Results and evaluation of the first study of organochlorine contaminants (PCDDs, PCDFs, PCBs and DDTs), heavy metals and metalloids in birds from Baja California, México

Environ Pollut. 2005 Jan;133(1):139-46. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2004.05.014.

Abstract

Organochlorine compounds (OCs) including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p-p'-DDE), heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu), and arsenic were measured in house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and common ground doves (Columbina passerina) from Baja California Sur, México. Concentrations of PCDD/Fs were low, with 21 pg/g for house sparrows, and 7.7 pg/g for common ground doves. Non-ortho-PCB concentrations in house sparrow and common ground doves were 58 and 254 pg/g, respectively, and are within the highest concentrations reported in species that are in the low levels of food webs. The major differences in organochlorine levels between species were found for ortho-PCBs and DDTs. ortho-PCB levels were higher in the seedeater species, whereas DDT levels were higher in the omnivorous species. Heavy metal levels were far below those associated with negative effects.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arsenic / analysis
  • Benzofurans / analysis
  • Birds*
  • Cadmium / analysis
  • Copper / analysis
  • DDT / analysis
  • Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / analysis
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis*
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / analysis*
  • Insecticides / analysis*
  • Lead / analysis
  • Metals, Heavy / analysis*
  • Mexico
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / analysis
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / analogs & derivatives*
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / analysis
  • Songbirds
  • Zinc / analysis

Substances

  • Benzofurans
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated
  • Insecticides
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins
  • Cadmium
  • Lead
  • Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene
  • Copper
  • dibenzofuran
  • DDT
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls
  • Zinc
  • Arsenic