Concentrations of contaminants in muscle of the American alligator in Florida

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · J. Wildl. Dis.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-24.1.62· OSTI ID:6991624

Delany, M F; Bell, J U; Sundlof, S F

Samples of tail muscle from 32 American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in Florida were analyzed for contaminant concentrations to provide preliminary information on the potential public health hazard of meat consumption. Detectable levels were found for eight metals; copper, zinc, iron, chromium, mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic. Mean residue was highest for mercury (geometric mean = 0.61 ppm). DDE, DDD, DDT, dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, lindane, and PCB's were found. Mean residue concentrations were compared by lake. Alligators appeared to be suitable monitors of environmental pollution. Concentrations of contaminants found in these animals probably pose little threat to public health. However, recommendations must await analysis of larger sample sizes and information on amount and frequency of meat consumption. Alligators killed for human consumption should continue to be monitored for contaminant residues.

• Research Organization: Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Gainesville (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6991624
• Journal Information: J. Wildl. Dis.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Wildl. Dis.; (United States) Vol. 24:1; ISSN JWIDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALLIGATORS
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
ARSENIC
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CADMIUM
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CHROMIUM
CONTAMINATION
COPPER
DISTRIBUTION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION IV
FLORIDA
FOOD
FOOD CHAINS
FRESH WATER
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IRON
LEAD
MEAT
MERCURY
METALS
MUSCLES
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PESTICIDES
POLLUTION
REPTILES
SEMIMETALS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
VERTEBRATES
WATER
WATER POLLUTION
ZINC