Organochlorine levels in edible fish from the Marmara Sea, Turkey

Samples of 12 edible fish species from the Marmara Sea were analyzed for organochlorines (PCBs, DDTs, HCB, HCHs, toxaphene, etc.). The results showed that the total concentrations ranged from 329.41 ng/g fat to 1453.87 ng/g fat. DDT group components made up almost half or more of organochlorine contamination. Levels in red mullet were compared with those from neighbor seas. The sum of DDTs as well as HCHs concentrations were markedly lower than in the Black Sea but higher in the Aegean Sea and Mediterranean. Thus, inflow from the Black Sea might be considered as a contamination source for DDT and HCH contamination. On the other hand, total PCB concentration (sum of congeners 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180) detected in this study was comparable or lower than those from the Aegean Sea and Mediterranean. Toxaphene was a minor contaminant. Measured values were below maximum residue levels for human consumption.