Impact/Purpose:

Evaluate the mutagenic potential of sediments from Long Island Sound and obtain information on which classes of contaminants in sediments are responsible for the mutations observed.

Description:

The objectives of this project are to evaluate the potential capacity of contaminants in the sediments of Long Island Sound to cause mutations in vertebrates and to determine the types of mutations induced and the classes of contaminants responsible for these mutations. The researchers are collecting sediment samples from the Sound and identifying those sediments that are mutatoxic. Fish eggs, which are particularly susceptible to environmental mutagens, are then exposed to the mutatoxic sediments. After the eggs hatch, the fish larvae are examined to determine the mutation frequency related to the sediment samples. Sediments showing high mutation frequency are then characterized for both organic and inorganic chemical contaminants. These data will provide information on whether a mutagenic response can be observed in biota exposed to contaminated sediments in the Sound and will offer insight into the nature of the resulting genetic damage and the classes of contaminants that induce such damage. This information will be valuable for coastal managers involved in source reduction issues and concerned with the Sound's living marine resources.

Record Details: