Red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) as bioindicators for persistent chlorinated chemicals in Spain

Persistent organochlorine residues such as hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachl orocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), chlorocyclodienes, and the DDT group (DDTs) were determined in fat and muscle samples of resident red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) hunted in Spain. Chlorinated contamination pattern varied largely depending on geographical distribution. Birds collected from the n orthern part of Spain contained greater concentrations of lindane (34.4 ng/ g fat basis) than those from central or southern Spain. In contrast, red-le gged partridges collected in southern locations exhibited elevated levels o f p,p'-DDE (62.3 ng/g fat basis) as compared with central (31.2 ng/g fat ba sis) and northern areas (5.6 ng/g fat basis). The only cyclodiene detected, dieldrin, showed higher amounts (3.4 ng/g fat basis) in partridges collect ed in central Spain. The sex differences in pollutant occurrence and concen trations were negligible. One-year-old birds accumulated greater concentrat ions of beta-HCH, and dieldrin than older birds. Global comparison of organ ochlorine concentrations indicated that northern partridges are more contam inated by compounds of industrial origin, whereas southern birds contained greater amounts of agricultural chemicals. Estimates of hazards associated with organochlorine levels in resident red-legged partridges in Spain sugge sted that southern birds may be at risk from exposure to DDTs, and northern birds may be affected by excessive concentrations of Lindane. The use of r ed-legged partridge as bioindicator for OCP contamination is discussed.