HCHs and DDTs in sediment-dwelling animals from the Yangtze Estuary, China

HCHs and DDTs in sediment-dwelling animals including mollusks and crabs from the Yangtze Estuary were determined by GC-ECD. Levels of t-HCH were in the range of 1.2-5.5 ng g^-1 and averaged 3.5 ng g^-1 in mollusks, while t-DDT concentrations ranged from 26.0 to 68.8 ng g^-1, with a mean of 34.5 ng g^-1. In crabs t-HCH concentrations varied from 2.0 to 25.7 ng g^-1 and averaged 13.8 ng g^-1, whereas the concentrations of t-DDT were in the range of 1.5-24.8 ng g^-1 with a mean value of 5.9 ng g^-1. The HCHs and DDTs levels depend on geographical position and sources, showing the high levels at fresh water area in the estuary, such as XP, CM and LHK sites, and lower at brackish water area, such as FX site, and little difference between species. Results also indicate there was no significant relationship between t-HCH (t-DDT) concentrations and lipid contents both in mollusks and crabs because of non-equilibrium state under a specific estuarine dynamics; smaller individuals accumulated more HCHs and DDTs than larger individuals of mollusks at LHK site, showing different uptake rate for these pesticides; moreover, HCHs and DDTs levels were lower in female crab bodies than male crab bodies suggesting that the release of spawning. BSAFs (Biota- Sediment Accumulation Factors) from sediment-dwelling animals for HCHs and DDTs show a significant "one high with two low" and "one low with two high" effect in the Yangtze Estuary.