Fate and Transport of an Endocrine Disruptor in Soil-Water Systems

0244169凯西我们建议的项目的目标是确定内分泌干扰物17b-雌二醇在土壤-水系统中的去向和传输机制。我们选择17b-雌二醇是因为它是许多内分泌细胞的原型，它有很高的效力，它有可能在环境中流行，而且人们对它知之甚少。我们做这项研究的目的超越了学术兴趣。我们希望分享这项研究的结果，以促进对环境中内分泌细胞暴露的了解；提高我们预测内分泌细胞在环境中的迁移性和持久性的能力；利用研究结果帮助开发处理受污染的土壤和水或修复受污染地区的方法；并教育和培训当地社区，以提高对这一研究的认识和兴趣。在环境中，内分泌细胞通过扰乱正常功能和/或干扰生命各个阶段的发育来干扰内分泌系统。通常，内分泌细胞模仿人类和野生动物自然产生的生殖激素(例如雌激素)，在极低的浓度下(1 ng L-1)就会产生不良影响。大量研究表明，内分泌细胞在鸟类、鱼类、贝类、海龟、腹足类和哺乳动物中引起了广泛的生理和生殖障碍。此外，EDCs还与最近人类生殖方面的不利趋势(即女性乳腺癌增加和男性精子数量减少)有关。最近对美国地表水的一项调查发现，在接受测试的139条溪流中，约有50%检测到了内分泌干扰物。然而，人们对这些化学物质的命运以及它们在污染地下水和地表水资源之前如何在土壤中移动知之甚少。为了实现这项研究的目标，我们成立了一个独特的研究小组，成员包括来自生物化学、土壤科学、数学建模、生物系统工程和环境科学的个人。我们制定了六个目标：1)确定17b-雌二醇和代谢物在土壤中的去向和运输机制；2)确定17b-雌二醇转化/降解形成代谢物的机制；3)发现优先流对雌激素运输的影响；4)开发、应用和评估预测计算机模型；5)将这项研究与教育相结合；6)通过演讲和出版物向更广泛的社区传播这项研究。我们提出了将用于实现这些目标的实验方法和策略。通过一系列的土壤批处理、降解和柱状实验来确定17b-雌二醇及其代谢物在不同粒径、有机质含量和结构的土壤中的吸附、转化和移动性。这些信息将被用来形成一个关于命运和运输的假设，并开发一个计算机模型，用于分析数据。这项研究将通过招收研究生、将这项研究纳入大学课程以及通过与当地一名K-12教师发展密切的工作关系来融入教育。合作者小组对这一提议所做的初步研究表明，这一项目成功的可能性很大。此外，拟议的项目改善了来自不同领域和背景的个人之间的网络和伙伴关系。不同组织的联网还将通过向无法使用这些仪器的其他机构提供独特的分析设备来改进设施。

0244169 Casey The objectives of our proposed project are to identify the fate and transport mechanisms of the endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC), 17b-estradiol, in soil-water systems. We chose 17b-estradiol because it is a prototype for many EDCs, it has high potency, it has the potential of being prevalent in the environment, and little is known about it. Our purpose for doing this research extends beyond academic interests. We hope to share the results from this research to advance the knowledge of exposure to EDCs in the environment; to increase our ability to predict the mobility and persistence of EDCs in the environment; to use the result to help develop methods to treat polluted soil and water or to remediate contaminated areas; and to educate and train the local community to promote awareness and interest in this research.In the environment, EDCs interfere with endocrine systems by disrupting normal function and/or interfering with development at all life stages. Often, EDCs mimic the reproductive hormones (e.g., estrogens) produced naturally by humans and wildlife, and can produce adverse effects at remarkably low concentrations ( 1 ng L -1 ). Numerous studies have suggested that EDCs have caused widespread physiological and reproductive disorders in birds, fish, shellfish, turtles, gastropods, and mammals. Additionally, EDCs have been implicated in recent adverse trends in human reproduction (i.e., an increase in female breast cancer and decrease in male sperm counts). A recent reconnaissance of surface waters in the U.S. has detected EDCs in approximately 50% of the 139 streams tested. However, little or nothing is known about the fate of these chemicals and how they move in soil before they contaminate our groundwater andsurface water resources.To achieve the objectives of this research, we formed a unique research team that includeindividuals from biochemistry, soil science, mathematical modeling, and biosystems engineering and environmental sciences. We developed six goals: 1) identify fate and transport mechanisms of 17b-estradiol and metabolites in soil; 2) identify transformation/degradation mechanisms of 17b-estradiol to form metabolites; 3) discover the influence of preferential flow on the transport of estrogens; 4) develop, apply, and evaluate a predictive computer model; 5) integrate this research with education; and 6) disseminate this research to a broader community using presentations and publications. We proposed experimental methods and strategies that would be used to accomplish each of these goals. A series of soil batch, degradation, and column experiments would be used to identify the sorption, transformations, and mobility of 17b-estradiol and its metabolites in a variety of soils with different particle sizes, organic matter contents, and structures. This information would be used to formulate a hypothesis of fate and transport and develop a computer model, which would be used to analyze the data. The research would be integrated into education by recruiting graduate students, by including this research in university courses, and by developing a close working relationship with a local K-12 teacher. Preliminary research done by the team of collaborators on this proposal demonstrates the likelihood of success of this project. Furthermore, the proposed project improves networks and partnerships of individuals from diverse areas and backgrounds. The networking of different organizations will also improve facilities by making unique analytical equipment available to other institutions that do not have access to these instruments.