A publication of the UC Toxic Substances Research & Teaching Program Summer 1998

In This Issue: Sand Crabs - Indicators of Ecological Health? TSR&TP Hosts MTBE Panel Discussion Alumni News

Sand Crabs - Indicators of Ecological Health? by Mika Pringle Tolson

The tiny sand crab, Emerita analoga, looks like a creature you might see on the X-Files with its heavily armored exterior and pointy appendages. But this animal is a very important ecological component of California's coast. Sand crabs are an abundant species, inhabiting every meter of sandy beaches, and many shorebirds and fishes rely heavily on them for food. Like other crustaceans, sand crabs are known to bioaccumulate toxins in their tissue, especially pesticides, metals and hydrocarbons. When sand crabs are consumed by other animals, these toxins are transferred to higher trophic levels. Sandy beaches make up about 75% of the world's coastlines, and

Common sand crab, Emerita analoga Overwintered female, ~30 mm in length Photo by J. Dugan

much of the California coastline. The majority of toxic releases in coastal waters end up on sandy beaches, which can adversely affect the ecosystem and human health. Establishing a bioindicator species that is abundant and easy to evaluate helps researchers assess the health of coastal environments. Until recently, mussels have been the indicator species of choice. Jenny Dugan, a researcher at UC Santa Barbara's Marine Science Institute explains, "All we really looked at before were mussels, which need to be suspended in the water, such as off a pier or buoy, but sand crabs are actually in the sediments connected with the water table where the oil has been in a number of recent land-based spills." Sand crabs also may be a better choice in some situations because they are a brooding species; they carry their eggs on their bodies until they hatch. This behavior allows researchers to assess cumulative effects of exposure to toxics on reproduction because the developing young remain in the adult's habitat until hatching. Jenny Dugan has been studying sand crabs and sandy beaches since her days as a graduate student at UCSB in the 80's. After earning her bachelor's degree in aquatic biology, she "eagerly went into the work force as a Fish and Game employee for the mussel watch program in Monterey, measuring the effects of exposure to toxins on the physiology of mussels." This work stimulated her interest in beaches and she went back to school for a doctorate in biology. While at UCSB, she worked as a marine biologist for the National Park Service developing a monitoring program and performing a large inventory study of beaches for Channel Islands National Park. After receiving her Ph.D., Dugan pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in South Africa, because most modern work on sandy beaches has been done in the southern hemisphere. Her research in South Africa led to a second postdoc at the University of Otago in New Zealand. In 1995, Dugan returned to Santa Barbara to help researchers at the Marine Science Institute of UCSB write protocols for inventorying sandy beaches on the coast, and to lecture part-time in environmental studies and invertebrate zoology. She's been employed as a professional researcher with the Marine Science Institute since that time.

In July of 1995, Jenny Dugan and her co-investigator Mark Page were awarded a TSR&TP grant to develop reproductive assays for sand crabs and examine their sensitivity to hydrocarbon exposure. "Our goal was to look at how accumulations of toxic substances in the animals might affect their reproduction," says Dugan. "It was based on some earlier work on reproductive abnormalities that we saw in Southern California in these animals where the eggs had ruptured and were still carried for the complete time of embryonic development." As it turned out, their study found no correlation between hydrocarbon concentrations in the female crab tissues and their reproductive success. It remains unknown what

Undergraduate trainee, Morgan Brown and Jenny Dugan (PI) sampling sand crabs in the active swash zone on Guadalupe Beach near Santa Barbara June 1995, photo by D. Hubbard

causes high percentages of disrupted eggs in crabs observed on some beaches. "The tissue concentrations of hydrocarbon vary quite a bit among beaches, and sand crabs can carry high concentrations in their tissues. The crabs appeared to be able to carry these levels of hydrocarbons without detectable reproductive effects", explains Dugan. Even with no effect on the crabs, the beach toxins can still resonate throughout the ecological community. "The developing eggs have greater concentrations of hydrocarbons than the bodies of the crabs, and the crabs are being eaten by numerous birds and fish. Those hydrocarbons are being picked up and transferred up the food chain at an alarming rate." Dugan's research has produced baseline data on sandy beaches and how sand crabs can be used to gauge the effects of toxic releases, such as oil spills, on beach ecology. "No one knew what the baseline hydrocarbon levels in these animals were. The last four oils spills I can think of occurred on sandy beaches. Beyond the significance of our findings on a scientific basis, just having the baseline information has already proven useful," says Dugan. Their TSR&TP data on crabs from a formerly clean beach has encouraged the California Department of Fish and Game to collect and analyze sand crabs following a recent oil spill on that beach, and there's a good chance that sand crabs will become the indicator species of choice in the future. Dugan and Page have also shared their data from Avila Beach on levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the resident sand crabs, which has encouraged Fish and Game to consider further studies of the crabs on that beach. Since the completion of her TSR&TP project, Dugan has continued to study sandy beaches. She received funding from the UC Santa Barbara Coastal Marine Institute and the Minerals Management Service to make complete inventories and do the first test of some of the ecological models that have been developed for sandy beach communities. She's taking the study a step further and looking at higher trophic levels, specifically how shorebirds may be responding to prey availability and the morphodynamic state of beaches. She's also been working with Mark Page on a two year study of the effects of oil platforms on rock crab populations to determine whether the platforms are producing or attracting rock crabs. Many platforms in the Santa Barbara area are reaching the end of their useful lives and there are questions about what to do with them - remove them, cut them off at a certain depth, leave them in place, donate them to universities, or create marine labs out of them. For the future, Dugan says, "I'd like to branch out more and work with toxicologists at some of the other UC's and create some opportunities for collaboration by joining what I know about sandy beaches to their toxicological expertise. I see a lot of opportunity in sandy beaches for investigations of all sorts of ecological questions as well as applied questions about impacts and effects of human activities in the coastal zone." Jenny Dugan can be reached via email at j_dugan@lifesci.lscf.ucsb.edu

TSR&TP Hosts MTBE Panel Discussion at the 11th Annual Research Symposium in Berkeley   by Mika Pringle Tolson

Over 250 UC faculty, students, staff, government representatives, and members of the general public attended the 1998 TSR&TP research symposium, held at the Radisson Hotel Berkeley Marina on April 24th. This year, the TSR&TP tried a different approach from the traditional lecture-style presentations and we organized a panel discussion on a relevant environmental topic. We chose MTBE not only because of the recent public attention to the topic, but because the TSR&TP is now funding the largest university MTBE research program in the world. MTBE is a gasoline additive whose original purpose was to raise octane ratings, reduce carbon monoxide emissions, and improve air quality. However, there have been some unwanted side effects, such as groundwater and drinking water contamination. With the passage of SB 521 in October of 1997, the State of California appropriated $500,000 to the University of California to study the human health effects and environmental risks and benefits of MTBE. The TSR&TP was chosen by the UC Office of the President to manage the MTBE grant program, and in January of 1998, we awarded six grants, covering all of the mandated tasks from SB 521. Following is a summary with excerpts from the panel discussion in the morning session of the TSR&TP symposium.

Six investigators representing the MTBE grants served as panelists for the discussion at the symposium. Jerry Last, TSR&TP Director, began the discussion by asking each of the panelists to give a brief overview of their projects. He encouraged the audience to ask questions and make comments. John Reuter, the principal investigator of the UC Davis project, explained the scope and focus of the multi-faceted UCD project, which addresses environmental and ecological effects, levels in water, treatment technologies, impact on vehicles, corrosive effects on storage tanks, Lake Tahoe Basin assessment, and

Panelists from left to right: Dan Chang (UCD), John Reuter (UCD), Linda Fernandez (UCSB), Arturo Keller (UCSB), Pamela Franklin (UCB), and Mel Suffet (UCLA)

an integrative summary of all the MTBE research. Panelist Dan Chang, a co-investigator on the UCD project, spoke about bioremediation research. He said MTBE was previously considered to be nonbiodegradable, but there are organisms that biodegrade it, although they tend to grow slowly. There are studies underway to try and increase their growth rate. Chang said that biological treatment of MTBE contaminated water is possible, and he and his colleagues are trying to determine the cost of remediation. Linda Fernandez, UC Santa Barbara co-investigator with Arturo Keller, spoke about their integrative summary research on a cost-benefit analysis of MTBE. The purpose of their study is to categorize particular aspects of the effects of MTBE on public health and the costs and benefits of MTBE at large. They are seeking to answer three questions: 1) Do the costs of MTBE exceed the air quality benefits? 2) What are the health costs of MTBE? 3) What are the policy options of continuing to use MTBE? Arturo Keller is also investigating the costs and effectiveness of applicable remediation technologies to remove MTBE from contaminated water. UC Berkeley doctoral candidate Pamela Franklin gave a brief synopsis of the study she is conducting with Professor Catherine Koshland on the combustion byproducts of MTBE. Because combustion engines aren't 100 per cent efficient, pure MTBE and its combustion byproducts can be emitted into the atmosphere. Their research is bridging the data gaps from previous studies by evaluating the combustion byproducts of pure MTBE and MTBE in reformulated gasoline. The final panelist, Mel Suffet from UC Los Angeles, explained his project, which is focused on treatment technologies for removing MTBE from drinking water. Suffet said the answer to cleaning up the water will be in using multiple techniques such as advanced oxidation or volatilization combined with activated carbon as a polishing system. The secondary carbon filtering system is used in Europe to remove organic carbons and odor and taste from drinking water.

In the absence of John Froines, the UCLA principal investigator of the MTBE grant to review the literature of health effects and conduct an asthma-specific survey of health effects, Jerry Last addressed the toxicology and human health aspects of the MTBE research. In some European animal studies, MTBE has been shown to be a carcinogen. An estimated drinking water standard for levels of MTBE would be in the 10 to 30 parts per billion (ppb) range if based on toxicological data. However, California law also allows for action levels based on detectable odor or taste, and an estimated standard might be 5 to 10 ppb in that case. Mel Suffet interjected that taste and odor are subjective standards based on a panel of people who smell and taste the water. He is consulting on a new study that will use a consumer panel to detect MTBE

Jerry Last, TSR&TP Director, addresses the audience

in water. The type of treatments required will depend on the threshold for detection. John Reuter commented that no one knows how much of the water supply will have to be treated if secondary standards are implemented. These comments spawned a lively discussion with members of the audience about the costs and benefits of MTBE in gasoline. David Eastmond, a UC Riverside professor, pointed out that air toxics in southern California and stage I alerts have decreased since reformulated phase II gasoline has become available. Pamela Franklin stated that there are a host of benefits associated with reformulated gasoline, independent of the addition of oxygenates such as MTBE.

Another member of the audience commented that everyone is focused on carcinogenicity, but we should also be focusing on developmental, immunotoxicological and neurologic effects. MTBE is not just a California problem. The US Environmental Protection Agency should be looking at other effects. Jerry Last remarked that EPA is not currently funding any MTBE research. Winona Victery, a representative from EPA's Region IX office, responded that EPA

UCR Professor David Eastmond adds his comments to the panel discussion

has developed a research strategy for water, but no funding has yet been allocated. John Reuter added that we don't know the impacts of MTBE to human health and how much it is costing us. Linda Fernandez said one of the goals of her study is to determine the costs to human health such as medical expenses, loss of benefits, and loss of use. Mel Suffet remarked that scientists should educate the public on the difference between real risk and perceived risk. He asked why the EPA didn't conduct an environmental impact study on the impacts of MTBE in water. A participant commented that many states are not looking at MTBE as a regulated substance. Mel Suffet responded that New York is looking at odor and taste thresholds. Pamela Franklin commented on the positive aspects of public concern for the issue; at least citizens are being educated about reformulated gasoline. John Reuter voiced his concern about the psychological effects of MTBE. People were told that they have to pay extra for this reformulated gas, and boat use on some reservoirs has been banned because of MTBE contamination. From the public perspective, MTBE is a bad thing, but what about the positives? The positive aspects of MTBE include possible improved air quality in Southern California, but even that has not been proven. Mel Suffet commented that another positive outcome is that manufacturers are now looking at developing alternatives to the highly polluting two-stroke engines. Arthur Winer, TSR&TP Asssociate Director and professor of Environmental Science and Engineering at UCLA, said reformulated gas does have benefits, but there are questions about which oxygenate is best. Charles Goldman, a UCD professor, mentioned the Lake Tahoe situation. Jet skis were attacked for noise and safety issues first, but the two-cycle engine problem and MTBE contamination clinched the decision to ban them. For every 5 gallons of fuel used in two-cycle engine watercraft, one gallon remains unburned and leaks into the water. Can we solve the problem by producing nonoxygenated fuel for watercraft? Pamela Franklin replied that there is gas available without MTBE, but it is only sold in remote areas where reformulated gasoline isn't required. Dan Chang said that refineries can produce non-MTBE gas. A member of the audience responded that this solution is only half the issue because people could still fill up their boats at home. Charles Goldman said it's not just MTBE that's a problem with two-cycle engines; hydrocarbons are also an issue because they become more toxic when exposed to UV light in water. John Reuter declared that if drinking water standards are set to secondary levels (at 5 ppb), then boats will have to be banned on reservoirs. Linda Fernandez reported that her study includes the issue of banning boats in the cost-benefit analysis of MTBE. Mel Suffet commented that banning boats with MTBE gas is possible if presented properly to the public. Fernandez added that she'll try to incorporate the public education costs into her analysis. Russ Robinson from the California Recreational Boaters Association said he felt a little like a lamb in a lion's den. The boaters association recognizes several problems, especially with jet skis, and they are addressing the issue of alternates such as off-road fuels and aviation fuels. The association is involved with a pilot program to let boats back onto reservoirs if alternative fuels are proven. He ended his commentary with a plea to not throw the boats out with the baby. Dan Chang responded that the water supply intake is usually at the bottom of reservoirs and it may be possible to continue boating on some reservoirs because the deep water supply isn't contaminated in colder lakes. Russ Robinson added that the devil is in the details. Where are MTBE levels in water measured? At the bottom of the lake or at the docks? It should be at the point of intake and the water treatment plant. What about leaking tanks? They cause a bigger problem with MTBE contamination than boats. Mike Denison, a UCD professor, posed the question of the toxicity of gasoline in general. MTBE isn't the only problem. Even if we eliminate MTBE, we may still have gasoline leaking into our water supplies. The session ended after two hours with participants maintaining a lively discussion well into the break.

TSR&TP Alumni News

From the Coastal Toxicology Program ..... Ken Clifton (UCSC) has finished his postdoctoral work with Dr. Raimondi and has accepted a faculty position with Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Roderick Fielding (UCSD) graduated with a B.A. in Biology in March 1995. After working for almost 2 years with ChromoXome Corporation, a San Diego biotechnology firm specializing in marine pharmaceuticals and bioactive compounds, Roderick is now employed with Recombinant Biocatalysis, a biotech firm specializing in industrial enzymes from bacteria. Donna Givens (UCSD) graduated with a B.A. in Communications in 1997 and is working with an environmental consulting firm assisting with reports related to environmental compliance issues. Lee He (UCSD) recently took a postdoctoral position at Los Alamos National Laboratory to work on the bioremediation of uranium. Tim McPherson (UCLA) is employed by the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, working on watershed and hydrology issues. Murali Pillai (UCD) was supported by the Coastal Toxicology Program when he was a postdoctoral fellow at Bodega Marine Laboratory in 1993-94. He has been employed as an Assistant Professor at Sonoma State University since 1995, and was just promoted to Associate Professor of Biology. Jill Spangenberg (UCD) completed her Ph.D. in 1997, and has taken a postdoctoral fellow as Chief in charge of aquatic medicine residents at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Lorraine vanWaasbergen (UCSD, Scripps Institution of Oceanography) was recently awarded an NIH postdoctoral fellowship and is now working at the Carnegie Institution of Washington at Stanford University.   From the Ecotoxicology Program... Donna Bartkowiak (UCD) is now employed as an environmental research scientist at Cal EPA, Department of Pesticide Registration. Monica Heekyoung Choi (UCD) completed her doctoral dissertation in June of 1997, and is currently employed as an ecotoxicologist-environmental safety specialist for Nalcom Chemical Company. There were four chapters in Monica's dissertation, and all of them were turned into manuscripts and submitted for publication. One has been published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, one is in press in the same journal, and the other two are under review. Michael Hooper (UCD) is an associate professor at Texas Tech University, with an active program in studying the impact of pollutants and agricultural chemicals on birds from Colorado to South America. David Van Brocklin (UCD) is working as a hydrogeologist with Luhdorff and Scalmanini, an environmental consulting firm in Woodland, California, where he is modeling and analyzing groundwater flow and contaminant transport.   From the Health Effects Program.... Norman Birchfield (UCB) is currently working at the Office of Pesticide Programs at the US EPA in Washington, D.C. Rachel Morello Frosch (UCB) completed her dissertation and has begun her UC President’s postdoctoral fellowship. She is working with the Environmental Studies and Sociology Programs at UC Santa Cruz on issues related to environmental health and environmental justice. Mark Fuller (UCB) is employed in the Environmental Research Division at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois Lisa Ahlberg Randall (UCSF) is working on an industrial contract with SRI International in Menlo Park, California where she is doing polymer-supported organic synthesis making compounds on a parallel synthesizer which, when cleaved from the polymer, the company can test in their assays. She will begin proposal writing soon to obtain her own government and industrial funding. Lee Ann Sgro (UCB) is finishing her dissertation, but will soon be off to southern Italy on a Fulbright grant to study the formation of particulates from combustion sources. Stanford Smucker (UCB) is working US EPA in San Francisco as a scientist with Region 9.. Julie Yamamoto (UCB) is in the Ecotoxicology unit of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment of Cal EPA in Sacramento. She is also studying the effect of selenium on captive kestrels at UCD with Gary Santolo and Barry Wilson.