5. Past studies on pesticide 

 distribution in the estuary (Livingston 

 and Thompson 1^175; Livingston et al. 1<578) 

 have indicated relatively low levels of 

 organochlorine contamination in the 

 Apalachicola Bay system by the mid lQ70's. 

 Winger et al. (1984) found that biota from 

 the Apalachicola River had moderately high 

 levels of total DDT, total PCB's, and 

 toxaphene in 1978. Animals from the upper 

 river had higher organic residues than 

 those taken in the lower river. Such 

 levels exceeded recommended permissible 

 levels for the protection of aquatic life. 

 A recent review of the heavy-metal 

 distribution (Livingston 1^83d; Livingston 

 et al. 1982) indicates local increases of 

 metals in the sediments and biota of Lake 

 Seminole, parts of the Chipola drainage, 

 and areas in the bay system that receive 

 municipal runoff. These increases are due 

 to local point sources such as battery 

 recycling operations (upper Chipola), 

 industrial sources in Georgia, marinas, 

 and municipal outfalls. Winger et al. 

 (1984) found metal residues in riverine 

 organisms generally below 1 pg g-^. A 

 recent analysis of data on long-term 

 monitoring of the metal concentrations in 



oysters (Crassostrea virginica ) in the 

 estuary (Florida D¥partment of Natural 

 Resources, personal communication) 

 indicates no undue increases of such 

 metals in shellfish over the past decade. 



^. Dredging and spoil placement take 

 place in the Apalachicola River and Rav 

 system (Livingston 1984a). These 

 operations are being reviewed bv the 

 Florida Department of Environmental 

 Regulation (S. Leitman et al. 1982). The 

 immediate impact of long-term dredge and 

 spoil activities on the estuary is given 

 by Livingston (1984a). 



In summary, the Apalachicola drainage 

 basin is currently lightly populated with 

 an economic system dominated by renewable 

 natural resources. However, over the next 

 few decades, the essential Iv rural economy 

 will probably give way to more energy- 

 dependent industrial and urban 

 development, which might lead to increased 

 stress on the natural system due to 

 growing population pressure, residential 

 development, agricultural activities, 

 toxic waste disposal, erosion and 

 sedimentation, and alteration of the 

 physical structure of the drainage basin. 



