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.     

PCB's in fish from selected waters of New York State.

PCB residues in fish from 41 stations throughout New York State were monitored in 1975. Nearly all fish contained PCB's in detectable amounts although the levels of contamination and specific Aroclor varied. The Hudson River contained the highest known PCB concentrations within the United States; levels often exceeded 100 ppm. Other waters and fish which were significantly contaminated include Lake Ontario salmonids and Cayuga Lake lake trout. Onondaga Lake, previously closed to fishing because of mercury contamination, also appears to have abnormally high levels of PCB's approaching in some instances the action level of the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Samples from marine waters generally have contaminant levels substantially below 5.0 ppm.     

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.     

Residues of polychlorinated biphenyls, DDT, and DDT metabolites in Pennsylvania streams, community water supplies, and reservoirs, 1974--76.

Pennsylvania streams, community water supplies, and open water reservoirs were analyzed for PCB mixtures, DDT, and DDT metabolites. Streams were sampled in 1974 and again in 1975. Only 4 of 19 stream locations were contaminated. Maximum concentrations in community supplies of Aroclor 1242 (2 locations), Aroclor 1254 (3 locations), and sigmaDDT (2 locations) were 350, 260, and 620 ng/kg, respectively. Of the 110 community water supplies sampled in 1975 and 1976, only 7 contained residues. Maximum concentrations in community supplies of Aroclor 1242 (4 locations) and sigmaDDT (2 locations) were 460 ng/kg and 75 ng/kg, respectively. The seventh contained 0.7 ng/kg of dieldrin. None of the three open water reservoirs contained detectable residues of the compounds of interest. Essentially no correlation was found between PCB and DDT analogs in streams and those in fish from streams which had been samples at similar locations in a related study in 1976.     

Organochlorine residues in fish: National Pesticide Monitoring Program, 1970-74

As part of the National Pesticide Monitoring Program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service analyzed organochlorine contaminant residues in fish samples collected from about 100 stations each year from 1970 to 1974. During this period, mean residues of DDT and its metabolites declined nationally but remained widespread, and high concentrations continued to be present in areas where DDT use was extensive. Results of interlaboratory crosscheck analyses supported these conclusions, despite interpretation problems posed by intercompound analytical interferences in 1970 and 1971. Temporal trends in PCB residues were less obvious. Highest PCB residues were found in the industrialized areas of the Northwest and Midwest, and traces were present at most stations. Dieldrin and endrin residues remained essentially unchanged during this period; dieldrin residues were widespread and were highest in Hawaii and in areas of the Midwest where aldrin was used extensively. Toxaphene occurrence increased; it was formerly found only in fish from streams draining cotton-farming regions, but residues were detected in 1974 samples from other areas. According to the recommendation of the National Academy of Sciences' Water Quality Criteria, organochlorine residues in freshwater fish may have represented a hazard to piscivorous fish and wildlife at 71 percent of the stations sampled in 1970 and 66 percent in 1974.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls and other organic chemical residues in fish from major United States watersheds near the Great Lakes, 1978

Twenty-six composite samples of fish were collected during 1978 from United States watersheds near the Great Lakes and analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and related organic chemicals. PCB mixtures resembling Aroclor 1254 were found in all samples, and mixtures resembling Aroclor 1242 (or 1016) were found in 77 percent of the samples. Total PCB concentrations in the whole-fish composite samples ranged from 0.13 to 14.6 ppm; 65 percent of the samples contained more than 2 ppm PCBs. DDT and its metabolites were found in all samples. sigma DDT concentration was 1.66 ppm, and 81 percent of the samples contained less than 1.0 ppm sigma DDT. Chlordane ranged from less than 0.001 to 2.57 ppm in 38 percent of the samples. Hexachlorobenzene was found in 65 percent of the samples, ranging from less than 0.005 to 0.447 ppm. Other chemicals identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry included petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorobenzenes, chlorostyrenes, chlorophenols, and chlorinated aliphatic compounds. Fish from the Ashtabula River (Ohio), Rock River (Ohio), and Wabash River (Indiana) contained extremely complex residues of chlorinated and other organic chemicals.     

The ecology of Crepidostomum species (Allocreadiidae: Digenea) in the salmonoids of Lake Yli-Kitka in northeastern Finland

Crepidostomum spp. were studied from 417 whitefish (Coregonus acronius Rapp, 1854), 220 vendace (Coregonus albula L.) and 38 brown trout (Salmo trutta m. lacustris (L.)) from Lake Yli-Kitka in northeastern Finland during 1980-1983.12.7% of the whitefish were infected with Crepidostomum with a mean intensity of 4.6 worms per infected fish. The species involvedare C. farionis (Müller, 1784) and Crepidostomum wikgreni Gibson et Valtonen, 1988, which differed from C. farionis in the number and size of the eggs. Both types were encountered in the gall-bladder and intestine, but were unable to be distinguished as immature stages. 21% of the brown trout harboured C. farionis in the intestine with a mean number of 1.5 worms per infected fish. Two C. farionis specimens occurred also in the intestine of one vendace. Whitefish smaller than 150 mm did not harbour Crepidostomum specimens, but in bigger fish the prevalence and the mean intensity of infection increased to a certain limit as the fish got larger. The prevalence of Crepidostomum infection also clearly increased during the three seasons in the three size-groups studied. The seasonal pattern of Crepidostomum in whitefish of the size greater than or equal to 150 mm was variable in that the lowest values, both in the prevalence and mean intensity of infection, occurred between September and December in 1980 and between April and August in 1982. Reinvasion was found throughout the year, although the main recruitment occurred during autumn and early winter. Eggs matured between late spring and early autumn. The smallest worms occurred mainly in the gall-bladder, and most of the gravid specimens were located in the intestine. Both the variance-to-mean ratio and the low values of the parameter k of the fitted negative binomial distribution reveal the Crepidostomum specimens are overdispersed in the whitefish of Lake Yli-Kitka.     

Organochlorine insecticide residues in bovine milk and manufactured milk products in Illinois, 1971-76.

Monitoring activities were initiated in 1971 to survey the occurence and levels of organochlorine insecticide residues in bovine milk and manufactured milk products in Illinois. Dieldrin residues were the most prevalent, and were found in 96 percent of the samples. Dieldrin also accounted for the highest average residue concentration (0.09 ppm). Only 0.3% of the samples contained illegal insecticide residues. Levels of DDT and lindane were generally declining, but those for dieldrin and heptachlor epoxide tended to remain constant.     

Residues of pesticides and PCBs in estuarine fish,1972-76--National Pesticide Monitoring Program.

This report summarizes 1524 analyses of juvenile fish collected semiannually in 144 estuaries nationwide from July 1972 through June 1976. Pooled samples of 25 whole fish were screened for 20 common pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The three most common residues, DDT, PCBs, and dieldrin, were found in 39, 22, and 5 percent of the samples, respectively. Data indicate that estuarine pollution levels continue to decline.     

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.     

Occurrence of Phyllodistomum umblae (Fabricius, 1780) in the ureters of coregonids of Lake Yli-Kitka in northeastern Finland

380 whitefish (Coregonus sp.) and 260 vendace (Coregonus albula L.) were studied from Lake Yli-Kitka in northeastern Finland during 1980-1982. 33% of the whitefish and 38.5% of the vendace were infected with Phyllodistomum umblae (Fabricius, 1780), the average intensity of infection being 4.2 and 2.3 per infected fish, respectively. No clear seasonality was observed in either the prevalence and intensity of infection or in the level of maturation and the length of P. umblae in both fish species, which points to a continuous invasion and maturation of these trematodes. The prevalence and intensity of P. umblae infection was highest in the middle-sized whitefish. Similar results were obtained when the mean number of worms per fish and the level of overdispersion (S2/x) are plotted against the length of the fish. With regard to vendace the prevalence and intensity of infection per infected fish and per fish studied increased as the fish length increased: only the variance-to-mean ratio remained constantly low. Overdispersion indices (S2/x) revealed that in the whitefish P. umblae is more overdispersed than in vendace when studied using data from seasonal periods with size-groups as homogenously infected as possible. The negative binomial distribution gave a good fit in the case of vendace and with one exception also for whitefish, and the values of parameter k are well within the limits most often found in parasitological studies.     

Insecticide residues in the Tuttle Creek Reservoir Ecosystem, Kansas-1970-71.

Various components of the aquatic ecosystem of Tuttle Creek Reservoir on the Big Blue River in northeastern Kansas were examined for organochlorine insecticide residues in 1970-71. Components examined were water, sediments, periphyton, zooplankton, insects, and whole-body samples of 10 common fish species. Only dieldrin and sigmaDDT residues were detected. Dieldrin was found in part of the nonfish samples at levels ranging up to 0.01 ppm and in 97 percent of the fish samples with a high level of 0.17 ppm. SigmaDDT residues were also detected in part of the nonfish samples at levels ranging up to 0.42 ppm, and in 98 percent of the fish samples at levels as high as 0.57 ppm. Authors' findings are roughly similar to those of other surveys of Kansas fishes. All levels are relatively low compared with those reported in surveys from other parts of the Nation.     

Influence of environmental factors on pesticide levels in sport fish

The extent of pesticide contamination of sport fish from lakes and reservoirs in Indiana is described. Environmental and water quality factors significantly influenced the concentration of pesticides in fish. The influence of these factors was different between natural lakes and humanmade reservoirs. Largmouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), sunfish (Lepomis sp), and bullheads (Ictalurus sp.) were collected and analyzed for dieldrin, aldrin, DDT, DDE, heptachlor, and heptachlor epoxide. The collections and concurrent lake surveys were made during 1972-73. Soil and decaying plant particles appeared to influence the levels of dieldrin and sigma DDT taken up by largemouth bass. Strong correlations were observed between lake turbidity and true color and residue levels in the fish. Residue concentrations were also observed to vary between fish species, the seasons of the year, and watershed land uses.     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in soils from six U.S. Air Force bases, 1975--76.

Soil samples collected during 1975 and 1976 from United States Air Force installations in California, Georgia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah were analyzed for organochlorine pesticide residues. Sigma DDT, chlordane, and dieldrin were the pesticides most commonly found. In 1975, sigma DDT residues were significantly higher in samples from residential areas than in samples from golf courses or areas free of pesticide application. Chlordane residues in 1975 were significantly higher in both residential and golf course areas than in areas where pesticides had not been used. No significant differences were found in 1976 in residue levels of any pesticide monitored among various land use areas.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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 polychlorinated biphenyls and DDT in water and sediment of the St. Lucie Estuary, Florida, 1977.

sigma DDT residues in the St. Lucie River bottom sediments increased after Lake Okeechobee water was discharged through the St. Lucie Canal into the area. sigma DDT levels were highest in sediment samples from the Palm City area, ranging from 1.8 ppb to 6.15 ppb. Sediment samples from the A1A Highway Bridge area contained 1.6-6.8 ppb Aroclor 1254. Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and sigma DDT in sediment samples from the junction of the St. Lucie and Indian Rivers were not detectable. Surface water samples from the estuary did not show any detectable DDT or PCB residues.