Organochlorine Contaminants in Fishes from Coastal Waters West of Amukta Pass, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, USA

Abstract

Organochlorines were examined in liver and stable isotopes in muscle of fishes from the western Aleutian Islands, Alaska, in relation to islands or locations affected by military occupation. Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus), Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis), and rock greenling (Hexagrammos lagocephalus) were collected from nearshore waters at contemporary (decommissioned) and historical (World War II) military locations, as well as at reference locations. Total (Sigma) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) dominated the suite of organochlorine groups (SigmaDDTs, Sigmachlordane cyclodienes, Sigmaother cyclodienes, and Sigmachlorinated benzenes and cyclohexanes) detected in fishes at all locations, followed by SigmaDDTs and Sigmachlordanes; dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'DDE) composed 52 to 66% of SigmaDDTs by species. Organochlorine concentrations were higher or similar in cod compared to halibut and lowest in greenling; they were among the highest for fishes in Arctic or near Arctic waters. Organochlorine group concentrations varied among species and locations, but SigmaPCB concentrations in all species were consistently higher at military locations than at reference locations. Moreover, all organochlorine group concentrations were higher in halibut from military locations than those from reference locations. A wide range of molecular weight organochlorines was detected at all locations, which implied regional or long-range transport and deposition, as well as local point-source contamination. Furthermore, a preponderance of higher-chlorinated PCB congeners in fishes from contemporary military islands implied recent exposure. Concentrations in all organochlorine groups increased with delta15N enrichment in fishes, and analyses of residual variation provided further evidence of different sources of SigmaPCBs and p,p'DDE among species and locations.

Occurrences and fate of DDT principal isomers/metabolites, DDA, and o,p'-DDD enantiomers in fish, sediment and water at a DDT-impacted superfund site

“…Most other studies of the occurrences of DDT isomers/metabolites in fish showed p,p'-DDE to be the predominant form of DDT (Wang et al, 1996;Thomas et al, 2012;Miles et al, 2009;Yang et al, 2006). In our study, it was the second most concentrated isomer/metabolite, slightly less concentrated than p,p'-DDD.…”

“…EF data, along with concentration data for all six congeners and DDA, should help indicate transport, transformation and exposure pathways of these pollutants. p,p'-DDT and its isomers/metabolites are "legacy" pollutants that have polluted the environment for seven decades and can still be found in a variety of environmental and human compartments and receptors Miles et al, 2009;Patterson et al, 2009;Thomas, et al, 2012;Vizcaino et al, 2010). The main congeners of DDT found in the environment and related receptors are p,p'-DDT ( Fig.…”

“…p,p'-DDE was the principal DDT congener found in soils after weathering (Li et al, 2008) and both o,p'-and p,p'-DDE are important sediment pollutants Huang et al, 2001;Thomas et al, 2008). p,p'-DDE is also the primary DDT isomer found in wildlife (Fleming and Cromartie, 1981;Miles et al, 2009). Microbial degradation of DDT, DDD and DDE generally is slow, resulting in environmental persistence of these compounds.…”

Persistent organochlorine pesticide residues in cocoa beans from Ghana, a concern for public health

“…Aldrin is readily converted to dieldrin (once it enters either the environment or the body), which is considered one of the most persistent of all pesticides (Miles et al 2009;Hogarh et al 2014). These pesticides were used extensively in agriculture until their use was restricted.…”

Assessing the potential for rhizoremediation of PCB contaminated soils in northern regions using native tree species

“…Whereas concern regarding the long-range transport of PCBs to the Arctic has been the focus of a number of studies (Macdonald et al, 2000; Wania, 2003), the influence of local point sources, such as the large number of sites associated with the Distant Early Warning (DEW) line in Canada, and formerly used defense sites (FUDS) in Alaska, is of continuing concern to residents who live in close proximity to those sites (Ap O’Hehir et al, 2005), many of whom rely on wildlife for subsistence. While a great deal of effort has been directed towards remediation of several DEW and FUDS contaminated sites (Poland et al, 2001; Stow et al, 2005), with clean-up efforts resulting in lower exposures of PCBs (Brown et al, 2009), sites that remain contaminated continue to influence PCB levels in wildlife (Anthony et al, 2007; Ricca et al, 2008; Miles et al, 2009). …”