DDT in some New Zealand marine and freshwater fauna

Abstract

Ten species of fish, crustaceans, and molluscs, taken from inland and coastal waters of New Zealand in 1969–70, mostly before the legislative ban on DDT, were analysed for residues of lindane, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), and DDT and its metabolites. DDE was the only organochlorine compound detected in six species, and DDE was the major residue in all others. DDD and/or DDT was present only in eels (Anguilla australis schmidtii, A diefenbachii), groper (Polypriori oxygeneois), and some flounder (Rhombosolea plebeia). No lindane or PCB were found in any of the samples. The range of total DDT levels in edible flesh was 0–0.20 parts per million (on a fresh tissue basis) and the mean residue level for all specimens was 0.02 ppm. The incidence of residues appeared to be related to the regional use of DDT.