Halogenated Hydrocarbons in Dutch Water Samples Over the Years 1969 – 1977

Abstract

The results of a surveillance program with respect to hexa-chlorobenzene, α-, β- and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane, heptachlor, heptachlorepoxide, dieldrin, endrin, o.p’-DDT, p.p’-DDT, p.p’-DDE, TDE, α- and β-endosulfan, polychlorobifenyls and the parameter “Extractable Organic Chlorine” (EOC1) in the Dutch aquatic environment are presented.

In the period 1969 – 1977, 1,826 water samples were taken at 99 sampling sites.

The highest concentrations of halogenated hydrocarbons were found in the River Rhine and its tributaries.

A sampling trip by boat made along the River Rhine from Rheinfelden in Switzerland to Rotterdam in the Netherlands proved that the source of the α-, β- and γ-HCH-contamination was located between Basel (Switzerland) and Karlsruhe (Federal Republic of Germany).