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Insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and metals in African lake ecosystems. I. Hartbeespoort Dam, Transvaal and Voëlvlei Dam, Cape Province, Republic of South Africa

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Abstract

Concentrations and distribution of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) and some metals were determined in two South African lakes, Hartbeespoort Dam and Voëlvlei Dam. Water, bottom sediments, aquatic plants, aquatic insects, fish, fish-eating birds and their eggs were collected.

Insecticides and PCB's were analyzed by thin layer and gas chromatography and mass-spectrometry. Analysis of metals was accomplished with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Metals included arsenic, cadmium, copper, manganese, lead, zinc, and mercury.

The insecticide residues most commonly found in both dams were DDE, DDD, DDT, and dieldrin. Hartbeespoort had higher levels than Voëlvlei of insecticides and PCB's in all types of samples common to both lakes. Concentrations of PCB's having six or more chlorines increased with an increase in the trophic level. Concentrations of PCB's in the brains of the African birds were greater than the average total concentration of insecticides while the opposite was true for carcasses. Biological magnification of insecticides and PCB's occurred in both lakes.

Hartbeespoort Dam had higher levels than Voëlvlei for all metals examined in bottom sediments and birds, except for copper in bird carcasses. Mercury levels in bird carcasses ranged from 2- to 5-fold greater than in fish while lead concentrations ranged from 2- to 10-fold greater.

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Author notes

  1. Daniel J. Call

    Present address: Center for Lake Superior Environmental Studies, Superior, Wisconsin

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Department, South Dakota State University, 57006, Brookings, South Dakota, USA

    Yvonne A. Greichus, Algirdas Greichus, Barbara D. Amman & Daniel J. Call

  2. Entomology-Zoology Department, South Dakota State University, 57006, Brookings, South Dakota, USA

    Yvonne A. Greichus, Algirdas Greichus, Barbara D. Amman & Daniel J. Call

  3. Chemistry Department, South Dakota State University, 57006, Brookings, South Dakota, USA

    Yvonne A. Greichus, Algirdas Greichus, Barbara D. Amman, Daniel J. Call & Richard M. Pott

  4. Department of Nature Conservation, Republic of South Africa

    Yvonne A. Greichus, Algirdas Greichus, Barbara D. Amman, Daniel J. Call & Dassiën C. D. Hamman

Authors
  1. Yvonne A. Greichus
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  2. Algirdas Greichus
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  3. Barbara D. Amman
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  4. Daniel J. Call
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  5. Dassiën C. D. Hamman
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  6. Richard M. Pott
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Greichus, Y.A., Greichus, A., Amman, B.D. et al. Insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and metals in African lake ecosystems. I. Hartbeespoort Dam, Transvaal and Voëlvlei Dam, Cape Province, Republic of South Africa. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 6, 371–383 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02097778

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02097778

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