The FRESC Contaminant Ecology research program evaluates the distribution, movement, and ecological effects of environmental contaminants across the landscape and strives to provide relevant science in support of natural resource conservation, management, and decision making.
In the broadest sense, our work focuses on the interactions of contaminants with ecosystem processes and other ecological stressors. We employ innovative scientific approaches to improve our understanding of the cumulative effects of contaminants on ecosystems and define the feedbacks between ecosystem processes and contaminant dynamics. Specifically, our research is structured around three primary, interrelated themes (Habitat and Land-Use Influences on Contaminant Bioaccumulation, Contaminant Bioaccumulation through Food Webs, and Ecological Effects of Contaminants). Although our work addresses numerous contaminant classes, there is a particular emphasis on Mercury Cycling and Effects on Ecological Communities. Each of the above themes can be considered an independent research effort, and together they provide a cohesive research and technical assistance approach to describing where and why contaminant threats exist, what potential effects they may have on ecological function, and how management actions can minimize potential risks.
Our work occurs in a diversity of freshwater, estuarine, and terrestrial habitats, and includes studies on a variety of fish, bird, amphibian, and invertebrate species. The FRESC Contaminant Ecology research program maintains a modern analytical laboratory facility, with capabilities that include mercury determination and speciation in biological tissues, ecosystem energetics and calorimetry, water quality analysis, and stress hormone activity quantification. Our capabilities are further expanded through collaborations with colleagues across North America.
Principal Investigator
Collin Eagles-Smith - Supervisory Research Ecologist
Federal Staff
Garth Herring - Ecologist
Caitlin Rumrill - Ecologist
Branden Johnson - Ecologist
Lora Tennant - Ecologist
Erica Johnson - Ecologist
James Willacker - Ecologist
John Pierce - Ecologist
Science Themes of the FRESC Contaminant Ecology Research Team are highlighted below.
Scientists Provide an Understanding of Anticoagulant Rodenticide Exposure in Non-Target Bird Species
Mercury Cycling and Effects on Ecological Communities
Habitat and Land-Use Influences on Contaminant Bioaccumulation
Contaminant Bioaccumulation through Food Webs
Ecological Effects of Contaminants
Below are news stories associated with this project.
Comprehensive Study finds Widespread Mercury Contamination Across Western North America
Mercury contamination is widespread, at various levels across western North America in air, soil, sediment, plants, fish and wildlife.
- Overview
The FRESC Contaminant Ecology research program evaluates the distribution, movement, and ecological effects of environmental contaminants across the landscape and strives to provide relevant science in support of natural resource conservation, management, and decision making.
In the broadest sense, our work focuses on the interactions of contaminants with ecosystem processes and other ecological stressors. We employ innovative scientific approaches to improve our understanding of the cumulative effects of contaminants on ecosystems and define the feedbacks between ecosystem processes and contaminant dynamics. Specifically, our research is structured around three primary, interrelated themes (Habitat and Land-Use Influences on Contaminant Bioaccumulation, Contaminant Bioaccumulation through Food Webs, and Ecological Effects of Contaminants). Although our work addresses numerous contaminant classes, there is a particular emphasis on Mercury Cycling and Effects on Ecological Communities. Each of the above themes can be considered an independent research effort, and together they provide a cohesive research and technical assistance approach to describing where and why contaminant threats exist, what potential effects they may have on ecological function, and how management actions can minimize potential risks.
Our work occurs in a diversity of freshwater, estuarine, and terrestrial habitats, and includes studies on a variety of fish, bird, amphibian, and invertebrate species. The FRESC Contaminant Ecology research program maintains a modern analytical laboratory facility, with capabilities that include mercury determination and speciation in biological tissues, ecosystem energetics and calorimetry, water quality analysis, and stress hormone activity quantification. Our capabilities are further expanded through collaborations with colleagues across North America.
Principal Investigator
Collin Eagles-Smith - Supervisory Research Ecologist
Federal Staff
Garth Herring - Ecologist
Caitlin Rumrill - Ecologist
Branden Johnson - Ecologist
Lora Tennant - Ecologist
Erica Johnson - Ecologist
James Willacker - Ecologist
John Pierce - Ecologist
- Science
Science Themes of the FRESC Contaminant Ecology Research Team are highlighted below.
Scientists Provide an Understanding of Anticoagulant Rodenticide Exposure in Non-Target Bird Species
U.S. Geological Survey scientists and their partners utilize laboratory and field studies and existing information to improve understanding of anticoagulant rodenticide exposure and effects to wild birds.Mercury Cycling and Effects on Ecological Communities
Mercury contamination is a serious issue that impacts both ecosystem and human health on a global scale. In its organic (methylmercury) form, mercury is highly bioaccumulative and is among the most toxic compounds commonly found in the environment. Mercury is a relatively distinctive contaminant in the sense that the risk of deleterious environmental effects is more strongly related to ecological...Habitat and Land-Use Influences on Contaminant Bioaccumulation
The distribution and occurrence of contaminants and the associated biological exposure in ecological systems are driven by complex interactions between contaminant sources and mobilization pathways that are overlaid upon the habitat requirements of at-risk organisms. Moreover, landscape structure and land uses can strongly influence the driving processes of contaminant cycling, as well as the...Contaminant Bioaccumulation through Food Webs
This is a broad theme representing the largest component of the Contaminant Ecology Research Program, acting as a bridge between the “Habitat and Land Use Influences” and “Ecological Effects” themes. “Contaminant Bioaccumulation” focuses on quantifying the transfer or movement of contaminants through food webs, and identifying the primary landscape factors and ecological mechanisms that are...Ecological Effects of Contaminants
Whereas the other themes of the Contaminant Ecology Research Program focus on where, why, and how contaminants cycle and bioaccumulate in ecological systems, this theme is focused on determining what happens at environmentally relevant concentrations. - Publications
- News
Below are news stories associated with this project.
Comprehensive Study finds Widespread Mercury Contamination Across Western North America
Mercury contamination is widespread, at various levels across western North America in air, soil, sediment, plants, fish and wildlife.
ByEcosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Alaska Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Communications and Publishing