Organochlorine pesticides in soil and sediment from an urban zone of Novi Sad, Serbia

Abstract

The content of 16 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) was determined in the surface zone (0-5 cm) of soil and sediment samples, taken from different locations in the city of Novi Sad, capitol of Vojvodina Province (North of the Serbia) covering residential and commercial area, recreational and arable zone. The total organochlorine pesticides concentration in soil varied from 2.63 to 31.78 μg/kg dry matter, while the level in sediment was 10.35 μg/kg dry matter. Maximum content of identified individual organoclorine pesticide in soil samples was 10.40 μg/kg dry matter for p,p-DDE in the market garden and 6.31 μg/kg dry matter for p,p'-DDT in sediment of the Danube River, although their application is restricted in Serbia. Data were compared with the ones found for soils and river sediments throughout the world, and with limit values set by soil and sediment quality guidelines. Also, correlation between the levels of certain pesticides and soil characteristics (organic matter, pH and clay content) was investigated. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011.