Concentrations of contaminants in muscle of the American alligator in Florida
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:
- 6968419
- Journal Information:
- J. Wildl. Dis.; (United States), Vol. 24:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Organochlorine pesticides in cow's milk from agricultural region in Northwestern Spain
Pesticides and total polychlorinated biphenyls residues in raw and cooked walleye and white bass harvested from the Great Lakes
Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALLIGATORS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CONTAMINATION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ARSENIC
CADMIUM
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CHROMIUM
COPPER
FOOD CHAINS
IRON
LEAD
MERCURY
WATER POLLUTION
ZINC
FLORIDA
FRESH WATER
MEAT
MUSCLES
PESTICIDES
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
DISTRIBUTION
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION IV
FOOD
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
REPTILES
SEMIMETALS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
VERTEBRATES
WATER
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
520200 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)