PESTICIDE-RESIDUES IN SEAFOOD PRODUCTS FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN COASTALWATERS OF MOROCCO

The residue levels of organochlorine pesticides are determined in mari ne organisms (fish, crustaceans and molluscs) from Mediterranean coast of Morocco on a regional and a seasonal basis. The analyzed compounds are: hexachlorobenzene (HCB), lindane, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, di eldrin, endrin, p,p'dichlorodiphyenyl-trichloroethane (p,p'DDT), and i ts derivatives (p,p'DDD and p,p'DDE). Most of the samples analyzed sho wed detectable contamination levels by these compounds, however this c ontamination remains below the acceptable limits and no human health h azards are likely to occur through the consumption of such seafood pro ducts. A comparison with other Occidental Mediterranean studies showed a general tendency of chlorinated hydrocarbons contamination decrease between 1985 and 1989 for the species Mullus barbatus and Mytilus gal loprovincialis. In general, the results did not show any significant v ariations according to seasonal and sampling sites.