Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) remain persistent in the environment for a very long period and induce their toxicity to human and environment so preferred only for a limited use. But in developing countries, these compounds are extensively used in agriculture sector for the control of pests’ infestation. The present study aims to assess levels of pesticide pollution at Karachi coast, Pakistan by considering 9 different OCPs that are potentially considered as highly toxic. OCPs were analyzed by Gas chromatography through electron capture detector (GC-ECD). This two-year analysis revealed that although these pesticides are banned and obsolete but are still found in the costal environment in an order of Endosulfan > DDT > HCH > Heptachlor > Aldrin > Dieldrin > Transclordane> Endrin and Methoxychlor. The spatial distribution shows Creek avenue and Channa creek sites are heavily contaminated among all other location with respect to pesticides pollution. The indiscriminate and illegal use of OCPs should be strictly monitored and critically control to avoid seawater contamination to secure marine ecosystem.
Rabia Majeed, Syeda Urooj Fatima, Muhammad Azher Khan, Moazzam Ali Khan, S. Shahid Shaukat. (2020) OCCURRENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES IN KARACHI COASTAL WATER, , Volume 17, Issue 3.
