Navigation Links
Bioavailable contaminants come from the Exxon Valdez oil catastrophe
Date:8/31/2009

Anchorage/Leipzig. Contaminants from natural coal deposits in the Gulf of Alaska are not easily bioavailable, unlike the crude oil from the Exxon Valdez tanker catastrophe. This clearly disproves the theory that natural coal deposits were the cause of observed environmental damage. PAH pollutants were blamed for the continuing degradation of the ecosystem off the coast of Alaska. Then a dispute erupted over the origins of these pollutants in science. According to an international team of researchers writing in specialist journal "Environmental Science & Technology", the crude oil from the Exxon Valdez was the main source of the bioavailable PAH contaminants.

The scientists from Tennessee Technological University, the University of Lausanne, Calvin College and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) compared polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in samples of tanker oil and from coal deposits. Their investigation with bacterial biosensors has now shown that only the PAHs from the tanker oil had any effect on organisms.

The scientists were able to prove this in the lab with the help of genetically engineered bacteria which react with the contaminants. "These biosensors are based on bacteria which feed on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. If these bacteria come into contact with these substances, it flips a biological switch and the bacteria start to glow", explains Prof. Hauke Harms from the UFZ. "There are clear advantages to this new forensic application: there is no need to take the indirect route of costly chemical analysis to prove results." As the bacteria used give off a great deal of light, the scientists are able to study the processes at a high resolution - down to a microscopic level in individual organisms.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are a natural component of coal and petroleum. Because of their longevity and toxicity, sixteen of these substances were classed as particularly hazardous environme
'/>"/>

Contact: Tilo Arnhold
presse@ufz.de
49-341-235-1635
Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres
Source:Eurekalert  

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Turtle studies suggest health risks from environmental contaminants
2. Scientists discover how nanocluster contaminants increase risk of spreading
3. NOAA reports coastal waters show decline in contaminants
4. Arctic governments and industry still unprepared for oil spills 20 years after Exxon Valdez
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
Bioavailable contaminants come from the Exxon Valdez oil catastrophe
(Date:5/23/2013)... of Public Health at Emory University, along with ... received a $4 million grant over four years ... (Health and Exposome Research Center: Understanding Lifetime Exposures). ... awarded in the United States. , The ... of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) of the National ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... the implications for the overall health, development, and ... primary role in ensuring that all students have ... per day of vigorous or moderate-intensity physical activity, ... Medicine. Recent estimates suggest that only about ... for promoting better health and development. The ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... succeeded in treating cerebral palsy with autologous cord blood. ... 2.5 year old boy had been in a persistent ... two months after treatment with the cord blood containing ... months, the child learned to speak simple sentences and ... Korean study, dispel the long-held doubts about the effectiveness ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Emory, Georgia Tech receive first human exposome center grant in US 2Emory, Georgia Tech receive first human exposome center grant in US 3Schools should provide opportunities for 60 minutes of daily physical activity to all students 2Schools should provide opportunities for 60 minutes of daily physical activity to all students 3First successful treatment of pediatric cerebral palsy with autologous cord blood 2
... Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have found a marker that can ... a potential simple test that could help determine the best ... support for the hypothesis that a small number of cells, ... growth. U-M researchers were the first to discover stem ...
... University at Buffalo biologists that may explain the evolution of ... to more effective treatments for humans who fall victim to ... one found last year in bagged spinach that was implicated ... more., The UB research on Shiga Toxin Toxicity and Resistance ...
... Haven, Conn.Boosting an exercise-related gene in the brain works ... lead to a new anti-depressant drug target, according to ... The VGF exercise-related gene and target for drug ... it is already present in the brain, said Ronald ...
Cached Biology News:UM researchers find new marker to identify cancer stem cells 2UM researchers find new marker to identify cancer stem cells 3Study on toxin that tainted spinach reveals treatment possibility 2Newly-identified exercise gene could help with depression 2
(Date:5/23/2013)... Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) May 23, 2013 ... time off from work motivate members of the public ... of researchers including Johns Hopkins Carey Business School ... an emphatic yes. Pointing to a large body of ... write in the May 24, 2013, issue of Science ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... 23, 2013 The maker community is ... of inventions. They focus on learning practical skills while ... gravitate toward bringing their ideas to life via crowdfunding. ... works on making projects using biology. Glowing Plant has ... to make them glow with bioluminescence genes, and has ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... 23, 2013 BioTrends Research Group, one ... for specialized biopharmaceutical issues, finds that, unaided, one ... specialists reported that in the past six months, ... treatment) in anticipation of the next generation of ... when only 6 percent reported that they had ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... SOUTH EASTON, Mass. , May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ ... "Company") today announced that the Company will host a ... and to provide a business update. The teleconference information ... 2013 Time: 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) ... Canada ); (302) 607-2001 (Int,l) Passcode: VS22823 ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Offering Economic Incentives to Attract Blood Donations Should Be Encouraged, Research Team writes in Science 2Offering Economic Incentives to Attract Blood Donations Should Be Encouraged, Research Team writes in Science 3Glowing Plant Releases Maker Kit, Enabling Anyone to Make a Glowing Plant at Home 2The Majority of Physicians that Treat Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Have Begun "Warehousing" and Preparing Their HCV Patients for the Next Generation of HCV Treatments 2The Majority of Physicians that Treat Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Have Begun "Warehousing" and Preparing Their HCV Patients for the Next Generation of HCV Treatments 3Pressure BioSciences, Inc. to Discuss First Quarter 2013 Financial Results and Provide Business Update 2
... , ... is announcing its 2010 Best Practices awards program and is opening the call for ... of technology and strategic innovation--initiatives and collaborations that manifestly improve some facet of the ... ...
... , FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 8 Guacamole is ... fresh produce and deli sections introduce Wholly "Pink" Guacamole. ... in a row, donating 15 percent of proceeds from ... The pretty-in-pink box is a reminder of Texas-Based ...
... 7 Zeno Group, a Daniel J. Edelman, Inc. communications ... Siegel joins Zeno from Ogilvy Public Relations, where she was ... has served as Zeno,s CEO since October 2007, is returning ... service science and biomedical communications business. , With revenues ...
Cached Biology Technology:The 2010 Bio-IT World Best Practices Call for Entries has been Released -- Highlight your Company's Excellence in Innovation 2The 2010 Bio-IT World Best Practices Call for Entries has been Released -- Highlight your Company's Excellence in Innovation 3Grocery Produce Fighting for a Cause - Wholly 'Pink' Guacamole 2Barby K. Siegel Joins Zeno Group as Chief Executive Officer 2Barby K. Siegel Joins Zeno Group as Chief Executive Officer 3
...
Bovine Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells (BPAEC) (>500,000 cells)...
Black Polypropylene 384 Round Well Plate 70/Box...
Spectrolyse (pL) PAI kit is a two-stage indirect enzymatic assay for the quantitative determination of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor (PAI-1) activity in plasma. Sample Type: plasma...
Biology Products: