PARENT SESSION

PH11 Bioaccumulation and Biotransformation of POPs
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM - Thursday, 13 November 2003

(PH117) Regional distribution of organic contaminants and trace metals in fish tissue from Everglades National Park.

Fernandez, A², Jaffe, R¹, Gardinali, P¹, Rand, G¹, Cai, Y¹, Cejas, M², Perry, William³, ² Florida International University, Dept. of Environmental Studies¹ Florida International University, Dept. of Chemistry/SERC³ Everglades National Park, National Park Service

ABSTRACT- Tissue samples of mosquito fish (Gambusia holbrooki), marsh killi fish (Fundulus confluentus), flag fish (Jordanella floridae), mayan cichlid (Cichlasoma urophthalmus), pike killi fish (Belanesox belizanus), and sunfish (Lepomis spp.) were collected from several stations located within Everglades National Park. Composite samples from each station were homogenized and analyzed for 26 organochlorine pesticides and pesticide metabolites, 18 PCB congeners, 44 polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including alkylated homologues, and 11 trace elements. The results of these analyses revealed elevated concentrations of endosulfan sulfate ranging from 4.02 – 59.1 ng/g (wet wt.). Other frequently detected pesticides include chlorpyrifos, and endosulfan, and 2,4′ and 4,4′ DDE. Background concentrations of PCBs were present in all samples with concentrations ranging from 0.47 – 5.8 ng/g (wet wt.). Traces of PAHs including naphthalene, biphenyl, phenanthrene, and fluorene and other high molecular weight combustion related PAHs were also detected in the majority of the samples. Total PAH concentrations were generally low and ranged from n.d. – 10.33 ng/g (wet wt.). The high frequency of detection and levels of endosulfan sulfate detected in these samples are in agreement with other studies conducted in areas adjacent to ENP. The data indicate a trend of increasing concentrations of endosulfan sulfate with proximity to the Homestead agricultural area were endosulfan is still intensively applied to vegetable crops and ornamentals. Endosulfan′s moderate persistence in the soil environment (average field half-life of 50 days) and its potential for bioaccumulation suggest that this insecticide could pose a significant long-term risk to this region.

Key words: organic contamination, everglades, inorganic contamination, endosulfan sulfate