ABSTRACT
The use of heptachlor in the United States was restricted to the control of termites in 1983 and its release to the environment will result from this use. As of 1983, the use of heptachlor as an insecticide has been restricted to termite control. In soil, heptachlor will degrade to 1-hydroxychlordene, heptachlor epoxide and an unidentified metabolite less hydrophilic than heptachlor epoxide. Biodegradation may also be significant. Heptachlor is expected to adsorb strongly to soil and, therefore, to resist leaching to ground water. Bioconcentration in fish may also occur and volatilization of unadsorbed heptachlor may be significant. Heptachlor was added to soil columns containing Hagerstown silty clay loam and Lakeland sandy loam which were then subjected to the upward movement of water at an undisclosed rate. Heptachlor was detected in black bullhead and bleak from the Sele River in Southern Italy both at an average concentrations of 5 ng/g with an overall frequency of occurrence of 35%.
