ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDE AND POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL RESIDUES IN SELECTED FAUNA FROM A NEW-JERSEY SALT-MARSH - 1967 VS 1973

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 10  (4) , 149-158
Abstract
More than a half million pounds of DDT were applied to control mosquitoes in salt marsh estuaries of Cape May County, New Jersey [USA], from 1946-1966. The use of DDT was discontinued in the county after 1966. In 1967, mean concentrations of DDT and metabolites ranged from 0.63-9.05 ppm in aquatic fauna, but by 1973 mean residue levels had decreased 84-99% among 9 spp. [including periwinkle (Littorina littorea) and ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa)]. DDE was still present at reduced levels in nearly all samples in 1973, but other DDT isomers had mostly disappeared. Dieldrin was detected only in clapper rails [Rallus longirostris], and residue levels decreased during the period. Mean concentrations of PCB [polychlorinated biphenyls] increased in the clapper rail, remained the same in the fiddler crab [Uca pugnax], and mud snail [Ilyanassa obsoleta] and decreased in the sheepshead minnow [Cyprinodon variegatus]. Small amounts of mirex, toxaphene, cis-chlordane (and/or trans-nonachlor), oxychlordane, and HCB [hexachlorobenzene] were detected in a few specimens.