 |
| Columbia Environmental Research Center |
Toxicology Branch
Chris Ingersoll, Branch Chief
The Toxicology Branch develops, applies, and validates methods for assessing
the effects of contaminants and other environmental stressors on aquatic
organisms. Research focuses on:
- bioaccumulation and toxicity of contaminants from water, sediment, and
food
- the physical, chemical, and biological factors affecting these processes
- relationships between laboratory responses and characteristics of
contaminated aquatic ecosystems
The science disciplines in this Branch include invertebrate and vertebrate
toxicology, limnology and benthic ecology, and culture of aquatic organisms.
Current Research
-
Development and Application of Methods for Assessing the Chronic Toxicity
of Sediment-associated Contaminants
- Validation of Laboratory Sediment Toxicity Tests Using Data on Benthic
Communities (Sediment Quality Triad)
- Development and Application of Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE)
Procedures for Sediments
- Development and Application of Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs)
- Development of a Framework for Conducting and Integrated Sediment
Assessment Using a Weight-of Evidence Approach
- Evaluation of Toxicity or Bioaccumulation of Sediment Associated
Contaminants in a Variety of Sites Across the United States including the:
- (1) Great Lakes [Waukegan Harbor, Indiana Harbor, Saginaw Bay, Buffalo
River],
- (2) Upper Mississippi River,
- (3) Missouri River, and
- (4) Clark Fork
River in Montana
- Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Constructed Wetlands in Processing
Contaminants
- Assessment of the Bioavailability and Toxicity of Heavy Metals Associated
with Abandoned Mine Lands in Colorado
- Development of Standard Methods for Assessing Sediment Toxicity and
Bioaccumulation with Freshwater and Marine Invertebrates
- Assessment of Selenium Risk in the Colorado River Basin
- Evaluation of
the Sensitivity of Endangered and Threatened Fish and Amphibians to
Contaminants Using Acute, Effluent, and Chronic Toxicity Tests
Toxicology Staff
