Organochlorine compounds in bottom sediments,benthos, and fish in the volga pool of the Rybinsk Reservoir

The concentrations of three groups of organochlorine compounds (HCCH, DDT, and PCB) in bottom sediments, zebra mussel, and two fish species—zope and roach—in the Volga Pool of the Rybinsk Reservoir. The concentrations of the examined toxicants can be ranked in the ascending order as follows: HCCH<DDT<PCB. The total concentration of organochlorine compounds (OCC) and their metabolites are very low, thus allowing the Volga Pool to be regarded as a background region for the Upper and Middle Volga Basin. A congener-specific determination of PCB was carried out, and priority congeners were identified for monitoring the ecosystem pollution by dioxin-like compounds.