Chlordane amphibians

Chlordane residue data for amphibians and reptiles are extremely limited. Maximum concentrations of chlordane isomers did not exceed 70 pg/kg FW of oxychlordane in eggs of the American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, or 250 pg/kg FW in carcass of the common garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis (Table 13.2). However, California newts, Tarichia torosa, taken near a lake treated with 10 pg/L technical chlordane had greatly elevated chlordane residues in liver and comparatively low concentrations in carcass, stomach, and stomach contents. After 14 days, livers contained about 34 mg/kg total chlordanes lipid weight — about 19% chlordanes, 9% nonachlors, and 6% chlor-denes (Albright et al. 1980). After 2.8 years, 98% of the total chlordanes was lost. 7ra .v-nonachlor was the most persistent component in newt liver, accounting for up to 55% of the total chlordanes in specimens collected 2.8 years after application (Table 13.2) (Albright et al. 1980). 

Henle, K. 1988. Amphibian and reptile fatalities caused by chlordane spraying Victor. Natural. 105 216-217. Henny, C.J., L.J. Blus, and R.A. Grove. 1990. Western grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis, wintering biology and contaminant accumulation in Commencement Bay, Puget Sound, Washington. Canad. Field-Natural. 104 460-472. 

Table 1. Bioaccumulation of cis-chlordane and photo-cis-chlordane by goldfish, bluegill and the amphibian Xenopus following their exposure to 5 ppb concentration in a static system.

Under similar conditions bluegill absorb cis-chlordane at a higher rate than the amphibian, Xenopus laevis. Photo-cis-chlordane, an isomer of cis-chlordane is absorbed at a higher rate than cis-chlordane by bluegill and goldfish. However, photo-cis-chlordane is eliminated faster than cis-chlordane by the fish. 

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