Presence and biomagnification of organochlorine chemical residues in Oxbow lakes of northeastern Louisiana [Fishes, pesticides, fish products]

Animals were collected from three Mississippi river oxbow lakes (Providence, Bruin and St. John lakes) and the types and magnitudes of organochlorine residues present in them were determined. The residues present in each species were tabulated. Biomagnification of organochlorine compounds within the food webs of the three lakes was shown to occur and it was found that the lakes acted as sumps accumulating from the nearby agricultural land. Selected animals were evaluated as monitors for organochlorine pollution and snakes, gars or largemouth bass were suggested as suitable.