DDT is an organochloride known for its insecticidal properties. It was widely used in the mid-20th century to protect crops from insects but had unintended environmental consequences. DDT would run off from fields into water and accumulate in animals and birds as it moved up the food chain. This bioaccumulation caused many bird populations to decline as the poison took effect in their systems. While effective for agricultural use, DDT's toxicity to wildlife led to its ban or severe restriction in most countries.

1. By: David BailerBy: David Bailer

2. DDT’s DefinitionDDT’s Definition
 DDT is a colorless, crystalline, tastelessDDT is a colorless, crystalline, tasteless
and almost odorless organochlorideand almost odorless organochloride
known for its insecticidal properties.known for its insecticidal properties.

3. What did DDT do?What did DDT do?
 Didn’t allow any bugs to eat and/or kill theDidn’t allow any bugs to eat and/or kill the
farm cropsfarm crops
 When DDT got into the water then theWhen DDT got into the water then the
seawater toke the DDT in and then whenseawater toke the DDT in and then when
the birds ate the seawater animals andthe birds ate the seawater animals and
thebirds died from getting the poison inthebirds died from getting the poison in
their systemtheir system

4. Why was DDT used?Why was DDT used?
 To keep bugs away from the crops so thatTo keep bugs away from the crops so that
the crops don’t die.the crops don’t die.

5. DDT’s issueDDT’s issue
 When DDT was sprayed on the crops toWhen DDT was sprayed on the crops to
keep the bugs away from the crops, and itkeep the bugs away from the crops, and it
rained the DDT gets washed down to therained the DDT gets washed down to the
water and the animals that eat thewater and the animals that eat the
seawater food would get diagnose to theseawater food would get diagnose to the
DDT.DDT.
 Many birds died from the DDT getting inMany birds died from the DDT getting in
their system.their system.

6. Why was DDT an issue?Why was DDT an issue?
 DDT was an issue because when the DDTDDT was an issue because when the DDT
got into the water and was taken by thegot into the water and was taken by the
fish and other seawater animals then thefish and other seawater animals then the
birds would come and eat the fish and thebirds would come and eat the fish and the
birds would die from the poison and thebirds would die from the poison and the
chance of bird extinction went up a lot.chance of bird extinction went up a lot.

7. Possible SolutionsPossible Solutions
 Stop using DDTStop using DDT
 Put a wall around any farm fields toPut a wall around any farm fields to
provide any water to drain to the pounds,provide any water to drain to the pounds,
creeks, oceans, etc.creeks, oceans, etc.

8. ReferenceReference
 http://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/Contexts/Thttp://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/Contexts/T
oxins/Sci-Media/Animations-and-oxins/Sci-Media/Animations-and-
Interactives/Bioaccumulation-in-the-seaInteractives/Bioaccumulation-in-the-sea
 http://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/Contexts/Thttp://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/Contexts/T
oxins/Science-Ideas-and-oxins/Science-Ideas-and-
Concepts/Toxins-and-food-websConcepts/Toxins-and-food-webs
 http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/Bihttp://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/Bi
ologyPages/D/DDTandTrophicLevels.htmlologyPages/D/DDTandTrophicLevels.html