Contaminant Biology Program, USGS Biology

Biology - Contaminant Biology Program

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

Research Highlights

Monitors of Organic Chemicals in the Environment

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

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 >

Featured Publication

Publication cover image Elements in Mud and Snow in the Vicinity of the DeLong Mountain Regional Transportation System Road, Red Dog Mine, and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Alaska, 2005–06 (By William J. Brumbaugh and Thomas W. May) - A small number of mud, road bed soil, and snow samples were collected in 2005 and 2006 to assess metal concentrations such as cadmium, lead, and zinc, and loadings to areas adjacent to the DeLong Mountain Regional Transportation System (DMTS) road in northwest Alaska. Download report (1.4 MB pdf)

Meetings and Conferences

SETAC Europe 19th Annual Meeting
Göteborg, Sweden
May 31-June 4, 2009

Related USGS Programs

USGS Home :: Geology :: Geography :: Water

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