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Publications

Since 1966, CERC scientists have published over 2000 peer reviewed articles and reports. Browse our publications below or search CERC's publications by author or title through the USGS Publications Warehouse.

If you need assistance in locating a specific CERC publication, please contact the CERC Librarian.

Filter Total Items: 1410

Use of the semipermeable membrane device (SPMD) to sample polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollution in a lotic system

Relative concentrations of aqueous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were investigated in an urban creek. Samples were obtained at five sites within a 600-m segment of the creek that is critical habitat for an endangered species of fish. the sampling technique entailed immersion of semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) in the water for intervals as long as 64 d. SPMDs are passive, in situ, m
Authors
Jon A. Lebo, James L. Zajicek, Carl E. Orazio, Jimmie D. Petty, James Huckins, Ernest H. Douglas

Toxicity of fire retardant chemicals to aquatic organisms: Progress report

Fire retardants and suppressants used extensively in North America are often applied in environmentally sensitive areas that may contain endangered, threatened, or economically important plant and animal species. We conducted laboratory acute toxicity tests in both hard and soft waters with five commonly used fire control chemicals (Fire Trol LCG-R, Fire-Trol GTS-R, Phos-Chek D-75-F, Phos-Chek WD
Authors
Steven J. Hamilton, Susan F. McDonald, Mark P. Gaikowski, Kevin J. Buhl

Test system for exposing fish to resuspended, contaminated sediment

We describe a new test system for exposing fish to resuspended sediments and associated contaminants. Test sediments were resuspended by revolving test chambers on rotating shafts driven by an electric motor. The timing, speed, and duration of test-chamber revolution were controlled by a rheostat and electronic timer. Each chamber held 45 litres of water and accommodated about 49 g of test fish. T
Authors
W.G. Cope, J.G. Wiener, M.T. Steingraeber

Sediment porewater toxicity assessment studies in the vicinity of offshore oil and gas production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico

As part of a multidisciplinary program to assess the potential long-term impacts of offshore oil and gas exploration and production activities in the Gulf of Mexico, sediment chemical analyses and porewater toxicity tests were conducted in the vicinity of five offshore platforms. Based on data from sea urchin fertilization and embryological development assays, toxicity was observed near four of th
Authors
R.S. Carr, D.C. Chapman, B.J. Presley, J.M. Biedenbach, L. Robertson, P. Boothe, R. Kilada, T. Wade, P. Montagna

Interlaboratory study of precision: Hyalella azteca and Chironomus tentans freshwater sediment toxicity assays

Standard 10-d whole-sediment toxicity test methods have recently been developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the amphipod Hyalella azteca and the midge Chironomus tentans. An interlaboratory evaluation of method precision was performed using a group of seven to 10 laboratories, representing government, academia, and environmental consulting firms. The test methods followed
Authors
G.A. Burton, T. J. Norberg-King, C.G. Ingersoll, D.A. Benoit, G.T. Ankley, P. V. Winger, J. Kubitz, J.M. Lazorchak, M.E. Smith, E. Greer, F.J. Dwyer, D.J. Call, K.E. Day, P. Kennedy, M. Stinson

Small mammal populations in Maryland meadows during four years of herbicide (brominal®) applications

The herbicide Brominal® was applied at the recommended rate to one plot in each of three paired 0.6-ha plots; the other three plots were used as controls. Plots were sprayed once in the fall of 1988 and 1989 and twice in the spring of 1990 and 1991. Small mammals were trapped three times during each activity season (April-October) to obtain population estimates before and after spraying and in the
Authors
D. R. Clark, C.A. Moulton, J. E. Hines, D. J. Hoffman

Relations between benthic community structure and metals concentrations in aquatic macroinvertebrates: Clark Fork River, Montana

We sampled macroinvertebrate communities at six sites on the upper Clark Fork River, Montana, to determine relations between macroinvertebrate community structure and metals in invertebrates and the best benthic community metrics to use for ranking sites based on the relative severity of the effects of metals. Concentrations (μg/g) of six metals in invertebrates were determined: Al (range = 591–41

Postembryonic growth and development of Hyalella azteca in laboratory cultures and contaminated sediments

The environmental, biological, and ecological requirements of but a few species used in testing sediments are known and well understood. The present investigation was designed to provide fundamental information on the postembryonic growth and development of Hyalella azteca (Amphipoda) that can be used as sublethal indicators of contaminated sediments, and the influence growth characteristics may h
Authors
M.K. Nelson, Eric L. Brunson

Influences on copper bioaccumulation, growth, and survival of the midge, Chironomus tentans, in metal-contaminated sediments

Sediment bioassays with larvae of the midge, Chironomus tentans, were used to evaluate influences on the bioavailability and toxicity of copper (Cu) in sediments with a wide range of concentrations of metals, acid-volatile sulfide (AVS), and other physicochemical characteristics. Sediments were collected from sixteen lakes in Michigan, USA, and from twelve sites in the Clark Fork River drainage of
Authors
John M. Besser, Jody A. Kubitz, Chris G. Ingersoll, W. Emmett Braselton, John P. Giesy

Copper, cadmium, and zinc concentrations in aquatic food chains from the Upper Sacramento River (California) and selected tributaries

Metals enter the Upper Sacramento River above Redding, California, primarily through Spring Creek, a tributary that receives acid-mine drainage from a US EPA Superfund site known locally as Iron Mountain Mine. Waterweed (Elodea canadensis) and aquatic insects (midge larvae, Chironomidae; and mayfly nymphs, Ephemeroptera) from the Sacramento River downstream from Spring Creek contained much higher
Authors
M. K. Saiki, D. T. Castleberry, T. W. May, B.A. Martin, F. N. Bullard

Dietary exposure of mink to carp from Saginaw Bay, Michigan: 2. Hematology and liver pathology

The effects of consumption of environmental contaminants contained in carp (Cyprinus carpio)from Saginaw Bay, Michigan on various hematological parameters and liver integrity of adult female mink (Mustela vison) were determined. Mink were fed diets that contained 0 (control), 10, 20, or 40% carp prior to and throughout the reproductive period (182 days). The diets contained 0.015, 0.72, 1.53, and
Authors
S. N. Heaton, S.J. Bursian, J. P. Giesy, D. E. Tillitt, J. A. Render, P. D. Jones, D. A. Verbrugge, T.J. Kubiak, R.J. Aulerich
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