摘要：In order to show the role of sediment in buffering pesticide contamination in seawater, degradation of DDT, Antar and Herphosate in carbonate sediments were investigated. Degradation rates of organochlorine pesticides were calculated from oxygen consumption rate and ammonium production rate that were estimated by incubation of natural carbonate chambers with pesticides. The degradation rates of Antar under oxic and anoxic conditions were 90.7±9.9 and 110.2±17.0 mgC/m2/day1, respectively, which were twofold higher than the rates of Herphosate under both conditions. Degradation of DDT in the sediment was almost zero indicating its higher stability. Statistical analysis shows no significant differences between the degradation under oxic and anoxic conditions. The highly permeable carbonate sediments which are composed mainly of unconsolidated fragments may play an important role in the mineralization of pesticides in marine environments.
