Search USGS⌕ Search

Geology topics

D.L. Hughes

Publications and source records attributed to D.L. Hughes.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2009

Oxychlordane, HCS-3260, and nonachlor in birds: Lethal residues and loss rates

Oxychlordane reached lethal levels in birds given dietary dosages of HCS-3260 (70.75% cis-chlordane and 23.51% trans-chlordane) at 6 levels from 50 to 500 ppm. Oxychlordane ranged from 9.4 to 22.1 ppm in brains of cowbirds (Molothrus ater ) grackles (Quiscalus quiscula , and red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus ) that died on dosage and from 1.3 to 4.8 ppm in sacrificed birds, providing a clear diagnostic separation. Among starlings (Sturnus vulgaris ) however, oxychlordane ranged from 5.0 to 19.1 ppm in brains of birds that died, significantly lower than in the other species, and from 1.4 to 10.5 ppm in sacrificed birds, overlapping the levels in those that died. Lethal levels, therefore, begin near 5.0 ppm, as in a previous study in which oxychlordane itself was fed, but the data from starlings emphasizes the need for confirmatory necropsy findings in diagnosis of poisoning.

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health↗
USGS1984

Changes in levels of organochlorines in woodcock wings from 1971 to 1975

Wings from woodcock ( Philohela minor ) were first monitored for organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the eastern U.S. in 1971. Regional differences in these compounds were clearly demonstrated and baseline residue levels were obtained for later comparisons. An expanded sampling of wings in 1972 revealed that residues in wings of adult woodcock may differ significantly from those in immatures, and that residues of several important agricultural insecticides and PCBs had declined significantly. More extensive sampling was undertaken in 1975 to determine if changes in residue levels had taken place in the intervening years. PCBs, mirex, and heptachlor epoxide increased significantly between 1972 and 1975 in adult woodcock wings. In immature woodcock wings mirex, dieldrin, and PCBs increased significantly between 1972 and 1975, but DDT residues decreased significantly.

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment↗
USGS1984

Comparison of methods of preserving tissues for pesticide analysis

Formalin preservation, freezing, spoiling followed by freezing, and phenoxyethanol were compared in terms of concentrations of DDT, DDD, DDE, endrin, and heptachlor epoxide measured in brain, liver and carcass of birds fed dietary dosages of pesticides and in spiked egg homogenate. Phenoxyethanol proved to be an unsatisfactory preservative; the amount of ‘extractable lipid’ was excessive, and measurements of concentrations in replicates were erratic. Concentrations of residues in formalin-preserved and frozen samples did not differ significantly in any tissue. Percentage lipid in brains and eggs, however, were significantly lower in formalin-preserved samples. Samples of muscle and liver that had been spoiled before freezing yielded less DDD, and muscle samples yielded more DDT than formalin-preserved samples. We conclude that formalin preservation is a satisfactory method for preservation of field samples and that the warming and spoiling of samples that may occur unavoidably in the field will not result in misleading analytical results.

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment↗
USGS1979

Endrin in birds: Lethal residues and secondary poisoning

Endrin residues in brains that are diagnostic of death were determined for several species of birds. Residues of 0.8 ppm or more of endrin in brain meant death; 0.6 ppm or less meant survival; between was a zone of overlap. These criteria indicate that some wild birds of the U.S., particularly white pelicans in the Northwest and two bald eagles, have been killed by endrin. Signs of endrin poisoning in experimental birds are described. The important and highly toxic metabolite in rodents, 12-ketoendrin, was sought but not found.

Book chapter↗
USGS1978

Organochlorine insecticide and polychlorinated biphenyl residues in woodcock wings, 1971-72

Pesticide residues in wings of adult woodcock (Philohela minor) were used to monitor regional differences in a 1970-71 survey of DDT, DDE, TDE, dieldrin, mirex, and PCBs in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Lousiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. In 1971-72, wings were sampled again to compare levels of organochlorine insecticide residues with those of the previous survey and to delineate differences in residue values between adult and immature woodcock. Three additional states, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Vermont, and one additional organochlorine insecticide, heptachlor epoxide, were included in the second survey. Residue levels in the 1971-72 wings showed the same pattern as that observed in 1970-71: organochlorine insecticide residues were highest in wings collected in the southern states and in New Jersey; residues were lowest in samplings taken in the northern and midwestern states. Residues of DDT, TDE, and dieldrin in the 1971-72 wings were slightly lower than those found in 1970-71. DDE, PCB, and mirex residues were significantly lower (P<0.05, P<0.01, and P<0.01, respectively) in 1971-72. Wings of immature woodcock in Louisiana had significantly lower (P <0.05) mirex residues than did adult wings.

Pesticides Monitoring Journal↗
USGS1973

Organochlorine residues in woodcock wings, 11 states--1970-71

A survey of organochlorine residues in woodcock wings was undertaken to determine whether these wings are suitable for showing regional differences in residues and to obtain a baseline in 1970-71 for later comparisons. Woodcock wings were obtained from the annual hunter's wing survey. Samples came from eight States (Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin) and one tri-State area (North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia). Wings from the tri-State area contained significantly higher (P<0.01) concentrations of DDT (including DDT, DDD, and DDE) than those from other States. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) also were significantly higher (P<0.05) in samples from these three States. Wings from Louisiana and the tri-State area had significantly higher (P<0.01) concentrations of dieldrin than wings from the other States, and those from Louisiana had significantly higher (P < 0.01) concentrations of mirex than those from other States. (Residues are on lipid base) The compounds detected and the ranges of residue means for all sampling areas were as follows: Total DDT (5.89--65.15 ppm); DDT (0.34 m--14.93 ppm); DDE (4.66--47.47 ppm); DDD (0.11--3.44 ppm); mirex (0.76--16.93 ppm); dieldrin (0.09--3.06 ppm); and PCB's (4.27--8.63 ppm). Woodcock wings appear to be suitable for determining regional differences in organochlorine residues in this species.

Pesticides Monitoring Journal↗