Organochlorine pesticide residues and PCBs in eels ( ) from some British freshwater reedbeds

Organochlorine pesticide residues and PCBs were measured in bulked samples of whole eels collected in 1991 from 11 reedbed sites of wildlife conservation importance in Britain. Eels from some sites had only trace amounts of dieldrin, p,p-DDE and PCBs. Maximum concentrations were 0.21 mg kg⁻¹ for dieldrin, 0.27 mg kg⁻¹ for p,p-DDE and 0.91mg kg⁻¹ for PCBs (fresh weight). Concentrations of contaminants in eels from reedbeds were considered in general to be lower than in eels from rivers, but nevertheless concentrations were considered to be sufficiently high at some sites to adversely affect top carnivores such as the otter.