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Publications

Read publications and other informational products to learn more about USGS science occurring in the Mississippi Basin.

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Role of intestinal microflora in the degradation of DDT by rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) Role of intestinal microflora in the degradation of DDT by rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Though liver homogenates show apparent microsomal enzyme DDT-dehydrochlorinase activity, in the intact fish the intestinal microflora play a major role in DDT detoxication. Since the presence of this microflora in fish depends on the recent intake of food (12), the rate of detoxication and hence the toxicity of ingested DDT to the rainbow trout will probably depend somewhat on the...
Authors
Gary Wedemeyer

The relative toxicities of several pesticides to naiads of three species of stoneflies The relative toxicities of several pesticides to naiads of three species of stoneflies

Static bioassays were conducted to determine the relative acute toxicities of some insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, a defoliant, and a molluscicide to the naiads of three species of stonef!y, Pteronarcys califomica, Pteronarcella badia, and Claassenia sabulosa. Toxic effects were measured by determination of median lethal concn (Lcoo) for 24-, 48-, and 96-hr exposures, at 15.5C...
Authors
Herman O. Sanders, Oliver B. Cope

Degradation of organophosphates by fish liver phosphatases Degradation of organophosphates by fish liver phosphatases

Liver homogenates of bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque, and channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Walbaum), were shown by a manometric technique to contain soluble enzymes capable of degrading diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate (DFP) and 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (dichlorvos). Hydrolysis of the compounds was greatest in the presence of the manganic ion. Tentative...
Authors
James W. Hogan, Charles O. Knowles

Some enzymatic properties of brain Acetylcholinesterase from bluegill and channel catfish Some enzymatic properties of brain Acetylcholinesterase from bluegill and channel catfish

Using a manometric technique an acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7, acetylcholine acetyl-hydrolase) was demonstrated in brain tissue from the bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque, and the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Walbaum). The activities were 19 and 37 μmoles acetylcholine hydrolyzed/milligram protein per hour for the bluegill and channel catfish enzymes, respectively. The...
Authors
James W. Hogan, Charles O. Knowles

Electrophoretic separation of fish brain esterases Electrophoretic separation of fish brain esterases

Fish brains were homogenized in an all-glass Potter-Elvehjem-type tissue grinder in 40% sucrose solution. The homogenate concentration was 10 brains/ml for both the bluegill and channel catfish. The brei was centrifuged at 34,700 g for 30 min at 5 C, and 30 J.lliters of the supernatant were used per column for electrophoresis.
Authors
Charles O. Knowles, Suresh K. Arurkar, James W. Hogan

Some effects of mirex on two warm-water fishes Some effects of mirex on two warm-water fishes

The effects of mirex on two species of warm-water fishes were studied in three experiments in which the fish were exposed either by feeding a mirex-treated diet, or by treating the holding ponds with a mirex formulation. Bluegills were used in the feeding experiment, where three different levels of mirex were incorporated into the diet and fed to fish held in plastic pools, and in the...
Authors
Charles C. Van Valin, Austin K. Andrews, Lafayette L. Eller

Availability of ground water in Decatur County, Iowa Availability of ground water in Decatur County, Iowa

Decatur County and several other counties in south-central Iowa comprise an area that has been chronically short of good-quality water. Municipalities, industries and rural water users alike have been affected by the water shortage. Municipalities have experienced serious problems in obtaining potable supplies adequate to keep pace with their growth and development: industrial expansion...
Authors
J.W. Cagle, W. L. Steinhilber

Dechlorination of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane by Aerobacter aerogenes: I. Metabolic products Dechlorination of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane by Aerobacter aerogenes: I. Metabolic products

Whole cells or cell-free extracts of Aerobacter aerogenes catalyze the degradation of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) in vitro to at least seven metabolites: 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE); 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDD); 1-chloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDMU); 1-chloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDMS); unsym-bis(p...
Authors
Gary Wedemeyer

Contamination of the freshwater ecosystem by pesticides Contamination of the freshwater ecosystem by pesticides

A large part of our disquieting present-day pesticide problem is intimately tied to the freshwater ecosystem. Economic poisons are used in so many types of terrain to control so many kinds of organisms that almost all lakes and streams are likely to be contaminated. In addition to accidental contamination many pesticides are deliberately applied directly to fresh waters for suppression...
Authors
Oliver B. Cope

Dechlorination of DDT by Aerobacter aerogenes Dechlorination of DDT by Aerobacter aerogenes

Dechlorination of DDT to DDD in higher animals requires the presence of molecular oxygen, but in microorganisms the presence of oxygen hinders dechlorination. In cell-free preparations of Aerobacter aerogenes, the use of selected metabolic inhibitors indicated that reduced Fe(II) cytochrome oxidase was responsible for DDT dechlorination. This finding may possibly explain. the persistence...
Authors
Gary Wedemeyer
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