Organochlorine Pesticide Compounds in Organisms from the Bay of Bengal

Zooplankton and bottom-feeding fish (four species) from the coastal Bay of Bengal were analysed for residues of DDT, DDD, DDE and aldrin. Concentrations of t-DDT (DDT+DDD+DDE) ranging from 1•31 to 115•90 ng g-1 wet weight in different fish tissues and 4•00 to 1587•76 ng g-1 wet weight in zooplankton were found. Aldrin levels were of the order of 0•32-4•23 ng g-1 in the fish tissues and ʹnot detectedʹ to 0•78 ng g-1 in zooplankton. The concentration levels are discussed in relation to the distribution of the compounds in different fish tissues, differences in the proportion of DDT and its metabolites DDE and DDD in the various organisms and the possible influence of suspended particulate matter on the availability of DDT residues to organisms in the water column.