Graduate Program

Natural Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2012

Thesis Director

Douglas G. Klarup

Thesis Committee Member

Andrew S. Methven

Abstract

There has been a need for the assessment of ground water contamination risk on terrestrial organisms. One terrestrial organism, Eisenia fetida, was chosen as a test species and exposed to three common pharmaceutical and/or pesticide related contaminants: acetaminophen (CAS#103-90-2), caffeine (CAS#58-08-2) and carbendazim (CAS#10605-21-7), respectively. Levels of contamination varied from grams per liter to micrograms per liter (ppb) using distilled water as the solvent. Eisenia fetida was examined through a 28 day range/index toxicity test. A Benchmark Dose (BMD) dichotomous probit analysis, using a 95% confidence interval, was calculated for all three contaminants. All three contaminants were found to have Benchmark Dose Lower 95 % Confidence Intervals (BMDL's) well below levels of full saturation (BMD/BMDL of Acetaminophen: 160ppm/100pm; Caffeine: 120ppm/50ppm; Carbendazim: 71ppb/41ppb), with hazard quotients of 3.8 x 10-e, 2.6 x 10-5 and 2.9 x 10-3, respectively. These three contaminants showed that despite low levels of ground water contamination found currently in the United States several terrestrial organisms and ecosystems could be severely impacted.

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