Graduate Program

Biological Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2009

Thesis Director

Karen Gaines

Thesis Committee Member

James Novak

Thesis Committee Member

Jeff Laursen

Abstract

In this study we used feathers as a biomonitor for exposure to the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) Aroclor 1268. Clapper rails have been used as an indicator species of environmental damage for the LCP superfund site located in Brunswick, GA USA. LCP is contaminated with Aroclor 1268, which has been used in limited amounts elsewhere and therefore can be used as a contaminant marker. Aroclor 1268, including congener profiles, were quantified using gas chromatography (GC). Concurrently each sample was quantified for total Aroclor 1268 using an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) and compared to the GC results to determine if ELISA was a cost effective method for quantifying or qualifying PCBs in feathers. We also conducted experiments to determine if contamination is truly endogenous rather than exogenous by exposing clean feathers to contaminated mud and cleaning them with varying methodologies. GC analysis showed that "clean" feathers exposed to contaminated mud had no measurable residues of PCBs regardless of washing method. Results showed that ELISA consistently quantified PCB loads one order of magnitude less than the GC. Based on sample replication, extraction recovery, and sample spike, it appears that GC is the more reliable method of detection and that ELISA methods may be better used for qualitative exposure assessment for this particular Aroclor.

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