The fate of polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the water columns
from Poyang Lake was studied. The total concentrations of OCPs and PAHs were 19.10–111.78 ng L1
and 5.56–266.1 ng L1, respectively. Among OCPs, endosulfans, chlordanes, and HCHs accounted for
21.96%, 24.6% and 24.65%, and were the predominant pollutants. Results suggested that the main sources
of DDTs were residue from technical DDTs and dicofol, as well as antifouling paints for ships, while for
HCHs, the main sources included long-distance transmission, agriculture activities and the combination
of industrial products with separate lindane in use. As for PAHs, the predominance of lower molecular
weight congeners demonstrated that petroleum and the combustion products of fuel oil, as well as other
pyrogenic sources, contributed to the main input of PAHs in the Poyang region. The vehicle emissions
were mostly from diesel engines. Moreover, HCH, DDT and BaP concentrations in water of Poyang Lake
were all below the threshold values.