Biodeterioration of Navy Insecticides in the Ocean.
Abstract
Over the past two years tests were run on a couple of dozen insecticides to determine their persistence and stability in the ocean. The following experimental findings obtained in the study were unexpected and are in need of explanation: (1) to toxicity of insecticide impregnated matchsticks declined more rapidly when they were leached in the ocean than when they were leached in hot seawater; (2) matchsticks impregnated with the most fat-soluble insecticide declined in toxicity more rapidly than those impregnated with the least fat-soluble one; (3) the insecticides were not degraded perceptibly in one year by either aerobic or anaerobic marine microorganisms, and (4) the growth and rate of multiplication of marine microorganisms appeared to be unaffected by DDT. It was theorized that the DDT-type insecticides, which are fat soluble but water insoluble, were transported in the aqueous system by being absorbed by microorganisms suspended in the water. The practical significance of the concept is that it predicts that less fat-soluble insecticides might be even more persistent and stable at their site of application than DDT and yet not constitue a threat to the environment because of thier inability to be transported in waterways. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0908746
Entities
People
- C. W. Mathews
- Harold P. Vind
- James S. Muraoka
Organizations
- Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center