Chlorinated hydrocarbon residues in fish, crabs, and shellfish of the Lower Fraser River, its estuary, and selected locations in Georgia Strait, British Columbia--1972-73.

Between August 1972 and September 1973, fish, crabs, and shellfish were collected from the lower Fraser River, its estuary, and selected areas of Georgia Strait in British Columbia. Samples were analyzed for aldrin, dieldrin, alpha- and gamma-chlordane, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, lindane, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's). Of these, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, heptachlor epoxide, and one PCB, Aroclor 1254, were detected in samples of many fish, crabs, and shellfish from the lower Fraser River and its estuary. Generally, compounds found in decreasing order of magnitude in samples from the Fraser River and its estuary were: PCB's, p,p'-DDE, heptachlor epoxide, p,p'-DDT, and p,p'-DDD. Greatest concentrations of these compounds occurred in biota from the waters adjacent to the City of Vancouver. With one exception, animals from Georgia Strait and those away from the immediate influence of Fraser River water contained no detectable levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons.