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In an effort to examine biological accumulation of pollutants in an African lake ecosystem samples of water, bottom sediment, oligochaetes, benthic insects, three species of fish, and a fish eating bird were analysed for several insecticides, PCB's, and metals. Actual concentrations as well as the expected increase in the food chain are discussed.

Atomic absorption spectrophotometric and fluorometric analyses were utilized for the determination of several elements in the whole bodies of both male and female Ascaris lumbricoides suum and from the muscle and kidney of the swine host. Concentrations of cadmium, calcium, copper, lead, magnesium, manganese, iron, selenium, potassium, and zinc in these tissues are reported. Statistical analysis (Tukey's procedure) of the data indicated no differences in metal concentrations between male and female ascarids. There were three instances in which the metal concentrations were statistically different in worm tissues and both hog tissues.

Concentrations, distribution and chronic effects of DDT, DDD and DDE were determined in penned cormorants (Phalacrocorax a. auritus) treated with 2, 5 and 10 mg of a combination of these compounds daily in their diet. Birds stressed by a one-half decrease in food after the cessation of 9 weeks of treatment and birds that died of DDT toxicity showed a marked increase in brain and liver residues and a decrease in carcass residues. Higher brain residue levels were significantly correlated with decreased body weight (p

White pelicans were each given 100 mg of polychlorinated biphenyls (Aroclor 1254) per day for 10 weeks. After the treatment period, the bird's food supply was decreased 50% for 2 weeks. Measurements taken from transmission electron micrographs of the pelican's liver tissue revealed hepatocytes of the treated birds averaged 22% larger in cross-section area than those of controls. The number of vacuoles (lysosomes, microbodies) per hepatocyte was 22% greater. The number of mitochondria per hepatocyte was 25% greater while 25% fewer cristae per mitochondrion were present in treated as compared to control birds.

A study was initiated to determine the effects of various levels of ingested DDT and its metabolites and polychlorinated biphenyls on young double-crested cormorants, Phalacrocorax a. auritus, and white pelicans, Pelencanus erythrorhynchos. One phase of this research was concerned with the effects of ingested insecticides and polychlorinated biphenyls on the parasite fauna of these birds. Statistical analysis indicated a decrease in the numbers of ectoparasites on the feathers of cormorants as dosage of insecticides and as residue levels on the feathers increased. Similar results were noted with ectoparasites and gular lice of white pelicans receiving a daily dosage of either polychlorinated biphenyls or a mixture of DDT, DDD, and DDE. There were no significant differences in the numbers of endoparasites between the control and treated birds in either the cormorants or pelicans.

Ecological distributions of chlorinated hydrocarbon residues in Lake Poinsett, South Dakota were studied from June, 1967 to June, 1968. Components of the ecosystem analyzed were water, bottom sediments, zooplankton, benthic algae, crayfish, aquatic insects and fish. Concentrations of aldrin, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, lindane, methoxychlor and toxaphene were determined by gas chromatography and thin-layer chromatography. DDT and its metabolites, DDD and DDE, were the highest residues detected in all trophic levels examined. Heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, dieldrin and lindane were present in the majority of sample types, while neither endrin nor methoxychlor was detected above analytical confidence limits in any sample. Toxaphene was present in four fish. DDT and metabolites increased in percentage of total residue, while the ratio of DDT to DDD plus DDE decreased with increase in trophic level. The ratio of the epoxide form of heptachl...

In an effort to examine biological accumulation of pollutants in an African lake ecosystem samples of water, bottom sediment, oligochaetes, benthic insects, three species of fish, and a fish eating bird were analysed for several insecticides, PCB's, and metals. Actual concentrations as well as the expected increase in the food chain are discussed.

The effects of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) or a combination of DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane), DDD (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane) and DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2,-bis (p-chlorophenyl ethylene) on organ weights, liver storage of vitamin A and carotene, selected blood chemistry parameters, and serum protein fractions were determined in penned white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) receiving a daily dosage of these compounds. Birds received 100 mg of PCBs or a combination of DDT (20 mg), DDD (15 mg), and DDE (15 mg) injected into the first fish fed each day for ten weeks. A greater percentage of PCB treatment was retained in brain, liver, carcass and feathers than the percentage of DDT + DDD + DDE treatment. Liver weight as percent of body weight decreased (p less than 0.01) in DDT + DDD + DDE-treated birds and increased (p less than 0.01) as a total weight in PCB-treated birds. Spleen weight as percent of body weight was greater (p less than 0.05) in PCB-treated birds. Neither treatment had a significant effect on the weight of the brain, heart, or kidney. Liver vitamin A levels were greater (p less than 0.01) on a mug/g of liver basis in the DDT-treated birds than in controls. Significant lowering of serum potassium and protein values was noted in both the PCB- and the combination of DDT, DDD, DDE-treated birds, while serum calcium values were lowered (p less than 0.01) only in PCB-treated birds. Vaues of serum inorganic phosphorus, uric acid and magnesium were not significantly changed by either treatment. Globulin fractions were unaltered by either treatment, but albumin fractions were lowered (p less than 0.01) in the PCB-treated pelicans.

Concentrations and distribution of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) and some metals were determined in two South African lakes, Hartbeespoort Dam and Voëlvlei Dam. Water, bottom sediments, aquatic plants, aquatic insects, fish, fish-eating birds and their eggs were collected. Insecticides and PCB's were analyzed by thin layer and gas chromatography and mass-spectrometry. Analysis of metals was accomplished with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Metals included arsenic, cadmium, copper, mangenese, lead, zinc, and mercury. The insecticide residue most commonly found in both dams were DDE, DDD, DDT, and dieldrin. Hartbeespoort had higher levesl than Voëlvlei of insecticides and PCB's in all types of samples common to both lakes. Concentrations of PCB's in all types of samples common to both lakes. Concentrations of PCB's having six or more chlorines increased with an increase in the trophic level. Concentrations of PCB's in the brains of the African birds were greater than the average total concentration of insecticides while the opposite was true for carcasses. Biological magnification of insecticides and PCB's occurred in both lakes. Hartbeespoort Dam had higher levels than Voëlvlei for all metals examined in bottom sediments and birds, except for copper in bird carcasses. Mercury levels in bird carcasses ranged from 2- to 5-fold greater than in fish while lead concentrations ranged from 2- to 10-fold greater.

Aspergillosis was diagnosed in 8 of 50 wild nestling double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus). Typical granulomatous nodules were observed in the lungs and on the air sacs. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from the infected tissues of the birds and their nesting material. Amphotericin B was administered as inhalant therapy, in addition to the removal of nesting material and disinfection of holding cages.It was concluded that aspergillosis is an endemic disease among wild cormorants in South Dakota and that during the course of this study, stress did not appear to be an important factor in the development of this disease.

Male Ascaris lumbricoides were administered linoleic acid-1- 14 C by injection into the pseudocoelom to determine distribution of label into other compounds. Analysis was done by thin-layer, gas—liquid, and column chromatography, and by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Water-soluble fatty acids averaged 8.2% of the administered radioactivity while 67.7% was found in the remaining fat. Volatile fatty acids with the greatest amount of 14 C activity were acetic, propionic, and α-methylvaleric. No radioactivity was found in the carbon dioxide and little, if any, in the glycogen or worm culture medium. Of the radioactivity in the long-chain fatty acids, 89.5% remained in the 18:2 acid. Activity was also found in the 18:0, 18:1, and 20:2 and possibly in the 18:3 and 20:4 acids. Results indicated that the carboxyl group of linoleic acid-1- 14 C was incorporated into glycogen, volatile fatty acids, and long-chain fatty acids with 18 or more carbons.

Chemical composition and volatile fatty acid production of male Ascaris lumbricoides before and after starvation were studied by proximate analysis and gas-liquid chromatography. The amount of glucose in the perienteric fluid and glycogen in the entire body of the nematode was also determined. The starved worms contained somewhat smaller percentages of fat and protein, but the greatest losses appeared in the nitrogen-free extract. There was a 71.3% glycogen loss in the starved worms. One gram of the starved ascarids produced an average of 0.041 gm of volatile fatty acids during a 7-day period in a salt solution containing no organic nutrients. The major volatile fatty acids produced by the starved nematodes were α-methylbutyric (50.0%) and α-methylvaleric (27.1%). The minor acids were: valeric (6.5%), propionic (5.5%), tiglic (2.4%), acetic (2.2%), n-butyric (2.2%), iso-butyric (trace), caproic (trace). An unknown acid with more than six carbons in its chain comprised 4.1% of the total volatile fatty acid production.

The body-fat composition of male Ascaris lumbricoides before and after starvation was studied by gas-liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and mass spectrometry. Identification of long-chain fatty acids from the total lipid of male ascarids revealed the following 14 acids: 14:0, 14:1, 15:0, 16:0, 16:1, 17:0, 17:1, 18:0, 18:1, 18:2, 20:0, 18:3, 20:2, and 20:4. Occasional samples had traces of 15:1 and 20:1 acids. Quantitative analysis of the thin-layer lipid fractions from unstarved male ascarids indicated that cholesteryl esters, triglycerides, cholesterol, free fatty acids, and phospholipids represented 7.4%, 19.2%, 4.6%, 0.5%, and 52.5% of the total lipid, respectively. The mono- and diglycerides were estimated at less than 1%. The fat from starved and unstarved ascarids was separated into five fractions and the fatty acids from each fraction were analyzed by gas chromatography. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between starved and unstarved worms in any of the long-chain fatty acids except the 16:1 acid. This acid was found in greater amounts in the free-fatty-acid fraction of unstarved worms.

The organo-chlorine insecticides DDT, dieldrin and aldrin are still in common usage in much of Africa. These chemicals are used in the control of insectborne diseases and in the treatment of crops. However, little information is available regarding their distribution.

Soil, corn plants, and foliage from areas surrounding two electrical salvage companies involved in reconditioning old transformers had unusually high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Levels decreased as distance from the factories increased. PCBs were dispersed into the air through incineration of waste oils; water and soil contamination was caused by runoff from the factories. PCBs found in the contaminated areas closely resembled Aroclor 1260 as did the PCBs in the waste oil, whereas PCBs in other areas were more similar to Aroclor 1254. PCBs on surface soils taken from an unplowed pasture near the factories also resembled Aroclor 1260, whereas samples taken from depths of 2-4 inches showed degradation of some PCB isomers. PCB concentrations in corn cobs and kernels were0.05 ppm, whereas leaves contained PCB levels of up to 2.2 ppm. PCB levels in earthworms and small rodents collected near the factories were considerably higher than levels in the same types of animals collected from other areas.