Abhatoo - Centre Nationale de Documentation

This study concerns the analysis of Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) and Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in samples of the European clam (Ruditapes decussatus), oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and common mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected from Sidi Moussa lagoon in July 2012, December 2013 and February 2013. A total of 13 OCPs and PCBs were targeted: εHCB, γ-HCH, DDT and its metabolites DDD and DDE, aldrin, heptachlor, PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 101, PCB 138, PCB 153 and PCB 180. Assays were carried out by gas chromatography with an electron capture detector. The results show that organochlorine contamination was low and did not exceed tolerable levels according to European standards. The concentrations for ΣOCPs where higher than the concentrations for ΣPCBs. Oysters and mussels living in the water column showed higher concentrations than did the burrowing clam species. Aldrin showed the lowest concentrations compared to other chlorinated pesticides. Although the observed levels of contamination fall within current safety limits, careful future monitoring is recommended.