Residues of polichlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in different avian species from Italy.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (DDTs) are a group of xenobiotics with high persistency and have been found in a wide range of environmental media and biota throughout the world. Avian species may be particularly sensitive to these compounds showing serious reproductive deficiencies (Yamashita et al. 1993). This study investigated polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticide (DDTs) concentrations in the eggs of different avian species: chicken (Gallus domesticus), pigeon (Columba livia), common quail (Coturnix coturnix) and common pheasant (Phasanius colchicus). PCBs and DDTs were determined, following the methods of Erney (1983) and Murphy (1972). PCB concentrations (g/kg lipid weight) were low in chicken, common quail and common pheasant eggs, while more consistent levels were detected in pigeon eggs. The predominant congeners were PCB 153 (25.5-69.0%) and PCB 101 (3.7-48.7%), followed by PCB 138 (3.0-29.2%), while the other congeners contributed between 2.7 and 5.7% to the total PCB concentrations. Among organochlorine pesticides only p,p’-DDE was found, with higher levels in pigeon eggs than in those of common pheasant, while in chicken and common quail eggs the concentrations were below the limit of detection.