Assessment of contamination by organochlorine pesticides in the Loukkos area (Morocco)

This work is to assess the degree of contamination by organochlorine pesticides (OCP) in Loukkos area in the northwest of Morocco: 12 organochlorine pesticides including aldrin, DDT and its isomers (DDD and DDE), dieldrin, endrin, �± endosulfan, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), �± HCH and �≥ HCH were monitored. Results of this study showed a significant contamination by organochlorine pesticides in the drained Loukkos area. Heptachlor detected in seven monitoringstations (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, AM.O.L, and AV.O.L) was the most dominant with concentrations ranging from 0.053 to 0.371 µg/L exceeding the limit recommended by WHO and EU standard (0.03 µg/L). DDT was detected only in one station among the seven stations sampled, his concentration in P4 was (0.268 µg/L) exceeding the limit recommended by EU standard (0.1 µg/L), while its metabolite DD E (pp') was detected on traces in P2 (0.016 µg/L), his presence could reflect previous use of DDT in the area. Lindane (�≥ HCH) was detected at traces in stations P1 (0.051 µg/L) and P2 (0,084 µg/L). Similarly dieldrin was detected in P2 at 0.067 µg/L. Since OCP were banned in 1984, contamin ation of the water in the region would be linked directly to the intensive use of the past before the ban in 1984, to the illegal use of some old stocks of these compounds or to eventual and also to ease the transition in sandy soils in the region. Key W ords: Organochlorine pesticides, Loukkos area, Morocco