Dataset: contaminants_PCP and Pesticides
Deployment: NEC-EM2001-1

The PCBs Aroclor 1254 and 1260 were detectable in the majority of cod livers from all sites with the highest concentrations in fish from SB. The concentration of Aroclor 1254 in these fish was approximately 5-fold greater than in fish from the GB sites, and 2-fold greater than in fish from WB. PCB concentrations detected in cod livers from the present study are below those reported to cause adverse effects on reproductive or development (Monosson 1999/2000; Reiser et al., 2004). Interestingly, PCB concentrations were below detection limits (<50ppb) in gonads from all sites. Of the several organochlorine pesticides and their metabolites analyzed in this study, only DDT and its metabolites (DDD and DDE), a-chlordane, endrin and heptachlor were detected in more than 50% of the samples across all sites. analysis included: heptachlor; endosulfan I; endosulfan II; endosulfan sulfate; methoxychlor; endrin ketone; endrin aldehyde; toxaphene. These pesticides were generally below detection limits in cod livers. Cod livers from WB had almost three-fold higher concentrations of total DDT than fish from all of the other sites for which DDTs were measured. Interestingly, WB fish also had similar concentrations of the long-lived DDE metabolite and the more rapidly metabolized DDT parent compound, unlike cod from SB and GB, suggesting a newer source of DDT exposure for Wilkinson Basin cod. A study of contaminants in tilefish collected from several deep sea canyons in the Northwest Atlantic showed a similar occurrence where DDE concentrations in tilefish from Lydonia Canyon (on GB) was detected at concentrations similar to the parent DDT compound. In contrast DDT concentrations were roughly half the concentration of DDE metabolite in tile fish from the remaining canyon sites (Steimle et al. 1996). Notably, PCB and DDT concentrations in cod from GBC are drastically lower than those reported earlier by Harvey et al. (1973). Additionally concentrations for both organochlorines in cod from GBC tend to be lower than concentrations reported historically for cod collected from various locations in the 1970's and 1980's. Concentrations of PCBs in fish from Stellwagen Bank, however are higher compared to other sites and other years (excepting the high concentrations reported in the Southern Baltic and on Georges Bank in the 1970s), as are the concentrations of DDTs found in fish from Wilkenson Basin.

The PCBs Aroclor 1254 and 1260 were detectable in the majority of cod livers from all
sites with the highest concentrations in fish from SB. The concentration of
Aroclor 1254 in these fish was approximately 5-fold greater than in fish from the GB
sites, and 2-fold greater than in fish from WB. PCB concentrations detected in cod livers
from the present study are below those reported to cause adverse effects on reproductive
or development (Monosson 1999/2000; Reiser et al., 2004).
Interestingly, PCB concentrations were below detection limits ( all sites.
Of the several organochlorine pesticides and their metabolites analyzed in this study, only
DDT and its metabolites (DDD and DDE), a-chlordane, endrin and heptachlor were
detected in more than 50% of the samples across all sites. analysis included: heptachlor; endosulfan I; endosulfan II;
endosulfan sulfate; methoxychlor; endrin ketone; endrin aldehyde; toxaphene. These
pesticides were generally below detection limits in cod livers.
Cod livers from WB had almost three-fold higher concentrations of total DDT than fish
from all of the other sites for which DDTs were measured. Interestingly, WB fish also
had similar concentrations of the long-lived DDE metabolite and the more rapidly
metabolized DDT parent compound, unlike cod from SB and GB, suggesting a newer
source of DDT exposure for Wilkinson Basin cod. A study of contaminants in tilefish
collected from several deep sea canyons in the Northwest Atlantic showed a similar
occurrence where DDE concentrations in tilefish from Lydonia Canyon (on GB) was
detected at concentrations similar to the parent DDT compound. In contrast DDT
concentrations were roughly half the concentration of DDE metabolite in tile fish from
the remaining canyon sites (Steimle et al. 1996).
Notably, PCB and DDT concentrations in cod from GBC are drastically lower than those
reported earlier by Harvey et al. (1973). Additionally concentrations for both
organochlorines in cod from GBC tend to be lower than concentrations reported
historically for cod collected from various locations in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
Concentrations of PCBs in fish from Stellwagen Bank, however are higher compared to
other sites and other years (excepting the high concentrations reported in the Southern
Baltic and on Georges Bank in the 1970s), as are the concentrations of DDTs
found in fish from Wilkenson Basin.