Total mercury levels in selected human tissues, Idaho-1973-74(1,2)

Total mercury levels were determined in human tissues taken at autopsy from six hospitals in the three basic geographical areas of Idaho. Of the 242 specimens analyzed, 76 percent contained detectable mercury. Levels were compared with respect to the age, sex, and geographic residence of autopsied individuals. Mean levels detected were 1.04 ppm in kidney tissue, 0.34 ppm in liver, and 0.08 ppm in brain. Mean mercury levels for the three geographical areas were: southeastern Idaho, 0.22 ppm; southwestern Idaho, 0.80 ppm; and northern Idaho, 0.43 ppm. The relatively high means in southwestern Idaho specimens may be related to the preponderance of natural cinnabar deposits in that portion of the State. Mercury levels were higher in women than men for all tissues in both the southwestern and northern areas, but the reverse was true in the southeast. Data were compared with findings of other investigators in an attempt to arrive at background levels of total mercury residues in human tissues.     

Mercury concentrations in fish, North Atlantic offshore waters--1971.

Mercury concentrations were determined in muscle and liver of 41 species of fish and a limited number of plankton, sediment, and invertebrate samples collected from North Atlantic offshore waters in 1971. The average mercury concentration in fish muscle was 0.154 ppm with a standard deviation of 0.124. Invertebrate samples had mercury concentrations which were generally less than 0.1 ppm. In a single lobster sample, however, 0.31 ppm mercury was found in the tail muscle and there was 0.60 ppm in the liver. Mercury levels in all 9 plankton and 10 sediment samples taken were less than 0.05 ppm.     

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.     

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.     

Polychlorinated biphenyl contamination of areas surrounding two transformer salvage companies, Colman, South Dakota--September 1977

Soil, corn plants, and foliage from areas surrounding two electrical salvage companies involved in reconditioning old transformers had unusually high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Levels decreased as distance from the factories increased. PCBs were dispersed into the air through incineration of waste oils; water and soil contamination was caused by runoff from the factories. PCBs found in the contaminated areas closely resembled Aroclor 1260 as did the PCBs in the waste oil, whereas PCBs in other areas were more similar to Aroclor 1254. PCBs on surface soils taken from an unplowed pasture near the factories also resembled Aroclor 1260, whereas samples taken from depths of 2-4 inches showed degradation of some PCB isomers. PCB concentrations in corn cobs and kernels were < 0.05 ppm, whereas leaves contained PCB levels of up to 2.2 ppm. PCB levels in earthworms and small rodents collected near the factories were considerably higher than levels in the same types of animals collected from other areas.     

Total mercury in water, sediment, and selected aquatic organisms, Carson River, Nevada--1972.

A 1971-72 study of the Nevada Carson River drainage system by the Geological Survey, U.S. Department of Interior, revealed substantial amounts of mercury from pre-1900 gold and silver milling operations of the Comstock Lode. A monitoring survey was initiated to determine the extent of mercury uptake from corresponding surface water and sediments for seven aquatic species collected from five sampling stations along the watercourse. Total mercury content in fish ranged from 0.02 to 2.72 ppm; highest concentrations occurred in piscivorous white bass (0.50-2.72 ppm) sampled from Lahontan Reservoir. Residue levels appeared to be related to fish size, as demonstrated by highly significant correlations between wet weight and mercury content of five of the six species. Concentrations also appeared to be directly influenced by the species' position on the aquatic food chain. These results indicate that mercury levels in some fish from the Carson River drainage system may exceed the 0.50 ppm maximum concentration considered by the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, to be safe for human consumption.     

Pesticide contamination of water rats in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas, New South Wales, Australia, 1970-72.

Organochlorine pesticides were found in all samples of livers, kidneys, mammary glands, and fetuses of eastern water rats (Hydromys chrysogaster) collected in the Murrumbidgee irrigation areas of New South Wales in 1970 and 1972. DDE was the predominant residue. Livers contained 0.01--3.10 ppm sigma DDT air-dried weight; kidneys, less than 0.01--1.12 ppm; mammary glands, 0.14--23.75 ppm; fetal liver, 0.28--0.66 ppm. Variations in residue levels are discussed in relation to the possible effects of environmental and physiological factors.     

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.     

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.     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in human milk samples from women living in Northwest and Northeast Mississippi, 1973-75

Organochlorine pesticide analyses were performed on human milk samples obtained from 34 women living in the Mississippi Delta, a high pesticide usage area, and from six women living in Starkville, Mississippi, a low pesticide usage area. Nine women collected samples before and after their babies had nursed so that fat levels and sigma DDT levels could be compared on whole milk and milk fat bases. sigma DDT values were independent of collection time if calculated on a milk fat basis, but not if calculated on a whole milk basis. Thus, the most consistent indicator of DDT residues were values calculated on a milk fat basis. Residue levels for p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, and sigma DDT were significantly different (P less than 0.01) in samples from the two areas. Residues of o,p'-DDT, beta-BHC, and oxychlordane in milk samples from women living in the high pesticide usage area also were significantly different (P less than 0.05). A mean value of 19.17 ppm sigma DDT, found in the milk fat of samples from the high pesticide usage area, is the highest ever reported. Samples from the low pesticide usage area contained a mean level of 2.36 ppm sigma DDT.     

Concentrations of total mercury in several fishes from Delaware Bay, 1975

Mercury levels in eleven species of fishes collected from lower Delaware Bay in April 1975 ranged from 0.018 to 0.321 microgram/g and averaged 0.092 microgram/g. Raja eglanteria, the clearnose skate, had the highest mean mercury concentration (0.214 microgram/g). No correlation was found with feeding habits. These assays provide baseline data for future measurement of mercury accumulation by fishes in this region.     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in animals of Tasmania, Australia-1975-77

Animals taken in Tasmania including duck (Anas superciliosa), eel (Anguilla australis), English perch (Perca fluviatilis), white-faced heron (Ardea pacifica), brown trout (Salmo trutta), European starling (Strunus vulgaris), cat (Felis cattus), cormorant (Phalacrocorax sp.), mutton bird (Puffinus tenuirostris), Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), rainbow trout (Salmo gairdnerii), Tasmanian raven (Corvus mellori), tench (Tinca tinca), and quail (Coturnix sp.) were sampled for p,p'-DDE, pp,p'-TDE, p,p'-DDT, lindane, dieldrin, and hexachlorobenzene. Pesticide residue levels exceeded 0.1 ppm in at least one animal from each area and in the majority of animals sampled from all areas. Pesticide sources could not be determined, partly because migratory species such as ducks, mutton birds, cormorants, and eels may have ingested pesticides outside of Tasmania.     

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.     

Organochlorine residues in harp seal (Phagophilus groenlandicus) tissues, Gulf of St. Lawrence, 1971, 1973.

Levels of p,p'-DDT, p,p'-TDE, p,p'-DDE, dieldrin, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and HCB were determined in certain tissues of 31 harp seals (P hagophilus groenlandicus) taken from the Gulf of St. Lawrence during 1971 and 1973. The seals ranged in age from less than two weeks to 18 years. Mean concentrations of PCBs and sigma DDT in the various tissues were about the same sigma DDT levels were 1.64--9.88 ppm in adult seal blubber and 1.08--3.73 ppm in seal pup blubber. Organochlorine levels in harp seal samples taken in 1973 were similar to those reported by other workers for samples collected in the Gulf of St. Lawrence during 1967-71.     

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.     

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.     

Pesticide residues in foodstuffs in Great Britain XIV.—Mercury residues in potatoes

The total mercury contents of the skin and flesh fractions of potatoes from 87 commercial crops grown in England were in the range 0.0–0.08 ppm with the majority in the range 0.01–0.04 ppm.     

OCCURRENCE AND PERSISTENCE OF PICLORAM IN GRASSLAND WATER SOURCES

Summary. At 2 weeks following application, concentrations of picloram in surface runoff water collected adjacent to a South Texas grassland treated with 1·1 kg/ha ranged from 0·055 to 0·184 ppm as detected by gas chromatography. Picloram in surface runoff water diminished with time and amount of rainfall as a decay function. Picloram was not detectable in a flowing stream 0·8 km below a 32-ha area treated with 1·1 kg/ha. Residual picloram was not detected in domestic water wells at any time up to 2 years following treatment of adjacent areas with 1·1 kg/ha.
Dissipation of picloram from treated livestock-watering ponds was concentration-dependent, with the final losses resulting largely from dilution. Initial loss rates in the ponds ranged from 14 to 18%/day but decreased to less than 1%/day at 100 days following treatment. After 100 days, when the concentrations were less than 0·005 ppm, the primary changes in picloram content appeared to be due to dilution from rainfall or to concentration by runoff from adjacent treated areas.     

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.