Mebane, C.A., Simon, N.S. & Maret, T.R. Hydrobiologia (2014) 722: 143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-013-1693-4
Christopher Mebane
Biography
I am a "dirty water biologist" with interests and experience in water pollution ecology in streams, that is, relating human-influences on stream environments to biological effects and estimating risks of adverse effects. My recent interests and work has included studies of nutrient enrichments and eutrophication in streams, effects of mining and trace elements on stream ecosystems, and developing biotic ligand models (BLMs) to predict effects of metal mixtures in natural waters.
My professional interests and experience are focused on water pollution ecology in streams, that is, relating human-influences on stream environments to biological effects and estimating risks of adverse effects. Particular areas of interests include:
*Effects of nutrient enrichment on stream ecosystems. Particular aspects of interest include 1) factors limiting nuisance growth in rooted aquatic plants vs. algae, 2) integrating experimental and field bioassessment information between factors such nutrients, flows, algae and plants
*Ecological risk assessment, in particular predicting risks, adverse effects, and safe concentrations of trace metals in freshwater ecosystems. Particular aspects of interest include 1) water quality criteria development; 2) expanding the use of predictive toxicity models, with a recent emphasis on the biotic ligand model (BLM) with copper, zinc, cadmium and lead; 3) relating ecotoxicology testing to natural systems through population modeling or field studies
* Use of aquatic bioassessment or biomonitoring techniques to interpret changing environmental conditions.
Previous positions:
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Standards Coordinator, Boise, ID (1999-2003)
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Manager, Idaho Falls, ID (1995-1999)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Coastal Resouce Coordinator (liaison with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), Seattle, WA (1991-1995)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, Field Operations Officer, R/V McArthur, and deck officer, R/V Oceanographer (1988-1991)
U.S. Coast Guard - Deck officer USCGC Yocona, Kodiak, AK; Station Commander, Port Clarence, AK; fisheries and maritime law enforcement specialist, Alameda, CA (1982-1988)
Education – BSc Marine Science, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, 1982
Publications
Mebane, C.A., A.M. Ray, and A.M. Marcarelli. 2009. Influence of nutrients on agricultural stream ecosystems: integrating biomonitoring and experimental information. Presentation at the 20th annual Northwest Bioassessment Workgroup meeting, McCall, Idaho, Nov4-6, 2009. [Download File]
Mebane, C.A. 2008. The accuracy and protectiveness of Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) toxicity predictions with copper, update. Workshop on Biotic Ligand Model Principles and Applications, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. (Similar presentation given at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), 27th Annual Meeting in North America, Palais des Congres, Montréal, Québec, Canada, November 5-9, 2006, and at the Workshop on Biotic Ligand Model Principles and Applications, May 12-14, 2008, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. ) [Download File]
Reprints of most publications are available in PDF format by sending me an e-mail request
Refereed articles
Book chapters
Janz, D. M., M. L. Brooks, P. M. Chapman, D. K. DeForest, G. Gilron, D. Hoff, W. A. Hopkins, D. O. McIntyre, C. A. Mebane, V. P. Palace, J. P. Skorupa, and M. Wayland. 2010. Selenium toxicity to aquatic organisms. Pages 139-230 inP. M. Chapman, and nine coeditors, Ecological Assessment of Selenium in the Aquatic Environment. SETAC Press, Pensacola, Florida. http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9781439826775/
Lipton, J., D. Cacela, C. Cowan, P. deFur, L. Ginzburg, and C. A. Mebane. 1998. Risk Characterization. Pages 120 in K. H. Reinert, S. M. Bartell, and G. R. Biddinger, editors. Ecological Risk Assessment Decision-Support System: a Conceptual Design. Proceedings from SETAC Ecological Risk Assessment Modeling Workshop; 1994 Aug 23-28; Pellston MI. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Pensacola, FL.
Selected Technical Reports
Hecht, S. A., D. H. Baldwin, C. A. Mebane, T. Hawkes, S. J. Gross, and N. L. Scholz. 2007. An overview of sensory effects on juvenile salmonids exposed to dissolved copper: Applying a benchmark concentration approach to evaluate sublethal neurobehavioral toxicity. National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NWFSC-83, Seattle, WA. 51 pp.
Mebane, C. A. 2002. Stream Fish Indexes. Pages 4-1 to 4-65 in C. S. Grafe, editor. Idaho Small Stream Ecological Assessment Framework: an Integrated Approach. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Boise,
Mebane, C. A. 2002. River Fish Index. Pages 4-1 to 4-40 in C. S. Grafe, editor. Idaho River Ecological Assessment Framework: an Integrated Approach. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Boise,
Mebane, C. A. 2002. Review of the suitability of EPA's 1999 ammonia criteria for Idaho. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Boise, Idaho. 11 pp.
Mebane, C. A. 2000. Evaluation of proposed new point source discharges to a special resource water and mixing zone determinations: Thompson Creek Mine, upper Salmon River subbasin, Idaho. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Boise. 126 pp.
Grafe, C. S., C. A. Mebane, M. J. McIntyre, D. A. Essig, D. H. Brandt, and D. T. Mosier. 2002. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Water Body Assessment Guidance, Second Edition. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Boise, Idaho. 230 pp. http://www.deq.state.id.us/water/data_reports/surface_water/monitoring/overview.cfm#wbag.
Dunham, J. B., J. C. Lockwood, and C. A. Mebane. 2001. Salmonid distributions and temperature: Issue Paper 2 prepared as part of the Region 10 temperature water quality criteria guidance development project.http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/water.nsf/Water+Quality+Standards/WQS+Temperature+Guidance U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA-910-D-01-002, Seattle, WA. 24 pp.
Mebane, C. A. and P. T. Cagney. 1993. Use of GIS mapping techniques to inventory potential habitat restoration sites in a highly industrialized urban estuary. Pages 391-397 in Watershed '93 Proceedings: A National Conference on Watershed Management. EPA 840-R-94-002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington D.C.
Selected recent presentations
Mebane, C.A. Examples from the USA of water pollution from mining: avoidance, management, and restoration. Keynote presentation at the 2nd International Conference on Environmental Pollution, Restoration, and Management, Hanoi, Vietnam. https://vniceporm.com
Balistrieri, L.S. and Mebane, C.A. Predicting Biological Response & Relative Importance of Toxicants in Metal Mixtures. Presentation at the Metals Mixture Modeling Evaluation Workshop, Brussels, Belgium, May 17-19, 2012.
Balistrieri, L.S. and C.A. Mebane. 2010. Predicting the toxicity of Cadmium, Copper, lead, and zinc, II: Assessing interactions of multiple metals using a newly developed biotic ligand model. in Proceedings, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, North America,30th Annual Meeting, November 7-11, Portland, OR. SETAC, Pensacola, Fla., www.setac.org.
Mebane, C.A., L.S. Balistrieri, F.S. Dillon, and D.P. Hennessy. 2010. Predicting the toxicity of Cadmium, Copper, lead, and zinc, I: A Unified modeling approach. in Proceedings, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, North America,30th Annual Meeting, November 7-11, Portland, OR. SETAC, Pensacola, Fla., www.setac.org.
Mebane, C.A., T.R. Maret, R. Dickinson, D.E. MacCoy, J.D. Bales, and M.D. Munn. 2008. Effects of nutrient enrichment on stream ecosystems in the Snake River Basin: challenges for nutrient criteria development. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 28th Annual Meeting Abstracts. SETAC, Pensacola, Fla., Tampa, FL.
Mebane, C.A. 2008. The accuracy and protectiveness of Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) toxicity predictions with copper, update. Workshop on Biotic Ligand Model Principles and Applications, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Mebane, C. A. 2006. Evaluations of the predictive accuracy and protectiveness of the BLM with copper. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 27th Annual Meeting in North America, Palais des Congres, Montréal, Québec, Canada, http://montreal.setac.org/home.asp (abstract).
Mebane, C. A., Essig D.A., Hardy, M.A. and D.E. MacCoy. 2006. A cooperative State and USGS statewide water quality monitoring network: accomplishments and lessons learned after 15 years. National Water Quality Monitoring Council, Fifth National Monitoring Conference, San Jose, California
Besser, J. M., D. K. Hardesty, E. I. Greer, C. A. Mebane, D. R. Mount, and C. G. Ingersoll. 2007. Sensitivity of freshwater snails to contaminants: chronic toxicity tests with endangered species and surrogates. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 27th Annual Meeting Abstracts. SETAC, Pensacola, Fla., Milwaukee, Wisc.
Lipton, J., K. Ritter, A. S. Maest, and C. A. Mebane. 2006. Evaluating Acute Cu Toxicity to Rainbow Trout: Cu-DOC Complexation and the BLM. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, SETAC Europe 16th Annual Meeting, The Hague, Netherlands.
Other, including contributions to publications with corporate authorship
Mebane, C.A. 2010. Influence of nutrients on agricultural stream ecosystems: integrating biomonitoring and experimental information. Project status report: Monitoring for effects of nutrients and associated ecological effects, EPA-USGS IAG#DW-14-922244201-0. Letter to Diana Eignor, U.S. EPA Health and Ecological Processes Branch. 41 pp.
Mebane, C.A. 2007. An evaluation of the protectiveness of a site-specific criteria for cobalt in the Panther Creek watershed, Idaho for Chinook Salmon and Steelhead. National Marine Fisheries Service, Boise, ID. 28 pp.
Mebane, C. A. 2005. [Letter in] response to EPA’s call for Scientific Information, Date, or Views on the Draft Selenium Aquatic Life Criterion. U.S. Geological Survey (in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service), Letter. Document ID numbers EPA-HQ-OW-2004-1900-0196 thru EPA-HQ-OW-2004-1900-0197. 41 pp.
Mebane, C. A. 2005. Would USEPA’s Biotic Ligand Model-based Draft Aquatic Life Criteria for copper be protective of aquatic communities? SETAC Globe 6:26-29.
NMFS. 2004. Biological opinion on EPA’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit No. ID-000116-3 to the Potlatch Pulp and Paper Mill, Lewiston, Idaho for the discharge of effluents into the Snake River, Nez Perce County, Idaho and Asotin County, Washington. National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Region, NWR PCTS 2000/01449, Portland, OR. 240 pp. Available from “Biological Opinions” link at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/ as of October 1, 2010
Science and Products
Year Published: 2018
Understanding the influence of nutrients on stream ecosystems in agricultural landscapes
Sustaining the quality of the Nation’s water resources and the health of our diverse ecosystems depends on the availability of sound water-resources data and information to develop effective, science-based policies. Effective management of water resources also brings more certainty and efficiency to important economic sectors. Taken together,...
Munn, Mark D.; Frey, Jeffrey W.; Tesoriero, Anthony J.; Black, Robert W.; Duff, John H.; Lee, Kathy E.; Maret, Terry R.; Mebane, Christopher A.; Waite, Ian R.; Zelt, Ronald B.Attribution: Water Resources
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Munn, M.D., Frey, J.W., Tesoriero, A.J., Black, R.W., Duff, J.H., Lee, Kathy, Maret, T.R., Mebane, C.A., Waite, I.R., and Zelt, R.B., 2018, Understanding the influence of nutrients on stream ecosystems in agricultural landscapes: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1437, 80 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/cir1437.
Year Published: 2017
A long-term copper exposure in a freshwater ecosystem using lotic mesocosms: Invertebrate community responses
A lotic mesocosm study was carried out in 20-m-long channels, under continuous, environmentally realistic concentrations of copper (Cu) in low, medium, and high exposures (nominally 0, 5, 25, and 75 μg L−1; average effective concentrations <0.5, 4, 20, and 57 μg L−1 respectively) for 18 mo. Total abundance, taxa richness, and community...
Joachim, Sandrine; Roussel, Hélène; Bonzom, Jean-Marc; Thybaud, Eric; Mebane, Christopher A.; Brink, Paul Van den; Gauthier, LauryAttribution: Idaho Water Science Center, Water Resources
Year Published: 2017
Larval aquatic insect responses to cadmium and zinc in experimental streams
To evaluate the risks of metal mixture effects to natural stream communities under ecologically relevant conditions, the authors conducted 30-d tests with benthic macroinvertebrates exposed to cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) in experimental streams. The simultaneous exposures were with Cd and Zn singly and with Cd+Zn mixtures at environmentally...
Mebane, Christopher A.; Schmidt, Travis S.; Balistrieri, Laurie S.Attribution: Biology and Ecosystems, Environmental Health, Minerals, Water, Geology Minerals Energy and Geophysics Science Center, Energy and Minerals, Energy Resources Program, Mineral Resources Program, National Laboratories Program, Science and Decisions Center, United States of America
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Mebane, C.A., T.S. Schmidt, and L.S. Balistrieri. 2016. Larval aquatic insect responses to cadmium and zinc in experimental streams. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/etc.3599
Year Published: 2016
Potential sources of analytical bias and error in selected trace element data-quality analyses
Potential sources of analytical bias and error associated with laboratory analyses for selected trace elements where concentrations were greater in filtered samples than in paired unfiltered samples were evaluated by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Quality Specialists in collaboration with the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) and...
Paul, Angela P.; Garbarino, John R.; Olsen, Lisa D.; Rosen, Michael R.; Mebane, Christopher A.; Struzeski, Tedmund M.View Citation
Paul, A.P., Garbarino, J.R., Olsen, L.D., Rosen, M.R., Mebane, C.A., and Struzeski, T.M., 2016, Potential sources of analytical bias and error in selected trace-element data quality analyses: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2016–5135, 58 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20165135.
Year Published: 2016
Environmental toxicology without chemistry and publications without discourse: Linked impediments to better science
No abstract available.
Mebane, Christopher A.; Meyer, Joseph S.Attribution: Idaho Water Science Center, Water Resources
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Mebane, C.A. and J.S. Meyer. 2016. Environmental Toxicology without Chemistry and Publications without Discourse: Linked Impediments to Better Science. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 34(6): 1335–1336. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/etc.3418
Year Published: 2016
Quantifying fish swimming behavior in response to acute exposure of aqueous copper using computer assisted video and digital image analysis
Behavioral responses of aquatic organisms to environmental contaminants can be precursors of other effects such as survival, growth, or reproduction. However, these responses may be subtle, and measurement can be challenging. Using juvenile white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) with copper exposures, this paper illustrates techniques used for...
Calfee, Robin D.; Puglis, Holly J.; Little, Edward E.; Brumbaugh, William G.; Mebane, Christopher A.Attribution: Columbia Environmental Research Center
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Calfee, R.D., Puglis, H.J., Little, E.E., Brumbaugh, W.G., Mebane, C.A., 2016, Quantifying Fish Swimming Behavior in Response to Acute Exposure of Aqueous Copper Using Computer Assisted Video and Digital Image Analysis, Journal of Visualized Experiments (108), e53477
Year Published: 2015
In Response: Biological arguments for selecting effect sizes in ecotoxicological testing—A governmental perspective
Criticisms of the uses of the no-observed-effect concentration (NOEC) and the lowest-observed-effect concentration (LOEC) and more generally the entire null hypothesis statistical testing scheme are hardly new or unique to the field of ecotoxicology [1-4]. Among the criticisms of NOECs and LOECs is that statistically similar LOECs (in terms of...
Mebane, Christopher A.Attribution: Idaho Water Science Center, Water Resources
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Mebane, C. A. (2015), In Response: Biological arguments for selecting effect sizes in ecotoxicological testing—A governmental perspective. Environ Toxicol Chem, 34: 2440–2442. doi:10.1002/etc.3108
Year Published: 2015
Expanding metal mixture toxicity models to natural stream and lake invertebrate communities
A modeling approach that was used to predict the toxicity of dissolved single and multiple metals to trout is extended to stream benthic macroinvertebrates, freshwater zooplankton, and Daphnia magna. The approach predicts the accumulation of toxicants (H, Al, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in organisms using 3 equilibrium accumulation models that define...
Balistrieri, Laurie S.; Mebane, Christopher A.; Schmidt, Travis S.; Keller, William (Bill)Attribution: Geology Minerals Energy and Geophysics Science Center, Energy and Minerals, Energy Resources Program, Mineral Resources Program, National Laboratories Program, Science and Decisions Center
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Balistrieri, L.S., Mebane, C.A., Schmidt, T.S., and Kellerk, W. 2015, Expanding metal mixture toxicity models to natural stream and lake invertebrate communities: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, v. 34, n. 4, p. 761-776, doi:10.1002/etc.2824
Year Published: 2015
Recovery of a mining-damaged stream ecosystem
This paper presents a 30+ year record of changes in benthic macroinvertebrate communities and fish populations associated with improving water quality in mining-influenced streams. Panther Creek, a tributary to the Salmon River in central Idaho, USA suffered intensive damage from mining and milling operations at the Blackbird Mine that released...
Mebane, Christopher A.; Eakins, Robert J.; Fraser, Brian G.; Adams, William J.Attribution: Idaho Water Science Center, Water Resources
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Mebane CA, Eakins RJ, Fraser BG, Adams WJ 2015. Recovery of a mining-damaged stream ecosystem. Elem. Sci. Anth. 2: 000042 doi: 10.12952/journal.elementa.000042 - See more at: http://elementascience.org/articles/42/tabs/article_info#sthash.jDU5pbZH.dpuf
Year Published: 2015
Metal Mixture Modeling Evaluation project: 2. Comparison of four modeling approaches
As part of the Metal Mixture Modeling Evaluation (MMME) project, models were developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (Japan), the U.S. Geological Survey (USA), HDR⎪HydroQual, Inc. (USA), and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UK) to address the effects of metal mixtures on biological responses of...
Farley, Kevin J.; Meyer, Joe; Balistrieri, Laurie S.; DeSchamphelaere, Karl; Iwasaki, Yuichi; Janssen, Colin; Kamo, Masashi; Lofts, Steve; Mebane, Christopher A.; Naito, Wataru; Ryan, Adam C.; Santore, Robert C.; Tipping, Edward
Year Published: 2014
Sources, transport, and trends for selected trace metals and nutrients in the Coeur d'Alene and Spokane River Basins, Idaho, 1990-2013
Data collected at 18 streamflow-gaging and water-quality sampling sites in the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane River Basins of northern Idaho were used to estimate mean streamflow‑weighted concentrations and annual loads of total and dissolved cadmium, lead, and zinc, and total phosphorus (TP) and nitrogen (TN) for water years (WYs) 2009–13...
Clark, Gregory M.; Mebane, Christopher A.Attribution: Idaho Water Science Center, Water Resources
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Clark, G.M., and Mebane, C.E., 2014, Sources, transport, and trends for selected trace metals and nutrients in the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane River Basins, Idaho, 1990-2013: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2014-5204, 62 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20145204.
Year Published: 2014
Selenium in the upper Blackfoot River watershed, southeastern Idaho, 2001-12
The upper Blackfoot River in southeastern Idaho receives runoff from 12 large phosphate mines. Waste shales that are removed to access the phosphate ore are highly enriched with selenium, resulting in elevated selenium in runoff from the mine waste dumps. In 2001, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS...
Mebane, Christopher A.; Mladenka, Greg; Van Every, Lynn; Williams, Marshall L.; Hardy, Mark A.; Garbarino, John R.Attribution: Idaho Water Science Center, Water Resources
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Mebane, C.A., Mladenka, G.C., Van Every, Lynn, Williams, M.L., Hardy, M.A., and Garbarino, J.R., 2014, Selenium in the upper Blackfoot River watershed, southeastern Idaho, 2001–12, with an appendix on selenium speciation analytical methods, by Garbarino, J.R. (ver.1.1, August 2015): U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2014-5203, 34 p., plus appendixes, http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20145203.
Pre-USGS Publications
Essig, D. A., C. A. Mebane, and T. W. Hillman. 2003. Update of bull trout temperature requirements. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Boise, ID and BioAnalysts, Inc., Eagle, ID, Boise. 48.
Mebane, C.A. 1994. Preliminary Natural Resource Survey - Blackbird Mine, Lemhi County, Idaho. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hazardous Materials Assessment and Response Division, Seattle, WA. 130 pp.
Dillon, F. S. and C. A. Mebane. 2002. Development of site-specific water quality criteria for the South Fork Coeur d'Alene River, Idaho: application of site-specific water quality criteria developed in headwater reaches to downstream waters. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and Windward Environmental, Seattle, WA. 95 pp. Idaho. 44 pp.
Royer, T. V. and C. A. Mebane. 2002. River Macroinvertebrate Index. Pages 3-1 to 3-21 in C. S. Grafe, editor. Idaho River Ecological Assessment Framework: an Integrated Approach. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Boise.
Mebane, C. A. and D. L. Arthaud. 2010. Extrapolating growth reductions in fish to changes in population extinction risks: copper and Chinook salmon. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: 16(5):1026-1065
Mebane, C. A. 2001. Testing bioassessment metrics: macroinvertebrate, sculpin, and salmonid responses to stream habitat, sediment, and metals. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 67:292-322.
Maret, T. R. and C. A. Mebane. 2005. Historical and current perspectives on fish assemblages of the Snake River, Idaho and Wyoming. Pages 41-59
Mebane, C. A. 2002. Effects of metals on freshwater macroinvertebrates: a review and case study of the correspondence between a multimetric index, toxicity testing, and copper concentrations in sediment and water. Pages 281-306 in T. P. Simon, editor.
Janz, D.M., D.K. DeForest, M.L. Brooks, P.M. Chapman, G. Gilron, D. Hoff, W.A. Hopkins, D.O. McIntyre, C.A. Mebane, V.P. Palace, J.P. Skorupa, and M. Wayland. 2010. Selenium toxicity to aquatic organisms. Pages 139-230 in P. M. Chapman, W. J. Adams, M. L. Brooks, C. G. Delos, S. N. Luoma, W. A. Maher, H. M. Ohlendorf, T. S. Presser, and D. P. Shaw, editors.
Balistrieri, L.S. and C.A. Mebane. 2012
Poole, G. C., J. B. Dunham, M. P. Hicks, D. M. Keenan, J. C. Lockwood, E. J. Materna, D. A. McCullough, C. A. Mebane, J. C. Risley, S. T. Sauter, S. A. Spalding, and D. J. Sturdevant. 2001
Dunham, J. B., J. C. Lockwood, and C. A. Mebane. 2001