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Reproductive Toxicology - Ecotoxicology - EC
Reproductive Toxicology
| The Reproductive Toxicology Team researches how many common marine pollutants, including aromatic hydrocarbons derived from fossil fuels, pesticides, surfactants present in detergents, phthalates present in plastics, DDT, PCBs, and even food preservatives can impair growth, reproduction, and disease resistance in marine life. NWFSC scientists are also developing molecular biology-based assays to screen fish for exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. One of their major objectives is to apply this knowledge to the development of adequate sediment and water quality standards to protect marine species against the impacts of chemical contaminants. As part of this effort, they are developing a bioassay system using zebrafish, a model organism with a short life cycle, to rapidly screen chemical contaminants for lethal and sublethal effects on development, growth, reproduction, and other critical life processes. |
last modified
01/05/2006
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