Wild Mammalian Biomonitors for Assessing Impacts of Environmental Contamination on Population and Community Ecology
Abstract
The overall objective of this research project was to explore the use of in situ bIomonitoring using wild mammalian animal models to assess ecotoxicity risks from petrochemical contaminants. We approached this objective by comparing the relative sensitivities of selected measures of metabolic, immunologic, genetic, and histopathologic toxicity (multiparameter model) in small-mammalian residents of terrestrial ecosystems contaminated with complex mixtures of petrochemicals (an abandoned oil refinery complex). Multiparameter response profiles of small mammals were evaluated relative to results from common laboratory bioassay tests (fathead minnow survival, rice seed germination test, etc.) and soil chemical analyses to determine their ability to predict ecotoxicity risks (as indexed by demographic changes in the small mammal community). Our principal in situ biomonitor was 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. Chemical analyses of soil and soil extracts identified 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. Environmental toxicology, Biomonitor, Ecotoxicity, Risk assessment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 31, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA286551
Entities
People
- R. L. Lochmiller
Organizations
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater