US EPA

2153076 

Journal Article 

Organochlorine pesticide and pcb residues in wild bird eggs from southwest of spain 

Baluja, G; Hernandez, LM 

1978 

Yes 

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
ISSN: 0007-4861
EISSN: 1432-0800 

19 

6 

655-664 

English 

98185 

WOS:A1978FF15700003 

PESTAB. New data on the levels of organochlorine pesticides and PCB residues in eggs of birds from the South-West of Spain are presented. These studies were conducted to evaluate possible effects of organochlorine residues on wild birds living in the Donana Reserve, whose populations appear to be declining. Aldrin, dieldrin, o,p'-DDT, heptachlor, and heptachlor epoxide were detected as trace amounts in most eggs collected in 1972 and 1973. Heptachlor epoxide and dieldrin occurred more frequently in eggs collected in 1975 and 1976 at levels ranging from 0.001 ppm to 0.426 ppm, with the highest levels in eagle eggs. DDE, TDE, and DDT were easily detected in all eggs. DDE ranged from 0.100 ppm to 9.202 ppm, and total DDT group ranged from 0.157 ppm to 9.917 ppm, the highest levels found in Black Kite and Imperial Eagle eggs sampled in 1976. Higher PCB residues were found in Imperial Eagle eggs with a range between 0.599 ppm and 7.742 ppm, but the highest PCB level (9.071) was found in one Little Tern egg collected in 1973. Residue levels appear superimposable from phytophagous to predatory species. Pesticides and other pollutants enter the Reserve either by aerial transport or via drainage water, as the water system of the area forms a more or less closed circuit with the Guadalquivir river, which is polluted at low levels. Pesticides are also applied by aerial spraying on rice and olive-planted areas not far from the Reserve.