DDT levels in fish, streams, stream sediments, and soil before and after DDT aerial spray application for fall cankerworm in northern pennsylvania

Abstract

The Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters used DDT early in 1965 to suppress an extensive outbreak of the fall cankerwork (Alsophila pometaria) in northern hardwood stands in Potter and Tioga counties. Aerial application was made in May 1965 to approximately i05~000 acres of forest land. The area treated consisted of maple~ beech~ birch~ cherry~ and oak in mixed stands growing in terrain characterized by high ridges and narrow valleys interspersed with small streams containing native brook trout~(Salvelinus fontinalis) and varying populations of white suckers (Catostomus commersoni). The area is accessible only by a few unpaved roads and contains almost no habitation~ being over 90 percent state forest land. There were no previous records of DDT or other chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide used in the area and much of it was seldom visited by humans~ except for occasional hunters and fisherman.