DISTRIBUTION OF LINDANE IN A MODEL MUDFLAT ECOSYSTEM

The distribution of lindane was investigated in a model mudflat ecosys tem comprising of estuarine water, sediment and cockles (Anadara grano sa). When exposed to 5 and 15 mu g/L of the insecticide under semistat ic conditions. for a period of 30 days, a gradual increase in lindane concentration was observed in both sediment and cockles, while the con centration of lindane in water ranged between < 0.01-0.73 mu g/L at th e end of 24h exposures. The half life of lindane ill estuarine water w as found to be 21.9h under aerated conditions and 43.0h without aerati on. Microbial degradation is implicated ill tile persistence of lindan e in estuarine water.