PW09 Pesticide I
8:00 AM - Wednesday
(PW146) Hatch and Mortality Rates of Fathead Minnow, (Pimephales Promelas) Eggs Nanoinjected with Organochlorine Pesticides.
Huge, D1, Sepulveda, M2, Buckland, J3, Gross, T4, 1 University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA2 University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA3 University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA4 University of Florida/USGS, Gainesville, Florida, USA
ABSTRACT- Previous studies from this laboratory have documented decreased reproductive efficiency and altered hormone levels in wild populations of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from sights contaminated with organochlorine pesticides. Organochlorine pesticides may bioaccumulate significantly in fish, hence, conveying endocrine modulators to future offspring. The current study investigated the effects on hatch and mortality rates of P. promelas eggs using applied practices of nanoinjected eggs with concentrations of 20, 10, and 5 parts per million, at a quantity of 83.5-116.9 micrograms of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, (DDE). P. promelas eggs reared in the laboratory were nanoinjected during the blastula stage of development. DDE injected eggs were compared to a control, as well as a vehicle control to establish hatch rate successes among directly exposed eggs and developing larvae. Hatched larvae were monitored, and mortality rates established at days 5, 11, 20, and 30. Preliminary analysis indicates that P. promelas eggs nanoinjected with various concentrations of DDE had an adverse effect on hatch rate, as well as survivorship. Future research will include determining concentrations of Chlordane, Toxaphene, and Dieldrin, that adversely effect the hatch rate and survivorship of P. promelas, as well as combinations of these organochlorines that mimic conditions found in the natural environment.
Key words: pimephales promelas, nanoinjection, organochlorine pesticides