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Fish and Invertebrate Toxicology

Toxicology Branch scientists investigate the bioavailability, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of chemical contaminants in aquatic organisms. We develop laboratory methods and data using sensitive species such as freshwater mussels and mayflies. Our science is applied within ecological risk assessment and injury determination and used by resource managers to manage chemical contaminants.

Filter Total Items: 12

Bringing Back Mussels: CERC's Restoration Efforts in the Clinton Watershed

CERC scientists plan to reintroduce mussels in an area where species have diminished.
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Bringing Back Mussels: CERC's Restoration Efforts in the Clinton Watershed

CERC scientists plan to reintroduce mussels in an area where species have diminished.
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6PPD Exposure and Effects Research at Columbia Environmental Research Center

N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N' -phenyl-p-phenylenediamine or 6PPD is a chemical additive that protects tires from damage due to certain reactive oxygen species. 6PPD, when in contact with ozone, reacts to form the derivative 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-Q). As tires wear with time, this derivative is dispensed into the environment, travels through drainage systems when it rains and, eventually, finds its way into...
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6PPD Exposure and Effects Research at Columbia Environmental Research Center

N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N' -phenyl-p-phenylenediamine or 6PPD is a chemical additive that protects tires from damage due to certain reactive oxygen species. 6PPD, when in contact with ozone, reacts to form the derivative 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-Q). As tires wear with time, this derivative is dispensed into the environment, travels through drainage systems when it rains and, eventually, finds its way into...
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Linking Mussel Habitat Conditions to Restoration Outcomes and Ecosystem Services

Supported by: Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and U.S. Geological Survey Species Management Program, Ecosystems Mission Area
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Linking Mussel Habitat Conditions to Restoration Outcomes and Ecosystem Services

Supported by: Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and U.S. Geological Survey Species Management Program, Ecosystems Mission Area
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Smart Phone Application for DOI Oil Spill Responders

Semiquantitative analysis of hydrocarbons in the field is a major challenge for oil spill responders. This data imperative for sample collection and rapid decision making.
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Smart Phone Application for DOI Oil Spill Responders

Semiquantitative analysis of hydrocarbons in the field is a major challenge for oil spill responders. This data imperative for sample collection and rapid decision making.
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Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Exposure and Effects Research at Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC)

The Columbia Environmental Research Center’s Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) team conducts research focusing on the occurrence, fate, and toxicity of PFAS compounds in aquatic and terrestrial systems. Laboratory capabilities include dedicated analytical instrumentation and experimental facilities to allow USGS scientists to analyze a wide range of sample types including water, sediment...
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Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Exposure and Effects Research at Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC)

The Columbia Environmental Research Center’s Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) team conducts research focusing on the occurrence, fate, and toxicity of PFAS compounds in aquatic and terrestrial systems. Laboratory capabilities include dedicated analytical instrumentation and experimental facilities to allow USGS scientists to analyze a wide range of sample types including water, sediment...
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Southeast Region Fluorochemical Network (SERFN)

Fluorochemicals are a class of structurally diverse synthetic compounds that contain a carbon-fluorine backbone.
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Southeast Region Fluorochemical Network (SERFN)

Fluorochemicals are a class of structurally diverse synthetic compounds that contain a carbon-fluorine backbone.
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New Technology to Support Culturing of Freshwater Mussels for Research and Restoration

Freshwater mussels are one of the most critically imperiled groups of organisms worldwide. Encouraging mussel reproduction in a controlled setting has become an area of interest due to their widespread population declines and regional extinctions (Williams et al., 1993; Lydeard et al., 2004; Strayer et al., 2004; Haag 2012; Lopes-Lima et al., 2017). With constantly evolving techniques, rearing...
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New Technology to Support Culturing of Freshwater Mussels for Research and Restoration

Freshwater mussels are one of the most critically imperiled groups of organisms worldwide. Encouraging mussel reproduction in a controlled setting has become an area of interest due to their widespread population declines and regional extinctions (Williams et al., 1993; Lydeard et al., 2004; Strayer et al., 2004; Haag 2012; Lopes-Lima et al., 2017). With constantly evolving techniques, rearing...
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Science Partnership between USGS and Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to Support Conservation of Freshwater Mussels

Western Pearlshell ( Margaritifera falcata ) is a native mussel species of conservation concern in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. This species is of cultural importance to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). The current project is a collaboration between the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), the CTUIR, and USFWS to better understand...
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Science Partnership between USGS and Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to Support Conservation of Freshwater Mussels

Western Pearlshell ( Margaritifera falcata ) is a native mussel species of conservation concern in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. This species is of cultural importance to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). The current project is a collaboration between the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), the CTUIR, and USFWS to better understand...
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Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Measurements in Tampa Bay Fish and Sediments Provide an Understanding of Potential Human Exposure

Scientists provide an understanding of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) levels in sediments and the edible portions of fish within Florida’s Tampa Bay in a pilot study designed to understand the potential for human exposure and health risks through fish consumption.
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Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Measurements in Tampa Bay Fish and Sediments Provide an Understanding of Potential Human Exposure

Scientists provide an understanding of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) levels in sediments and the edible portions of fish within Florida’s Tampa Bay in a pilot study designed to understand the potential for human exposure and health risks through fish consumption.
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Validation of Zinc and Nickel Biotic Ligand Models Based on Toxicity Testing in Natural Waters with Ceriodaphina dubia

Most states use outdated hardness-based criteria to regulate metals in surface waters. The slow adoption of new criteria based on biotic ligand models (BLMs) reflects uncertainty about whether these models can reliably predict toxic effects of metals on aquatic biota across the wide range of water quality conditions affecting bioavailability.
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Validation of Zinc and Nickel Biotic Ligand Models Based on Toxicity Testing in Natural Waters with Ceriodaphina dubia

Most states use outdated hardness-based criteria to regulate metals in surface waters. The slow adoption of new criteria based on biotic ligand models (BLMs) reflects uncertainty about whether these models can reliably predict toxic effects of metals on aquatic biota across the wide range of water quality conditions affecting bioavailability.
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An Evaluation the Chronic Toxicity of Metals in Water and Sediment to the Unionid Mussel, Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea), in Exposures Representing Conditions in the Tri-States Mining District

The Tri-State Mining District (TSMD) is a large (about 500 sq. mi.) historical lead and zinc mining area that includes portions of Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. The TSMD yielded about 460 million tons of ore between 1885 and 1970, resulting in contamination of surface water, groundwater, sediments, and soils in the Spring River and Neosho River basins by lead, zinc, and other heavy metals.
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An Evaluation the Chronic Toxicity of Metals in Water and Sediment to the Unionid Mussel, Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea), in Exposures Representing Conditions in the Tri-States Mining District

The Tri-State Mining District (TSMD) is a large (about 500 sq. mi.) historical lead and zinc mining area that includes portions of Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. The TSMD yielded about 460 million tons of ore between 1885 and 1970, resulting in contamination of surface water, groundwater, sediments, and soils in the Spring River and Neosho River basins by lead, zinc, and other heavy metals.
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An assessment of Deep Fork River Effluent Toxicity to the Unionid Mussel Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea)

Nearly 70% of the 300 mussel species in North America are endangered, threatened, of special concern, or extinct. Environmental contaminants have been identified as a contributing factor to the decline of mussel populations.
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An assessment of Deep Fork River Effluent Toxicity to the Unionid Mussel Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea)

Nearly 70% of the 300 mussel species in North America are endangered, threatened, of special concern, or extinct. Environmental contaminants have been identified as a contributing factor to the decline of mussel populations.
Learn More