Algirdas Greichus

Insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, and metals in African lake ecosystems. III. Lake Nakuru, Kenya

In an effort to examine biological accumulation of pollutants in an African lake ecosystem samples of water, bottom sediment, oligochaetes, benthic insects, three species of fish, and a fish eating bird were analysed for several insecticides, PCBs, and metals. Actual concentrations as well as the expected increase in the food chain are discussed.

Insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and metals in African lake ecosystems. I. Hartbeespoort Dam, Transvaal and Voëlvlei Dam, Cape Province, Republic of South Africa.

Concentrations and distribution of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and some metals were determined in two South African lakes, Hartbeespoort Dam and Voëlvlei Dam. Water, bottom sediments, aquatic plants, aquatic insects, fish, fish-eating birds and their eggs were collected.Insecticides and PCBs were analyzed by thin layer and gas chromatography and mass-spectrometry. Analysis of metals was accomplished with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Metals included arsenic, cadmium, copper, manganese, lead, zinc, and mercury.The insecticide residues most commonly found in both dams were DDE, DDD, DDT, and dieldrin. Hartbeespoort had higher levels than Voëlvlei of insecticides and PCBs in all types of samples common to both lakes. Concentrations of PCBs having six or more chlorines increased with an increase in the trophic level. Concentrations of PCBs in the brains of the African birds were greater than the average total concentration of insecticides while the opposite was true for carcasses. Biological magnification of insecticides and PCBs occurred in both lakes.Hartbeespoort Dam had higher levels than Voëlvlei for all metals examined in bottom sediments and birds, except for copper in bird carcasses. Mercury levels in bird carcasses ranged from 2- to 5-fold greater than in fish while lead concentrations ranged from 2- to 10-fold greater.

Insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and metals in african lake ecosystems. II. Lake Mcllwaine, Rhodesia

In an effort to examine biological accumulation of pollutants in an African lake ecosystem samples of water, bottom sediment, oligochaetes, benthic insects, three species of fish, and a fish eating bird were analysed for several insecticides, PCBs, and metals. Actual concentrations as well as the expected increase in the food chain are discussed.

Chemical composition and volatile fatty acid production of male Ascaris lumbricoides before and after starvation

Abstract Chemical composition and volatile fatty acid production of male Ascaris lumbricoides before and after starvation were studied by proximate analysis and gas-liquid chromatography. The amount of glucose in the perienteric fluid and glycogen in the entire body of the nematode was also determined. The starved worms contained somewhat smaller percentages of fat and protein, but the greatest losses appeared in the nitrogen-free extract. There was a 71.3% glycogen loss in the starved worms. One gram of the starved ascarids produced an average of 0.041 gm of volatile fatty acids during a 7-day period in a salt solution containing no organic nutrients. The major volatile fatty acids produced by the starved nematodes were α-methylbutyric (50.0%) and α-methylvaleric (27.1%). The minor acids were: valeric (6.5%), propionic (5.5%), tiglic (2.4%), acetic (2.2%), n-butyric (2.2%), iso-butyric (trace), caproic (trace). An unknown acid with more than six carbons in its chain comprised 4.1% of the total volatile fatty acid production.

Identification and quantification of some elements in the hog roundworm, Ascaris lumbricoides suum, and certain tissues of its host.

Abstract Atomic absorption spectrophotometric and fluorometric analyses were utilized for the determination of several elements in the whole bodies of both male and female Ascaris lumbricoides suum and from the muscle and kidney of the swine host. Concentrations of cadmium, calcium, copper, lead, magnesium, manganese, iron, selenium, potassium, and zinc in these tissues are reported. Statistical analysis (Tukeys procedure) of the data indicated no differences in metal concentrations between male and female ascarids. There were three instances in which the metal concentrations were statistically different in worm tissues and both hog tissues.

Physiological effects of polychlorinated biphenyls or a combination of DDT, DDD, and DDE in penned white pelicans

The effects of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) or a combination of DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane), DDD (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane) and DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl ethylene) on organ weights, liver storage of vitamin A and carotene, selected blood chemistry parameters, and serum protein fractions were determined in penned white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) receiving a daily dosage of these compounds. Birds received 100 mg of PCBs or a combination of DDT (20 mg), DDD (15 mg), and DDE (15 mg) injected into the first fish fed each day for ten weeks. A greater percentage of PCB treatment was retained in brain, liver, carcass and feathers than the percentage of DDT + DDD + DDE treatment. Liver weight as percent of body weight decreased (p<0.01) in DDT + DDD + DDE-treated birds and increased (p<0.01) as a total weight in PCB-treated birds. Spleen weight as percent of body weight was greater (p<0.05) in PCB-treated birds. Neither treatment had a significant effect on the weight of the brain, heart, or kidney. Liver vitamin A levels were greater (p<0.01) on a μg/g of liver basis in the DDT-treated birds than in controls. Significant lowering of serum potassium and protein values was noted in both the PCB- and the combination of DDT, DDD, DDE-treated birds, while serum calcium values were lowered (p<0.01) only in PCB-treated birds. Values of serum inorganic phosphorus, uric acid and magnesium were not significantly changed by either treatment. Globulin fractions were unaltered by either treatment, but albumin fractions were lowered (p<0.01) in the PCB-treated pelicans.

Body-fat composition of male Ascaris lumbricoides before and after starvation

Abstract The body-fat composition of male Ascaris lumbricoides before and after starvation was studied by gas-liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and mass spectrometry. Identification of long-chain fatty acids from the total lipid of male ascarids revealed the following 14 acids: 14:0, 14:1, 15:0, 16:0, 16:1, 17:0, 17:1, 18:0, 18:1, 18:2, 20:0, 18:3, 20:2, and 20:4. Occasional samples had traces of 15:1 and 20:1 acids. Quantitative analysis of the thin-layer lipid fractions from unstarved male ascarids indicated that cholesteryl esters, triglycerides, cholesterol, free fatty acids, and phospholipids represented 7.4%, 19.2%, 4.6%, 0.5%, and 52.5% of the total lipid, respectively. The mono- and diglycerides were estimated at less than 1%. The fat from starved and unstarved ascarids was separated into five fractions and the fatty acids from each fraction were analyzed by gas chromatography. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between starved and unstarved worms in any of the long-chain fatty acids except the 16:1 acid. This acid was found in greater amounts in the free-fatty-acid fraction of unstarved worms.

Dieldrin—14C residues on feathers of birds with surgically removed uropygial glands

I t i s commonly t h o u g h t t h a t o i l s on the f e a t h e r s o f b i r d s arise primarily from the uropygial or preening gland and are distributed over the body during preening behavior. It would be reasonable then to assume that organochlorine insecticides present in the body of the bird would also be distributed on the feathers because they are lipid soluble and are mobilized along with fat. DINDAHL (1970) reported finding the uropygial glands of two species of ducks to be generally higher in DDT residue levels than all other tissues except fat. Insecticide residues have been found on the feathers of pheasants administered encapsulated aldrin (Hall et al., 1971). GREICHUS et al., (1974) have shown a significant deorease in numbers of ectoparasites as insecticide residues increased on feathers of double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax a. auritus) and white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) orally administered as a combination of DDE, DDD and DDT. This study was initiated to determine if significant amounts of insecticide residues on the feathers come from within the body of the bird and to determine the pathways of these residues.

Ascaris lumbricoides: Incorporation of linoleic acid-1-14C into fatty acids

Abstract Male Ascaris lumbricoides were administered linoleic acid-1- 14 C by injection into the pseudocoelom to determine distribution of label into other compounds. Analysis was done by thin-layer, gas—liquid, and column chromatography, and by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Water-soluble fatty acids averaged 8.2% of the administered radioactivity while 67.7% was found in the remaining fat. Volatile fatty acids with the greatest amount of 14 C activity were acetic, propionic, and α-methylvaleric. No radioactivity was found in the carbon dioxide and little, if any, in the glycogen or worm culture medium. Of the radioactivity in the long-chain fatty acids, 89.5% remained in the 18:2 acid. Activity was also found in the 18:0, 18:1, and 20:2 and possibly in the 18:3 and 20:4 acids. Results indicated that the carboxyl group of linoleic acid-1- 14 C was incorporated into glycogen, volatile fatty acids, and long-chain fatty acids with 18 or more carbons.

Effects of orally administered insecticides and polychlorinated biphenyls on the parasite fauna of two species of piscivorous birds

Abstract A study was initiated to determine the effects of various levels of ingested DDT and its metabolites and polychlorinated biphenyls on young double-crested cormorants, Phalacrocorax a. auritus, and white pelicans, Pelencanus erythrorhynchos. One phase of this research was concerned with the effects of ingested insecticides and polychlorinated biphenyls on the parasite fauna of these birds. Statistical analysis indicated a decrease in the numbers of ectoparasites on the feathers of cormorants as dosage of insecticides and as residue levels on the feathers increased. Similar results were noted with ectoparasites and gular lice of white pelicans receiving a daily dosage of either polychlorinated biphenyls or a mixture of DDT, DDD, and DDE. There were no significant differences in the numbers of endoparasites between the control and treated birds in either the cormorants or pelicans.