FINGERPRINTS OF SOME CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS IN PLANT FOLIAGE FROM AFRICA

Concentrations of DDTs, HCHs and HCB in foliage have been used to eval uate the contamination levels of two African areas and Seychelles and Mauritius Islands. Physico-chemical properties in combination with env ironmental features play the most important role in the global distrib ution of chlorinated hydrocarbons. However past and present applicatio ns appear to be significant in determining the characteristics of the contamination pattern in different areas. Results are discussed in com parison to previous African data. Remarkable differences in contaminat ion levels are evident among the areas considered. Log-Probit and Corr espondence Factor Analyses are used for the characterization of the ty pical distribution pattern of each area. Relative differences in the c omposition of the pollutant mixture (HCHs dominance, different DDE/DDT ratios etc.) seem to indicate a ''fingerprint'' of the contamination for each geographical-economical homogeneous region.