Determination and load of organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides at water from Jiulong River Estuary, China

Abstract Seventeen organic phosphorus pesticides (OPs) and 18 organic chlorine pesticides (OCs) at water from Jiulong River Estuary (JLRE) are determined by SPE–GC–(FPD and μECD). The contents of the total OPs (17) ranged from 134.8 to 354.6 ng/l (the mean is 227.2 ng/l). Total OCs concentrations varied from 115.4 to 414.7 ng/l in water (mean 237.7 ng/l). The levels of total hexachlorocyclohexane in water varied from 31.95 to 129.8 ng/l (mean 62.51 ng/l), and those of total DDTs were in the range 19.24–96.64 ng/l (mean 48.69 ng/l). The distribution and behavior characteristics of OPs indicate that five main OPs (methamidophos, dichlorvos, malathion, omethoate and dimethoate) occupied the most part of the total OPs, in addition, the sources of the OPs (mainly from current usage) are not stable. While the OCs mainly came from early application and were more stable. The OPs did not have obvious correlation with the dissoved organic carbon and suspended particulate matter at water from JLRE. It maybe due to the complicated hydrological kinetics in the estuary, and the higher water solubility and weak absorption (with organic matter) action of OPs. When compared with other areas, the OPs and OCs level in JLRE are some moderate.