Persistent organochlorine pollutant residues in water, sediment, and fish from Efteni Lake, North-West Türkiye

What is it about?

Efteni Lake Wildlife Development Area is under anthropogenic pressure in terms of agriculture and water management. This study aimed to determine and evaluate the persistent organochlorine pollutant (POP) bio-accumulation and bio-magnification from the water to fish in the lake. Therefore, water, sediment, and fish (Tinca tinca) specimens were collected from different points in the lake. Results of the study showed that dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) compounds were the highest among the organochlorine pesticide (OCP) groups and were found in 100% of all specimens. However, the frequency rates and the concentrations recorded for 4,4-DDT (a DDT metabolite) were higher than for DDT compounds in all the three specimen types. The mean total polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations were found to be 0.17 ± 0.03 ng/g, 0. 31 ±0.03 ng/g, and 0.61 ±0.03 ng/g in the water, sediment, and fish specimens, respectively. In conclusion, it was highly significant that the concentration of OCPs in the water was lower than in the sediment and fish. The top three PCB congeners as per their mean levels were PCB 138, 151, and 153. Reducing human pressure on Efteni Lake is crucial because POP residues in the lake are likely to pose a danger to both aquatic organisms and other wildlife as well as to human health.

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