Organochlorine residues in eggs of Pelecanus crispus and its prey in wetlands of Amvrakikos Gulf, North-western Greece.

Organochlorine insecticide residues were determined in eggs of Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) as well as in eels (Anguila anguila) (the main pelican prey). Material was collected at wetlands of Amvrakikos Gulf (North-western Greece) for a two-year period, 1992 and 1993. Residues of the organochlorine pesticides, alpha-BHC, beta-BHC, lindane, 2,4'-DDD, 4,4'-DDD, 4,4'-DDE and 4,4'-DDT were found in collected pelican eggs and eels. The bioconcentration factors (BCF) of these compounds had very high values in all samples examined. The BCF values of lindane and alpha-BHC were in lower levels in pelican eggs and eels, as compared with 4,4'-DDE. The biomagnification factor (BMF) for 4,4'-DDD, 4,4'-DDE and 4,4'-DDT had higher values than alpha-BHC, beta-BHC and lindane in pelican eggs.