Persistent organochlorine pollutant residues in water, sediment, and fish from Efteni Lake, North-West Turkiye

The Efteni Lake, Wildlife Development Area is under anthropogenic pressure regarding agriculture and water management. This study aimed to determine and evaluate the persistence of an organochlorine pollutant (POP) and its bio-accumulation and bio-magnification from the water to fish in the lake. Therefore, water, sediment, and fish (Tinca tinca) specimens were collected from different points in the lake. The study showed that dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) compounds were the highest among the organochlorine pesticide (OCP) groups and were found in 100% of all specimens. However, the frequency rates and the concentrations recorded for 4,4-DDT (a DDT metabolite) were higher than for DDT compounds in all three specimen types. The mean total polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations were 0.17 & PLUSMN; 0.03 ng/g, 0.31 & PLUSMN; 0.03 ng/g, and 0.61 & PLUSMN; 0.03 ng/g in the water, sediment, and fish specimens, respectively. In conclusion, the concentration of OCPs in the water significantly was lower than in the sediment and fish. The top three PCB congeners, as per their mean levels were PCB 138, 151, and 153. Reducing human pressure on Efteni Lake is crucial because POP residues in the lake are likely to pose a danger to aquatic organisms, other wildlife, and to human health.