Abstract
MORTALITY of embryos has contributed to the reproductive failures of several bird species, including the sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus) of southern Scotland1, the white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) of Schleswig Holstein2, and the herring gulls (Larus argentatus) of Lake Ontario3. Suspected causes include p,p′-DDE (2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethylene), other chlorinated biocides and/or their derivatives, and the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), all of which are present as contaminants in the eggs1–3. PCBs are present in high concentrations in the bird populations which suffer embryonic mortality1–3. Other organochlorine compounds which may be present in food webs include the chlorinated dibenzodioxins and the chlorinated dibenzofurans (Fig. 1), which are toxic to embryos in amounts4–7 less than 1 µg. They are therefore among the most toxic substances known and are possible causes of the observed mortality.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Newton, I., and Bogan, J., Nature, 249, 582–583 (1974).
Koeman, J. H., Hadderingh, R. H., and Bijleveld, M. F. I. J., Biol. Conserv., 4, 373–377 (1972).
Gilbertson, M., and Hale, R., Can. Fld Nat., 88, 354–356 (1974).
Higginbotham, G. R., et al., Nature, 220, 702–703 (1968).
Sparschu, G. L., Dunn, F. L., and Rowe, V. K., Food Cosmet. Toxic., 9, 405–412 (1971).
Vos, J. G., Koeman, J. H., Van der Maas, H. L., ten Noever de Brauw, M. C., and de Vos, R. H., Food Cosmet. Toxic., 8, 625–633 (1970).
Vos, J. G., Environ. Hlth Persp., 1, 105–117 (1972).
Bowes, G. W., Simoneit, B. R., Burlingame, A. L., de Lappe, B. W., and Rise-brough, R. W., Environ. Hlth Persp., 5, 191–198 (1973).
Baughman, R., and Meselson, M., Environ. Hlth Persp., 5, 27–35 (1973).
Baughman, R., Meselson, M., Adv. Chem., 120, 92–104 (1973).
Report on 2,4,5-T (Executive Office of the President, Science Advisory Committee, Office of Science and Technology, March, 1971).
Jensen, S., and Renberg, L., Ambio, 1, 62–65 (1972).
Firestone, D., Ress, J., Brown, N. L., Barron, R. P., and Damico, J. N., J. Ass. Off. Analyt. Chem., 55, 85–92 (1972).
Porter, M. L., and Burke, J. A., J. Ass. Off. Analyt. Chem., 54, 1426–1428 (1971).
Burlingame, A. L., Olsen, R. W., and McPherron, R. V., Adv. Mass Spectr., 6, 1053–1059 (1974).
Nisbet, I. C. T., and Sarofim, A. F., Environ. Hlth Persp., 1, 21–38 (1972).
Bowes, G. W., and Jonkel, C. J., J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. (in the press).
Jensen, S., Johnels, A. G., Olsson, M., and Otterlind, G., Nature, 224, 247–250 (1969).
Koeman, J. H., ten Noever de Brauw, M. C., and de Vos, R. H., Nature, 221, 1126–1128 (1969).
Risebrough, R. W., Reiche, P., Peakall, D. B., Herman, S. G., and Kirven, M. N., Nature, 220, 1098–1102 (1968).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BOWES, G., MULVIHILL, M., SIMONEIT, B. et al. Identification of chlorinated dibenzofurans in American polychlorinated biphenyls. Nature 256, 305–307 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/256305b0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/256305b0
This article is cited by
-
Detailed analysis of PCBs and PCDD/Fs impurities in a dielectric oil sample (ASKAREL Nr 1740) from an imported transformer in China
Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering (2014)
-
Toxic potential of non-ortho and mono-ortho coplanar PCBs in commercial PCB preparations: “2,3,7,8-T4 CDD toxicity equivalence factors approach”
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (1988)
-
Nonaccumulation of chlorinated dioxins and furans by goldfish exposed to contaminated sediment and flyash
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (1986)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
