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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: Lochmiller, Robert L. , Qualls, Charles W.
Current Investigators: Janz, David M.
Institution: Oklahoma State University
EPA Project Officer: Manty, Dale
Project Period: October 1, 1997 through September 30, 2000
Project Amount: $406,229
RFA: Exploratory Research - Environmental Biology (1997)
Research Category: Biology/Life Sciences
Description:
Although many consider Land Treatment of Petrochemical Industrial wastes to be a viable and safe management practice, recent field studies by our laboratory raises serious environmental concerns regarding immunotoxicity and fluorosis risks to wild vertebrates. We propose 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, pathology) will be compared to soil and tissue contaminant levels to identify probable causative agents. We hypothesize that fluoride, lead, arsenic, and other contaminants are universally high in Land-Treatment soils and that these contaminants behave in a dose-response fashion to cause a high incidence of dental fluorosis and immune system dysfunction in resident small mammal populations. Approach:Our experimental approach will be to seasonally (winter, summer) monitor demographic changes and physiological integrity of resident rodents from 5 Land Treatment sites and 5 ecologically-matched reference sites across 2 years to assess ecotoxicity risks from immunotoxicants and fluoride in soil; a randomized block design. Populations will be surveyed to determine if survival rate, recruitment, age/sex structure, and density are adversely impacted by Land Treatment of petroleum wastes. Seasonally, adult rodents will be returned to the laboratory to assess immune system function, pathology, biotransformation enzyme activity, and tissue contaminant levels. Expected Results:
Our studies will provide the first examination of ecotoxicity risks associated with the Land Treatment of petrochemical waste products that are generated by the oil refining industry. We anticipate that our research will identify potential problems with chronic exposure to immunotoxicants and fluoride in the soil of these sites. Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 12 publications for this project
Journal Articles:Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 10 journal articles for this project
Supplemental Keywords:land farm, petrochemical pollution, wildlife toxicology, ecotoxicity, oil refinery pollution, immunotoxicity, soil contaminants, terrestrial ecosystem. , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Toxics, Scientific Discipline, Waste, RFA, chemical mixtures, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, exploratory research environmental biology, Ecological Risk Assessment, Ecological Indicators, Hazardous Waste, Biochemistry, Ecological Effects - Human Health, Environmental Chemistry, Chemical Mixtures - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecosystem Protection, Hazardous, National Recommended Water Quality, Ecology and Ecosystems, Environmental Monitoring, arsenic, biomarkers, water quality, adverse impacts, biotransformation, ecotoxicological studies, biomonitoring, lead, wildlife, immunotoxicity, petrochemical wastes, land use, dose-response, petrochemical waste, ecological exposure, oil spills, ecological assessment, oil refinery pollution
Progress and Final Reports:
1999 Progress Report
2000 Progress Report
Final Report