Tracing Silent Contamination and Evident Injustices Through Chlordécone Toxicity Effects and CYP1A Enzyme Levels in Tropiques Toxiques and Redside dace (Clinostomus elongatus)

Authors

• Heather R. Knowlton, The College of WoosterFollow

Abstract

Xenobiotic contamination is a widespread issue that affects the surrounding community exposed, including humans and animals. Urbanization can contribute to the spread of these contaminants to the marine populations, specifically Redside dace (Clinostomus elongatus). Redside dace, an endangered species in Canada, abundantly found in Northeastern Ohio, were used to examine the effects of xenobiotic contaminant exposure, specifically polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Redside dace were exposed to sediment samples from different sites in Northeast Toronto and Northeast Ohio. The results found biologically significant CYP1A expression in muscle tissue, however there was no statistical significance between the control and experimental groups. These results suggest that CYP1A is induced in Redside dace when exposed to trace amounts of xenobiotic contaminants such as PAHs and PCBs. For future studies, the mechanisms by which Redside dace filter pollutants in their environment should be explored and the factors leading to the decline of Redside dace populations need to be examined to develop environmental remediation and conservation strategies for this species. The goal of this Biology and French and Francophone Studies double major project is to examine the issue of xenobiotic contamination from both a scientific and cultural perspective, and to create a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of these contaminants and how scientific results can be accessible for a greater audience.

Cette étude analyse la bande dessinée Tropiques toxiques par Jessica Oublié (2020) pour montrer le problème du chlordécone en Martinique et en Guadeloupe. Il existe beaucoup d’articles scientifiques qui expliquent les effets des pesticides xénobiotiques sur la santé et sur l’environnement, mais ces articles sont souvent très techniques et difficiles à comprendre pour le public général. La bande dessinée, au contraire, montre l’expérience des habitants et citoyens des îles qui vivent avec cette pollution. Elle explique comment les habitants ont été affecté dans leur vie quotidienne et comment ils se sentent face à cette injustice. Ce chapitre veut montrer que Tropiques toxiques donne une perspective plus humaine et plus sociale du scandale chlordécone. À la différence des articles scientifiques, cette bande dessinée ne présente pas seulement un problème scientifique, mais aussi un problème politique et historique lié au passé colonial des îles français. Le but de ce projet double spécialisation est d’examiner l’effet des contaminants xénobiotiques d’un point de vue scientifique et culturel pour créer une compréhension plus expansive sur une idée.

Advisor

Williams, Rebecca

Second Advisor

Burch, Laura

Department

Biology; French and Francophone Studies

Recommended Citation

Knowlton, Heather R., "Tracing Silent Contamination and Evident Injustices Through Chlordécone Toxicity Effects and CYP1A Enzyme Levels in Tropiques Toxiques and Redside dace (Clinostomus elongatus)" (2026). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 13558.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/13558

Disciplines

Biology | French and Francophone Language and Literature

Keywords

Xenobiotic contaminants, pollution, Redside dace, CYP1A, Tropiques toxiques, contamination

Publication Date

2026

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis