Welcome to USGS Contaminant Biology Program
The USGS Contaminant Biology Program investigates the effects and exposure of environmental contaminants to the Nation's living resources, particularly those under the stewardship of the Department of the Interior. This information helps to:
- Establish cleanup levels and restoration goals,
- Assess risk and damage to natural resources,
- Discern the role of contaminants in species declines and mortality, and
- Monitor changes resulting from restoration or natural processes.
Major research components of the program include:Chemistry, Toxicology, Contaminated Habitats, Integration and Assessment of Ecological Stressors
![rounded corner background image](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081104214636im_/http://biology.usgs.gov/images/graynw.gif) |
|
|
|
Research Highlights
Monitors of Organic Chemicals in the Environment, written by two CERC scientists (Jim Huckins and Jim Petty) and a collaborator from The Netherlands (Kees Booij). Twenty years ago, scientists at the Columbia Environmental Research Center began developing a diffusion membrane to aid in isolating contaminants from fish tissue, which ultimately led to the development of the semipermeable membrane device (SPMD), a passive sampler for organic contaminants that is now used worldwide. This new book is a guide for users and managers faced with contaminant issues, which includes study designs, field deployment, sample processing, bioassays of SPMD extracts and case studies. The book is available at Springer.
Contact: David Alvarez at 573-441-2970 or dalvarez@usgs.gov
Huckins, James N., Petty, Jimmie D., Booij, Kees,
2006 Monitors of Organic Chemicals in the Environment, XV, 223 p.
ISBN: 978-0-387-29077-5
|
|
|
|
![rounded corner background image](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081104214636im_/http://biology.usgs.gov/images/grayse.gif) |
|
In the Spotlight
Emerging Contaminants In the Environment -
Many chemical and microbial constituents that have not historically been considered as contaminants are present in the environment on a global scale. These "emerging contaminants" are commonly derived from municipal, agricultural, and industrial wastewater sources and pathways. These newly recognized contaminants represent a shift in traditional thinking as many are produced industrially yet are dispersed to the environment from domestic, commercial, and industrial uses. Learn More >
|