Fingerprints of Some Chlorinated Hydrocarbons in Plant Foliage from Africa

Concentrations of DDTs, HCHs and HCB in foliage have been used to evaluate the contamination levels of two African areas and Seychelles and Mauritius Islands. Physico-chemical properties in combination with environmental features play the most important role in the global distribution of chlorinated hydrocarbons. However past and present applications appear to be significant in determining the characteristics of the contamination pattern in different areas. Results are discussed in comparison to previous African data. Remarkable differences in contamination levels are evident among the areas considered. Log-Probit and Correspondence Factor Analyses are used for the characterization of the typical distribution pattern of each area. Relative differences in the composition of the pollutant mixture (HCHs dominance, different DDE/DDT ratios etc.) seem to indicate a ''fingerprint'' of the contamination for each geographical-economical homogeneous region.