Abstract
This study provides information on the current status of contamination by organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in eggs and tissues of House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, in Tamil Nadu, India. The mean concentration of total hexachlorocyclohexane (∑HCH) and total dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (∑DDT) in eggs ranged from 0.01 to 1.81 μg/g and 0.02 to 1.29 μg/g, respectively. Concentration of 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p′-DDE) ranged from below detectable limit (BDL) to 0.64 μg/g, representing more than 60% of the ∑DDTs. About 28% of samples had p,p′-DDE levels above the critical concentration associated with reproductive impairment. However, the mean concentrations of cyclodiene insecticides were less than 0.5 μg/g. Although OCPs levels detected in tissues are not indicative of toxicity, continuous monitoring is recommended.
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Acknowledgments
We express sincere gratitude to the Director, Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) for financial assistance. We appreciate all research scholars, S Patturajan and Murugesan, SACON for their assistance in field and laboratory works.
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Dhananjayan, V., Muralidharan, S. & Ranapratap, S. Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Eggs and Tissues of House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, from Tamil Nadu, India. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 87, 684–688 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-011-0414-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-011-0414-9