CHED 1159 |
| This project investigated environmental endocrine disruption resulting from exposure to pharmaceutical estrogens from the Boone waste water treatment plant (WWTP) effluent in the South Fork of the New River, Boone, NC. Estrogen exposure is indicated by measuring a common biomarker, the egg yolk protein vitellogenin (Vtg) in male fish. Fish and water samples (1L) were collected from two sites: the Boone waste water treatment plant (WWTP) effluent release (exposed site) and approximately 100 m upstream of the effluent (reference site). Water samples were analyzed using C18 solid phase extraction (SPE) columns and analysis by GC-MS. The optimized protocol resulted in a detection limit of 250 ppb. Various derivitizing agents were explored to enhance the GC-MS detection limits. Analysis of water samples collected in July indicated that estrogen concentrations were below detection limits. Blood protein samples were analyzed using gel electrophoresis and western blotting using antibodies specific to Vtgs of our fish species. Previous blood samples taken in April (during the school year) indicated sixty percent of the male hogsuckers tested were induced to produce Vtg. Future work will include collection of monthly water and quarterly fish samples to determine if increased estrogens during the school year (from ~8000 female students) cause increase Vtg production in exposed male fish. Bluehead chub, stonerollers, rock bass, white suckers, and brown and rainbow trout will be monitored to determine differences in hormone disruption in spring and fall spawning fish populations. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Environmental Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |