# Mechanisms and Consequences of Evolved Adaptation to Environmental Pollution

> **NIH NIH P42** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $263,281

## Abstract

Duke University’s Superfund Research Center examines the problem of early life exposure to hazardous
chemicals and later life consequences. Project 4 addresses this issue in an ecological context, and takes
advantage of real world case of multigenerational exposures to mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs). An important aspect of long term environmental pollution, often associated with Superfund sites, is
that of adaptations by exposed organisms over multiple generations that improve the abilities of populations to
thrive in polluted ecosystems but also incur fitness costs. Of particular importance in this regard is the
phenomenon of pollution-driven genetic adaptation, that is, the potential for pollution to act as a significant
selection pressure potentially driving evolution. This phenomenon of “evolutionary toxicology” has important
ramifications for environmental science and management, including conservation biology, the elucidation of
fitness costs, environmental risk assessment, and the evaluation of remediation efforts. Atlantic killifish
(Fundulus heteroclitus) inhabiting the Elizabeth River in the Tidewater region of Virginia provide an excellent
“natural experiment” for exploring this phenomenon. Moreover, this system is very relevant to the goals of the
Superfund Research Program – several areas are highly contaminated with mixtures of PAHs emitted by wood
treatment plants, including a designated Superfund site, and other contaminants. The Project’s Specific Aims
are: 1. To elucidate ‘omic differences among Elizabeth River subpopulations of killifish reflecting different PAH
exposure histories. 2. To determine associated physiological impacts (e.g. fitness costs) in these
subpopulations, including deficits of bioenergetics, aerobic performance and behavior, and in a subset of these
populations, evaluate responses to natural stressors (hypoxia and temperature). 3. To determine the persistent
and transgenerational effects of PAHs on mitochondrial structure and function and associated organismal
impacts using zebrafish and killifish. 4. To monitor temporal responses of selected endpoints in killifish
populations from a site undergoing remediation for PAHs, a site high in PAHs not being remediated, and a low
PAH reference site. This proposed research project will build upon previous DUSRC research and involve
integrated field and laboratory studies utilizing two piscine models – the Atlantic killifish and zebrafish (Danio
rerio). Field studies will center focus on several subpopulations of killifish inhabiting discrete sites in the
Elizabeth River that cover a large gradient of PAH contamination, and include sites undergoing remediation.
These studies will elucidate relationships among PAH exposures and selected aspects of molecular biology in
these populations, as well as their responses to remediation. Laboratory studies will employ offspring of wild-
caught killifish to explore fitness costs associated with adaptation to...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9942440
- **Project number:** 5P42ES010356-18
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Richard Di Giulio
- **Activity code:** P42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $263,281
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9942440

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9942440, Mechanisms and Consequences of Evolved Adaptation to Environmental Pollution (5P42ES010356-18). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9942440. Licensed CC0.

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