Residues and trends of organochlorine pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyls in birds from Texas, 1965-88 Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Previously published data were used to determine concentrations of DDE and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). A total of 2 669 bird samples was collected between 1965 and 1988 and was analyzed for organochlorines and other environmental contaminants. The brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis, peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus laughing gull Larus atricilla, black skimmer Rynchops niger and European starling Sturnus vulgaris were the most frequently studied species. Mean DDE concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 61.00 parts per million (ppm) wet weight (ww) and PCBs from 32.00 ppm ww. Decreasing trends in concentrations of DDE and PCBs were observed in most species, although in some cases, the estimated trends were not significantly different from zero. The results indicate that in general from 1965 to 1988, DDE and PCBs declined in birds from Texas. -from Author

published proceedings

  • Fish & Wildlife Research - US Department of the Interior, National Biological Service

author list (cited authors)

  • Mora, M. A.

complete list of authors

  • Mora, MA

publication date

  • January 1995