Chlordane contamination in selected freshwater finfish of New Jersey

Three finfish species, brown bullhead (Ictalurus nebulosus), carp (Cyprinus carpio) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), collected in New Jersey freshwaters during 1986-1987 and 1988-1991, were filleted, the tissue homogenized, extracted, cleaned-up and analysed for chlordane by gas chromatography. At the most polluted site, concentrations in 1986-1987 as ug per kg wet weight were 21.2, 124 and 260 for largemouth bass, brown bullhead and carp, respectively; in 1988-1991, the values were 47.6, 102 and 275 ug per kg wet weight, respectively. The same trends were seen at lower concentrations at the other 2 locations. The study revealed the widespread occurrence of chlordane despite restrictive regulations imposed in 1974. The results were consistent with previous surveys of DDT and PCB. Regular monitoring of finfish and shellfish was required so that appropriate precautions could be taken to protect consumers of seafood.