RESIDUES OF ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES AND POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS AND AUTOPSY DATA FOR BALD EAGLES, 1973-74

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 11  (3) , 134-137
Abstract
Bald eagles (86) [Haliaeetus leucocephalus] found sick or dead during 1973-74 in 24 states [USA] were analyzed for organochlorine compounds. DDE was detected in all caracasses; polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were found in all but 2. Seventy-five carcasses contained TDE and/or dieldrin. Four eagles had possibly lethal levels of dieldrin in the brain. Bald eagles continue to retain high residue levels of organochlorine pollutants. Illegal shooting remained the most common cause of death but accounted for a smaller percentage of the mortalities than in the 2 previous biennial collections.