title: Status of organochlorine contaminants in the different environmental compartments of Pakistan: a review on occurrence and levels.
abstract: This review evaluates and summarizes the results of the studies of organochlorines-contaminated water, sediment/soil and biota in Pakistan. Pattern of occurrence of each contaminant class from different study sites is followed as DDTs > Cyclodiens > HCHs > PCBs. The studies conducted in the surrounding areas of the demolished DDT manufacturing units and obsolete pesticides stores of country showed extremely highest values of ∑DDTs, which differ significantly (p < 0.05) than those reported from the agricultural areas and fresh water bodies of the country. HCHs, heptachlor, dieldrin, and HCB were also reported in many studies, but the concentrations are comparable among all the locations in the country. The authors suggested surface run-off, dumping of waste from industries and contamination from obsolete pesticides and demolished OCPs manufacturing units as the major sources in Pakistan. Information on PCBs is scares and studies on assessment of PCBs occurrence, and spatial trends in various environmental matrices needs special attention to produce the scientific publication. The results draw attention that POPs contamination must be considered as a priority environmental concern due to their use in agricultural and industrial sector.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Syed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ali-Musstjab-Akber-Shah Eqani
authors.forename: Riffat Naseem
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: Ambreen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alamdar
authors.forename: Hina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Faheem
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058448:Biota; D003634:DDT / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D006533:Heptachlor / Q000032:analysis; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000032:analysis; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D010154:Pakistan; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D010575:Pesticides; D012987:Soil; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane; D006533:Heptachlor; D003634:DDT; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls