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Developing Methods and Techniques to Control the Spread of Invasive Species

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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Welcome to the Columbia Environmental Research Center. Our research focuses on environmental contaminants and the effects of habitat alterations on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. 

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Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project (CSRP) Blog

Scientists display sturgeon captured during research

Learn how CERC research is contributing to the recovery of the endangered pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River

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Passive Sampling Using SPMDs and POCIS - Resources and Tools

USGS Scientist deploys passive sampling device in aquatic environment

CERC scientists are pioneers in the development of passive sampling techniques.

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News

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Invasive black carp established in parts of the Mississippi River basin

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Friday's Findings - May 20, 2022

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Environmental DNA Research Sheds Light on Invasive Species

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Publications

Terrestrial invertebrate diversity and occurrence in restored hardwood forest floodplains, Indiana, United States, June–August 2016

This report provides a summary of terrestrial invertebrates collected at old field, mature, and restored hardwood forest floodplain sites in northeast Indiana. Invertebrate populations were sampled at selected sites using walking butterfly transects, pitfall-enhanced Malaise invertebrate traps (PEMITs), and sweep nets. We identified a total of 19 taxonomic groups of butterflies, with 1, 11, and 18
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Laboratory studies of potential competition for food and substrate among early juvenile Missouri River sturgeon and sympatric chub species

Juvenile Pallid Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus predominantly consume midges (family Chironomidae) and other macroinvertebrates, while Shovelnose Sturgeon S. platorynchus, Sicklefin Chub Macrhybopsis meeki, and Shoal Chub M. hyostoma feed on those same macroinvertebrates throughout life. The primary objective of this study was to assess the substrate component of habitat selection, specifically sele
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Perfluorooctanesulfonate adversely affects a mayfly (Neocloeon triangulifer) at environmentally realistic concentrations

Of the emerging contaminant types thought to threaten freshwater biota, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances appear to be particularly widespread, and limited studies conducted with these compounds thus far indicate insects may be particularly sensitive to them. This study investigated the short- and long-term effects of two commonly detected compounds on the laboratory-reared mayfly Neocloeon tria
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center
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Science

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photo of adult freshwater mussels

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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Columbia Environmental Research Center
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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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picture of Western Pearlshell mussels

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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Columbia Environmental Research Center
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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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picture of woman fishing at sunset

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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Ecosystems Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center
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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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