ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDE, PCB, AND PBB RESIDUES AND NECROPSY DATA FOR BALD EAGLES FROM 29 STATES - 1975-77

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  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 13  (4) , 145-149
Abstract
During 1975-1977, 168 bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) found moribund or dead in 29 states were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB); 32 specimens from 13 states [of USA] were analyzed for polybrominated biphenyls (PBB). PCB were present in 166 bald eagle carcasses and DDE was found in 165. TDE [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] and deildrin were identified in 137 samples, trans-nonachlor in 118, and oxychlordane in 90. Brains of 5 eagles contained possible lethal levels of dieldrin, and 2 eagles possibly died of endrin poisoning. Nine eagle livers, analyzed because of suspected Pb poisoning, contained high levels of Pb. Of the eagles, 20% died from shooting, the most common cause of death; this cause of death has declined.