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m easuring sources of endocrine d isrupting c ompounds in north c arolina waterways : a gis -based s ampling a pproach for studies on intersex fish.
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measuring sources of endocrine disrupting compounds in north carolina waterways: a gis-based sampling approach for studies on intersex fish Dana K. Sackett, Matthew Rubino, Crystal Lee-Pow, D. Derek Aday, W. Gregory Cope, Seth Kullman, James A. Rice, Thomas J. Kwak and Mac Law
the endocrine system • Chemical messages sent through the blood for cell to cell communication that activates physiological response
Endocrine disruptors: “exogenous agents that interfere with the production, release, transport, binding, action or elimination of natural hormones in the body…”
Estrogens and Estrogen Mimics • Males producing vitellogenin • Yolk precursor typically seen only in females • Intersex • Individuals with both male and female characteristics • Feminized males
Study recently reported widespread intersex in the US with the highest incidence (67-91%) in the Pee Dee River in North Carolina and South Carolina • Evidence links EDCs with fish reproductive impairment and may lead to fish population declines • Kidd et al. 2007 • Collapse of natural fathead minnow population with cascading affects on a population of lake trout
Another troubling aspect of EDCs: • Currently lack a clear understanding of extent and distribution in surface waters and their relation to potential sources • i.e. waste water treatment plants, concentrated animal feeding operations, land application of municipal waste
Objectives: • Identify locations of sources of EDCs (focusing on estrogens and estrogen mimics) • Quantify the potential impact of these sources in North Carolina water bodies using GIS • Sample water to validate GIS and examine extent of EDCs in surface waters
Data Sources: • NPDES, EPA, NCDENR • Point Sources: • Wastewater treatment facilities • Sewage and industrial • Permitted discharge • Non-point Sources: • Concentrated animal feeding operations • Permitted number of animals • Agricultural applications of municipal waste • Mean of CAFO • Superfund sites • Mean CAFO
Point-source Non point-source
Measured estrogen activity in water using a bio-assay (YES) - Doesn’t matter what chemicals there as long as they light up an ER - Can get an equivalence of 17β-estradiol
Our range 0.00 – 34.5 ng/L • No Risk < 1 ng/L • High Risk > 10 ng/L • Extreme low dose effects
P = 0.02 B A A
Actual log10 (std estradiolpicomol/L) Predicted log10 (std estradiolpicomol/L)
Actual log10 (std estradiolpicomol/L) Predicted log10 (std estradiolpicomol/L)
Point Source Ecoregion
Overall low concentrations • However, extreme low doses may cause negative impacts • GIS approach useful for point sources • Caution: unrecorded historical contamination • Non-point contributions may only occur seasonally • Intersex more reflective of map predictions • Incorporate long term low dose exposures
Thanks to… Cam Mcnutt Bryn Tracy Chuck Cranford Charles Bryan Endagered Species Branch, Fort Bragg Paul Super Great Smokey Mountains National Park