Differences in the chemical composition of calcified structures can be used to reveal natal origins, connectivity, metapopulation structure, and reconstruct the environmental history or movement patterns of many marine organisms. Sharks, skates, and rays (elasmobranchs) lack the calcified structures, known as otoliths, that are typically used for geochemical studies of...
Molecular DNA markers have become widely used in all areas of genetic
research. The objectives of this thesis were to develop polymorphic markers in sunflower
and utilize the markers for genetic and candidate gene analyses. Amplified fragment
length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to estimate genetic similarities and
assess the...
Determination of the source and fate of natural (higher plant lipids, marine
lipids, etc.) and anthropogenically (e.g., petroleum, coal emissions) derived
hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds in the environment was accomplished
using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
to characterize or identify molecular biomarkers to be utilized as tracers....
Oxidative stress occurs when the balance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defense mechanisms in the body becomes tipped heavily in favor of the reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species can be present in excess due to elevated O2 levels, radiation, infection, smoking, or even excessive exercise. It is also...
The physiological condition of a seedling often determines its ability to survive when planted. However, physiological damage is difficult to determine from external measurement or observation, because a healthy looking seedling can be of poor quality (quality is defined as the ability of a seedling to survive when outplanted). Methods...
Sources of polar/water-soluble organic compounds conjunctly with apolar biomarkers were characterized in natural organic matter. This multi-biomarker approach was accomplished by a simple analytical method consisting of extraction with dichloromethane:methanol (2:1, v/v), silylation and analysis by gaschromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Polar and apolar biomarkers, derived mainly from higher plants and...
Pesticides are among the most pervasive environmental contaminants and they are an important potential risk for human health. Agricultural workers are constantly exposed to pesticide spray, drift and residues in the soil and foliage. Many agricultural pesticides are readily absorbed by the body, through contact with the skin, the respiratory...
This research was undertaken to develop a sensitive, selective, and rapid analytical method to measure ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) in urine as urinary biomarkers of alcohol exposure. Large-volume injection (LVI) coupled with liquid chromatography / electrospray tandem mass spectrometry was used to eliminate the need for either...
Concentrations of twenty-five PCBs, fifteen organochiorine pesticides and mercury were determined in recreational fish from the Willamette River, Oregon during the summer of 2000. Thirty-six fish samples of three fish species including black crappie, smalimouth bass and con-rn-ion carp were analyzed. The data reported here provides new information and recent...