Pesticide and mercury residues in commercially grown catfish.

In 1970, 54 commercial catfish farms in Arkansas and Mississippi were sampled for pesticide and mercury residues. Pesticide residues above FDA action levels were detected in 15 percent of the fish samples. Data on residues in sediment, fish feed, and source water suggest that fish were not being contaminated from these sources. Average fish residue per county was, however, strongly correlated with the percent of total acres planted in cotton and soybeans. Results strongly suggest that cotton production was the primary source of contamination. Actual routes of movement have not been clearly defined but aerial transport seems most probable.