Key species for monitoring persistent and bioaccumulable pesticides

A recent case of industrial DDT pollution of Lake Maggiore (Italy) posing c oncern for wildlife and human health is presented. In order to forecast the future trend of DDT contamination a simple bioenergetic model is used; thi s model allows the calculation of DDT concentrations in fish and in fish-ea ting birds starting from species at lower trophic levels. After validation of the model by comparison between calculated and measured values zebra mus sel, an invader species of the main Italian temperate lakes, is proposed as key species to forecast pp'DDE levels in top predators.