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Organochlorine residues in bird species collected dead in Ontario 1972-1988

Journal Article · · Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01702186· OSTI ID:5457947
;  [1]
  1. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Guelph, Ontario (Canada)

Organochlorine residues have been reported in many species of birds found dead or shot around the Great Lakes Basin. Raptors and fish-eating birds have had very high residues in the past while terrestrial seed- and insect-eaters have had relatively low residues. Most of the organochlorine insecticides like DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, chlordane, endrin and heptachlor have been removed from field use, and controls have been placed on the dispersal of organochlorine industrial chemicals like mirex and PCB. These substances are very persistent. The major sources of contamination now are environmental residues picked up by birds in their normal feeding. These compounds bioaccumulate in bird species, and the highest residues accumulate at the top of the food chain. This paper is a compilation of data obtained from dead birds collected in the Great Lakes Basin over the last 16 years and analyzed for organochlorine contaminants.

OSTI ID:
5457947
Journal Information:
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (United States), Journal Name: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (United States) Vol. 44:6; ISSN 0007-4861; ISSN BECTA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English