Critical concentrations of the endocrine disruptor nonylphenol polyethoxylate in marine bivalves

CHED 808

Kristen J. Leonard, kleonard480@hawks.rwu.edu1, Ayla J. Doubleday, adoubleday782@hawks.rwu.edu1, Stephen K. O'Shea, soshea@rwu.edu2, and Dale F. Leavitt, dleavitt@rwu.edu1. (1) Department of Biology and Chemistry, Roger Williams University, Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809, (2) Department of Chemistry, Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI 02809
Previous research of nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NPEOs), an estrogen-mimicking family of compounds widely used in industrial and domestic products, suggests significant impacts on aquatic organisms. NPEOs disrupt reproductive physiology which leads to poor gonad and gamete development in marine bivalves. This study determined the lethal concentration of NP to the three common bivalve molluscs: the bay scallop (A. irradians), northern quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria), and eastern oyster (C. virginica). The uptake and depuration rates of NP were determined by measurement of total body burden accumulated in each species. These were correlated to pumping rates in the equivalently sized shellfish. The affect of NPEO exposure at various concentrations during gonad development was determined in A. irradians. Total body burden of NP was determined from a methanol extraction of the gonads and quantified by HPLC florescence (Ex. 228 nm, Em.306 nm).
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Biochemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008