Accumulation pattern of persistent organochlorine pesticides in liver tissues of various species of birds from India.
As part of a large study on assessing the impact of environmental contaminants in Indian avifauna, the presence of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in liver tissues of 16 species of birds collected from Ahmedabad, India during 2005-2007 was quantified. The higher concentrations of total organochlorine pesticides were detected in livers of shikra Accipiter badius (3.43 ± 0.99 μg/g wet wt) and the lower levels in white ibis Pseudibis papillosa (0.02 ± 0.01 μg/g wet wt). Marked differences in the concentrations of total OCPs occurred among species (p < 0.05). Concentrations of DDT and its metabolites, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and isomers, dieldrin, and heptachlor epoxide were lower than the concentrations reported for various species of birds in India. Accumulation pattern of organochlorine pesticides in birds was, in general, in the order HCH > DDT > heptachlor epoxide > dieldrin. Among various pesticides analyzed, p,p'-DDE and β-HCH contributed maximum towards the total OCPs and study indicates the continuous use of lindane and DDT for agriculture and public health purpose, respectively. Although no serious threat is posed by any of the organochlorine pesticides detected in the present study species, continued monitoring is recommended.
Division of Ecotoxicology, Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore 641108 Tamil Nadu, India. dhananjayan_v@yahoo.com
Venugopal
V
Dhananjayan
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000378:metabolism*; D007194:India; D007306:Insecticides / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007306:Insecticides