RESIDUES OF SOME CHLORINATED-HYDROCARBON PESTICIDES IN RAIN WATER, SOIL AND GROUND-WATER, AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON SOME SOIL-MICROORGANISMS

Residues of lindane, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, endrin, d ieldrin, and DDT were monitored in rain water, the soil profile, and g round water. Heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide were detected in rain w ater in 1995 and 1996. The total concentrations of organochlorine dete cted were 4.7 and 10.6 mu g L-1 for 1995 and 1996, respectively. Top s oil showed a wider spectrum and higher concentrations of organochlorin es detected. The total concentration detected in top soil was 9.5 mu g kg(-1), while concentrations detected at 50 cm depth mounted to 8 mu g kg(-1). Samples collected at 1 m depth had no detectable concentrati ons of any compound. Residues detected in ground water were higher tha n residues reported in many European countries. Residues detected in t op soil and rain water caused a significant depression in soil heterot rophic bacteria and fungi. They also caused a sharp decrease in nitrif ying bacteria. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.