Sedimentation records of persistent organic pollutant (POPs) in Ganjiang River basin： molecular stratigraphic study of OCPS and PCBs

Abstract：This paper deals with the sedimentation records of POPs such as OCPs and PCBs in sediments along the cross section of flood plain of Gangjiang River so as to determine the history of organic pollution. Classification of molecular stratigraphy was carried out on the basis of the evolution of the concentration of organic compounds, which indicates that there exist high concentrations of residual HCHs, DDTs and PCBs at the depth from 26 to 46 cm, with high level of residual DDTs being found even in deeper areas. Although the concentrations of residual OCPs and PCBs do not exceed the contamination standard, special attention should be paid to the potential release of such pollutants to the surrounding environment. The sedimentation records of POPs are consistent with the development history of Ganjiang River and hence such studies contribute to the study of the age of contemporary sediments.