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Early Warning Program to Detect and Identify Contaminants of Emerging Concern and Their Effects to Fish and Wildlife
Citation:
Jorgenson, Z., J. Berninger, L. Iwanowicz, K. Lee, S. Choy, J. Moore, J. Banda, D. Gefell, L. Thomas, E. Durhan, M. Kahl, P. Mazik, V. Blazer, D. Villeneuve, AND G. Ankley. Early Warning Program to Detect and Identify Contaminants of Emerging Concern and Their Effects to Fish and Wildlife. Presented at Society for Environmental Toxicology and chemistry, November 11 - 15, 2012.
Impact/Purpose:
Not applicable
Description:
The Great Lakes basin provides an opportunity to investigate impacts to fish and wildlife from various natural and anthropogenic influences, particularly within Areas of Concern (AOC). While AOC beneficial use impairments related to chemical pollution largely encompass legacy contaminants (metals, PAHs, PCBs), many AOCs also contend with contaminants of emerging concern (CEC), such as endocrine active compounds and pharmaceuticals, where little is known about concentrations or effects. Our study explores the current concentrations of over 150 select CECs within AOCs and the potential biotic impacts to resident fish populations, naïve laboratory fish caged in situ, and in vitro bioassays. Surface water, sediment and resident fish samples were collected at multiple sites within seven AOCs. Laboratory reared fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed in situ at five of the AOCs. Water and sediment samples were analyzed for select pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other inorganic and organic wastewater indicators. Resident fish were weighed, measured, bled and necropsied in the field. A suite of bioindicators were assessed to evaluate general and reproductive fish health. Samples from caged fathead minnows were used to both evaluate targeted endpoints associated with reproductive endocrine adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) using several apical measurements and to conduct unsupervised transcriptomic and metabolomic assessments. In vitro assays were conducted concurrently with the wild fish collections and the caged fish studies. Results from all analyses will be interpreted based on a variety of factors, including: geographic differences in CEC concentrations and effects in fish, the relationship between the combination of CEC concentrations and effects in fish, and possible sources of contamination. Results will contribute to our understanding of how different landscapes influence varying concentrations and composition of CECs across the Great Lakes basin along