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 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.     

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.     

Organochlorine residues in six species of estuarine birds, South Carolina, 1971-75.

In South Carolina between 1971 and 1975, authors evaluated the occurrence of organochlorine residues in the laughing gull (Larus atricilla), white ibis (Eudocimus albus), glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus), and ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres). Tissues of birds found dead and eggs were analyzed, eggshell thicknesses were measured, and incidental observations were made of reproductive success and population status. Eggshell thickness of the white bis, American oystercatcher, and laughing gull were not significantly different (P less than 0.05) from the pre-1947 norms. DDE and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were found most frequently and at the highest concentration in eggs. DDE residues declined significantly in oystercatcher eggs, and declined slightly in laughing gull eggs; no change was noted in white ibis eggs. No consistent trends were found for dieldrin and PCBs. Authors found no obvious problems with reproductive success of any species. Populations of the five species breeding in South Carolina appear stable. The white ibis and laughing gull in South Carolina have experienced population explosions over the past 50 years; the glossy ibis has increased substantially since the first documented breeding records in 1947.     

Residues of organochlorines and heavy metals in ruddy ducks from the Delaware River, 1973.

In December 1973, eight ruddy ducks killed in an oil spill on the Delaware River were collected to be analyzed for residues of environmental pollutants. Whole carcasses were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides and livers were examined for lead, cadmium, and mercury. Residues of polychlorinated biphenyls and DDT and/or its metabolites were present in all carcasses. Dieldrin and hexachlorobenzene were present in seven of the eight samples. All livers contained detectable levels of lead, cadmium, and mercury.     

Residues of organochlorine insecticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in fish from Lakes Huron and Superior, Canada--1968-76.

Five species of fish from Lake Superior and 12 species from Lake Huron were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) between 1968 and 1975. Mean residues of sigma DDT peaked at 1.72 ppm and 7.60 ppm in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) from Lakes Superior and Huron, respectively. By 1975, the mean level of sigma DDT had decreased in lake trout and was highest in bloaters (Coregonus hoi) from both lakes: 1.06 ppm and 1.87 ppm, respectively. Dieldrin levels in fish from Lake Superior changed little over the same period. However, in 1969-70, dieldrin levels in fish from Lake Huron exceeded the 0.3 ppm tolerance level set by Health and Welfare Canada or the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 5 percent of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) and 10 percent of bloaters. By 1975, 50 percent of bloaters caught in Georgian Bay and North Channel had dieldrin levels above 0.3 ppm. PCB residues declined in lake trout and lake whitefish caught in Lake Superior between 1971 and 1975, but increased slightly in bloaters and white sucker (Catostomus commersoni). Mean PCB residues in bloaters caught in Lake Huron in 1969-71 and 1975-76, and splake (Salvelinus fontinalis and S. namaycush) and cisco (Coregonus artedii) caught in 1975 exceeded the 2 ppm tolerance level.     

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.     

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.     

Dicofol residues in United States soils having a known history of its use as a miticide, 1974

Soil samples were collected from a total of 21 sites in California, Washington, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Dicofol (Kelthane) miticide had been applied at various times over a 5-year period to 17 of the sites; four sites had received no applications. Samples were collected at 0-75-mm and 75-150-mm depths, and submitted to gas-liquid chromatographic analysis. Samples from only four of the 17 treated sites contained mean residues equal to or exceeding 2.00 ppm. Residues in all cases were only a small fraction of the total amount applied. Apparently, a mechanism for the dissipation of dicofol exists, but it is unidentified at this time.     

Determination of residues of promecarb and its metabolite, 3-methyl-5-isopropylphenol,in cattle

A procedure is described for the colorimetric determination of promecarb as 3-methyl-5-isopropylphenol in tissues using 2,6-dichlorpbenzoquinone-4-chlorimine as the chromogen. Cattle were exposed to either 1, 3, 5 or 8 spray applications of a 0·2% promecarb emulsion at 3-day intervals or were fed promecarb at 2 ppm or 20 ppm daily in the diet for 20 days. All animals were slaughtered 30 h after final exposure. Of the animals in the spraying trial, residues in omental fat ranged from 0·9 ppm to 1·5 ppm promecarb and 0·4 ppm to 1·9 ppm 3-methyl-5-isopropylphenol. Residues in perirenal fat ranged from 0·8 ppm to 1·9 ppm promecarb and 0·9 ppm to 1·6 ppm 3-methyl-5-isopropylphenol. Residues in diaphragm muscle did not exceed 0·06 ppm. In the feeding trial, the maximum residues induced were 2·2 ppm promecarb and 1·4 ppm 3-methyl-5-isopropylphenol in omental fat of an animal fed for 20 days on a diet containing 20 ppm promecarb.     

Pesticide residues in the total diet in Canada

A total diet, representative of a Canadian's daily food intake was formulated, grouped by types of food, and prepared as for eating. Analysis of these composites for residues showed eleven organochlorine but no organophosphorus pesticides. Residues were low and would yield an average total daily intake of 24μg/person/day. The level of arsenic was determined on one-quarter of the samples and was found to be consistently below 0.1 ppm.     

DDT in northern pike (Esox lucius) from the Richelieu River, Québec, Canada, 1974-75

Concentrations of DDT, TDE, DDE, and sigma DDT were determined in homogenized whole fish samples of 129 northern pike (Esox lucius). These fish were netted between June 1974 and June 1975 in the first 10 km of the Richelieu River flowing in Canadian territory. Two years after the banning of DDT, sigma DDT levels ranged from 0.2 ppm fresh body weight in two-year-old specimens to 1.5 ppm in a six-year-old pike. Residues increased greatly with age, and significant seasonal variations in the sigma DDT levels were found in five- and six-year-old pike.     

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.     

Dieldrin, DDT, PCBs, and mercury levels in freshwater mullet from the upper Great Lakes, 1975-76.

Freshwater mullet harvested commercially during various seasons of 1975-76 from the upper Great Lakes were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, and mercury. Species analyzed were Catostomus commersoni, C. catostomus, and Moxostoma erythruran. Whole ground fish, mechanically deboned flesh, head, middle, and tail steaks, and various muscles were analyzed for pesticides and PCBs; only edible flesh was analyzed for mercury. Dieldrin ranged from none detected to 0.23 ppm in deboned and whole ground samples, the DDT range was a trace to 0.30 ppm, and PCBs ranged from 0.06 ppm to 0.79 ppm. Levels were also higher in head sections and in high fat-containing medial muscle and belly flap. Mercury levels ranged from 0.03 ppm to 0.28 ppm in the flesh of mullet from Lake Michigan.     

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.     

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.     

Mirex residues in wildlife and soils, Hawaiian pineapple-growing areas--1972-74.

A monitoring program was conducted in the pineapple-growing areas of Hawaii from 1972 to 1974 to survey mirex residues in sediments, soils, and aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Residues in pineapple field soils ranged from 3 to 18 ppb 9 months after mirex had been applied. No residues were found in the sediments. Only 8 fish of 110 aquatic animals sampled contained mirex; these levels were low and ranged from 3 to 7 ppb. Mirex residues in birds ranged from undetectable to 10 ppm; residues in rodents were quite variable, but in terms of the geometric mean, the amounts in the Polynesian rat decreased with time from 1,270 to 56 ppb. Similarly, values for the roof rat ranged from 666 to 17 ppb. The geometric mean for residues in mongooses decreased from 2,200 ppb immediately after application to 238 ppb 39 weeks later. Aerial application of mirex to the pineapple fields did not contaminate the marine environment of Hawaii and no evidence of mirex residue buildup in the aquatic food chain was apparent. Mirex accumulation in terrestrial biota was temporary; there was no definitive indication of permanent accumulation in the wildlife of the areas studied.     

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.     

HERBICIDE RESIDUE DETERMINATIONS AND TAINT TESTS ON FRUIT FROM GOOSEBERRIES TREATED WITH CHLORTHIAMID AND DICHLOBENIL

Fruit harvested from gooseberry plots treated with up to 33·6 kg/ha of chlorthiamid and dichlobenil (applied at two dates) was examined for the presence of residues of 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile together with the possible metabolites, 2,6-dichlorobenzamide and 2,6-dichlorobenzoic acid. In addition the canned fruit was examined for taint. Residues of 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile resulting from the application of both herbicides at all rates were below 0·05 ppm. Residues of 2,6-dichlorobenzamide ranged from 0·13 to 0·45 ppm with the greatest residues occurring in fruit from plots treated with the highest amounts of chlorthiamid in March. Fruit from some of the March applications of both herbicides contained residues of up to 0·16 ppm 2,6-dichlorobenzoic acid. No taints were found in the canned fruit.     

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.