Document zo5QZOmoK6KLK2V3O1E0kwxqB
October 5, 1966
DEPARTMENT OF Z O O L O G Y
"
P.O. DRAWER Z
. I- ' ^
STATE COLLEGE, MISSISSIPPI 39762" ' -
Mr. L. C. Fuhrmeister Technical Services Superintendent.. Monsanto Chemical Company Anniston, Alabama 36202
Dear Mr. Fuhrmeister:
'
The following is a brief report of our activities in August,
and September, excluding the information contained in my letter
of September 19, 1966:
' .
1) The sample of PNP provided by Monsanto was used in preliminary tests to determine its toxicity to bluegills (Lenomls nacrochirus) . Specimens measuring 1.5 to .2.0 inches.in length were exposed in concentrations up to 1000 ppb at room temperature (72 2 F). All fish survived. PNP in relatively non-toxic compared with . insecticides.
2) Previously, we reported tentative 36-hr TL values for bluegills to be about 25 ppb for methyl parathion and about 75- pnb for ethyl parathion. Additional tests have confirmed the 25 ppb value for methyl parathion but indicate that the parathion value may be closer to 65 ppb. Although these points may be further refined, I am confident that they are accurate within t 2.5 ppb.'
3) On September 20, we collected 50 mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) from Choccolocco Creek (4 miles east of Boiling Spring) and subjected them to bioassay. These screening"
' tests indicate 36-hr TL^ values of about 80 ppb for parathion and'about 60 ppb for methyl parathion. The accuracy of these estimates will improve when additional specimens are tested.
4) The following is a summary of water, mud, and, fish samples analyzed to date:
DATE
COLLECTION SITE
SAMPLE
PESTICIDES (ppb)
S/1S/66
Bridge - 4 miles E. Boiling Spring
Wate-
DDT .0.37 . DDE .0.24 Methyl Parathion
trace 3 unidentified pecks
DSW 162355
;
DATE 3/13/I^66
COLLECTION SITE
SAMPLE
PESTICIDES (nob')
: le
1
Bridge - 4 miles
DDT 294
S
E. Boiling Spring "
Fish (Golden
DDE 172
\
Redhorse)
TDE 32
Interference in first 8.5 minutes of effluent..
8/13/1966
Anniston Sewage Plant
Water
DDT 0.37 DDE 0.36 Lindane ? 0.07 Methyl Parathion,0.44 3 unidentified peaks
8/18/1966
Bridge - Highway Q 21
Water
DDT 0.62 DDE 0.63 TDE 0.15 Heptachlor trace 3 unidentified peaks
S/1S/I966
Jackson Shoal
'
Water
DDT 0.20 DDE 0.31 Lindane trace 4 unidentified peaks
8/18/1966
Jackson Shoal
Mud
DDT and metabolites
Interference for first 9- minutes of effluent and high background.
9/19/1966
4 miles E. Bolling Spring
Water (Main Stream)
DDT trace DDE 0.69 TDE trace 4 unidentified peaks
9/19/1966
4 miles.E. Boiling
Spring
Water (Backwater)
DDT.1.04 DDE 0.71 TDE 0.82 , 4 unidentified peaks
9/19/1966
Anniston Sewage Plant
Water
DDT 1.05 DDE 0.50 2 unidentified peaks
DSW 162356
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Page 3 - 'Ar. I.. C. Puhrmeister
DATE
COLLECTION' SITE
9/19/iyon
3 miles SW Colawater Spring
SAMPLE Water
PESTICIDES (ppb)
DDT 1.29 DDE 0.58 TDE 0.50 5 unidentified peaks
The water analyses are based on 700 ml samples. The August s;erpies were extracted with chloroform and the September samples with hexane, which may account for the higher levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the September samples. All samples were run on a Dow-11 column (non-polar). Several samples were run on a Q F-l column (.polar) for infirm;.* ion. About 1 or 5-unidontifieu peaks appear in nearly all Lhe samples. The largest of these may be malathion or heptachlor epoxide, for which we do not presently have chromatographic standards. Also, samples from 4 miles East of .Soiling Spring contain something that behaves similar to toxaphene. Endrln, aidrin, dieldrin and parathion were absent; heptachlor, lindane, and methyl parathion were present in trace amounts only.
Qi'n/'o-rolrr unnrc
\
Professor of Zoology bp
DSW 162357