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Paul H. Peterman

Publications and source records attributed to Paul H. Peterman.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2017

Baseline aquatic contamination and endocrine status in a resident fish of Biscayne National Park

Surface water, sediment, and fish from Biscayne Bay, coastal wetlands adjacent to the Bay, and canals discharging into the Bay were sampled for determination of baseline contamination in Biscayne National Park. While the number of contaminants detected in canal waters was greater during the wet season than the dry season, no seasonal difference was evident for Biscayne Bay or coastal wetland waters. Estrogen equivalency (as 17β-estradiol equivalents), as predicted by the Yeast Estrogen Screen, for extracts of passive water samplers deployed in canals and wetlands was elevated during the wet relative to the dry season. Generally, contamination in water, sediments, and fish was greater in the canals than in Biscayne Bay and the wetlands. Guideline levels for sediment contaminant were exceeded most frequently in canals relative to the coastal wetlands and the Bay. Further investigation is necessary to better understand the impact of contaminants in Biscayne National Park.

Florida↗
USGS2013

Effects of dietary exposure to brominated flame retardant BDE-47 on thyroid condition, gonadal development and growth of zebrafish

Little is known about the effects of brominated flame retardants in teleosts and some of the information currently available is inconsistent. This study examined effects of dietary exposure to 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) on thyroid condition, body mass and size, and gonadal development of zebrafish. Pubertal, 49-day-old (posthatch) fish were fed diets without BDE-47 (control) or with 1, 5 or 25 μg/g BDE-47/diet. Treatments were conducted in triplicate 30-L tanks each containing 50 zebrafish, and 15 fish per treatment (5 per tank) were sampled at days 40, 80 and 120 of exposure. Measurements were taken of body mass, standard length, head depth and head length. Sex (at 40–120 days of exposure), germ cell stage (at 40 days) and thyroid condition (at 120 days; follicular cell height, colloid depletion, angiogenesis) were histologically determined. Whole-body BDE-47 levels at study completion were within the high end of levels reported in environmentally exposed (wild) fishes. Analysis of variance was used to determine differences among treatments at each sampling time. No effects were observed on thyroid condition or germ cell stage in either sex. Reduced head length was observed in females exposed to BDE-47 at 80 days but not at 40 or 120 days. In males, no apparent effects of BDE-47 were observed at 40 and 80 days, but fish exposed to 25 μg/g had lower body mass at 120 days compared to control fish. These observations suggest that BDE-47 at environmentally relevant whole-body concentrations does not affect thyroid condition or pubertal development of zebrafish but does affect growth during the juvenile-to-adult transition, especially in males.

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry↗
USGS2013

Polybrominated diphenyl ether metabolism in field collected fish from the Gila River, Arizona, USA-Levels, possible sources, and patterns

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined in fish collected from the Gila River, Arizona, a tributary of the Colorado River in the lower part of the Colorado River Basin. Fish samples were collected at sites on the Gila River downstream from Hayden, Phoenix, and Arlington, Arizona in late summer 2003. The Gila River is ephemeral upstream of the Phoenix urban area due to dams and irrigation projects and has limited perennial flow downstream of Phoenix due to wastewater and irrigation return flows. Fifty PBDE congeners were analyzed by high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry using labeled surrogate standards in composite samples of male and female common carp ( Cyrpinus carpio ), largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides ) and channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ). The predominant PBDE congeners detected and quantified were 47, 100, 153, 49, 28, and 17. Concentrations of total PBDEs in these fish ranged from 1.4 to 12700 ng g -1 wet weight, which are some of the highest concentrations reported in fish from the United States. Differences in metabolism of several PBDE congeners by carp is clear at the Phoenix site; congeners with at least one ring of 2,4,5-substitution are preferentially metabolized as are congeners with 2,3,4-substitution.

Arizona↗
USGS2012

Immunological and reproductive health assessment in herring gulls and black-crowned night herons in the Hudson–Raritan Estuary

Previous studies have shown inexplicable declines in breeding waterbirds within western New York/New Jersey Harbor between 1996 and 2002 and elevated polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in double-crested cormorant ( Phalacrocorax auritus ) eggs. The present study assessed associations between immune function, prefledgling survival, and selected organochlorine compounds and metals in herring gulls ( Larus argentatus ) and black-crowned night herons ( Nycticorax nycticorax ) in lower New York Harbor during 2003. In pipping gull embryos, lymphoid cells were counted in the thymus and bursa of Fabricius (sites of T and B lymphocyte maturation, respectively). The phytohemagglutinin (PHA) skin response assessed T cell function in gull and heron chicks. Lymphocyte proliferation was measured in vitro in adult and prefledgling gulls. Reference data came from the Great Lakes and Bay of Fundy. Survival of prefledgling gulls was poor, with only 0.68 and 0.5 chicks per nest surviving to three and four weeks after hatch, respectively. Developing lymphoid cells were reduced 51% in the thymus and 42% in the bursa of gull embryos from New York Harbor. In vitro lymphocyte assays demonstrated reduced spontaneous proliferation, reduced T cell mitogen-induced proliferation, and increased B cell mitogen-induced proliferation in gull chicks from New York Harbor. The PHA skin response was suppressed 70 to 80% in gull and heron chicks. Strong negative correlations ( r = –0.95 to –0.98) between the PHA response and dioxins and PCBs in gull livers was strong evidence suggesting that these chemicals contribute significantly to immunosuppression in New York Harbor waterbirds.

New Jersey, New York↗
USGS2006

Basic alumina flash chromatographic separation of bulk ortho-PCBs from on-ortho-PCBs, PBDEs, PCDFs, PCDDs, PCDTs, OCPs, and PCTs

Comprising nearly 100 congeners in environmental samples, PCBs are often still prevalent in concentrations exceeding 1 μg/g. To effectively measure PCBs, they are isolated as a group from other persistent organic pollutants using silica gel, Florisil, or alumina column chromatography for analysis by GC/MS or dual capillary column GC/ECD. When organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are also targeted, PCBs are often split into two chromatographic eluates. In contrast to the major ortho-substituted PCB congeners, much lower concentrations occur for congeners of polychlorinated- dibenzo- p -dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), dibenzothiophenes (PCDTs), naphthalenes (PCNs), and dioxin-like non- ortho -PCBs 1 . Such co-planar compounds are usually separated from the bulk PCBs using a carbon LC 2 or reusable porous graphitic carbon HPLC column 3 eluted forward ( o -PCBs, mono- o -PCBs, then non- o -PCBs) before reversal with toluene (PCDFs and PCDDs) and additional separation with basic alumina to remove PCNs, polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDEs), and residual lipid for PCDF/PCDD GC/HRMS analysis. Recently, smaller particle-size normal phase adsorbents including active basic alumina have become available along with custom-made glass columns for use in low pressure flash chromatography. With low gas pressure (< 1-2 bar) and particles 32-63 μm, flash chromatography is a rapid, inexpensive technique with enhanced resolution compared to gravity column chromatography 4 . However, few environmental researchers use the technique, but basic alumina is in the automated PowerPrep LC system for PCDFs, PCDDs, PCBs and PBDEs 5 . A flash LC column is quickly dry-packed, gives improved flow performance, and has sufficient resistance to gravity flow without a shutoff valve. Contamination from lab air, dust, and sample carryover is minimized by using high purity nitrogen, much smaller eluate volumes and blown down in tubes with high purity nitrogen. The disposable adsorbent is used only once with an inert, nonleachable, reusable and cleanable glass column with glass joints and disposable glass fiber. We evaluated basic alumina flash chromatography initially for PCBs, because Loos et al. 6 had separated 13 selected o -PCB congeners from three non- o -PCBs (77, 126, and 169) and then from PCDFs and PCDDs with eluants of 150- 200 mL each from a large 25-g basic alumina (Super 1 active) column. Because the elution properties of other PCB congeners were unknown in addition to some PBDEs, PCDTs, and other compounds, we chose to evaluate basic alumina flash chromatography comprehensively. We optimized the separation of all bulk o-PCBs from all non- o- PCBs, tested other pollutants (PBDEs, PCDTs, PCDFs and PCDDs) under similar elution conditions, and finally applied the chromatographic technique to samples known or suspected to contain complex mixtures of these.

Organohalogen Compounds↗
USGS1997

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, biphenyls and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents in fishes from Saginaw Bay, Michigan

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), polychlorinated dibenzothiophenes (PCDTs), and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlo-rodibenzo- p -dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) equivalents were measured in composite samples of forage fishes and several sizes of walleyes ( Stizostedion vitreum ) and common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) collected from Saginaw Bay, Michigan, USA. The concentrations of 2,3,7,8-TCDD equivalents determined from the use of TCDD equivalency factors (TEFs) and instrumentally determined concentrations of individual congeners were designated TEq. The 2,3,7,8-TCDD equivalents determined on the same extracts with the H4IIE bioassay were defined as TCDD-EQ. Concentrations of TCDD-EQ and TEq were significantly, but poorly correlated ( R 2 = 0.44). Concentrations of TCDD-EQ and TEq ranged from 10.6 to 348 and 13.5 to 69.5 ng/kg, wet weight, respectively. The ratio of TCDD-EQ to TEq ranged from 0.5 to 5.0, with the greatest ratio observed in common carp but the average ratio between TEq and TCDD-EQ was approximately 1.0. In common carp, larger walleye, and medium-sized alewife ( Alosa pseudoharengus ) there were significant concentrations of TCDD-EQ that could not be accounted for by TEq calculated from an additive model of PCBs, PCDDs, or PCDFs. As much as 75% of the TCDD-EQ in some samples could not be accounted for by TEqs. It is unlikely that PCNs, PCDTs, or polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDEs) occurred at concentrations that were, based on their relative potencies, great enough to contribute significant quantities of TCDD-EQ. The discrepency between TCDD-EQs and TEqs was not due to antagonisms among congeners or extraction efficiencies.

Michigan↗
USGS1995

Dietary exposure of mink to carp from Saginaw Bay. 3. Characterization of dietary exposure to planar halogenated hydrocarbons, dioxin equivalents, and biomagnification

Mink are known to be very sensitive to the toxic effects of planar polychlorinated biphenyls (pPCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), collectively known as planar halogenated hydrocarbons (PHHs). Previously, we reported the reproductive effects in mink fed a diet containing 10, 20, or 40% fish taken from Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. The present study reports the chemical characterization of the diets and the adult mink livers, along with a comparison of an additive model of toxicity with the results of the H4IIE bioassay on these samples. The assessment of dietary or tissue-based exposure of the mink to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD) and related compounds revealed that TCDD equivalents of the PHH mixtures largely followed an additive model of toxicity as compared with the H4IIE bioassay. Consistent dietary and liver tissue-based threshold concentrations for reproductive toxicity in mink were determined regardless of whether PHHs were quantified as TEQs (additive toxicity) or TCDD-EQs (H4IIE bioassay). Significant reproductive effects were observed in the lowest treatment group (10% fish or 19.4 pg of H4IIE bioassay-derived TCDD-EQs/g). Consumption-normalized mink liver biomagnification factors (BMFs) were 6.4−74.2 for PCDDs, <1−75.8 for PCDFs, <1−15.9 for PCBs, and in general, increased with degree of chlorination within each class. Based on TEQs or TCDD-EQ, this study confirms that mink are among the most, if not the most, sensitive mammalian species to the reproductive toxicity of TCDD and related compounds.

Environmental Science & Technology↗
USGS1993

Determination of mono- and non-o,o′-chlorine substituted polychlorinated biphenyls in Aroclors and environmental samples

High resolution capillary gas chromatography (GC) is the best known technique for the separation of complex mixtures; however, no single GC column has yet separated all 209 congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). A number of coeluting PCB congener pairs exist, and even under favorable separation conditions such as with multidimensional GC, assignment of peak identities to known PCB structures is tedious, subject to errors from other contaminants, and requires enrichment to achieve the necessary detection limits for the most toxic PCB congeners. Routine analysis of PCBs is also complicated by coelution with other halogenated hydrocarbons such as naphthalenes, terphenyls, dibenzofurans, and pesticides. Therefore, techniques for class separations of PCBs prior to gas chromatography must be developed. These techniques should separate PCB congeners along lines that have environmental or toxicological significance. The unique ability of activated carbon to separate halogenated aromatics on the basis of molecular planarity and degree of halogenation has been demonstrated. We present a method that uses dispersed carbon on glass fibers and commercially available instrumentation to fractionate and determine mono- and non-o,o′-chlorine substituted PCB congeners in Aroclors and environmental samples.

Chemosphere↗
USGS1992

Use of semipermeable membrane devices for in situ monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aquatic environments

A method is given for the recovery, cleanup, and analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that have been sequestered in SPMDs (semipermeable membrane devices). SPMDs are polymeric membranes enclosing lipids, and mimic the bioconcentration process of aquatic animals. SPMDs are used as passive, in situ monitors of contamination by organic pollutants of aquatic environments. The method reported here includes dialytic recovery of the PAHs, cleanup of the dialysates using size exclusion, adsorption, and argentation chromatographic modules in tandem, then analysis by gas chromatography with photoionization or mass spectrometric detection. The method is demonstrated to overcome the presence of a variety of environmental co-contaminants and other potential interferents in the dialysates. A field application is also demonstrated in which SPMDs are used to monitor PAH contamination in an urban creek. Approaches to the use of SPMD data to calculate aqueous concentrations of PAHs are discussed. The use of SPMDs in combination with the complementary, PAH-specific cleanup procedure provides a unique approach to the analysis of PAH residues in the aquatic environment.

Chemosphere↗
USGS1991

Contaminated sediments from tributaries of the Great Lakes: Chemical characterization and carcinogenic effects in medaka ( Oryzias latipes )

Sediments from four inshore industrial sites and a reference site in the Great Lakes were extracted with organic solvents to produce a crude extract, which was separated on alumina into two fractions: predominantly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; and predominantly nitrogencontaining polycyclic aromatic compounds. Crude extracts were redissolved in acetone and analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The acetone-redissolved crude extracts from the four industrialized sites contained 5.6–313.3 μg total polycyclic aromatic compounds/g sediment and 3.0–36.4 μg other compounds/g sediment. In addition to the typical EPA priority pollutants, a substantial amount (228.7 μg/g sediment) of alkyl-polycyclic-aromatic compounds was detected in sediments from one of the industrialized sites. Extracts from the reference site contained 1.55 μg total polycyclic aromatic compounds/ g sediment. Medaka ( Oryzias latipes ) were exposed to multiple pulse doses of acetone-redissolved extracts and fractions. Medaka were also exposed to a known carcinogen, methylazoxymethanol acetate, to verify that chemicals produced tumors in the test fish. Acetone-redissolved extracts and fractions from contaminated sediments were toxic to medaka. Fin erosion and non-neoplastic liver abnormalities were more prevalent in medaka after exposure to acetoneredissolved extracts and fractions from contaminated sediments. Neoplasms previously associated with chemical exposure in wild fishes were induced in medaka exposed to acetone-redissolved extracts and fractions from two of the contaminated sites, but not from the reference site or controls. These findings further support the hypothesis that chemical contaminants in sediments are involved in epizootics of neoplasms in wild fishes at contaminated sites.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxico↗
USGS1990

Identification of isopropylbiphenyl, alkyl diphenylmethanes, diisopropylnaphthalene, linear alkyl benzenes and other polychlorinated biphenyl replacement compounds in effluents, sediments and fish in the Fox River System, Wisconsin

Five polychlorinated biphenyl replacement dye solvents and a diluent present in carbonless copy paper were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in the following matrices: effluents from a de-inking–recycling paper mill and a municipal wastewater treatment plant receiving wastewaters from a carbonless copy paper manufacturing plant; sediments; and fish collected near both discharges in the Fox River System, Wisconsin. An isopropylbiphenyl dye solvent mixture included mono-, di- and triisopropylbiphenyls. Also identified were two dye solvent mixtures marketed under the trade name Santosol. Santosol 100 comprised ethyl-diphenylmethanes (DPMs), benzyl-ethyl-DPMs, and dibenzyl-ethyl-DPMs. Similarly, Santosol 150 comprised dimethyl-DPMs, benzyl-dimethyl-DPMs, and dibenzyl-dimethyl-DPMs. Diisopropylnaphthalenes, widely used as a dye solvent in Japan, were identified for the first time in the US environment. sec -Butylbiphenyls and di- sec -butylbiphenyls, likely constituents of a sec -butylbiphenyl dye solvent mixture, were tentatively identified. Linear alkyl benzenes (C 10 to C 13 -LABs) constituted the Alkylate 215 diluent mixture. Although known to occur as minor constituents in linear alkyl sulfonate detergents, LAB residues have not been previously attributed to commercial use of LABs.

Wisconsin↗
USGS1990

National contaminant biomonitoring program: Residues of organochlorine chemicals in U.S. Freshwater Fish, 1976–1984

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service periodically determines concentrations of organochlorine chemicals in freshwater fish collected from a nationwide network of stations as part of the National Contaminant Biomonitoring Program (NCBP, formerly a part of the National Pesticide Monitoring Program). From late 1984 to early 1985, a total of 321 composite fish samples were collected from 112 stations and analyzed for organochlorine chemical residues. The mean concentrations of total DDT did not change from 1980–81 to 1984, following a period of steady decline through the 1970's; however, the mean concentrations of p,p′ -DDT declined significantly. The most persistent DDT homolog ( p,p′ -DDE) was detected at 98% of the stations sampled in 1984, and constituted 73% of total DDT residues, up from 70% in 1974–79. Collectively, these findings indicate a low rate of influx and continued weathering of DDT in the environment. Residues of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) also remained widespread, but a significant downward trend in total PCBs was evident, and early eluting PCB components were present at fewer stations than in the past. Mean concentrations of dieldrin have not changed since 1978–79; concentrations remained highest in Hawaii and in the Great Lakes. Toxaphene concentrations declined from 1980–81 to 1984, especially in the Great Lakes, and the incidence of toxaphene declined from 88% of the stations sampled in 1980–81 to 69% in 1984. Mean chordane concentrations did not change from 1980–81 to 1984, following a period of decline; however, trans -nonachlor replaced cis -chlordane as the most abundant component, suggesting a lower influx of chlordane to the aquatic environment. Residues of other organochlorines—mirex, pentachloroanisole (PCA), benzene hexachloride (BHC) isomers, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and Dacthal ® (DCPA)—were either found at relatively few (<25%) of the stations sampled in 1984 or were characterized by relatively low concentrations. In general, organochlorine concentrations were lower in 1984 than at any time reported previously.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxico↗