Distribution, metabolism, and excretion of DDT and mirex by a marine teleost, the winter flounder.

Vast quantities of highly persistent organo-chlorine compounds are released into the environment each year by man's agricultural and industrial activities (1,2). Numerous examples of the severe consequences of intense, acute exposure to such agents have been documented (3,4). At present, however, the larger problem is not one of intense contamination and short-term lethal effects; rather, it is of universal exposure to levels not yet overtly toxic. This is of primary importance in marine systems, particularly the highly productive coastal and estuarine waters, which are major recipients of these persistent compounds (5,6). To whom reprint request and galley proofs are to be sent.bury Cove, Maine 04672. **Chemical names of the compounds used in this paper are as follows: DDT = 1, 1, 1-trichloro-2, 2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane; DDD-1, 1-dichloro-2, 2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane; DDE = 1, 1-di-chloro-2, 2-bia(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene; DDA-2, 2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)acetic acid; Kelthane-1, 1, 1-trichloro-2, 2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethanol; DBP = 4. 4'-dichlorobenzophenone; Mirex = dodecachloro-octahydro-1, 3, 4-metheno-2H-cyclobuto[cd] pen-talene; Kepone= dodecachlorooctahydro-1, 3, 4-methendq-2H-cyclobuto [cd ] pentalen-2-one; and DDMU= 1-chloro-2, 2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene. As an initial step in examining such sub. lethal effects, we have looked at the fate and distribution of two organochlorine insecticides , DDT** and mirex in the winter flounder , Pseudopleuronectes americanus. DDT, of course, has been widely used, while mirex (7,8), and its derivatives, e.g., Kepone (9), are newer and have been used primarily for fire ant control in the southeastem United States. DDT and mirex share many properties, including thermal stability, resistance to photo-oxidation, high lipid solubility, and extreme persistence in the environment (10-12). However, in structure, they are rather different. DDT (I) is a planar molecule containing a pair of aromatic rings. Mirex (II) is approximately cubic in configuration and is completely saturated with chlorine atoms. As will be shown below, they are alike in their later distribution, their excretion, and their lack of metabolism. On the other hand, they are quite different in their initial distribution and mobility within the flounder.