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Residues in the Fat of Ewes Grazing on Soil Contaminated with Halogenated Hydrocarbons

US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705

Abstract

Three halogenated hydrocarbon compounds were applied to the surface of each of two .57 ha bluegrass plots in October. Each plot was stocked with 10 mature ewes 6 mo after application. Supplemental feed was not offered. Five ewes remained on the plots for 180 d, whereas the other five were removed and replaced at 60-d intervals. Average soil residues for the period of grazing were 13.3, 3.8, 29.3 and 32.8 mg/m² HCB (hexachlorobenzene), DDE [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene], DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] and PBB (polybrominated biphenyls), respectively, for plot 1 and 16.5 and 48.0 mg/m² DDE and PBB, respectively, for plot 2. Average concentrations of residue in body fat of the five ewes grazing for 180 d were .37, .30 and .30 µg/g HCB, DDE and PBB, respectively, for plot 1 and 2.41 and .79 µg/g DDE and PBB, respectively, for plot 2. Average residue concentrations in ewes that grazed 60-d subperiods were nearly as great, which indicated that steady state residue levels were reached in less than 180 d. A second trial was conducted 3 yr later after plowing and reseeding the plots, but only PBB was measured. Polybrominated biphenyl was distributed throughout the top 16 cm of soil but the quantity present had not changed appreciably from the first trial. After seven ewes/plot grazed 136 d, residues were detected in only one of the seven on plot 1, but were detected in all seven on plot 2 with an average concentration of only .032 µg/g. It is concluded that concentration of residue in body fat of ewes depended on the concentration of chemical at the soil surface and the amount of soil ingested.

¹ Pesticide Degradation Laboratory, Agr. Environ. Qual. Institute, ARS.

² Mention to a tradename, proprietary product or service does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the USDA and does not imply approval to the exclusion of others not mentioned.