Organochlorine pesticides (DDTs and HCHs) in soils from the outskirts of Beijing, China

Concentrations of HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane) and DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) were determined in shallow subsurface (5–30 cm depth) and deep soil layers (150–180 cm depth) from the outskirts of Beijing, China. Concentrations of total HCHs (including α, β, γ, δ-isomers) and total DDTs (including p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDD, o,p′-DDT) in shallow subsurface soils ranged from 1.36 to 56.61 ng/g dw (median 5.25 ng/g), and from 0.77 to 2178 ng/g (median 38.66 ng/g), respectively, and those in the deeper layers were approximately an order of magnitude less. The spatial distribution of HCHs and DDTs reflected the known historical usage of these pesticides. No correlation between the concentrations of pesticides and soil organic matter content or clay content can be found. The factors affecting residue levels and compositions of DDT and HCH were discussed. The contour maps of β/γ ratios and DDT/DDE ratios for both the shallow subsurface and deep layer soils were drawn.