Barnett Rattner, Ph.D.
Dr. Barnett Rattner is an ecotoxicologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD.
He conducts hypothesis-driven laboratory and field investigations, risk assessments and scholarly evaluations on the toxicity of legacy and contemporary pollutants (industrial contaminants, metals, pesticides, petroleum crude oil) to wildlife and the environment. His current focus is on exposure and adverse effects of anticoagulant rodenticides, flame retardants and pharmaceuticals, comparative toxicology, non-target secondary poisoning associated with rodenticides, alternative testing methods, and screening-level risk assessments. Dr. Rattner actively represents the DOI as a member of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods, and serves as a special consultant to the Fish and Wildlife Service on issues related to nontoxic shot used in hunt nontoxic shot used in hunt waterfowl.
Active Projects:
- Development of data and models to evaluate the hazard and risk of anticoagulant rodenticides to non-target raptorial species
- Absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and toxicity of neonicotinoids in seed-eating birds
- Harmful algal blooms and bird die-offs in the Chesapeake Bay: A potential link?
- Contaminant exposure and potential reproductive effects in ospreys nesting in Chesapeake and Delaware Bay
- Contaminant-related activities and synoptic reviews in support of client agencies in the Department of the Interior
- Technical assistance to the Fish and Wildlife Service on alternative shot
Accomplishments:
- Authored over 135 publications, co-edited three books (Handbook of Ecotoxicology, Ecotoxicology of Wild Mammals, Anticoagulant Rodenticides and Wildlife), and made over 160 presentations at scientific meetings, workshops and symposia.
- Compiled two widely used internet-accessible ecotoxicological databases (Contaminant Exposure and Effects—Terrestrial Vertebrates database, Biological and Ecotoxicological Characteristics of Terrestrial Vertebrate Species Residing in Estuaries).
- Serves as Terrestrial Editor of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, and as an Editorial Board member of the Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, and Outlooks on Pest Management.
Professional Experience
Ecotoxicologist and Physiologist (research scientist, section leader, deputy branch chief) Department of the Interior, FWS, NBS, and USGS (1978-present)
Adjunct Professor University of Maryland, Department of Animal and Avian Sciences & Department of Environmental Science and Technology (1988-2022)
National Research Council Post-doctoral Research Associate, National Naval Medical Center (1978
Guest Worker, National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH (1974-1981)
Instructor and Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Maryland, Department of Zoology (1972-1977)
Education and Certifications
B.S., University of Maryland, 1972 - Zoology
M.S., University of Maryland, 1974 - Zoology, Developmental Biology
Ph.D., University of Maryland, 1977 - Zoology, Environmental Physiology
National Research Council Postdoctoral Associateship, Naval Medical Research Institute, 1978 - Hyperbaric Physiology
Affiliations and Memberships*
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Society of Toxicology
The Wildlife Society
American Physiological Society
Honors and Awards
Distinguished Service Award, Department of the Interior 2018
Fellow, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2017
President, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry World Council 2015
President, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry - North America 2012
SETAC Government Service Award 2007
Science and Products
Contaminant exposure and biomarker response in embryos of Black-crowned Night-herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) nesting near Lake Calumet, Illinois
Potential hazards of environmental contaminants to avifauna residing in the Chesapeake Bay estuary
Synthesis of U.S. Geological Survey science for the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and implications for environmental management
Sublethal responses of avian embryos exposed to polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants
Contaminant exposure and impacts on waterbirds and selected wildlife
Egg incubation position affects toxicity of air cell administered polychlorinated biphenyl 126 (3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl) in chicken (Gallus gallus) embryos
Lead poisoning in captive Andean condors (Vultur gryphus)
Evaluation of osprey habitat suitability and interaction with contaminant exposure
Environmental contaminant exposure data and monitoring priorities for wild terrestrial vertebrates at national parks in coastal and estuarine habitat
Toxicity and hazard of vanadium to mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and Canada geese (Branta canadensis)
Contaminant exposure and potential effects on terrestrial vertebrates residing in the National Capital Region network and Mid-Atlantic network
Retrospective ecotoxicological data and current information needs for terrestrial vertebrates residing in coastal habitat of the United States
Science and Products
- Science
Filter Total Items: 16
- Data
- Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 240
Contaminant exposure and biomarker response in embryos of Black-crowned Night-herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) nesting near Lake Calumet, Illinois
We examined a suite of environmental contaminants and exposure endpoints in black-crowned night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax, BCNH) embryos collected in 2002 from colonies in Illinois, Minnesota, and Virginia. Embryos from the Lake Calumet, IL, colony had greater exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), dieldrin, transnonachlor, oxychlordane, cobalAuthorsJ.M. Levengood, L. Wiedenmann, T. W. Custer, D.J. Schaeffer, C. W. Matson, M. J. Melancon, D. J. Hoffman, J.W. Scott, J.L. Talbott, G.O. Bordson, J. W. Bickham, Barnett A. Rattner, N. H. GoldenPotential hazards of environmental contaminants to avifauna residing in the Chesapeake Bay estuary
A search of the Contaminant Exposure and Effects-Terrestrial Vertebrates (CEE-TV) database revealed that 70% of the 839 Chesapeake Bay records deal with avian species. Studies conducted on waterbirds in the past 15 years indicate that organochlorine contaminants have declined in eggs and tissues, although p,p'-DDE, total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and coplanar PCB congeners may still exert sAuthorsBarnett A. Rattner, Peter C. McGowanSynthesis of U.S. Geological Survey science for the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and implications for environmental management
The purpose of this report is to present a synthesis of the USGS Chesapeake Bay science related to the 2001-06 goals and provide implications for environmental management. The report provides USGS findings that address the science needs of the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) restoration goals and includes summaries of 1. land-use change; 2. water quality in the watershed, including nutrients, sedimenAuthorsScott W. Ator, Vicki S. Blazer, John W. Brakebill, Donald R. Cahoon, Peter R. Claggett, Thomas M. Cronin, Judith M. Denver, Christine L. Densmore, Allen C. Gellis, Cliff R. Hupp, Jurate M. Landwehr, Michael J. Langland, Christopher A. Ottinger, Milan J. Pavich, Matthew C. Perry, Scott W. Phillips, Stephen D. Preston, Jeff P. Raffensperger, Barnett A. Rattner, Nancy B. Rybicki, Debra A. WillardSublethal responses of avian embryos exposed to polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers PBDEs) have been detected in bird eggs worldwide, and despite increasing concentrations over the past 25 years, toxicological thresholds have yet to be established. We previously reported embryonic survival, and pipping and hatching success in chicken (Gallus gallus), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and American kestrel (Falco sparverius) embryos receiving 0.01-20 :g PAuthorsBarnett A. Rattner, M.A. McKernan, M. OttingerContaminant exposure and impacts on waterbirds and selected wildlife
No abstract available.AuthorsBarnett A. RattnerEgg incubation position affects toxicity of air cell administered polychlorinated biphenyl 126 (3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl) in chicken (Gallus gallus) embryos
The avian egg is used extensively for chemical screening and determining the relative sensitivity of species to environmental contaminants (e.g., metals, pesticides, polyhalogenated compounds). The effect of egg incubation position on embryonic survival, pipping, and hatching success was examined following air cell administration of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congener 126 (3,3',4,4',5-pentachlAuthorsM.A. McKernan, Barnett A. Rattner, R. C. Hale, M. A. OttingerLead poisoning in captive Andean condors (Vultur gryphus)
Elevated lead in the tissues of raptors, especially those that scavenge, is a common occurrence, and lead poisoning appears to be a significant problem in the ongoing recovery effort for California condors (Gymnogyps californianus). Elevated blood lead levels have been found in released birds, and a number of birds have died of lead poisoning. In earlier work, we dosed turkey vultures (CathartesAuthorsO. H. Pattee, J. W. Carpenter, S. H. Fritts, Barnett A. Rattner, Stanley N. Wiemeyer, J. Andrew Royle, M. R. SmithEvaluation of osprey habitat suitability and interaction with contaminant exposure
Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) have been the focus of conservation efforts since their dramatic population decline attributed to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and related chemicals in the 1960s. Several recent studies of ospreys nesting in the United States have indicated improved reproduction. However, the density of breeding ospreys varies greatly among locations, with some areas seemingly habiAuthorsP. C. Toschik, M. C. Christman, Barnett A. Rattner, M. A. OttingerEnvironmental contaminant exposure data and monitoring priorities for wild terrestrial vertebrates at national parks in coastal and estuarine habitat
The Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends (BEST) Project of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assesses the exposure and effects of environmental contaminants on select species and habitats in the United States. One of the many BEST Project activities entails the development of decision-support tools to assist in the identification of chemical threats to species and lands under the stewAuthorsBarnett A. Rattner, B.K. Ackerson, K.M. Eisenreich, M.A. McKernanToxicity and hazard of vanadium to mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and Canada geese (Branta canadensis)
A recent Canada goose (Branta canadensis) die-off at a petroleum refinery fly ash pond in Delaware was attributed to vanadium (V) toxicity. Because of the paucity of V toxicity data for wild birds, a series of studies was undertaken using the forms of V believed to have resulted in this incident. In 7-d single oral dose trials with mallard drakes (Anas platyrhynchos), the estimated median lethal dAuthorsBarnett A. Rattner, Moira A. McKernan, Karen M. Eisenreich, William A. Link, Glenn H. Olsen, David J. Hoffman, K.A. Knowles, Peter C. McGowanContaminant exposure and potential effects on terrestrial vertebrates residing in the National Capital Region network and Mid-Atlantic network
Part of the mission of the National Park Service is to preserve the natural resources, processes, systems, and associated values of its units in an unimpaired condition. Environmental contamination and pollution processes are well recognized stressors addressed by its management policies and plans. A recent study indicates that contemporary terrestrial vertebrate ecotoxicological data are lackingAuthorsBarnett A. Rattner, B.K. AckersonRetrospective ecotoxicological data and current information needs for terrestrial vertebrates residing in coastal habitat of the United States
The Contaminant Exposure and Effects—Terrestrial Vertebrates (CEE-TV) database was developed to conduct simple searches for ecotoxicological information, examine exposure trends, and identify significant data gaps. The CEE-TV database contains 16,696 data records on free-ranging amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals residing in estuarine and coastal habitats of the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific cAuthorsBarnett A. Rattner, K.M. Eisenreich, N. H. Golden, M.A. McKernan, R. L. Hothem, T. W. Custer - Web Tools
- Software
- News
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government