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.     

Mercury residues in breast muscle of wild ducks, 1970-71.

Samples of breast muscle from 327 ducks collected from October 1970 to March 1971 in the conterminous United States were analyzed for total mercury by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry. Mercury levels for the entire collection ranged from less than 0.01 to 3.91 ppm wet weight with a median of 0.10 ppm. Twenty-five ducks had levels equalling or exceeding the 0.5 ppm guideline for fish and shellfish established by the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Dabbling ducks, which are shallow-water feeders and mostly vegetarian in fall, winter, and spring, usually had lower levels than diving and sea ducks. Levels were generally higher in ducks collected in areas where environmental mercury levels were known to be greater than in ducks from nonsuspect areas. Despite the mobility of the ducks, levels seemed more closely linked to local environmental contamination than to various factors associated with large geographic areas.     

Mercury, arsenic, and cadmium in fish, water, and sediment of American Falls Reservoir, Idaho, 1974.

Mercury and cadmium were found in fish, water, and sediment of American Falls Reservoir (AFR), Idaho. Mercury and cadmium levels in some fish exceeded human health standards set by the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and the World Health Organization. Analyses performed on the flesh of rainbow trout showed mercury residues of up to 1.20 mg/kg, which were higher than residues previously reported in trout collected in 1970 and 1971 from AFR. Cadmium residue levels were as high as 0.80 mg/kg. Although arsenic was found in reservoir sediment at levels of 1.36-2.40 mg/kg, it was not detected in fish.     

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.     

新疆天业工业园区周围环境汞污染分析

针对天业工业园区工厂运行对周围环境的汞污染程度,通过采集工业园区周边大气、水体、土壤、植物、水生生物样品,采用RA-915+塞曼效应汞分析仪和配套装置测定其总汞含量。结果表明：大气采样点空气气态单质汞（GEM）含量均没有超过国家环境空气质量二级标准;参照国家地表水环境质量标准,采样点地表水均为IV类水;土壤样品总汞含量在国家土壤环境质量二级标准范围内;稻谷总汞含量超过食品安全国家标准限值,油菜接近限值,洋葱、玉米在限值之内;不同鱼类总汞含量为：肉食性鱼类＞杂食性鱼类＞植物食性鱼类;无鳞鱼类＞有鳞鱼类,并且,总汞污染水平未超过我国食品卫生标准限值。可以得出,新疆天业集团工业园区周围环境汞污染较轻,但存在潜在风险。     

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.     

Concentration related responses of chlorpyriphos in antioxidant, anaerobic and protein synthesizing machinery of the freshwater fish, Heteropneustes fossilis

Impacts of chlorpyriphos (2, 4, 6 ppm) on the profiles of antioxidant (catalase) and anaerobic (lactate dehydrogenase) enzymes and other macromolecular contents (DNA, RNA, protein) of various tissues of the freshwater fish, Heteropneustes fossilis were studied. Chlorpyriphos significantly decreased the specific activity of catalase (CAT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the brain, liver, gill and skeletal muscle of the fish. The reduction in specific activity might be due to the binding of chlorpyriphos or its metabolites with the enzyme molecules or affecting the synthesis and/or degradation of the enzymes. Like enzymes, the DNA, RNA and protein contents decreased in the brain, liver, gill and skeletal muscle of the fish as a function of increase in chlorpyriphos concentrations (2-6 ppm). The chlorpyriphos-induced reduction in these biochemical constituents might be because of alteration in their turnover (synthesis/degradation) in different tissues. The maximum effects on CAT, LDH, DNA, RNA and protein were obtained in response to 6 ppm chlorpyriphos. The present findings suggest chlorpyriphos concentration related impairment in antioxidative, anaerobic and protein synthesizing capacity of the fish. Therefore, the use of higher concentrations of chlorpyriphos should be avoided to protect the health of economically important freshwater food fish.     

江苏省鮰鱼养殖体系中18种多氯联苯和4种重金属的污染现状与风险评估

对江苏地区斑点叉尾鮰主要养殖区域环境的水、底泥及鱼体内的18种多氯联苯 (PCBs,7种环境指示类、12种类二齅英类) 及4种重金属 (Pb、As、Cd、Hg) 的污染状况进行了系统调查,并进行了生态与健康风险评估。结果表明:PCB28、PCB52和PCB114在环境与鱼体组织中均有较高的检出频率,但不同养殖区域PCBs的污染组成不同,表明污染来源有所不同;底泥中PCBs的含量为178.4~457.2 pg/g,远高于水体中的0.2~11.9 ng/L;PCBs在鱼肉中富集量较高,为1.28~267.96 pg/g,与该鱼种皮肉中较高的脂肪含量相关,而在肝脏和肠胃中的含量较低,分别为0.64~95.46 pg/g和1.20~45.94 pg/g。重金属在底泥中的含量最高,水体中较低;在鱼体内的平均含量依次为Pb>As>Cd>Hg,鱼体各组织中重金属总含量依次为肝脏>肠胃>肉。鱼肉中二齅英类多氯联苯 (DL-PCBs) 的总毒性当量 (TEQ) 浓度为1.9 pg/g,低于欧盟规定的最大残留限量 (MRL) 值6.5 pg/g。利用美国环境保护署 (EPA) 的目标风险商 (THQ) 和风险系数 (R) 模型,通过比较每日摄入量和每日允许摄入量,对江苏地区斑点叉尾鮰的食用安全性进行了评估,结果表明:江苏省鮰鱼养殖体系中PCBs及4种重金属的致癌风险均为可接受。     

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.     

Residues of organochlorine insecticides in some fishes and birds in the gezira of Sudan

Twenty-eight specimens representing five types of fish and five types of birds from the Gezira Research Farm, Wad Medani, Sudan, were analysed for residues of organochlorine insecticides. All fish muscle samples were found to contain pp′-DDE, pp′-TDE and pp′-DDT in total concentrations ranging from 0.27 to 16.0 mg/kg. In addition to DDT-type residues, dieldrin (HEOD) was also found in the majority of bird samples. Concentrations in bird breast muscle ranged from 0.07 to 5.5 mg/kg. When bird liver samples were examined they were found to contain higher residues than the breast muscle in nearly all cases.     

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 and mercury residues in commercially grown catfish.

In 1970, 54 commercial catfish farms in Arkansas and Mississippi were sampled for pesticide and mercury residues. Pesticide residues above FDA action levels were detected in 15 percent of the fish samples. Data on residues in sediment, fish feed, and source water suggest that fish were not being contaminated from these sources. Average fish residue per county was, however, strongly correlated with the percent of total acres planted in cotton and soybeans. Results strongly suggest that cotton production was the primary source of contamination. Actual routes of movement have not been clearly defined but aerial transport seems most probable.     

Residues of methoxychlor and other chlorinated hydrocarbons in water, sand, and selected fauna following injections of methoxychlor black fly larvicide into the Saskatchewan River, 1972.

In May 1972, 0.309 ppm methoxychlor black fly larvicide was applied in a single test on the North Saskatchewan River. Eight to nine days later residues of 0.05-0.10 ppm methoxychlor occurred in sand 21-22 km downstream from the point of injection. Methoxychlor was not detected in water, insect larvae, shellfish, or muscle tissues of three fish species on the same sampling date. Perhaps because of relatively high oil content in goldeye fish, methoxychlor residues in muscle tissues were 1.0-1.5 ppm in 8 percent of those sampled, 0.21-0.99 in 21 percent, and 0.02-0.20 in 37 percent. In 34 percent of the goldeye fish no residues were detected. Goldeye and other fish collected before or 17 weeks after this injection did not contain detectable levels of methoxychlor. River water in two samples of the injected slug of water collected 6.5 km downstream from the point of injection contained 0.14 and 0.16 ppm methoxychlor. The suspended solids filtered from these sample contained 40 and 47 percent of this methoxychlor (437 and 892 ppm, respectively). Thus methoxychlor may act selectively against filter-feeding species, especially black fly larvae.     

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.     

Fate of copper in ponds.

Treatments of 3 ppm copper sulfate (CuSO4-5H2O) were applied to two small aquatic systems in Michigan in 1971. To study the pathways of the added copper, samples of water, sediment, aquatic macrophytes, filamentous algae, and fish were collected and analyzed by atomic absorption. Sampling was initiated before treatment and continued up to 4 months in one of the ponds. Dissolved copper concentrations in water decreased rapidly immediately after treatment and then gradually to background levels. Reduction of dissolved copper may have involved initial precipitation of an insoluble compound, such as malachite, followed by sediment adsorption of soluble copper complexes and copper released from aquatic plants. Levels of copper in sediment increased rapidly at first and gradually later in the study. Aquatic plants and filamentous algae accumulated very high levels of copper. Uptake rates were apparently affected by water temperature and growth stages of the plants. Data indicate that aquatic macrophytes developing in one pond 10 weeks after treatment took up copper from the sediment. Although green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) accumulated copper soon after treatment, levels returned to background later in the study.     

Inducement of metabolic dysfunction by carbamate and organophosphorus compounds in a fish, Puntius conchonius

Exposure of a freshwater cyprinid (Puntius conchonius) to 2.142 and 4.784 ppm of carbaryl and dimethoate, respectively, for 24 hr, seriously affected carbohydrate and cholesterol metabolism. Significant hyperglycemia and glycogenolysis in liver, brain, and heart were manifested in the treated fish. Hypercholesterolemia and rise in liver cholesterol also occurred. Long-term exposure, 15–30 days, to chronically sublethal concentrations, 0.194 and 0.306 ppm carbaryl and 0.434 and 0.683 ppm dimethoate, elicited hypoglycemia and depletion of liver glycogen, together with enhanced glycogenesis in the heart. The glycogen level in brain fell in response to carbaryl exposure in contrast to a significant elevation caused by dimethoate. Reduction in blood and liver cholesterol at 15 days was followed by an increase at 30 days.     

Intoxication effects of lindane (γ-BHC) on the carbohydrate metabolism in the climbing perch, Anabas testudineus (Bloch)

The effects of an acute lethal (0.59 mg/liter) and a sublethal (0.075 mg/liter) concentration of lindane on the levels of glycogen (liver and muscle), glucose (blood), and lactic acid (liver, muscle, and blood) of a freshwater fish, Anabas testudineus (Bloch) were determined. A marked decrease in the liver glycogen and significant increase in blood glucose and muscle glycogen at 1 hr of exposure to 0.075 mg/liter lindane was noted. These results indicate extensive utilization of energy stores in the liver and simultaneous buildup of fuel reserves in the muscle. After 3 hr of exposure, glycogenesis possibly becomes operative in liver through the Cori cycle. The activity of the cycle was observed in the fish in all the subsequent periods of exposure studied. At 120 hr, the decreases observed in muscle and liver glycogen indicate near exhaustion of glycogen stores. Though changes in glycogen content of both muscle and liver were similar in 0.59 mg/liter lindane, they have less adaptive value since mortality of fish was significantly high at all three peroids studied.     

Haematological and biochemical responses of freshwater teleost fish Cyprinus carpio (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes) during acute and chronic sublethal exposure to lindane

The impact of acute and sublethal toxicity of a synthetic organochlorine pesticide lindane on some haematological and biochemical parameters of a freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio was estimated. The median lethal concentration of lindane for 24 h was 0.38 ppm. During acute treatment (24 h), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct) and erythrocyte (RBC) values were decreased, whereas leucocyte (WBC) count increased in the pesticide treated fish. The hematological indices like mean cellular volume (MCV), mean cellular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean cellular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were decreased when compared to control group. Biochemical profiles like plasma glucose and protein levels were increased in lindane exposed fish showing a percent increase of 50.36 and 3.98 at the end of 24 h treatment. However, glycogen content in liver and muscle were decreased showing a percent decrease of 21.70 and 1.74. In sublethal treatment (1/10th of LC50 24 h value, 0.038 ppm), RBC count was decreased whereas WBC count increased in the pesticide treated fish throughout the study period (25 days). Hb and Hct values were decreased up to 10th day and after that recovered showing a significant increase in the rest of the study period. Similarly, a biphasic response was observed in the value of MCV, MCH and MCHC. Plasma glucose level was significantly increased while plasma protein level decreased throughout the study period. Further, glycogen level in muscle and liver were showed a mixed trend. In the present study, the pesticide lindane caused alterations on haematological and biochemical parameters of C. carpio and these alterations can be used as non specific biomarkers in pesticide contaminated aquatic ecosystem.     

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.     

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.