Synoptic survey of organochlorine pesticides in coastal waters of Sindh and Balochistan, Pakistan
Journal Title: Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) - Year 2016, Vol 9, Issue 4
Abstract
A survey of sixteen organochlorine pesticides (OCP’s) was conducted for their contamination status and spatial distributions in coastal waters of Karachi and four cities of Balochistan. Thirty nine surface seawater samples were collected from the Karachi coast (Karachi west coast and off-Clifton), creeks of Karachi (Gizri, Korangi and Gharo creeks) and four Balochistan coastal cities (Jiwani, Gwadar, Pasni and Ormara). DDT, HCH and its metabolites were found most dominating while Endrin, Dieldrin and Aldrin aldehyde were recorded higher among the 16 monitored pesticides in Karachi and Balochistan coastal waters. The present results were compared with water quality criteria as set by USA-EPA, which shows that OCPsin Balochistan and Karachi coastal waters were found under the limits. Results of some of these pesticide concentrations (i.e. Heptachlor epoxide, Endrin, Dieldrin and Endosulfan I & II) from the Karachi coast are found close to chronic levels for marine organisms when compared to marine water quality criteria set by New-Jersey State, USA. The diagnostic ratio of DDT and HCH metabolites shows that HCH is still being used around the study area, while DDT is currently used in Jiwani, Gwadar and Pasni coastal areas. A survey indicates that the chlorinated pesticides in the studied coastal areas are still very low except in the Off-Clifton coast and western coastal waters of Karachi, which is mostly domestic and industrial originated.
Authors and Affiliations
Monawwar Saleem, Arshad Ali Khan, Muhammad Qammaruddin, Syed Waseem Haider, Sanober Kahkashan, Syed Imran Hasany, Javed Aftab, Mohsin Muzaffar
Heavy metal concentration in sediments and muscles of mud clam Polymesoda erosa in Butuan Bay, Philippines
The study assessed the mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) levels in sediments and the muscles of mud clam (Polymesoda erosa) in selected mangrove wetland stations of Butuan Bay, Philippi...
Resource management of coconut crab (Birgus latro) in liwo island, north maluku of Indonesia
Coconut crab (Birgus latro) has ecological and economical value that only found in the islands which influenced by the Pacific and Indian Ocean currents, including Liwo Island. The research was done to describe a resour...
Tourists and their effects on the temperature changes inside the ali sadr cave, Hamedan
Caves are so vulnerable and fragile that manipulating them without careful investigation , planning and inclusive understanding of their characteristics is impossible because ignoring these facts leads to unpleasant co...
Studies in assessment of environmental degradation and tourism in the Karakoram Mountain Ranges using water quality characterization
This research aims to investigate the relationship between environmental degradation focusing on water pollution in three different tourism spots (Hunza-Nager, Bagrote Valley and Haramosh Valley) highly touristic, medi...
Ethnomedicinal plants of district charsadda Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
The present study was carried out to investigate traditional knowledge of ethno medicinal plants of District Charsadda, KP Pakistan. The local people of the area used surrounding natural resources that is wild plants for...