DISTRIBUTION OF CHLORINATED PESTICIDES IN SURFACE WATER AND FISH OF EL TEMSAH AND BITTER LAKES, SUEZ CANAL

DISTRIBUTION OF CHLORINATED PESTICIDES IN SURFACE
WATER AND FISH OF EL TEMSAH AND BITTER LAKES,
SUEZ CANAL
TAREK OTHMAN SAID* AND MOHAMED ABDEL FATTAH HAMED**
National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandria branch*
and Suez & Aqaba Gulfs branch**, Egypt.
Keywords: pesticides, surface water, fish, El Temsah, Bitter lakes, Suez Canal
ABSTRACT
The potential effect of chlorinated pesticides pollutants carried by El Temsah and
Bitter Lakes of the Suez Canal was investigated during four seasons of 2003. The results
indicate the presence of total DDTs, total cyclodienes and total Hexachlorocyclohexane
(HCHs) in surface water with ranges; 2.76-13.88 ng/l, 3.99-16.39 ng/l, and 0.39-1.25 ng/l,
respectively. Total DDTs concentrations were ranged from 161-3100 ng/g (wet weight)
with an average of 1087 ng/g (wet weight), while total HCHs concentrations were ranged
from 30-1145 ng/g (wet weight) with an average of 316 ng/g (wet weight) recorded in three
fish species; Lutjanus sp., R. haffara and S. rivulatus of the investigated area.
Concentrations of chlorinated pesticides recorded in both of water and fish samples of the
investigated area can be ranked in the order; total cyclodienes > total DDTs > total HCHs.
Land based activities result from agricultural and municipal wastes are the main source of
pollution by chlorinated pesticides in the area