And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
Chemicals killing Florida birds, fish
Friday, February 19, 1999
More than 300 white pelicans have died near Lake Apopka, Fla. Scientists
from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have found that organochlorine
chemicals appear to be killing birds and fish near Lake Apopka, Fla.
Lake Apopka is the state's fourth-largest and most polluted lake.
More than 300 white pelicans, 23 endangered wood storks, 50 other
fish-eating birds (great blue herons, cormorants, ring-billed gulls,
common egrets), and three bald eagles have died near the lake northwest
of Orlando.
"The birds are preying on the fish in ditches and small pools northeast
of the lake," said Dale Hall, acting regional director for the
Southeastern Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "The birds
become sick and die after eating the contaminated fish."
Biologists surmise that fish in the lake have high levels of
organochlorines caused by chemicals accumulating in ponds and ditches on
the land off the northeast part of the lake. Birds eating these fish are
becoming fatally infected.
Organochlorines are contained in many familiar products, such as in
solvents, pesticides, plastics, disinfectants, forms of packaging and
bleached pulp and paper products. Polychlorinated biphenyls, (PCBs),
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and DDT are also organochlorine compounds
which, although banned or discredited, are still evident in the
environment.
The scientists are concerned that these chemicals may also be adversely
affecting mammals, including people, who have had direct contact with
the soils from the area.
This problem is compounded by the possible presence of multiple
chemicals which together have an additive effect that greatly increases
the lethal action of any single chemical. Test results are pending that
will identify which specific organochlorines are involved.
Hall warns that people should avoid contact with any sick or dead birds
and avoid eating fish caught in the area. The migratory patterns of the
birds involved range the length of the state of Florida, as well as into
parts of Georgia.
Local aviators and experimental aircraft pilots have been asked to avoid
low level flights over Lake Apopka, which can cause the birds to
disperse into the danger zone.
"We would like to do everything we can to keep birds away from an area
of about 13,000 acres northeast of Lake Apopka in Orange County and
alleviate any undesirable stress on the birds," said Hall.
The service will continue to investigate this situation and will work
with the other federal, state and local agencies and organizations
involved to help identify the cause and possible remediation.
The site is a feeding and resting area for 12.5 percent (1,500-2,000
birds) of the Florida population of wood storks, an endangered species.
There are an estimated 11,000 wood storks in the United States today.
For more information, contact Tom MacKenzie, USFWS, (404)679-2791.
Copyright 1999, Environmental News Network, All Rights Reserved
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Related stories:
•World to discuss persistent organic pollutants
•U.N. sharpens focus on toxic chemicals
Related sites:
•UNEP's Persistent Organic Pollutants
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Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit)
Unenh onhwa' Awayaton
http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/
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