Persistence of organochlorine chemical residues in fish from the Tombigbee River (Alabama, USA): Continuing risk to wildlife from a former DDT manufacturing facility

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 157; no. 2; pp. 582 - 591
• Main Authors: Hinck, Jo Ellen, Norstrom, Ross J., Orazio, Carl E., Schmitt, Christopher J., Tillitt, Donald E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2009; Elsevier Science Ltd; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agnatha. Pisces; Alabama; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; bass; Biological and medical sciences; chemical residues; DDT (pesticide); DDT - analysis; DDT - toxicity; Dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Female; Fishes - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Haliaeetus leucocephalus; hexachlorobenzene; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated - analysis; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated - toxicity; Industrial Waste - adverse effects; Industrial Waste - analysis; isomers; Male; manufacturing; Micropterus; Pandion haliaetus; Pesticide Residues - analysis; Pesticide Residues - toxicity; Pesticides; polychlorinated biphenyls; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - analysis; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - toxicity; risk; Risk Assessment; Rivers; Superfund; toxaphene; Toxaphene - analysis; Toxaphene - toxicity; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; wildlife; Alabama; United States; North America; America; Dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane; Micropterus; Superfund; Risk assessment; Pesticides; Pollutant behavior; Risk; Wild life; Risk analysis; Persistent organic pollutant; Persistence; Vertebrata; Pollution; DDT; Organochlorine compounds; Residue; Chlorine Organic compounds; Pisces; Environment; Organic compounds
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2008.08.021

Organochlorine pesticide and total polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations were measured in largemouth bass from the Tombigbee River near a former DDT manufacturing facility at McIntosh, Alabama. Evaluation of mean p, p′- and o, p′-DDT isomer concentrations and o, p′- versus p, p′-isomer proportions in McIntosh bass indicated that DDT is moving off site from the facility and into the Tombigbee River. Concentrations of p, p′-DDT isomers in McIntosh bass remained unchanged from 1974 to 2004 and were four times greater than contemporary concentrations from a national program. Total DDT in McIntosh bass exceeded dietary effect concentrations developed for bald eagle and osprey. Hexachlorobenzene, PCBs, and toxaphene concentrations in bass from McIntosh also exceeded thresholds to protect fish and piscivorous wildlife. Whereas concentrations of DDT and most other organochlorine chemicals in fish have generally declined in the U.S. since their ban, concentrations of DDT in fish from McIntosh remain elevated and represent a threat to wildlife. DDT persists in the environment near a former manufacturing facility that ceased production over 40 years ago, and concentrations represent a risk to fish and piscivorous birds in the area.