Environmental
Ecological Risk Assessment of Restoration
Perchlorate and Explosives in Avian
Species, Rodents, Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fish
Background:
It is estimated that more than 12,000 Department of
Defense (DoD)-related sites are awaiting some type of
remedial action. Therefore, it is critical to accurately
assess and prioritize the risks to human and ecological
health such that reasonable and effective remedial
decisions can be made. Among the most pressing
environmental issues are explosive compounds. The
environmental fate, behavior, and effects of these
compounds have been well defined, yet their breakdown
products and metabolites have not been assessed.
Perchlorate is another environmental issue of special
concern to DoD, the Environmental Protection Agency,
and many other federal, state, and local entities. This
thyroid disrupting toxicant has been detected in surface
and groundwater in many states. Previous research has
examined the effects of perchlorate in the environment
through laboratory and field-based studies. Thus, an array
of assessment methodologies and techniques have been
developed that can now be used to objectively identify and
more fully understand potential ecological impacts
associated with other DoD-related contaminants.
Objective:
This project will continue to expand the knowledge base
established in SERDP project ER-1223 for environmental
perchlorate contamination issues using field and
laboratory studies designed to characterize and quantify
ecological risks associated with the distribution and
movement of perchlorate and explosive compounds in
ecosystems. The principal objective of this research is to
examine the impact of environmental exposures of
perchlorate, explosives, and their metabolites on birds,
rodents, reptiles, fish, and amphibians at contaminated
sites. Specifically, bioavailability across trophic levels
will be evaluated and toxicological impacts on exposed
biota will be assessed.
Process/Technology Description:
Ecological receptors deemed to be at risk from exposure to
perchlorate, explosives, and their metabolites will be
identified through a number of inter-related sub-projects,
including analytical, terrestrial, and aquatic toxicology as
well as ecological modeling. Important routes of exposure
and potential food web-related exposure pathways will be
determined. Sensitive markers of contaminant toxicity
will be used to assess the ecological impacts of exposure.
Movement of the contaminants within abiotic and biotic
ER-1235
components of the ecosystem will be assessed with
ecological modeling. Long-term risks to exposed
populations of birds will be evaluated using individual-
based population models driven by inputs specific to
perchlorate, explosives, and their metabolites and the site-
specific abiotic conditions.
Results to Date:
Results on perchlorate ecotoxicology have been compiled
into a book published through the Society of
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) in
2006.
Flow chart depicting the transition from perchlorate research
to research on explosive compounds.
Expected Benefits:
This project will result in the identification of ecological
risks and in the development of models of exposure and
toxicity for the assessment of DoD-contaminated sites.
Models of exposure and toxicity also may be useful for
evaluation of remediation techniques. Remaining
ecological concerns related to environmental perchlorate
and explosives contamination will be addressed. Results
likely will be used to establish regulatory standards and
cleanup criteria for perchlorate and explosive compounds.
(Anticipated Project Completion – 2008)
Contact Information:
Dr. Ron Kendall
The Institute of Environmental & Human Health
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX 79416
Phone: (806) 885-4567
Fax: (806) 885-2132
E-mail: ron.kendall@tiehh.ttu.edu
REVISED 10/17/07