Project ID: 2002OR10B

Title: Environmental Analysis and Impact Assessment of Endocrine Disrupters in the Willamette River: A Web-Based Information System

Project Type: Research

Focus Categories: Management and Planning, Surface Water, Water Quality

Keywords: Endocrine disruptors, Internet, databases, hydrology, watersheds, water quality, public education

Start Date: 02/15/2002

End Date: 02/14/2003

Federal Funds: $10,309

Non-Federal Matching Funds: $20,524

Congressional District: Oregon 5th

Principal Investigator:
Tarek A. Kassim
Oregon State University

Abstract

Endocrine disruption (ED) or endocrine disrutping chemicals (EDCs) has been the focus of an increasing number of scientific investigations in recent years. At least 45 synthetic chemicals from several chemical groups have been identified as potentially having ED effects. Some of these chemicals have the potential to cause reproductive impairment in aquatic organisms.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program recently found evidence of endocrine disruption in common carp and largemouth bass collected from waterways that contain synthetic organic compounds. Evidence indicates concentrations of sex steroid hormones (estrogen and testosterone) and vitellogenin (egg protein produced by females) were different in fish from contaminated and reference sites. Characterization, assessment, prediction, and management of the environmental impact of EDCs in aquatic systems across the USA pose many challenges. The Willamette River is the 10th largest river in the United States and drains the heart of Oregon. A recent study by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicated the organic contamination of the river. Accordingly, the present proposal introduces a web-based information system (WBIS) that can help: (1) Characterize the potential impact of EDCs based on the organic chemical composition of both water and sediment samples; (2) Estimate the potential ecological effect of EDCs present in the Willamette river environment; (3) Assign the potential impact to a certain fraction(s) or a group of individual contaminants; and (4) Model the ultimate fate and transport of the characterized EDCs in the study area.

Progress/Completion Report PDF