Persistence in earthworms and potential hazards to birds of soil applied DDT, dieldrin, and heptachlor
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Abstract
(1) DDT, dieldrin, and heptachlor were each applied to separate replicate plots in a hay field at 0.6, 2.2, or 9.0 kg/ha. For 11 yr thereafter, soil and earthworms were analysed for residues.
(2) The average ratios of residues in earthworms (dry weight) to residues in soil (dry weight) were: total DDT, 5; dieldrin, 8; and heptachlor epoxide, 10. The average time for the initial residues in soil to be reduced by 50% were: total DDT, 3.2 yr; dieldrin, 5.1 yr; and heptachlor epoxide, 3.2 yr. The corresponding times for residues in earthworms were: total DDT, 3.2 yr; dieldrin, 2.6 yr; and heptachlor epoxide, 3.0 yr.
(3) DDE was most persistent, and in plots treated at 9.0 kg/ha its concentration remained constant at about 0.4 ppm in soil and about 7 ppm in earthworms.
(4) When applied at 9.0 kg/ha, DDT accumulated in earthworms to concentrations (32 ppm) which laboratory studies have shown to be hazardous to some sensitive bird species. When heptachlor was applied at 2.2 or 9.0 kg/ha, heptachlor epoxide in earthworms reached concentrations (8 ppm) potentially hazardous to woodcock. Dieldrin remained at potentially hazardous concentrations (8 ppm) for 3 yr in plots treated with 2.2 kg/ha and for 11 yr in plots treated with 9.0 kg/ha.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Persistence in earthworms and potential hazards to birds of soil applied DDT, dieldrin, and heptachlor |
| Series title | Journal of Applied Ecology |
| DOI | 10.2307/2402326 |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 1980 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | British Ecological Society |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 13 p. |
| First page | 295 |
| Last page | 307 |
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