.9 ng l −1 in water, and 0.14–20.27 ng g −1 dry weight in sediments. The distribution profiles of these contaminants in water and sediments suggest that there are a number of sources contributing to total contaminant burden in the bay, including soil runoffs, wastewater discharges, sewage outfalls and shipping activities. Ratios of DDT/(DDE+DDD) in the water and sediments indicate recent inputs of such chemicals into the bay. The results, therefore, provide important information on the current contamination status of a key aquacultural area in China, and point to the need for urgent actions to stop the use of persistent agrochemicals such as DDT and lindane.