Residues of DDE and PCB in eggs from herrring gull (Larus argentatus) and common gull (Larus canus) in Norway
Bjerk, J.E.; Holt, G.
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 12(3): 429-441
1971
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-605X PMID: 5003194 Document Number: 38147
In 1969, 294 eggs from herring gulls were collected from 8 localities in Norway. Egg shell thickness was measured, and organochlorine insecticides and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) were estimated by gasliquid chromatography in 10 eggs from each locality. There were residues of DDE in all eggs, from 0.2 to 5.4 ppm in herring gull, and from 0.2 to 3.5 ppm in common gull. There was DDT in only 4 eggs from herring gull, 0.1 to 0.3 ppm. Other organochlorine insecticides were not detected. Residues of from 0.2 to 3.8 ppm PCB were found in all eggs from herring gull and in 6 of 9 eggs from common gulls, from a trace to 0.8 ppm. There was a positive correlation between amounts of DDE and PCB. There was a significant difference among localities for DDE and PCB in eggs from herring gulls. Residues were more in eggs from herring gulls than in eggs from common gulls; this may be related to difference in feeding habits. Residues of organochlorines did not seem to affect egg shell thickness in herring gulls.