Integration of Ecological Stressors
Projects conducted under this program component examine contaminants among other interacting stressors or conduct research on the interacting effects of multiple contaminants. Projects can focus on factors that affect individual species, or on complex issues affecting communities and ecosystems in large geographic areas. Projects on endangered species, amphibian and reptile declines may focus at regional and national scales and integrate the ecological or life history effects or other habitat factors. At the ecosystem or landscape level, research may elucidate effects caused by interactions between contaminants and other habitat altering factors as climate variability, atmospheric redistribution and deposition, land use change, alterations to hydrologic processes, water quality, and competition with non-native species. Investigations conducted at the ecosystem or landscape level may require analytical tools and approaches that are different than those used in local studies, and may integrate and synthesize information from local investigations, laboratory studies, or monitoring, (e.g. analysis based on GIS-based data, ecosystem-level energy nutrient or contaminant fluxes and national databases).
Monitoring
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Assessment
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Models (Pesticides)
Multistressor Research
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Featured Publications
Contaminant Sensitivity of Freshwater Mussels - About 70% of North American freshwater mussel species are considered endangered, threatened, or of special concern due to contamination, which is considered one of the casual or contributing factors of the declines of these populations. Biologists and toxicologists are working together to identify these specific toxic pollutants of concern. Scientists at USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) participated in the initial research to develop standardized methods for conducting freshwater mussel toxicity tests, which are now accepted by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Learn more >>
Featured Link
Acute Toxicity Database - This database was initially developed in 1986 by Foster L. Mayer (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) and Mark R. Ellersieck (University of Missouri, Columbia, MO) for 4,901 acute toxicity tests toxicity tests conducted by CERC since 1965 with 410 chemicals and 66 species of aquatic animals. The database summarizes the results from aquatic acute toxicity tests conducted by the USGS CERC located in Columbia, Missouri. The acute toxicity test provides a relative starting point for hazard assessment of contaminants and is required for federal chemical registration programs such as the Federal Insecticide Fungicide Rodenticide Act (PL 80-104) as amended by the Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 136-136y) and the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (PL 94-469).
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