Polychlorinated biphenyl occurrence in American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) from Louisiana and South Carolina

Few studies have evaluated PCB concentrations in alligators. This is the first comparison of PCB concentrations in alligators eggs from the southeastern United States. Eggs were collected from Bear Island and Winyah Bay, South Carolina and from the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana. Mean PCB concentrations in eggs from Bear Island (333 ng/g) were the same (P>0.45) as those found at the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge (218 ng/g). However, eggs from Winyah Bay contained 3176 ng/g PCBs which is higher (P<0.008) than concentrations from the other two sites. These data indicate the ubiquitous nature of PCBs and their bioaccumulation even in remote habitats.