MULTIVARIATE-ANALYSIS OF ORGANOCHLORINES IN RED MULLET FROM GREEK WATERS

Organochlorine concentrations were examined in the flesh of red mullet (Mullus barbatus) collected at 8 locations in Greek waters. Cluster analysis and ordination techniques revealed three groups of sites: 1. the Aegean Sea, characterized by an almost uniform distribution of PCBs and relatively high DDTs, 2. the western Greek waters, characterized by low organochlorine concentrations, and 3. Pagasitikos Gulf (a shallow, enclosed basin receiving the outflow of urban and heavy industrial wastes) characterized by the higher concentrations of chlorinated biphenyls. The compounds found in greatest concentrations were, among PCBs, Aroclor 1254 and, among DDTs, p,p' DDE. The relation between organochlorine concentration and lipid content was also examined.