Applications of Molecular Biology Tools to Improve Ecological Risk Assessments (Abstract)

摘要

Historical and continued use of Department of Defense training grounds and firing ranges has resulted in the heterogeneous accumulation of Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MECs: explosives, propellants, metals and associated degradation products). Up to 16,000 military ranges are contaminated with MECs in the US that potentially affect thirty to forty million acres of land. The limited understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity of MECs amplifies the uncertainty in accurately assessing risks and clean up goals at the large number of MEC contaminated sites. An understanding of the toxico-logical behavior of MECs in environmentally relevant receptors is essential for realistic risk assessment of military training grounds and ranges. To address the need for better understanding of the fate and effects of environmental contaminants we are developing a toxicogenomic framework to assess effects MECs and other contaminants on ecological species. Model species of rodents (rat), birds (Northern Bobwhite Quail), fish (Fathead Minnow), and earthworms (Eisinea fetida) have been selected to reflect different con-taminated media and routes of transport and exposure. In each of these species we are utilizing genetic data on organism-chemical interactions to: 1) Specify the type, quantity, and molecular effects in animals that have been exposed to MECs and sediment contami-nants. 2) Compare genetic responses between species for extrapolation of effects. 3) Rapidly assess the effects of exposure in order to achieve an order of magnitude reduc-tion in time to screen for adverse effects due to contaminant exposure. We anticipate using this work in risk assessment/remediation decisions to reduce uncertainty by identi-fication of mechanisms/modes of action to help define toxicity pathways, development of techniques for dealing with chemical mixtures, and identification of biomarkers of expo-sure, bioavailability, bioaccumulation, and effects for use in both lab and field (monitor-ing) studies.