DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Transport, sorption, and degradation of Cry1Ab toxin derived from genetically engineered corn crop byproducts in agricultural streams

农业景观中的溪流通过风和地表径流接收含有独特可追溯化合物（以下简称“Cry1Ab”）的转基因玉米叶片。一旦进入溪流，Cry1Ab就会从玉米叶中浸出；然而，这种浸出物质的扩散及其对河流生态系统的影响尚未确定。在陆地生态系统中，对浸出的Cry1Ab的命运进行了详细的研究，包括对土壤颗粒的吸附和土壤微生物的降解。Cry1Ab在流中的表现可能类似；然而，影响可能更为广泛，因为水流可能将物质输送到下游。在本研究中，将对沿溪流收集的水样进行Cry1Ab分析，以确定其在环境中的空间分布。在实验室中，介相实验将确定Cry1Ab在水生环境中的吸附能力和降解。基因工程作物的引进速度超过了我们对这项新技术可能对溪流生物和栖息地产生的潜在影响的科学理解。与陆地系统相比，我们对转基因玉米如何影响水生生态系统的了解有限。Cry1Ab确实会进入溪流，并可能向下游输送，造成未知的生态系统后果。考虑这些物质对水生生态系统的影响是至关重要的，以便充分了解广泛种植转基因作物将对我们的地表水及其所含生物产生的影响。

Streams within agricultural landscapes receive genetically engineered corn leaves containing distinct and traceable compounds (hereafter 'Cry1Ab') through wind and surface runoff. Once in streams, Cry1Ab leaches from corn leaves; yet the dispersal of this leached material and its influences on stream ecosystems have not been determined. In terrestrial ecosystems, the fates of leached Cry1Ab have been studied in detail and include sorption to soil particles and degradation by soil microbes. Cry1Ab may behave similarly in streams; however, effects may be more widespread because stream flow may transport the material downstream. In this study, water samples collected along streams will be analyzed for Cry1Ab to determine its spatial distribution in the environment. In the laboratory, mesocosm experiments will determine the sorption capacity and degradation of the Cry1Ab in aquatic environments. Genetically engineered crops are being introduced at a rate that outpaces our scientific understanding of the potential effects that this new technology may have on stream organisms and habitats. Compared to terrestrial systems, we have a limited knowledge of how genetically engineered corn affects aquatic ecosystems. Cry1Ab does enter streams and may be transported downstream with unknown ecosystem consequences. It is essential to consider the effects of such materials in aquatic ecosystems, in order to fully understand the impacts that widespread planting of genetically engineered crops will have on our surface waters and the organisms they contain.