Grantee Research Project Results
2000 Progress Report: Ecotoxicity Risks Associated with the Land Treatment of Petrochemical Wastes
EPA Grant Number: R826242Title: Ecotoxicity Risks Associated with the Land Treatment of Petrochemical Wastes
Investigators: Janz, David M.
Institution: Oklahoma State University
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: October 1, 1997 through September 30, 2000
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 1999 through September 30, 2000
Project Amount: $406,229
RFA: Exploratory Research - Environmental Biology (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Biology/Life Sciences , Aquatic Ecosystems
Objective:
Although many consider land treatment of petrochemical industrial wastes to be a viable and safe management practice, recent field studies by our laboratory raise serious environmental concerns regarding immunotoxicity and fluorosis risks to wild vertebrates. Our objective in this study is to examine these concerns by monitoring immunologic and pathologic responses of cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) in situ by seasonally collecting resident animals from replicated land treatment and reference sites throughout Oklahoma. Biomarker responses (immune system function, biotransformation enzyme activities, histopathology) are being compared to soil and tissue contaminant levels to identify potential causative agents.Progress Summary:
We have completed the third year of our funded research, with one year (no cost) remaining. We have conducted all field sampling of 10 rodent assemblages as originally proposed (5 land treatment sites, 5 reference sites, each sampled in both summer and winter). We now have 3 years of demographic data on small mammal assemblages collected from land treatment sites and ecologically similar reference sites. A major focus in our final year of this project will be to analyze and interpret the population and community structure data using the program MARK and canonical correspondence analysis, respectively. Soil samples have also been collected from each site in summer and winter, and analyses of inorganic and organic contaminants are almost completed. When completed, these data will be incorporated into the population and community analyses.Twelve adult cotton rats (6 female, 6 male) were collected from each study site in winter and summer and returned to the laboratory for assessing a range of biochemical marker responses. We are currently in the final stages of analyses of biotransformation enzyme activities (cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases, glutathione S-transferase, cellular glutathione levels), immunocompetence (innate immunity, B-cell function, in vivo cell-mediated immunity, macrophage function, hematology), histopathology and tissue metal analyses. A total of 240 adult cotton rats were collected from the 10 study sites and used to perform these analyses in the past year.
Metal analyses of soils and tissues have been completed. In comparison to reference sites, soil concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, Fl, Zn, Cu and Sr are elevated on land treatment sites; these metals are also elevated in bone and kidney, particularly Pb. Analyses of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in soils will be completed by February 2001. All data for demographic comparisons between sites have been collected. Initial statistical analyses indicate lower numbers of cotton rats and reduced juvenile recruitment on land treatment sites. Population modeling using contaminant levels (soil, tissue) as covariates, and community structure analyses will be completed by July 2001. Several organ level responses to contaminant exposure have been observed, including lower adrenal gland and spleen weights in males. Morphological examination of gonads remains to be analyzed. We have determined a variety of hematological and immunological responses in rats collected from each site. Rats collected from land treatment sites have alterations in erythrocyte, leucocyte and platelet counts that vary by season and sex. There were also consistent increases in natural killer cell activity, complement activity and lymphocyte proliferation in rats collected from land treatment sites. Currently, we are determining levels of tumor necrosis factor- (TNF- ) as an additional immunological endpoint. Overall, the hematological and immunological responses of rats inhabiting land treatment sites indicate reduced immunocompetence and an ongoing response to pathogen challenges in comparison to rats inhabiting reference sites.
We have also determined a suite of hepatic biotransformation enzyme activities including cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1), CYP1A2, CYP2B and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Induction of these enzyme activities were site-specific, with increases observed only on more recently landfarmed sites. The CYP1A-dependent monooxygenases, determined using ethoxyresorufin and methoxyresorufin as substrates, showed the most consistent induction in rats collected from land treatment sites. GST was only elevated in rats collected from one land treatment site; cellular glutathione levels did not differ between sites. We modified our procedures in winter and summer 2000 to include a subsample of rats killed on day of capture in addition to our standard procedure of holding rats for 48 hours prior to sacrifice. Rats collected on day of capture had consistently higher biotransformation enzyme activities, suggesting exposure to rapidly metabolized chemicals such as PAH.
Future Activities:
Once the final analyses of laboratory endpoints are completed, most of 2001 will be devoted to extensive data analyses and preparation of manuscripts. Because the scope of this study encompasses both exposure and effects assessments and multiple levels of biological organization (molecular, cellular, organ, organism, population, community), we expect several manuscripts to be submitted by fall 2001.Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 12 publications | 12 publications in selected types | All 10 journal articles |
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Type | Citation | ||
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Rafferty DP, Lochmiller RL, Kim S, Qualls CW, Schroder JL, Basta N, McBee K. Fluorosis risks to resident hispid cotton rats on land-treatment facilities for petrochemical wastes. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 2000;36(4):636-645. |
R826242 (2000) R826242 (Final) |
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Schroder JL, Basta NT, Lochmiller RL, Rafferty DP, Payton M, Kim S, Qualls CW. Soil contamination and bioaccumulation of inorganics on petrochemical sites. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2000;19(8):2066-2072. |
R826242 (2000) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
terrestrial, ecosystem, indicators, assessment, southcentral, land farm, petrochemical pollution, wildlife toxicology, ecotoxicity, oil refinery pollution, immunotoxicity, metabolism, soil pollution, zoology, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Toxics, Waste, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, National Recommended Water Quality, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, exploratory research environmental biology, Chemical Mixtures - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Environmental Chemistry, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, chemical mixtures, Ecological Effects - Human Health, Biochemistry, Environmental Monitoring, Hazardous Waste, Ecology and Ecosystems, Ecological Risk Assessment, Hazardous, Ecological Indicators, ecological exposure, adverse impacts, biomarkers, wildlife, dose-response, immunotoxicity, petrochemical wastes, lead, petrochemical waste, biomonitoring, ecological assessment, oil refinery pollution, oil spills, assessment methods, biotransformation, ecotoxicological studies, water quality, arsenicProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.