Presence and biomagnification of organochlorine chemical residues in oxbow lakes of northeastern Louisiana

Niethammer, K.R.; White, D.H.; Baskett, T.S.; Sayre, M.W.

Abstract:

Samples (98) of 16 spp. of animals were collected at Lake Providence, 88 samples of 15 spp. at Lake Bruin and 21 samples of 5 spp. at Lake St. John, Louisiana, between July 15 and Sept. 25, 1980. Residues of 13 organochlorine compounds were identified in these samples. Substantial concentrations of many compounds throughout the food webs of all 3 lakes showed that the lakes acted as sumps, accumulating residues from nearby agricultural land. DDT and its metabolites (DDE, TDE and DDMU [1-chloro-2,2,-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene]), toxaphene and polychlorobiphenyls (PCB) were the principal organochloride residues detected. With few exceptions, biomagnification of the principal residues was clearly illustrated. Tertiary consumers such as green-backed heron (Butorides striatus), snakes, spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) contained the highest residues. Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), blacktail shiner (Notropis venustus), yellow-crowned night heron (Nycticorax violaceus) and other secondary consumers contained lower levels of residues. Primary consumers, crayfish (Orconectes lancifer) and threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense), contained relatively low residue levels of most compounds. Frogs contained lower residue levels than expected based on their position in the food web. Residue levels in immature green-backed herons and .gtoreq. 1 of the longer-lived predators, e.g., snakes, gars or largemouth bass could be monitored to evaluate levels of organochlorine chemical contaminants in aquatic habitats.

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Article

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5221919

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Niethammer, K.R.; White, D.H.; Baskett, T.S.; Sayre, M.W.

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Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

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English

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Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

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63-74

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Presence and biomagnification of organochlorine chemical residues in oxbow lakes of northeastern Louisiana; 1984; Article; Journal; Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; Niethammer, K.R.; White, D.H.; Baskett, T.S.; Sayre, M.W.