Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a PAH, has been identified as a potential carcinogen. It enters the environment as a result of industrial emissions, is deposited in the watershed, and is biomagnified in animals living in contaminated waterways. B[a]P was extracted from sediment and crayfish tissues from a Blackstone Valley streambed, and GC was used to quantify contamination levels. Comparisons of B[a]P concentrations at different points suggested deposition patterns of B[a]P from a point source in a stream, and showed the most relevant test points for future research. Gut analysis of crayfishes showed that those living in the stream eat sediment. Levels of B[a]P detected in muscle tissue suggest that bioaccumulation occurs in crayfish, and supports the use of crayfish as a bioindicator.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Dugan, Penny Elizabeth

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042408-133149

Advisor

• Buckholt, Michael Allan
• Whitefleet-Smith, JoAnn L.
• Mathews, Lauren M.

Year

• 2008

Date created

• 2008-04-24

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Zuletzt geändert

• 2021-01-06