DNA Double-Strand Breakage as an Endpoint to Examine Metal and Radionuclide Exposure Effects to Water Snakes on a Nuclear Industrial Site

Murray, Stephanie; Gaines, Karen F.; Novak, J. M.; Gochfeld, Michael; Burger, Joanna

doi:10.1080/10807031003670337

Cited by 9 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Specifically, studies have shown an increase of 1500-2800% of U transported through SRS tributaries during storm events when compared to base flow measurements indicating that U is still present in the aquatic systems even though it may not be as mobile (Batson et al 1996;Buettner et al 2011). Moreover, exposure models (Chow et al 2005;Gaines et al 2005;Murray et al 2010) show risk to human consumers as well as DNA damage to fauna that reside in the system from both U and Ni exposure.…”

Section: Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%

“…To accomplish this, the U, Ni, and Hg concentrations and bioavailability in lower trophic level biota from seven beaver impounded ponds were quantified with a focus to determine their transport potential within the Tims Branch food web. These three COPC metals are used because previous studies in this system have shown they pose the most risk to both plant and animal species inhabiting or potentially consuming biota from this system (Batson et al 1996;Chow et al 2005;Gaines et al 2005;Murray et al 2010;O'Quinn 2005;Punshon et al 2003a,b;Sowder et al 1996, SRNS 2011. Specifically, studies have shown an increase of 1500-2800% of U transported through SRS tributaries during storm events when compared to base flow measurements indicating that U is still present in the aquatic systems even though it may not be as mobile (Batson et al 1996;Buettner et al 2011).…”

Section: Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies have shown that the contamination has not entered the Tims Branch terrestrial food web to the point of environmental risk (Reinhart 2003). However, other ecotoxicological studies have shown that the contamination is present in both the aquatic and transitional wetland communities (Murray et al 2010;O'Quinn 2005;Punshon et al 2003a,b;). Although these studies indicated, based on multiple endpoints, that there are risks to both wildlife communities from DNA strand-breakage, as well as humans who may consume aquatic organisms that move off the SRS from this Superfund site, the pathway of contamination movement through partitioning and availability in the contaminated riparian sediments, is not well understood (Sowder et al 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this 8-step process, a screening-level problem formation and toxicity evaluation (step 1) is performed, followed by a screening-level exposure estimate and risk calculation based on Hazard Quotients (step 2). Aluminum, Cr, Cu, Ni, Hg, Pb, and U have been classified as COPCs for this watershed with particular attention to U, Ni, and Hg due to bioavailability and high transfer factors (TFs) observed (e.g., Batson et al 1996;Looney et al 2012;Murray et al 2010;Pickett et al 1987;Pickett 1990;Punshon, et al 2003a,b). Previous studies have shown that the contamination has not entered the Tims Branch terrestrial food web to the point of environmental risk (Reinhart 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This study utilizes the most current data available to examine trophic transfer and how U, Ni, and Hg concentrations in water, Anuran and Anisopteran larvae, biofilms, and detritus samples compare to established action limits. We chose these taxa, because of unanswered questions left from previous studies examining higher trophic positions as well as sediment and plant tissue pathways in this system (Batson et al 1996;Chow et al 2005;Gaines et al 2005;Murray et al 2010, O'Quinn 2005Punshon et al 2003a,b;Sowder et al 1996). Specifically, TFs were calculated as an index of change in U, Ni, and Hg trace metal concentration within and between lower trophic levels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Are U, Ni, and Hg an Environmental Risk within a RCRA/CERCLA Unit on the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site?

Edwards

Gaines

Bryan

et al. 2014

Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal

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The U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS) is a former nuclear weapon production facility. From 1954From -1985, releases of Al, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, U, and Zn were discharged into the Tims Branch-Steed Pond water system. This study investigates whether metal concentrations in Tims Branch's sediment, biofilm and other biota exceed screening level risk calculations to determine if remedial actions should be pursued for the Contaminants of Potential Concern (U, Ni, Hg). Transfer factors (TFs) were calculated to determine metal concentration changes throughout lower trophic levels and results were compared with sediment benchmarks to create hazard quotients (HQs) to assess risk and a scientific-management decision point. Most TFs for Ni and U from lower to higher trophic level biota were < 1, suggesting no biomagnifications; however HQs > 1 and cumulative distributions showed the majority of the samples exceeded action levels. Elevated TFs and HQs > 1 in the upper trophic levels for Hg indicated a high degree of bioavailability and biomagnification. Monte Carlo resampling analyses supported these empirical results. This system should continue to be closely monitored to ensure that contamination does not move off the SRS.

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Section: Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Are U, Ni, and Hg an Environmental Risk within a RCRA/CERCLA Unit on the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site?

Edwards

Gaines

Bryan

et al. 2014

Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Inter‐ and Intraspecific Variation in Mercury Bioaccumulation by Snakes Inhabiting a Contaminated River Floodplain

Drewett

Willson

Cristol

et al. 2013

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Although mercury (Hg) is a well-studied contaminant, knowledge about Hg accumulation in snakes is limited. The authors evaluated Hg bioaccumulation within and among four snake species (northern watersnakes, Nerodia sipedon; queen snakes, Regina septemvittata; common garter snakes, Thamnophis sirtalis; and rat snakes, Elaphe obsoleta [Pantherophis alleghaniensis]) from a contaminated site on the South River (Waynesboro, VA, USA) and two nearby reference sites. Total Hg (THg) concentrations in northern watersnake tail tissue at the contaminated site ranged from 2.25 to 13.84 mg/kg dry weight (mean: 4.85 ± 0.29), or 11 to 19 times higher than reference sites. Blood THg concentrations (0.03-7.04 mg/kg wet wt; mean: 2.24 ± 0.42) were strongly correlated with tail concentrations and were the highest yet reported in a snake species. Within watersnakes, nitrogen stable isotope values indicated ontogenetic trophic shifts that correlated with THg bioaccumulation, suggesting that diet plays a substantial role in Hg exposure. Female watersnakes had higher mean THg concentrations (5.67 ± 0.46 mg/kg) than males (4.93 ± 0.49 mg/kg), but no significant differences between sexes were observed after correcting for body size. Interspecific comparisons identified differences in THg concentrations among snake species, with more aquatic species (watersnakes and queen snakes) accumulating higher mean concentrations (5.60 ± 0.40 and 4.59 ± 0.38 mg/kg in tail tissue, respectively) than the more terrestrial species, garter snakes and rat snakes (1.28 ± 0.32 and 0.26 ± 0.09 mg/kg, respectively). The results of the present study warrant further investigation of potential adverse effects and will aid in prioritizing conservation efforts.

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Assessing multiple endpoints of atrazine ingestion on gravid northern watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon) and their offspring

Neuman‐Lee

Gaines

Baumgartner

et al. 2013

Environmental Toxicology

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Ecotoxicological studies that focus on a single endpoint might not accurately and completely represent the true ecological effects of a contaminant. Exposure to atrazine, a widely used herbicide, disrupts endocrine function and sexual development in amphibians, but studies involving live-bearing reptiles are lacking. This study tracks several effects of atrazine ingestion from female Northern Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon) to their offspring exposed in utero. Twenty-five gravid N. sipedon were fed fish dosed with one of the four levels of atrazine (0, 2, 20, or 200 ppb) twice weekly for the entirety of their gestation period. Endpoints for the mothers included blood estradiol levels measured weekly and survival more than 3 months. Endpoints for the offspring included morphometrics, clutch sex ratio, stillbirth, and asymmetry of dorsal scales and jaw length. Through these multiple endpoints, we show that atrazine ingestion can disrupt estradiol production in mothers, increase the likelihood of mortality from infection, alter clutch sex ratio, cause a higher proportion of stillborn offspring, and affect scale symmetry. We emphasize the need for additional research involving other reptile species using multiple endpoints to determine the full range of impacts of contaminant exposure.

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DNA Double-Strand Breakage as an Endpoint to Examine Metal and Radionuclide Exposure Effects to Water Snakes on a Nuclear Industrial Site

Cited by 9 publications

References 39 publications

Are U, Ni, and Hg an Environmental Risk within a RCRA/CERCLA Unit on the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site?

Are U, Ni, and Hg an Environmental Risk within a RCRA/CERCLA Unit on the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site?

Inter‐ and Intraspecific Variation in Mercury Bioaccumulation by Snakes Inhabiting a Contaminated River Floodplain

Assessing multiple endpoints of atrazine ingestion on gravid northern watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon) and their offspring

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