SREL Reprint #2181

Assessment of metal uptake and genetic damage in small mammals inhabiting a fly ash basin

J. D. Peles1,2 and G. W. Barrett1

1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, South Carolina 29802, USA
2Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA

Introduction: Coal burning for electrical power produces 67 million metric tons of solid waste per year (Adriano et al. 1980). Most of this solid waste is in the form of fly ash that often contains high concentrations of heavy metals (Adriano et al. 1980; Carlson and Adriano 1991). To date, however, no in situ investigations have been conducted to examine the effects of fly ash contaminants on species of small mammals.
Because many of the metals commonly found in fly ash are potential mutagens (McMurphy et al. 1996), genetic biomarkers may be useful for assessing the biological consequences of exposure to fly ash. The development of techniques for the assessment of DNA damage has led to increased use of genetic biomarkers in recent years (Fisher et al., 1993). For example, flow cytometry (FCM) has been used to demonstrate genetic damage in a number of species from contaminated habitats (e.g., Bickham et al. 1988; McBee and Bickham 1988; Lamb et al. 1991; George et al. 1991).
Small mammals are a model group for examining contaminant uptake and assessing the effects of contaminants in natural systems (McBee and Bickham 1990). Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to (a) examine metal uptake in cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) and rice rats (Oryzomys palustris) collected from a fly-ash contaminated site and a reference site, and (b) compare the extent of DNA damage in small mammals between the contaminated and the reference site as determined by flow cytometry.

SREL Reprint #2181

Peles, J.D. and G.W. Barrett. 1997. Assessment of metal uptake and genetic damage in small mammals inhabiting a fly ash basin. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 59:279-284.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).