Environmental Laboratory of Forensics Program
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| Dana Wetzel, Ph.D. Senior Scientist, Program Manager |
| The foundation of the Environmental Laboratory of Forensics Program is analytical organic chemistry. This Program is equipped with state-of-the-art automated sample preparation and analytical instrumentation and can identify and quantify more than 200 organic contaminants. The Program is expert in detection of petroleum compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. We also analyze fatty acids for health and feeding ecology studies, amino acids for age determination in organisms and develop biomarkers for effects of stressors, both chemical and non-chemical, on marine organisms. Immune function, fertility potential and DNA damage are currently some of the biomarkers that we use to help answer questions about the status of the environment. By using cutting-edge technology to detect trace levels of persistent organic contaminants, we can evaluate possible effects toxic substances have on marine life from low-level chronic exposures that could hinder reproduction and development, to acute exposures leading to immediate illness and death. |
| Trace Organics Fatty Acids Amino Acids Biomarkers Toxicity Exposure Studies Risk Assessment |
| Trace Organics Petroleum We have 19 years of oil spill and chronic contamination research knowledge and expertise. This lab not only analyzes for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) using GC-FID but also analyzes for individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) compounds using GC-MS. The Program has been involved in petroleum and oil spill research for almost two decades with studies all over the world, including the Arctic, Florida, Italy and the Caribbean and more recently following the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) & Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) In addition to TPH and PAHs, this Program also routinely measures trace levels of PCBs and OCPs using either a gas chromatograph equipped with dual electron capture detectors or mass spectrometry. Current studies include measuring levels in manatees from Mexico and bivalves and polychaetes from Baltimore Harbor. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) This program also has the capability to measure emerging contaminants of concern, such as PBDEs, using both electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectrometry. |
| Fatty Acids In addition to organic contaminant analyses, the Program analyzes lipid-class composition and is expert in fatty acid identification and quantification. This work supports research in marine mammal health, feeding ecology, lipid identification for forensics and physiological effects from chemical contaminants on lipid reserves of fish and invertebrates. In addition to organic contaminant analyses, the Program analyzes lipid-class composition and is expert in fatty acid identification and quantification. This work supports research in marine mammal health, feeding ecology, lipid identification for forensics and physiological effects from chemical contaminants on lipid reserves of marine mammals, fish and invertebrates. Amino Acids Amino acid analyses for racemization are also carried out in the Program where they are being used to determine ages of organisms where no other methods of aging are possible. This novel work has been instrumental in conservation efforts for bowhead whales of the Arctic and is being expanded to include other whales of interest with the potential for aging birds, lobster and other homeotherms. |
| Biomarkers Understanding the health of marine ecosystems as well as individual marine organisms is a natural outgrowth of the Programs organic contaminant work and we attempt to assess health by using a variety of chemical and biochemical approaches. Toward that end, the Program has created the environmental biomarker of exposure sub-program. Biomarkers are being tested and validated for understanding the consequences of exposure to stressors, in particular organic contaminant stressors. Immune function, fertility potential and DNA damage are currently some of the biomarkers that we use to help answer questions about the status of the environment. We continuously evaluate new biomarkers to add to our suite of sub-lethal indicators of exposure. |
| Toxicity Exposure Studies The Program has significant experience in laboratory-based contaminant exposure studies and is one of the original groups to develop testing protocols for oil and oil dispersant studies (CROSERF). By controlling variables in the lab, we attempt to identify biomarker responses, both lethal and sublethal to help predict real-life exposure scenarios. Studies have included both vertebrate and invertebrate exposures to pesticides, oil and oil dispersants. |
| Risk Assessment All of these components (exposures, biomarkers and chemical contamination levels) can be used to conduct environmental health risk assessments to help determine what environmentally relevant levels actually mean in terms of effects. Formal risk assessment is one of the targeted goals/outcomes of the Program. The role of the Environmental Laboratory of Forensics program is to analytically assess organic contaminants in the marine and estuarine environments, to try and quantitatively determine the sub-lethal effects for individual and population level effects for an overall better understanding of the health of the environment. |
About Us
Mote Marine Laboratory has been a leader in marine research since it was founded in 1955. Today, we incorporate public outreach as a key part of our mission. Mote is an independent nonprofit organization and has seven centers for marine research, the public Mote Aquarium and an Education Division specializing in public programs for all ages.
