191 
Table 79: Limits of detection (LOD) at a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 3:1 and limits of quantification 
(LOQ, S/N 9:1) for endosulfan 
LOD 
LOQ 
Sample amount 
Water 
Endosulfan I 
7 pg/L 
20 pg/L 
10 L 
Endosulfan II 
7 pg/L 
20 pg/L 
10 L 
Sediment 
Endosulfan I 
4 ng/kg 
11 ng/kg 
40 g 
Endosulfan II 
4 ng/kg 
14 ng/kg 
40 g 
Biota 
Endosulfan I 
0.1 
0.4 pg/kg 
3g 
Endosulfan II 
0.4 
1.1 pg/kg 
3g 
The values obtained are comparable to those of classical pollutants like HCH, PCBs, 
DDT-metabolites or PAH, which are presently observed in the open marine 
environment. 
6.4.3.1 Water 
Endosulfan was determined in sea water samples from the North Sea and Baltic Sea 
which had been collected during 7 cruises in 2003 to 2005 (Table 89 to Table 91, 
Appendix 6.6.8). 
Endosulfan II was below the LOQ in nearly all samples. Endosulfan I was found in 
most samples at concentrations of < 7 to 50 pg/L with a median of 25 pg/L. About one 
third of the data was below the LOQ. The geographical distribution of the 
concentrations is shown in Figure 40 and Figure 41. 
In the German Bight, concentrations were within a fairly narrow range of <10 to 50 
pg/L; no clear gradients were observed in any of the surveys. Although slightly higher 
concentrations were found occasionally in the river Elbe at Stade (May 2004: 50 pg/L), 
indicating endosulfan input to the German Bight via this river, this had no appreciable 
influence on endosulfan distribution in the marine waters. Other sources must be 
considered to explain the “background level” of 10 to 20 pg/L in the southern North Sea