DISTRIBUTION OF DICHLORODIPHENYLTRICHLOROETHANE (DDT) AND ITS METABOLITES IN AN INDIAN WATERWAY

This paper reports on the results of systematic analyses carried out t o assess the distribution of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, and p,p'-DDD in a tropical water way, the Cochin Estuarine System. Six sampling stations along the syst em were studied. Analyses were carried out during premonsoon, monsoon, and postmonsoon seasons. SIGMADDT concentrations as high as 55.422 mu g L-1 were detected. The predominant DDT metabolite was found to be p, p'-DDE. During the monsoon season, o,p'-DDT was not detected at any of the sampling Stations. Station 1 (riverine) and station 6 (coastal zo ne barmouth) emerged as DDT-free zones and the analytical results have enabled the identification of DDT ''hot spots'' in the estuary. (C). 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.