Publication Abstract

Hexachlorocyclohexanes in sea water in the English Channel 1989-1993, following the loss of MV Perintis

R.J. Law and C.R. Allchin

When the vessel MV Perintis sank 35 miles south-east of Brixham in the English Channel on 13 March 1989 it triggered a major Anglo-French monitoring study involving samples of both seawater and shellfish (MAFF, 1991). Amongst the cargo of the Perintis were a number of pesticides: 0.6 t of cypermethrin, 1.0 t of permethrin, and 5.8 t of lindane (y-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)) with the potential to harm the substantial fish and shellfish resources in the area, both by direct toxic action and by contamination of the human foodchain. Although all of the drums containing cypermethrin and 80% of those containing permethrin were subsequently retrieved from the sea-bed, none of the lindane was recovered and the whereabouts of the Freight container in which it was shipped is still tnknown. For this reason, MAFF has continued to monitor seawater concentrations of both α- and γ-HCH in the vicinity. During annual cruises of R V frolana from 1989-1993, samples have been collected on a transect along the length of the English Channel and analysed using similar methodology to that used for analysis of the original samples. As the results from five of these cruises are now available, it is appropriate to review the data obtained from analysis of 117 samples during the 4 year period since the MV Perintis sank. No monitoring specifically related to the Perintis has been conducted by the French authorities other than in the direct aftermath of the incident, although the most likely resting place of the lost container is in French waters, in the vicinity of the Hurd Deep to the north of Alderney and northwest of Cherbourg. A summary of the work undertaken by the French authorities in the aftermath of the sinking of the Perintis has been published elsewhere (Floch et al., in press).

Reference:

R.J. Law and C.R. Allchin, 1994. Hexachlorocyclohexanes in sea water in the English Channel 1989-1993, following the loss of MV Perintis. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 28: 704-706.