Contamination of the Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) by Organochlorine Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in the Missouri River

Authors

Curtis C. Christiansen, Nebraska Department of Environmental Control
Larry W. Hesse, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Bruce Littell, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Date of this Version

1991

Document Type

Article

Comments

1991. Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences, XVIII: 93-98. Copyright © 1991 Christiansen, Hesse and Littell.

Abstract

Channel catfish (lctalurus punctatus) were collected at ten locations from the Missouri River adjoining Nebraska. Fillet samples were found to be contaminated with DDT, PCB, dieldrin, heptachlor, trifluralin, and chlordane. At one location, near Bellevue, concentrations of chlordane exceeded Federal Food and Drug Administration action levels. This indicates channel catfish caught and consumed from the Bellevue area may pose a threat to human health. This study provides baseline information on the contamination of channel catfish in the Missouri River adjoining Nebraska.