Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Invasive Species

Developing Methods and Techniques to Control the Spread of Invasive Species

Learn More

CERC Research

Want to Know More?

Explore Our Science

High-Content Screening Laboratory

Generating More Than 25,000 Images in 5 hours

Learn More

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. 

Staff Directory

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

Read the Blog

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.

Resources & Tools

News

link

Invasive black carp established in parts of the Mississippi River basin

link

Friday's Findings - May 20, 2022

link

Environmental DNA Research Sheds Light on Invasive Species

View All

Publications

Toxicity of wildland fire retardants to rainbow trout in short exposures

Long-term wildland fire retardants are one important tool used to control and suppress wildfires. During suppression activities, these retardants may enter waterbodies; thus, there is a need to understand their potential effects to aquatic biota. We investigated the effect of three current-use wildland fire retardants to juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) survival in short exposures more
Authors
Holly J. Puglis, Michael G. Iacchetta
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Effect of florfenicol administered through feed on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) gut and its microbiome

Although concerns about the impacts of antibiotics in aquatic organisms are reported worldwide, the potential adverse effects on fish gut microbial communities and fish health are still not well known. In this study, we investigated the effects of florfenicol (FFC) on the gut microbiome and gastrointestinal (GIT) gene expression in juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Three doses of FFC were us
Authors
Giovanna Monticelli, Joseph Bisesi Jr., Jason Tyler Magnuson, Daniel Schlenk, Carlos Zarza, David Peggs, Daniela Pampanin
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

A review of grass carp and related species literature on diet, behavior, toxicology, and physiology focused on informing development of controls for invasive grass carp populations in North America

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) are globally important in aquaculture and aquatic vegetation control. However, escaped grass carp have established invasive populations. A targeted keyword search was performed on a carp (order: Cypriniformes) literature database maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey to identify literature relevant to grass carp. Additional sources cited in reviewed document
Authors
Mark L. Wildhaber, Benjamin M West, Karlie K Ditter, Adrian Parr Moore, Alex S. Peterson
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center
View All

Science

link
A newly emerged mayfly sits on a researcher's hand.

Increased Mercury, Reduced Insect Diversity, and Food Web impacts from Historical Mercury Mining

U.S. Geological Survey scientists are seeking to understand the impacts of mercury mining on headwater streams, organisms, and food webs, focused on potential effects from historical mining in central Idaho. Mercury associated with mine waste can leave a legacy of contamination that continues to impact stream health in culturally and ecologically important headwater streams after mining activities...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Mineral Resources Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Columbia Environmental Research Center
link

Increased Mercury, Reduced Insect Diversity, and Food Web impacts from Historical Mercury Mining

U.S. Geological Survey scientists are seeking to understand the impacts of mercury mining on headwater streams, organisms, and food webs, focused on potential effects from historical mining in central Idaho. Mercury associated with mine waste can leave a legacy of contamination that continues to impact stream health in culturally and ecologically important headwater streams after mining activities...
Learn More
link
Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

Exposure to Estrogenic Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds Can Lessen the Reproductive Condition of Adult Male Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Summary of the published study: Declines in Reproductive Condition of Male Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Following Seasonal Exposure to Estrogenic Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds
By
Columbia Environmental Research Center
link

Exposure to Estrogenic Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds Can Lessen the Reproductive Condition of Adult Male Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Summary of the published study: Declines in Reproductive Condition of Male Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Following Seasonal Exposure to Estrogenic Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds
Learn More
link
picture of a deer

A National Assessment of Pesticide, PFAS, Microplastic, and Antibiotic Resistance Gene Exposures in White-Tailed Deer

Research has documented exposures and consequential environmental health effects of pesticides, PFAS, microplastics, and antibiotic resistance genes in environmental biota. Little is known, however, regarding such effects in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).
By
Central Midwest Water Science Center, Columbia Environmental Research Center
link

A National Assessment of Pesticide, PFAS, Microplastic, and Antibiotic Resistance Gene Exposures in White-Tailed Deer

Research has documented exposures and consequential environmental health effects of pesticides, PFAS, microplastics, and antibiotic resistance genes in environmental biota. Little is known, however, regarding such effects in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).
Learn More
View All