Skip to main content
Log in

Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, DDE, and mirex in waterfowl collected in New York State, 1979–1980

  • Published:
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Levels of polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), DDE, and mirex were measured in the subcutaneous fat, breast muscle, liver, and brain of sixty-three waterfowl collected in New York State during 1979 and 1980. Mean PCB levels were 7.5 μg/g in fat and 1.3 μg/g in breast muscle on a wet weight basis. The FDA tolerance level is 3.0 μg/g in fat on a wet weight basis. Mean DDE and mirex levels were 0.34 μg/g and 0.10 μg/g in fat and 0.16 μg/g and 0.07 μg/g in breast muscle on a wet weight basis, respectively. Comparisons and correlations were made of contaminant levels in the various tissues by different concentration bases, and PCB concentrations were compared to the Aroclor® (PCB) type. Potential health hazards are discussed. Comparisons to earlier studies show declined levels. Mergansers are the most contaminated species.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baker F, Tumasonis C, Stone W, Bush B (1976) Levels of PCB and trace metals in waterfowl in New York State. NY Fish Game J 23:82–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Bush B, Conner S, Snow J (1982) Sensitive and accurate PCB analysis by glass capillary gas chromatography. J Assoc Off Anal Chem 65:555–566

    Google Scholar 

  • Bush B, Tumasonis C, Baker F (1974) Toxicity and persistence of PCB homologs and isomers in the avian system. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 2:195–211

    Google Scholar 

  • Cromartie E, Reichel W, Locke L, Belisle A, Kaiser TE, Lamont T, Mulhern B, Prouty R, Swineford D (1975) Residues of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls and autopsy data for bald eagles, 1971–1972. Pestic Monit J 9:11–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Food and Drug Administration (1977) Pesticide Analytical Manual, Vol I, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, US Govt Printing Office, Washington, DC, Section 211-13

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1979) Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); reduction of tolerances. Fed Reg June 1979 44:38330–38340

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox GA, Gilman AP, Peakall DB, Anderka FW (1978) Behavioral abnormalities of nesting Lake Ontario gulls. J. Wildl Manage 42:477–483

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilman AP, Hallett DJ, Fox GA, Allan LJ, Learning WJ, Peakall DB (1978) Effects of injected organochlorines on naturally incubated herring gull eggs. J Wildl Manage 42:484–493

    Google Scholar 

  • Horwitz W (ed) (1980) Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, 13th ed, AOAC Washington, DC, Ch 29, pp 466–471

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutzinger O, Safe S, Zitko V (1974) The Chemistry of PCBs. CRC Press, Cleveland, OH. pp 1–39, 133–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser K (1978) The rise and fall of mirex. Environ Sci Technol 12:520–528

    Google Scholar 

  • King JR, Farner DS (1965) Studies of fat deposition in migratory birds. Ann NY Acad Sci 131:422–440

    Google Scholar 

  • MacDougall D (1980) Guidelines for data acquisition and data quality evaluation in environmental chemistry. Anal Chem 52:2242–2249

    Google Scholar 

  • Moser J (1980) A report of New York's zoned waterfowl seasons 1976–1979. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY, pp 7–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Natrella M (1963) Experimental Statistics. National Bureau of Standards Handbook 91. US Department of Commerce, US Govt Printing Office, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Shea T, Fleming WJ III, Cromartie E (1980) DDT contamination at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Science 209:509–510

    Google Scholar 

  • Pastel M, Bush B, Kim JS (1980) Accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls in American shad during their migration in the Hudson River, Spring 1977. Pestic Monit J 14:11–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickett RL, Dossett DA (1979) Mirex and the circulation of Lake Ontario. J Phys Oceanog 9:441–445

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott JM, Wiens JA, Claeys RR (1975) Organochlorine levels associated with a common murre die-off in Oregon. J Wildl Manage 39:310–320

    Google Scholar 

  • Sodergren A, Ulfstrand S (1972) DDT and PCBs relocate when caged robins use fat reserves. Ambio 1:36–40

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kim, K.S., Pastel, M.J., Kim, J.S. et al. Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, DDE, and mirex in waterfowl collected in New York State, 1979–1980. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 13, 373–381 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055289

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055289

Keywords

Navigation