DDT Residues Absorbed from Organic Detritus by Fiddler Crabs

DDT and its metabolites accumulate in organic plant detritus estuaries and may persist there for many years. The residues appear to be most abundantly associated with particulates having diameters from 250 to 1000 microns. Detritus particles of this size are ingested by many organisms, sociated DDT residues may enter diverse food chains. Fiddler crabs Uca were fed natural detritus containing DDT residues (10 parts per million) an 11-day experiment and showed grossly modified behavior associated threefold increase in concentration of DDT residues in the muscle of the large claw.