Wild Mammalian Biomonitors for Assessing Impacts of Environmental Contamination on Population and Community Ecology
Abstract
The second year (01 Jun 92- 31 May 93) of this research project was devoted primarily to in situ biomonitoring to compare relative sensitivities of selected measures of metabolic, immunologic, genetic, and histopathologic toxicity in small-mammalian residents of terrestrial ecosystems contaminated with complex mixtures of petrochemicals. Results of these measures will be compared to common laboratory bioassay tests (fathead minnow survival, rice seed germination test, etc.), relative to their ability to predict ecotoxicity risks (as indexed by demographic change's in the small mammal community). Our principal in situ biomonitor has been the cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus), which is the dominant member of the small mammal community on 3 uncontaminated reference and 3 heavy metal-petrochemical contaminated study sites located on the Refinery Waste Site on Cyril, Oklahoma. Chemical analyses of soil and soil extracts has revealed a variety of, heavy metal and organic contaminants on the 3 suspected toxic study sites, which was reflected in common laboratory bioassay results-using fathead minnow, microtox, rice seed germination, and Ceriodaphnia assays. At the ecosystem level, in situ small mammal total biomass, sex ratios, reproduction, recruitment, survival, and density were measured as indices of population integrity; community profiles included measurements of diversity, richness, and similarity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA268105
Entities
People
- Robert L. Lochmiller Iii
Organizations
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater