title: Declines in organochlorines in eggs of red-breasted mergansers from Lake Michigan, 1977-1978 versus 1990.
abstract: From 1977-1978 to 1990, concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and most organochlorine pesticides declined in eggs of red-breasted mergansers (Mergus serrator) nesting on islands in northwestern Lake Michigan. Total PCBs decreased 60% (from 21 ppm in 1977-1978 to 8.5 ppm in 1990) and p,p'-DDE decreased 66% (from 6.5 to 2.2 ppm). Dieldrin decreased only 16% (from 0.82 to 0.69 ppm). In 1990, 79.1% of incubated eggs hatched, which was not significantly different from the 83.5% that hatched in 1977-1978.
authors.affiliation: Patuxent Environmental Science Center, U.S. National Biological Survey, 20708-4017, Laurel, MD, USA.
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Heinz
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Ebert
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Stromborg