Extent of Endocrine Disruption and Airborne Contaminants in Fish of Western and Alaskan National Parks
Project ID: J8W07080024
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: Oregon State University
Fiscal Year: 2008
Initial Funding: $103,340
Total Funding: $124,490
Project Type: Research
Project Disciplines: Biological
National Park: Pacific West Region
Principal Investigator: Schreck, Carl
Agreement Technical Representative: Porter, Ellen
Abstract: Results of recently-released Western Airborn Contaminants Assessment Project (WACAP) indicate, among other key findings, the presence of endocrine disruption in trouts (i.e., male and female reproductive structures in the same fish) of Rocky Mountain and Glacier National Parks (NPs). Documented also in these parks and other western and Alaskan NPs was the histopathological evidence of contaminants (i.e., males that produce a female egg yolk precursor protein and pigmented macrophages, a biomaker of contaminant load), as well as the presence of endocrin distrupting substances. This follow-up study will resample fish from select parks (given previously small samples sizes) and extend the sampling effort to NPs with no previous sampling. Materials and sampling protocol will be provided by the PIs, as the project is designed to analyze tissues from fish that might be collected from parks for other purposes, and coordination with the parks will be a dual effort between Oregon State University and NPS-Air Resources Division (ARD). Upon receipt of fish samples, investigators will evaluate the extent of intersex fish, analyze histopathological conditions of fish, and determine contaminant concentrations in a minimum of 30 fish. Knowledge regarding biological effects will establish whether or not endocrine disruption has occurred in NP fish and allow inferences about the general health of the fish. Chemical loading values will provide public knowledge regarding possible exceedances of contaminant health thresholds established for wildlife and/or humans, a grave concern for park visitors.
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