Murray State University
Atrazine Levels in Water, Sediment, and Amphibian Tissue Samples from Selected Ponds in Westernmost Kentucky
Institution
Murray State University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Bommanna Loganathan
Abstract
Atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylaminio-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine) is one of the major herbicides used in Kentucky (approximately 1 million pounds annually), primarily on corn crops. Widespread use of atrazine causes environmental contamination. Exposure to atrazine causes endocrine disruption leading to harmful effects in aquatic organisms including reproductive toxicity and immunotoxicity. However, very little is known on the levels of atrazine contamination in regional ponds and the amphibians inhabiting the ponds. The objective of this study is to determine the levels of atrazine compounds present in water, sediment, and amphibian tissue and to explain the distribution, environmental transformation, and fate of atrazine in ponds in Western Kentucky. Ten sampling sites were selected including: Terrapin Creek, Terrapin Ditch, CLBL, Golden Pond (LBL), Elk and Bison pond, LBL-142, Starcamp, LBL Powerline pond, LBL-Cedar Skunk and Grand Rivers pond were sampled for water, sediment, and amphibians (frogs and salamanders). For water and sediment analysis of Atrazine, twenty-eight sites were selected. Atrazine analyses were done using RaPID Assay Atrazine Test Kit. Results revealed that triazine concentrations in water samples ranged from below detection limit (0.05 ppb) to 0.4 ppb. Amphibian tissues contained concentrations that ranged from our detection limit to 0.1 ppb. All of the sediment samples from the ponds showed the concentrations below the detection limit.
Atrazine Levels in Water, Sediment, and Amphibian Tissue Samples from Selected Ponds in Westernmost Kentucky
Atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylaminio-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine) is one of the major herbicides used in Kentucky (approximately 1 million pounds annually), primarily on corn crops. Widespread use of atrazine causes environmental contamination. Exposure to atrazine causes endocrine disruption leading to harmful effects in aquatic organisms including reproductive toxicity and immunotoxicity. However, very little is known on the levels of atrazine contamination in regional ponds and the amphibians inhabiting the ponds. The objective of this study is to determine the levels of atrazine compounds present in water, sediment, and amphibian tissue and to explain the distribution, environmental transformation, and fate of atrazine in ponds in Western Kentucky. Ten sampling sites were selected including: Terrapin Creek, Terrapin Ditch, CLBL, Golden Pond (LBL), Elk and Bison pond, LBL-142, Starcamp, LBL Powerline pond, LBL-Cedar Skunk and Grand Rivers pond were sampled for water, sediment, and amphibians (frogs and salamanders). For water and sediment analysis of Atrazine, twenty-eight sites were selected. Atrazine analyses were done using RaPID Assay Atrazine Test Kit. Results revealed that triazine concentrations in water samples ranged from below detection limit (0.05 ppb) to 0.4 ppb. Amphibian tissues contained concentrations that ranged from our detection limit to 0.1 ppb. All of the sediment samples from the ponds showed the concentrations below the detection limit.