Toxicological Properties of Specific Aromatic Hydrocarbons Isolated from Fresh and Aged Crude Oil from the Deepwater Horizon Spill
Implementing Organization
Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$1,574,110
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI)
Funding Program
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative GoMRI Grant Program
Details
Project Category
Science
Project Actions
Public Health Research
Targeted Resources
Human and/or Institutional Capacity
Project Description
Oil spills are well recognized for causing toxic effects in people and environmental organisms. However, oil is chemically complex and the specific compounds that contribute to its toxicity are surprisingly poorly defined. Specifically, petrogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a large family of chemicals in oil that have never been evaluated for toxicity. We will identify highly toxic compounds within fresh and weathered oil samples using a marriage of analytical chemical methodologies and cellular bioassays. This process will identify the presence and relative potencies of PAHs and structurally related chemicals that activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Activation of AhR is the key initial step in a signaling pathway that ultimately results in toxicity. Our goal is to use these identified toxic compounds as a gauge of toxicity for any fresh or aged oil sample.
Contact
Charles MillerNone
rellim@tulane.edu
Project Website
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