Residues of PCB's and DDT in the western Lake Superior ecosystem

Abstract

Fish from western Lake Superior (1972-73) contained DDT and PCB residues at concentrations greater than o.1 ppm. The most predominant PCB's were those containing 3 to 6 chlorine atoms per molecule, and GLC data indicated that the mixtures were most like the commercial product Aroclor 1254(2). Other chlorinated contiminants identified by GC/MS analyses and occurring at concentrations less than 0.1 ppm were hexachlorobenzene (C6Cl6), chlordane, nonaclor, and dieldrin. Lindane, which has been previously reported in Lake Superior, was below the detection limit of approximately 0.01 ppm. The relationship between the size of lake trout and the concentration of total DDT in the fish was compared to measurements reported in previous studies. The comparison suggests that DDT residues have declined since 1968. The concentration of PCBs was estimated to be 0.8 ng/L in Lake Superior water and 0.1 ppm in large zooplankton. The apparent bioconcentration factor for PCBs in Lake Superior fish ranged from 10(5) to 10(6). The concentration of total DDT and PCBs in the larger Lake Superior fish exceeded the 5 ppm tolerance level established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for these chemicals in fish tbe used for human consumption.