Date of Award

2009

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.Sc.

Department

Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research

Keywords

Toxicology.

Supervisor

Haffner, G. (Biological Sciences)

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

This thesis examined contaminant accumulation in amphibian young of year and elimination kinetics during amphibian hibernation. Chapter 2 evaluated PCB concentrations in four amphibian species at five different locations to determine the importance of species specific processes in environmental chemical exposure and accumulation. Lipid levels between species were highly variable. Significant interspecific differences in PCB concentrations suggest contaminant accumulation is regulated in part by physiological and biological processes. Chapter 3 examined PCB elimination rates in hibernating Rana clamitans to determine if changes in chemical activity occurred during hibernation. Significant PCB elimination rates were observed for low Kow congeners, ranging from 0.0027 to 0.04 d-1. A negative correlation was found between Kow and elimination rate. There was an increase in fugacity of higher Kow compounds corresponding to a decrease in lipid content. PCBs in metabolic group 2 were preferentially eliminated over those in metabolic group 3.

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