Publication Date

1998

Abstract

Seventy-two Neotropical migrant passerines were analyzed for the presence of 17 organochlorine pesticide residues (aldrin; alpha-BHC; beta-BHC; gamma-BHC; delta-BHC; p,p'-DDD; p,p'-DDE; p,p'-DDT; dieldrin; endosulfan I; endosulfan II; endosulfan sulfate; endrin; endrin aldehyde; heptachlor- heptachlor epoxide; methoxychlor) using standard method of gas chromatography applied to bird tissues. Individuals were colIected along the Mississippi River during May 1996 and represent 11 species (Catharus ustulatus; Geothlypis trichas; Protonotaria citrea; Mniotilta varia; Contopus virens; Dendroica petechia; Ernpidonax minimus; Passerina cyanea; Myiarchus crinitus; Vireo gilvus). The contaminants most frequently detected were p,p'-DDE, dieldrin, and heptachlor epoxide. No significant difference was found between male and female birds, or between birds that wintered in one of two broad habitat types. Levels of all three pesticides, however, were significantly higher for those birds that predominantly winter in Northern South America than for those birds that predominantly winter in Central America and Mexico.

Disciplines

Chemistry

Included in

Chemistry Commons

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