Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC)

12100 Beech Forest Rd., Suite 4039
Laurel, MD 20708-4039
Phone: 301-497-5500
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/

Samples of current and past contaminant-related research at PWRC:

Toxicology: Biomarkers, Tools, and Methods

• Comparative Developmental Toxicity Assessment of a Mosquito Larvicide (GB- 1111) on Bird Eggs
  
  
• Contaminant Exposure and Potential Effects on Terrestrial Vertebrates Residing in the National Capital Region Network and Mid-Atlantic Network. Download the report to the Nationap Park Service. (3.54 MB, PDF -- get Adobe Reader)
  
  
• Development of Microsomal P450 as a Bioindicator for Environmental Contaminant Exposure

Toxicology: Aquatic Toxicology

• Comparative Embryotoxicity of PCB Congeners by Egg Injection
  
  
• Effects of Temephos and Methoprene on Macroinvertebrates and Amphibian Larvae in Freshwater Macrocosms

Toxicology: Wildlife Toxicology

• Effects of Chlorfenapyr on Adult Birds
  
  
• Effects of PAHs on Marine Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles
  
  
• Effects of Perchlorate on Amphibian Metamorphosis
  
  
• Environmental Contaminant Hazards to Terrestrial Vertebrates Residing in Mid-Atlantic National Parks. Download a summary of the research. (469 KB, PDF -- get Adobe Reader)
  
  
• Hormonal Control and the Effects of Endocrine-active Contaminants on Avian Secondary Sex Characteristics
  
  
• Role of Methoprene as Altosid in Amphibian Deformities
  
  
• Toxicity of Biologically Incorporated Contaminants
  
  
• Toxicity of Lead-contaminated Sediments to Juvenile Waterfowl, Including Estimation of Sediment Consumption by Waterfowl
  
  
• Toxicity and Hazard of Vanadium to Ducks and Geese. Download the Sceince Brief for Resource Managers. (411.80 KB, PDF -- get Adobe Reader)
  

Toxicology: Endocrine Disruption

• Hormonal Control and the Effects of Endocrine-active Contaminants on Avian secondary Sex Characteristics
  
  
• Contaminant Exposure and Potential Effects on Reproduction of Ospreys Nesting in Chesapeake Bay Regions of Concern. Download the File. (20.87 KB, PDF -- get Adobe Reader) (also realted to Contaminated Habitats: Contaminants on the Department of the Interior Lands, Toxicology: Wildlife Toxiclogy) (PWRC)
  
  
• Reproductive Performance and Associated Developmental and Endocrinological Effects of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (Aroclor 1242) on Captive American Kestrels (Falco sparverius)

Contaminated Habitats: Hazardous Waste Sites

• Avian Toxicity of Vanadium Compounds Present at Oil Refinery and Hazardous Waste Sites, Science Support Project
  
  

Contaminated Habitats: Contaminants on the Department of the Interior (DOI) Lands

• Applying a Bioassessment and Monitoring Framework for Public Lands and Trust Resources in Coastal and Estuarine Habitat in the United States. Download the File. (20.04 KB, PDF -- get Adobe Reader)
  
  
• Contaminant-related Activities and Synoptic Reviews in Support of Client Agencies at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
  
  
• Contaminant Effects on Biological and Ecological Resources/Use of the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) to Assess the Bioavailability and Effects of Contaminants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Download the File. (23,65 KB, PDF -- get Adobe Reader)
  
  
• Contaminant Exposure and Potential Effects on Reproduction of Ospreys Nesting in Chesapeake Bay Regions of Concern. Download the File. (20.87 KB, PDF -- get Adobe Reader)
  
  
• Environmental Contaminant Hazards to Terrestrial Vertebrates Residing in Mid-Atlantic National Parks. Download a summary of the research. (469 KB, PDF -- get Adobe Reader)
  
  

Contaminated Habitats: Agricultural Areas, Rangeland and Forests

• Effects of Agricultural Pesticides on Translocated Tadpoles of the Pacific Treefrog in Lassen, Yosemite, and Sequoia National Parks

• Effects of Chlorfenapyr on Adult Birds

• Use of Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) and Harmonic Radar to Locate Bird Carcasses in Agricultural Areas

Contaminated Habitats: Mining, Metals, Mercury, and Energy Development

Mercury

• Mercury In the Environment   (USGS cross-disciplinary research)

• Mercury in Tree Swallows and Feathers of Other Species That Line Tree Swallow Nests at Acadia National Park, Maine

• Bioavailability and Potential Effects of Mercury and Other Selected Trace Metals on Biota in Plow Shop and Grove Pond, Fort Devens, MA

Mining

• Physiological and Teratogenic Effects of Mercury on Aquatic Birds Nesting Along the Mid-to lower Carson River and Vicinity, Nevada

• Use of the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) to Assess the Bioavailability and Effects of Contaminants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
  
  
• Sediment Quality in Canals that Discharge into Biscayne Bay, Dade County, Florida

Contaminated Habitats: Urban Environments

• Annotated Bibliography of Petroleum Pollution Science

• Assessing Terrestrial PCB Contamination in the Eastern Region Using Shrews and Other Small Mammals

• Effects of PCBs on Reproduction and Biomarker Responses in Tree Swallows at Contaminated Sites in the Eastern Region

• Impacts of the Textile Industry on Georgia's Waters
  
  
• Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) as a Sentinel Species for Sediment Contaminant Bioavailability and Effects - Evaluation of Anacostia River Reconstructed Tidal Wetlands
  
  

Integration of Ecological Stressors: Monitoring

• Avian Incident Monitoring System (AIMS) - USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC) is among contributers of this cooperative program between American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), dedicated to data collection, storage and presentation, and programs dedicated to improving identification, investigation, and laboratory analysis of pesticide poisoned birds. USGS scientists at PWRC provide oversight and ongoing evaluation of APIN's sceening protocol for determining pesticide poisoning, as well as conduct necropsy of bird carcasses and analyze brain and blood for cholinesterase activity (see a brief description of the project).

• Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends (BEST) Program
  
  
• Contaminant Exposure and Effects Terrestrial Vertebrates Database - searchable database containing over 17,000 geo-referenced data records describing contaminant exposure and effects in free-ranging terrestrial vertebrates in coastal and estuarine habitat in the United States

Integration of Ecological Stressors: Assessment

• Applying a Bioassessment and Monitoring Framework for Public Lands and Trust Resources in Coastal and Estuarine Habitats of the United States

• Contaminant Hazard Reviews On-line

Integration of Ecological Stressors: Models

• Risk Quotient Field Validation Pilot Project for Selected Pesticides

Integration of Ecological Stressors: Multistressor Research

• Biological and Ecotoxicological Characteristics of Terrestrial Vertebrates Residing in Estuaries

• Contaminant Interactions

• Species Decline: Contaminants and Other Contributing Factors