Levels of organochlorine compounds in freshwater fish from Catalonia, N.E. Spain

摘要: Levels of organochlorine compounds (PCBs, DDTs, HCHs and Heptachlor epoxide) were measured in fish species inhabiting the rivers Catalonia, one most agriculturally industrially developed areas Spain. Although no time-trends contamination levels can be determined because absence data, a clear geographical distribution pattern is observed, with higher occurring lower reaches rivers. The Rivers Ebro Ter show highest (mainly PCBs DDTs). Furthermore, high found an area Pre-Pyrenean mountains, which could explained by aerial transport. pp'DDE to widely distributed present all samples analysed. other analysed occurred more than 79% samples. Mean values ranged from 0.001 mg/Kg for α-HCH 0.181 PCBs, wet weight basis, 0.11 17.84 lipid basis. Most observed fall within those recommended human consumption, although heptachlor epoxide may exceed permitted some areas. However, threat wildlife considerable due biomagnification and, particularly, sensitive situated food web, such as otter (Lutra lutra).