PENTACHLOROPHENOL (PCP), PCDD, PCDF AND PESTICIDE CONCENTRATIONS IN AFRESH-WATER LAKE CATCHMENT

The concentrations of pentachlorophenol (PCP), polychlorinated dibenzo -p-dioxins (PCDDs) polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and organochl orine and organophosphorus pesticides in water, sediments and biota fr om the Lake Rotorua catchment were determined to evaluate the relative significance of various contaminants and their potential sources. PCP was found in water, sediments and biota (fish and freshwater mussels) and tire highest concentrations in water (3.62 mu g.L(-1)) and in sed iments (400 ng.g(-1) dry weight (DW)) were found in and near a stream that had been affected by PCP contamination from a sawmill. PCDD and P CDF concentrations in all cases, except for the waters and sediments o f the stream near to the sawmill, were relatively low compared to valu es reported in the literature for similar sites. Negligible pesticide contamination was found in the Lake Rotorua catchment. Pesticides foun d included low concentrations of p.p'-DDE, p.p-TDE and dieldrin in rai nbow trout from the lake. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd