Organochlorine residues and shell thicknesses in eggs of the clapper rail, common gallinule, purple gallinule, and limpkin (class Aves), eastern and southern United States, 1972-74

Organochlorine residues and shell thicknesses were surveyed in eggs of the clapper rail (Rallus longirostris), purple gallinule (Porphyrula martinica), common gallinule (Gallinula chloropas), and limpkin (Aramus guarauna) from the eastern and southern United States. Clapper rail eggs were collected during 1972-73 in New Jersey, Virginia, and South Carolina. During 1973-74, gallinule eggs were collected in Florida, South Carolina, and Louisiana, and limpkin eggs were collected in Florida. Egg contents were analyzed for residues of organochlorine pesticides, including DDT, TDE, DDE, dieldrin, mirex, heptachlor epoxide, oxychlordane, cis-chlordane (and/or trans-nonachlor), cis-nonachlor, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), toxaphene, and endrin, and for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Shell thicknesses of recent eggs of these species were compared with archival eggs that had been collected before 1947. With the exception of the limpkin, the majority of eggs analyzed contained residues of p,p'-DDE and PCBs. Geometric means ranged from 0.10 ppm to 1.3 ppm. Small amounts (less than 1.0 ppm) of mirex, dieldrin, cis-chlordane (and/or trans-nonachlor), TDE, and DDT were detected in a few eggs. No evidence of eggshell thinning was found for any of the species studied. DDE residues in clapper rail eggs were higher in New Jersey and Virginia than in South Carolina.     

Effects of organochlorine residues on eggshell thickness, reproduction, and population status of brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) in South Carolina and Florida, 1969--76.

Shells of brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) eggs collected in South Carolina from 1969 through 1975 and in Florida during 1969, 1970, and 1974 were significantly thinner (P greater than 0.05) than eggshells collected before 1947. Thickness of South Carolina eggshells increased in 1975, and mean thickness of eggshells collected in Florida during 1974 was greater than that of eggshells collected during 1969 and 1970, primarily in Gulf Coast colonies. Residues of 13 organochlorines were found in eggs and tissues of pelicans found dead during 1974 and 1975, although residues in brains of these specimens were not high enough to cause death. Residues of organochlorines, except PCBs, declined through 1975. PCBs increased in eggs from Atlantic Coast colonies. Reproductive success and population status of brown pelicans in South Carolina have improved markedly since authors began their studies in 1969. Good reproductive success was reported in 3 of 5 years from 1973 through 1977.     

p,p'-DDE, polychlorinated biphenyls, and endrin in oldsquaws in North America, 1969-73.

Organochlorinated compounds were monitored in oldsquaws (Clangula hyemalis) and their food from Lake Michigan between October and May, 1969-72; in adult oldsquaws, eggs, young, and food from northwest Hudson Bay in 1971; and in oldquaws from five wintering areas other than Lake Michigan in 1971-73. Analyses were conducted on 300 carcasses, 14 wings, 29 gullet samples, and 11 clutches. Average residues in carcasses from Lake Michigan ranged from 4 to 107 ppm PCBs, 2 to 42 ppm DDE, and less than 0.1 to 0.7 ppm endrin. Differences in DDE levels occurred between several sex and age classes during December on Lake Michigan; these differences were not apparent in the spring. Increases in DDE and PCB residues for oldsquaws occurred on Lake Michigan between December and May. DDE residues in the wing and carcass were significantly correlated. Residues were relatively low in oldsquaw foods from Lake Michigan; concentration factors between the food and the ducks varied between 1X and 22X, depending on the date and compound. Organochlorinated residues were lower in Arctic than in Lake Michigan food samples. DDE in paired male and female oldsquaws was highly correlated, as was DDE in females and clutches. Eggshell thickness had declined 4.5% compared with eggs collected before 1947. Residues were higher in oldsquaws wintering on the Great Lakes and lowest in oldsquaws from coastal areas.     

Organochlorine residues in fish, water, and sediment of American Falls Reservoir, Idaho, 1974.

Organochlorine residues of TDE, DDE, and PCBs as high as 1.96, 2.79, and 28.74 microgram/kg, respectively, have been found in sediments of American Falls Reservoir, Idaho. Residues of TDE, DDE, and dieldrin in the flesh of sport fish were as high as 52.3, 67.2, and 160.4 microgram/kg, respectively. Maximum organochlorine residue levels found in sucker taken in the commercial fishery were 1.1 mg PCBs/kg, 781.7 microgram TDE/kg, and 82.1 microgram DDE/kg.     

Shell thinning and residues of organochlorines and mercury in seabird eggs, Eastern Canada, 1970-76.

Organochlorine and mercury concentrations are reported for 252 eggs of Leach's storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), double-crested cormorant (Phalarocorax auritus), common eider (Somateria mollissima), common tern (Sterna hirundo), razorbill (Alca torda), common murre (Uria aalge) black guillemot (Cepphus grylle), and Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) from the Bay of Fundy, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the open Atlantic shore of Canada during 1970-76. Concentrations of all organochlorines except DDE and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were low. DDE, PCBs, and mercury residues were highest in cormorant and petrel, intermediated in alcids, and lowest in eider and tern. Temporal and spatial aspects of contamination patterns are discussed. Authors conclude that only in cormorants were DDE residues high enough to cause, through eggshell thinning, local population declines.     

Organochlorine residues in young herons from the upper Mississippi River-1976.

Chicks of great blue herons (Ardea herodias) from four heronaries located near South St. Paul, Royalton, and Wabasha, Minnesota, and La Crosse, Wisconsin, were analyzed for organochlorines, Highest mean wet-weight concentrations, 6.43 ppm PCBs. 1.31 ppm DDE, and 1.90 ppm sigma DDT, were found in the South St. Paul chicks. Among chicks from the other three heronries, most levels were similar, but were significantly lower than levels in South St. Paul chicks. Lowest mean organochlorine levels, 0.37 ppm DDE, 0.38 ppm sigma DDT, and 0.22 ppm PCBs, were found in chicks from Royalton. All birds from South St. Paul and La Crosse contained residues of DDT and TDE whereas only one of the 10 birds from Royalton contained DDT and one contained TDE residues. Five of the 12 birds from Wabasha contained DDT; eight contained TDE. Except for PCB residues in La Crosse heron chicks, the rate of organochlorine residue accumulation in the birds was generally less than the rate of dilution caused by growth.     

Nationwide residues of organochlorine compounds in wings of adult mallards and black ducks, 1979-80

Organochlorine residues in wings of adult mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and black ducks (Anas rubripes) were monitored nationwide from birds harvested during the 1979-80 hunting season. DDE residues were found in all samples. DDT residues had declined from levels reported in 1976 on a flyway basis but the decline was significant (P less than 0.05) only in the Pacific Flyway. Levels of DDT, DDE, TDE, and dieldrin were low on a flyway basis, and all but DDE declined significantly (P less than 0.05) in the percent occurrence. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) levels were lower in mallard wings from all flyways compared with 1976 data, but percent occurrence had significantly (P less than 0.05) increased. Pools from Alabama and New Mexico continued to show higher DDE residues than pools from other areas.     

Effects of DDE, TDE, and PCBs on shell thickness of western grebe eggs, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Utah--1973-74

DDE, TDE, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as Aroclors 1260 and 1254 were detected in low concentrations in eggs of western grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis) from Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Utah. DDE was the only contaminant which was both negatively correlated with eggshell thickness and a significant variable in a multiple regression model for predicting eggshell thickness. The eggshell thickness index for western grebe decreased 2.3 percent from pre- to post-DDT-use periods. Incubation stage appeared to have no measurable correlation with eggshell thickness. The small amount of eggshell thinning seen in western grebe eggs at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge appeared to have no detectable effect on reproduction.     

Significance of organochlorine and heavy metal residues in wintering shorebirds at Corpus Christi, Texas, 1976-77

Organochlorine and heavy metal residues were determined in 103 shorebirds of seven species collected at Corpus Christi, Texas, during the winter of 1976-77 to evaluate their potential effects on population survival, DDE and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected in most samples. Chlordane isomers, dieldrin, toxaphene, and heptachlor epoxide also occurred, but less frequently. In general, organochlorine residues were low in skinned carcasses. Geometric means on a wet weight basis ranged from 0.25 ppm to 4.76 ppm for DDE and from 0.67 ppm to 6.64 ppm for PCBs; residues of the other compounds averaged less than 1 ppm in all instances. Mercury, lead, arsenic and vanadium occurred in all shorebird livers, and selenium and cadmium were detected in all kidneys. Residues of these metals, except selenium, were low in most tissue samples. Selenium averages varied from 1.77 ppm to 5.62 ppm (wet weight) in kidneys; residues in this range may be sufficient to inhibit reproduction or to induce other forms of toxicity, especially at the higher levels.     

Organochlorine pesticide, PCB, and PBB residues and necropsy data for bald eagles from 29 states--1975-77

During 1975-77, 168 bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) found moribund or dead in 29 states were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); 32 specimens from 13 states were analyzed for polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs). PCBs were present in 166 bald eagle carcasses and DDE was found in 165. TDE and dieldrin were identified in 137 samples, trans-nonachlor in 118, and oxychlordane in 90. Brains of five eagles contained possible lethal levels of dieldrin, and two eagles possibly died of endrin poisoning. Nine eagle livers, analyzed because of suspected lead poisoning, contained high levels of lead. Twenty percent of the eagles died from shooting, the most common cause of death; this cause of death, however, has declined.     

Residues of organochlorine insecticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in fish from Lakes Saint Clair and Erie, Canada--1968-76.

Eighteen species of fish from Lake Saint Clair and 19 species from Lake Erie were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) between 1968 and 1976. Mean residues of sigma DDT peaked at 1.19 ppm in longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) caught in Lake Saint Clair in 1970-71, but had declined in all species by 1975-76. Dieldrin levels in fish tissues increased over the same period. White bass (Morone chrysops), caught in 1975 in Lake Erie, had the highest mean residue of dieldrin at 0.17 ppm. PCB residues increased in some species and decreased in others. PCB residues exceeding the tolerance level of Health and Welfare Canada were found in the following: from Lake Saint Clair, smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) in 1975 and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in 1971; from Lake Erie, coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in 1970, smallmouth bass, alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens), and gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) in 1971, and white bass in 1971 and 1976.     

Nationwide residues of organochlorine compounds in starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), 1976.

Organochlorine pesticide and PCB residues in starlings from 126 sites within the contiguous 48 states were monitored during fall 1976. The average nationwide level of DDE and PCBs has increased significantly since 1974, but the number of sites reporting PCB residues has decreased fivefold. Dieldrin residues have remained unchanged since 1974. Highest DDE levels occurred in samples from parts of Arizona, Arkansas, California, Louisiana, and New Mexico.     

Uptake of DDT and DDE by the quail embryo and chick

Adult female Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were dosed orally with pp'-DDT in order to produce residues of pp'-DDT and pp'-DDE in their eggs. Eggs were incubated and insecticide uptake by the developing embryos and chicks was compared with the results of other authors, who had injected chicken eggs with insecticide solution before incubation. Rate of uptake by quail embryos increased throughout the incubation period. At hatching and 2 days after hatching, the yolk sac was estimated to contain mean amounts of 37% and 7%, respectively, of the total residues in the chick. Quail eggs, without detectable organochlorine residues, were injected with either pp'-DDT or pp'-DDE in olive oil. At 6 days incubation significantly more DDE than DDT was found in the embryo, but this trend had stopped by 10 days incubation. Metabolism of pp'-DDT to pp'DDE was first detected after 9 days incubation. Embryonic development was slower in injected eggs than in eggs from treated females.     

Nationwide residues of organochlorine compounds in wings of adult mallards and black ducks, 1976-77.

Organochlorine residues in wings of adult mallards and black ducks were monitored nationwide during the 1976-77 hunting season. DDE was found in all samples. Levels were unchanged since the 1972-73 collections in all migratory routes except the Pacific Flyway, in which residue levels declined significantly. Dieldrin levels had not changed in any flyway and residues remained low. PCB levels declined significantly in the Atlantic Flyway but remained stable in other flyways. Heptachlor epoxide, mirex, endrin, hexachlorobenzene, and chlordane isomers were detected in low amounts in some samples.     

Mirex residues in bobwhite quail after aerial application of bait for fire ant control, South Carolina--1975-76

Mirex, the organochlorine compound used for control of the imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren), was applied aerially under supervision of the South Carolina Plant Pest Regulatory Service in October 1975 to a game management area in Hampton County, S.C. Influenced by recent reports indicating that low levels of mirex were toxic to certain nontarget organisms in laboratory studies, authors initiated a program for monitoring mirex residues in bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus). Pretreatment residues were recorded on a dry-weight basis in bobwhite quail breast and adipose tissue; conversion factors for determining wet-weight concentrations are approximately as follows: fat, 0.77; and breast, 0.29. Residues ranged from 0.000-0.178 ppm and 0.247-2.763 ppm, respectively. Mirex residues in quail adipose tissue showed up to five-fold increase within the first month after treatment and declined thereafter. A residue peak was noticed the spring following mirex treatment, corresponding with insect emergence. Mirex residues in quail collected in summer 1976 following a fall bait application showed slightly higher residue levels than had birds taken in summer 1975; however, little, if any, human food chain contamination would result in the consumption of birds with residue levels found in this study.     

Dynamics of egg production of the cestode Diphyllobothrium dendriticum (Nitzsch, 1824) (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea) and the concept of fecundity in helminths

The dynamics of egg production of the tapeworm D. dendriticum has been estimated experimentally in nestlings of the herring gull Larus argentatus per day and per reproductive period. Numbers of eggs in strobilae have been estimated for the maturation period. Mean egg production, of one tapeworm per day (10.42 +/- 2.72 mln) is two orders of magnitude as high as the maximal number of eggs in a mature strobila (0.206 +/- 0.007). It is proposed to estimate the coefficient of reproduction intensity as the ratio of egg output per unit of time and maximum egg numbers in a mature strobila.     

Organochlorine pollutants in small cetaceans from the Pacific and south Atlantic Oceans, November 1968-June 1976

Organochlorine residues were analyzed in blubber, brain, or muscle tissues of 69 individuals representing 10 species of small cetaceans. Collections were made from November 1968 through June 1976 at localities in the Eastern Tropical Pacific and along the coasts of California, Hawaii, Japan, and Uruguay, Relations of residue concentrations between tissues are described for DDE and PCBs in two dolphin species. sigma DDT and PCB residues in blubber of most of the 19 individuals of the five southern California species sampled exceed concentrations that are associated with reproductive impairment in pinnipeds, although the nature of such associations is not well defined. The sigma DDT residue of 2,695 ppm in blubber of one California coastal Tursiops truncatus is one of the highest concentrations reported in tissues of members of any population of wild mammals. Except for one rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) from Maui, Hawaii, all individuals from all localities surveyed were contaminated with organochlorine compounds. Seventeen different organochlorines were detected; greatest diversity occurred near Japan and California. This is the first report of several of these compounds in tissues of any species of marine mammals. The o,p'-isomers and metabolites of DDT were detected unusually frequently. Ratios of p,p'-DDT to p,p'-DDE in blubber of cetaceans from waters off countries where use of this pesticide has been relatively recent and ongoing were at least an order of magnitude higher than in cetaceans from United States waters.     

Organochlorine residues and mortality of herons

Since 1966, 72 herons found dead or moribund in the field have been analyzed for organochlorine chemicals. In addition, 36 herons were obtained through systematic collections, and carcasses were analyzed to determine sublethal exposure to organochlorines. Brains of birds found dead or moribund were analyzed to determine whether the birds had died of organochlorine poisoning. Residues of DDE were found most frequently (96 of 105 carcasses analyzed), PCBs were second (detected in 90 carcasses), and dieldrin and TDE (detected in 37 and 35 carcasses, respectively) were about equal as third and fourth most frequent. Endrin, mirex, toxaphene, and HCB were found least often (8, 9, 9, and 9 carcasses, respectively). At least one organochlorine was found in each carcass, except for six heron chicks found dead in a Maryland heronry. DDE and PCBs were present in highest concentrations; they exceeded 100 ppm in two birds each. Organochlorine concentrations were almost always higher in adult herons than in immature birds. All birds that had hazardous or lethal concentrations in the brain were adults, and most were great blue herons (Ardea herodias). Dieldrin was the chemical most often considered responsible for death. Herons died of suspected DDT and dieldrin poisoning years after the chemicals were banned in the United States. More than 20 percent of the herons found dead or moribund had lethal or hazardous concentrations of organochlorines in the brain.     

Pesticide residues in human milk, Alberta, Canada--1966-70, 1977-78

Organochlorine pesticide residues were determined in human milk of residents of Alberta, Canada, during 1966-70 and 1977-78. Levels of polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and some common organophosphorus pesticides were also monitored during 1977-78. Average residue levels were generally lower in 1977-78 samples, whereas the percent incidence of residues was generally lower in 1966-70 samples. beta-BHC was found in all 1977-78 samples, but was not detected in 1966-70 samples. PCBs were detected in all but two of the 1977-78 samples. Average levels of p,p'-DDT and is metabolites were substantially lower during the second period than during the first. Large increases in the average levels and percent incidences of heptachlor epoxide and o,p'-DDT have been attributed to refinements in both cleanup and gas chromatographic analysis. Although no PBBs or organophosphorus pesticides were detected in 1977-78 samples, an unidentified hydrocarbon similar to dicofol was found in all samples of that period. No correlation between donor age groups and average pesticide residue levels could be inferred.     

Nationwide residues of organochlorines in wings of adult mallards and black ducks, 1972-73.

Organochlorine residues in wings of adult mallards and black ducks were monitored during the 1972-73 hunting season. DDE, DDT, DDD, dieldrin, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) were present in all samples. Mallard wings from Alabama contained the highest mean levels of DDE, DDT, DDD, dieldrin, and PCB's. Mallards and black ducks from the Atlantic Flyway and mallards from the Pacific Flyway contained significantly lower DDE residues than in 1969-70. Black ducks from the Atlantic Flyway contained significantly less dieldrin than in 1969-70, and mallards in the Central and Pacific Flyways contained significantly lower levels of PCB's. As in 1969-70, DDE residues were lowest in the Central Flyway and highest in the Atlantic Flyway. The average PCB level remained unchanged in the Atlantic Flyway but was higher in the Mississippi Flyway than in 1969-70, probably because of the unusually high levels in Alabama samples. All organochlorine residues in black ducks from the Atlantic Flyway significantly correlated. DDE concentrations in mallards from the Atlantic Flyway significantly correlated with those of DDT, DDD, and PCB's.