Organochlorine residues in blood of cinereous vultures and Eurasian griffon vultures in a northeastern Mediterranean area of nature conservation.

In the National Park of Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest (Dadia NP, Greece), seven "target" PCBs and 16 organochlorine pesticides (OCs) were analysed in blood samples of cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus) and Eurasian griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus). PCB congeners 138, 153 and 180 predominated in both species' blood samples. In both species, no differences were detected in congener levels between successive age classes, but in cinereous vulture, there were significant differences between adult and nestling in levels of PCB 28, 52, 101, 118 and between nestling and immature in levels of PCB 101.

Application and fate of Cyromazine in a closed-cycle hydroponic cultivation of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

The fate of cyromazine applied via the nutrient solution (20, 40, and 60 mg of active ingredient per plant) in a closed-cycle soilless cultivation of bean with zero discharge of effluents was traced in both the recycled drainage solution and the plant tissues for 99 days. The insecticide was applied once, 15 days after planting (16 days prior to the first harvest). In addition to cyromazine, the residues of melamine, its metabolite, in the drainage solution and plant tissues were also regularly determined during the 99 days.

PCB levels and accumulation patterns in waterbird eggs and in their prey at Lake Kerkini, a north-eastern Mediterranean wetland of international importance.

Seven "target" PCB levels were determined and compared in waterbird eggs, in their prey, and in water at Lake Kerkini, northern Greece, to investigate PCB bioaccumulation patterns and to define the best bioindicator of target PCBs for this area. PCBs were analysed from eggs of Phalacrocorax carbo, Podiceps cristatus, Ardea cinerea, Egretta garzetta, and Nycticorax nycticorax and from prey types Alburnus alburnus, Rutilus rutilus, Lepomis gibbosus. Carassius auratus, and Rana sp.

Persistent organochlorine contaminants in liver and fat of birds of prey from Greece.

The concentrations of persistent organic pollutants, such as DDT and its metabolites (DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), cyclodienes (Cycls), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), were measured in livers and subcutaneous fat tissues of six Accipitridae and four Falconidae bird species from different areas in Greece. This is the first report of persistent organochlorine (OC) pollutants in birds of prey tissues presented for Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean region. Accumulation patterns of OCs found in birds suggested that the predominant contaminants were p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloro-1,1-ethylene (DDE) and PCBs, whereas Cycls and HCHs occurred at low concentrations only.

Accumulation profiles of persistent organochlorines in liver and fat tissues of various waterbird species from Greece.

Waterbirds are particularly subject to accumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that have been shown to constitute a major hazard for this group of birds. Liver and fat tissue from ten species belonging to the orders Ciconiformes (Ardeidae, Ciconiidae, Phoenicopteridae) and Pelicaniformes (Pelecanidae, Phalacrocoracidae) were used as bioindicators in order to assess environmental pollution by POPs (HCHs, DDTs, cyclodienes, PCBs) in Greek wetlands. To our knowledge, this is the first study on POPs in livers of water birds in Greece and Eastern Mediterranean area.