PCBS AND CHLORINATED PESTICIDES IN SHELLFISH OF A DELTAIC ENVIRONMENT

A wide range of chlorinated organic compounds were measured in different classes of shellfish from the Ebro Delta (Catalonia, Spain). The results obtained by HRGC-ECD and confirmed by MS revealed that residues are frequently found in fish samples. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected in all the samples at values below the maximum allowed concentration in edible shellfish (2 mg/Kg whole-weight), polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs) were also detected early in 1989. Pesticide contaminants found most often were DDE, DDD and DDT; other compounds, such as the HCH isomers, including lindane, were also detected.