-
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
USGS Scientist interviewed on Water Quality and Agriculture in the Midwest
On September 6, Dr. Robert Jacobson and Carrie Elliott were interviewed by Kristofor Husted, a reporter for Harvest Public Media and KBIA, the Columbia Missouri NPR affiliate. Husted is working with a team of Harvest Public Media reporters on a series about water quality and agriculture in the Midwest (
http://harvestpublicmedia.org/content/watching-our-water); Husted's part of the upcoming series focuses on big rivers and Gulf hypoxia. Jacobson and Elliott took Husted out on the Missouri River and discussed ambient water quality, USGS water-quality monitoring networks, effects of water quality on the endangered pallid sturgeon, and the potential role of large-river floodplains in mitigating agricultural runoff. (Dr. Robert Jacobson,
rjacobson@usgs.gov).
-
Friday, August 19, 2016
Upper Missouri River Dye-Trace Experiment
Dr. Susannah Erwin (CERC) was interviewed by Daniel Kelly, from the Environmental Monitor about the dye-trace experiment conducted in June-July 2016 in the Upper Missouri River. The dye-trace study was conducted in tandem with larval release experiment as part of a large-scale multiagency experiment aimed at improving understanding of drift dynamics for the endangered pallid sturgeon. The story was posted in the most recent online edition of the
Environmental Monitor. (Dr. Susannah Erwin,
serwin@usgs.gov).
-
Monday, August 15, 2016
Chinese Fisheries Scientists visit USGS Science Center
On August 15, Duane Chapman hosted a contingent of scientists from the Institute of Hydrobiology in Wuhan, China, led by Dr. Yushun Chen and Dr. Zhongjie Li. The group visited sites in Illinois where the Chinese Unified Fishing Method for capture of Asian carps might be deployed. Afterwards, they visited CERC and the University of Missouri before proceeding to the American Fisheries Society meeting in Kansas City and participating in the third Mississippi River-Yangtze River Basin Symposium. (Duane Chapman,
dchapman@usgs.gov).
-
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Analysis, Fate and Behavior of Contaminants
From May 3-7, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Europe will convene its 25th Annual Meeting entitled, "Environmental Protection in a Multi-stressed World: Challenges for Science, Industry and Regulators," http://barcelona.setac.eu/. USGS research chemist, Dr. Bill Brumbaugh, Columbia Environmental Research Center, gives two presentations, one on the use of ion-exchange (IEC) passive samplers to measure atmospheric deposition of inorganic contaminants at low concentrations in arctic climates where ecosystems are quite fragile. Results from the passive IEC samplers are compared to concentrations of contaminants in the moss (Hylocomium splendens), which has been used historically as a biomonitor of contaminants in northern climates. The other presentation compares four sediment interstitial (pore) water sampling methods for metals and dissolved organic carbon. (Contact: Bill Brumbaugh, Columbia, MO bbrumbaugh@usgs.gov 573-876-1857)
-
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Managing Invasive Carp
On April 22, ECN Magazine (Electronic Component News online) published an article about the joint publication of the University of Illinois and USGS, in the Journal of Great Lakes Research, "Application of the FluEgg Model to Predict Transport of Asian carp eggs in the Saint Joseph River (Great Lakes Tributary)," using a 3-D model simulating movement and development of invasive carp eggs until hatching. In this online article, ECN mentions that for the model, the researchers used the studies of USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center scientists, Duane Chapman and Amy George. The FluEgg model helps resource managers navigate the complexity of the Asian carp reproductive process to make informed decisions about mitigating these detrimental invasive species. The ECN article is available at http://www.ecnmag.com/news/2015/04/computer-model-adds-ease-precision-managing-asian-carp. (Contact: Amy George, Columbia, MO ageorge@usgs.gov 573-876-1872)
-
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Science Still Developing on Uranium's Environmental Impact
On April 19, the Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, published an article on uranium mining near the Grand Canyon. Jo Ellen Hinck, USGS NRDAR Coordinator, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, was interviewed for this article and featured in the section on "Tracking Plants and Critters". Hinck coordinates the USGS project to gather information through research studies near the Canyon Uranium Mine site, a 17-acre tract near Tusayan, Arizona, a mine that industry wants to re-open. The Canyon Mine lies within a nearly 1 million acre area that DOI withdrew from new uranium mining claims in 2012. One of the reasons DOI cited in its withdrawal decision was the lack of data about how plants and animals are affected by uranium mining in the region. This article is accessable at: http://azdailysun.com/news/local/science-still-developing-on-uranium-s-environmental-impact/article_108aa9e0-da62-578d-869f-404b427b21c3.html (Contact: Jo Ellen Hinck, Columbia, MO jhinck@usgs.gov 573-876-1808)
-
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
USGS Professional Safety Awards
On May 5, in the Dallas L. Peck Memorial Auditorium at the National Center in Reston, VA, the USGS is having its Honor Awards Ceremony and the Department of the Interior Convocation. Randal Clark, will be receiving his award and the awards for the other CERC scientists. (Contact: Carl Orazio, Columbia, MO corazio@usgs.gov 573-876-1823)
Scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) will be awarded Professional Safety Awards as follows:
CERC Watercraft Safety Program: Aaron DeLonay, Chad Vichy, Karl Anderson, David Combs and Joe Deters (Five Rivers Contractor) The CERC Watercraft Committee has collectively worked together to provide an exemplary Watercraft Safety Program for CERC and its staff of watercraft operators and crew. The Committee developed a custom electronic database that tracks most every aspect of safety related items of the Watercraft Safety Program. The database is a one-of-a-kind program that has the potential to be used throughout USGS as a model that can greatly improve Cost Center watercraft safety. Watercraft safety inspections are conducted, deficiencies noted and corrected, and frequently reviewed for trends. Training records are filed electronically including reminders of expiration dates. Also tracked electronically are informative, electronic custom Float Plans and a parts inventory. Larger watercraft are equipped with twin outboard motors, offering additional safety to the crew(s) and are also equipped with VHF Radios, and electronic Navigation equipment, again, adding to the overall safety of their missions. During colder months, floatation bomber jackets and floatation work suits are provided to lessen the possibility of hypothermic exposure.
CERC Safety Program: Randal Clark and Dr. Carl Orazio will receive a USGS Professional Safety award for outstanding contribution to maintaining and improving the CERC Safety Program, including chemical hygiene, radiation safety, environmental compliance and laboratory safety. Randal and Carl have served as collateral duty safety leaders for the last four years; Randal has served as the Assistant Safety Officer for more than 20 years and as Radiation Safety Officer for five years. Their contributions continue CERC's exemplary, comprehensive safety program within USGS.
-
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Biodiversity Without Boundaries
USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) scientist, Dr. Esther Stroh will give a presentation at NatureServe’s Biodiversity Without Boundaries 2015 conference http://www.natureserve.org/news-events/events/biodiversity-without-boundaries-2015, April 26-30, in Traverse City, MI. The presentation, “Relative Vulnerability of Midwestern National Parks to Climate and Land Use Change,” is co-authored by Matthew Struckhoff (CERC) and Dave Shaver from USGS Earth Resources Observation Systems (EROS). The project assessed the relative vulnerability of 60 units in the 13-state National Park Service Midwest Region to projected climate and land use changes. Dr. Stroh will discuss the geographic variation in Midwest parks’ exposure, sensitivity and adaptive constraints to multiple stressors, allowing individual parks to understand which metrics weigh most heavily in their overall vulnerability. The meeting features a site visit to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore, one of the parks included in the vulnerability assessment. (Contact: Esther Stroh, Columbia, MO estroh@usgs.gov 573-441-2973)
-
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Importance of Natural Sediment Regime in Rivers
Recently published in BioScience 65(4):358-371, 2015, is the article, "The Natural Sediment Regime in Rivers: Broadening the Foundation for Ecosystem Management," in which USGS scientists of the Columbia Environmental Research Center are co-authors. This publication details how the river management option of a sediment regime is essential and important to include with flow regime. Citation: Wohl, E., Bledsoe, B.P., Jacobson, R.B., Poff, N.L., Rathburn, S.L., Walters, D.M., and Wilcox, A.C., 2015, The Natural Sediment Regime in Rivers: Broadening the Foundation for Ecosystem Management: BioScience. (Contact: Robert Jacobson, Columbia, MO rjacobson@usgs.gov 573-876-1844) DOI:10.1093/biosci/biv002
-
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Manmade Chemical Affect Fish Spawning
On April 6, FishSens Magazine published an aritlce "Manmade Chemicals Affect Fish Spawning Up to Three Generations Later: http://magazine.fishsens.com/manmade-chemicals-affect-fish-spawning-up-to-three-generations-later.htm, and on April 8, CNN aired a video, "Birth Control Chemical Harms Fish Reproduction," http://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/04/08/pkg-walker-birth-control-fish.cnn featuring USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center endocrine disruption research, from a recent publication, "Transgenerational Effects from Early Developmental Exposures to Bisphenol A or 17a-ethinylestradiol in Medaka, Oryzias latipes," by Bhandari et al., in the journal Scientific Reports 5(9303):1-5.
-
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Pavement Sealant Toxic Runoff
Recently appearing in Articles ASAP of the journal Environmental Science and Technology (ES&T), is the USGS publication, "Acute Toxicity of Runoff from Sealcoated Pavement to Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas." Runoff from coal-tar based sealcoated pavement is a source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitrogen heterocycles to surface waters. Mortality following exposure to undiluted runoff from unsealed asphalt pavement was ≤10%, whereas the sealant exposed test organisms experienced 100% mortality, also dramatically enhanced toxicity when ultra-violet radiation from sunshine is present. The results also indicate that runoff remains acutely toxic for weeks to months after a coal-tar based sealcoat application. (Contact: Chris Ingersoll, Columbia, MO cingersoll@usgs.gov 573-876-1819) DOI:10.1021/acs.est.5b00933
-
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Restoration on the Missouri River
On April 22 at the Mississippi River Research Consortium (MRRC) annual meeting in La Crosse, WI, Dr. Robert Jacobson, research hydrologist, (USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO) will give a keynote address entitled, "Restoration on the Missouri River: A Long, Strange Trip." The MRRC is a private, non-profit organization encouraging research on the water and land resources of the Mississippi River and its watershed, and encouraging communication among river scientists, the wider scientific community and public http://m-r-r-c.org/. (Contact: Robert Jacobson, Columbia, MO rjacobson@usgs.gov 573-876-1844)
-
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
USGS Publication in Top 5 Downloads for 2014
"First Evidence of Grass Carp Recruitment in the Great Lakes Basin," in the Journal of Great Lakes Research 39(4), 2014, by Duane Chapman et al., ranked in the top 5 for downloads for 2014. This USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center publication provides evidence that grass carp have spawned and successfully recruited in the Sandusky River, based on otolith microchemistry, DNA analysis and aging techniques, representing the first evidence of recruitment by an Asian carp in the Great Lakes Basin. View the publication at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2013.09.019 (Contact: Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO dchapman@usgs.gov 573-876-1866)
-
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
USGS Scientist Receives Outstanding Achievement Award
USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center scientist Susan Finger, now a retiree volunteer, received Outstanding Achievement recognition at the 2015 Georgia Southern University Alumni awards event http://news.georgiasouthern.edu/2015/04/13/georgia-southern-university-recognizes-alumni-for-accomplishments/. Finger, who received her B.S. in biology from Georgia Southern in 1973, served as the program coordinator for the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center in Columbia, MO, and worked as the science advisor and USGS liaison for the DOI Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program (NRDAR). The author of more than 30 peer-reviewed publications and reports, she is a fisheries ecologist and aquatic toxicologist who has studied the effects of fire-fighting chemicals on aquatic and terrestrial resources. Finger also holds a M.S. in fisheries and wildlife from Oregon State University. (Contact: Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO mknelson@usgs.gov 573-876-1896)
-
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Binational Invasive Carp Risk Assessment Scientists Convene
From April 20-24, in Cleveland, OH, a binational group of seven scientists will work together writing a risk assessment on invasive grass carp in the Great Lakes basin. The group of scientists is comprised of: two from USGS, one from USFWS, two Canadians from the binational Great Lakes Fishery Commission <http://www.glfc.org/>, and two from the Deptartment of Fisheries and Oceans Canada <http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/index-eng.htm>. (Contact: Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO dchapman@usgs.gov 573-876-1866)
-
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Chinese Scientist to Collaborate with USGS Research Center
From late April through July, Dr. Tanglin Zhang, associate professor from the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), Institute of Hydrobiology <http://english.ihb.cas.cn/>, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China, will be visiting the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), Columbia, MO. This extended visit is fully funded by the CAS for Dr. Zhang to collaborate with CERC scientists on invasive carp research. The aim of the CAS project is to improve the academic ability of visiting scientists and enhance their cooperation with foreign universities and institutes. During his visit, Dr. Zhang will: 1) assist in CERC projects related to capture and control, and life history of invasive carps, 2) learn theories, technologies or methods in invasive species risk assessment, and control and management of aquatic invasive species; 3) participate in regularly scheduled seminars, and 4) collaborate on publishing a paper on invasive carp capture and control using existing data, and data acquired during the visit. Dr. Zhang is familiar with Chinese capture methods for Asian carps, providing an excellent opportunity for a mutually beneficial technology transfer. (Contact: Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO dchapman@usgs.gov 573-876-1866)
-
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Invasive Species Research and Risk Assessment Committee
On April 13-15, in Madison, WI, the Mississippi River Basin Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species (MRBP) <http://www.mrbp.org/> convenes the Invasive Species Research and Risk Assessment Committee, chaired by USGS scientist Duane Chapman of the Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO. The Committee will pull together all existing data on the invasive grass carp that is related to the Great Lakes basin, to view an effects-based risk assessment analysis. (Contact: Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO dchapman@usgs.gov 573-876-1866)
-
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
MU Professor Finds Human Birth Control Affects Fish
On April 3, KBIA 91.3 FM, National Public Radio, Columbia, MO, aired a story about research from the USGS-Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), Columbia, MO, entitled, "MU Professor Finds Human Birth Control Affects Fish," featuring quotes by Dr. Ramji Bhandari (USGS-CERC Visiting Scientist, Assistant Research Professor, University of Missouri-Columbia), and Dr. Donald Tillitt (CERC-USGS). The other co-author is Dr. Frederick vom Saal (Curator's Professor, University of Missouri-Columbia), not quoted in the article, available at <http://kbia.org/post/mu-professor-finds-human-birth-control-affects-fish>.
-
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Advancing the Science of Toxicity Testing
Appearing in the current issue of ASTM Standardization News called, "25 Earth Days," USGS-Columbia Environmental Research Center scientist Dr. Chris Ingersoll, ASTM Chairman of Subcommittee E50.47, was quoted, “The enduring impact of E50.47 standards has been their ability to help us to understand the biological effect of contaminants and what we need to do to make our waterways fishable and swimmable. E50.47 standards have served as the impetus for generating the data to determine how we can best regulate and improve the quality of water, sediments and soils. Looking back at how far our waterways have come since Earth Day 1970 makes us very proud of the contributions our committee has made.” A major thrust of E50.47’s efforts has been in sediment toxicology. Sediment provides habitat for many aquatic organisms and is a major repository for many of the more persistent chemicals that are introduced into surface waters. E50.47 standards provide the scientific and regulatory community with foundational tools for conducting laboratory and field toxicity and bioaccumulation testing of sediments to aquatic organisms. (Contact: Chris Ingersoll, Columbia, MO cingersoll@usgs.gov 573-876-1819)
-
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Brown Pelicans and Contaminants
On April 6, Dr. Patrick Jodice, Leader, South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Clemson University, will visit the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center to discuss his joint BOEM/USGS-sponsored research on Brown Pelican migratory habits, demographics and reproductive success in the Gulf of Mexico. CERC investigators will discuss potential collaborations focusing on health effects measurements and contaminant analysis in samples from the pelicans and their prey, which is mostly fish <http://newsstand.clemson.edu/mediarelations/clemson-researchers-to-study-oil-and-gas-operations-impact-on-gulf-pelicans/>. Dr. Jodice will present an open seminar while at CERC entitled, "Tracking Atlantic and Caribbean Seabirds." (Contact: Mike Hooper, Columbia, MO mhooper@usgs.gov 573-441-2985)
-
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Fish Bioenergetics Through Contaminant Bioaccumulation
On April 9, Dr. Ken Drouillard <http://web4.uwindsor.ca/kgdresearch>, Professor and Head of the Organic Analytical Laboratory, Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Canada, will visit the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center for the initial collaboration on invasive carp research, and will also present an open seminar entitled, "Teasing Out Fish Bioenergetics Through Contaminant Bioaccumulation," an overview of chemical-tracer bioengergetics models, using mercury and PCB contaminants. Bioenergetics is a field in biochemistry concerning energy flow through living organisms, its relationships and transformations during growth, development and metabolism, specifically for USGS research, how it is affected by aquatic contaminants. (Contact: Chris Schmitt, Columbia, MO cschmitt@usgs.gov 573-876-1846)
-
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Flow Cytometry Helps Conserve Natural Resources
On March 31, Dr. Jill Jenkins <https://profile.usgs.gov/jenkinsj/>, USGS scientist from the National Wetlands Research Center, gave an open seminar at the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) in Columbia, MO. Dr. Jenkins seminar entitled, "How Flow Cytometry is Helping to Conserve the Nation's Natural Resources," detailed new approaches to using flow cytometry in environmental cellular and molecular research, with this laser-based electronic detection apparatus. Dr. Jenkins' visit enabled continued collaboration with CERC scientists on invasive carp research. (Contact: Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO dchapman@usgs.gov 573-876-1866)
-
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Future Generations of Fish Affected by Endocrine Disruptors After Exposure to Current Generation
Following the USGS Press Release (March 24) "Laboratory Study Shows Future Generations of Fish Affected by Endocrine Disruptor Exposure," <http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=4161#.VRGDko7F-lU> several news media published stories, notably the Washington Post by Daryl Fears <http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/03/30/fish-dont-want-birth-control-but-scientists-say-they-get-it-from-your-pill>. On March 31, CNN interviewed co-authors Dr. Donald Tillitt and Dr. Ramji Bhandari, USGS scientists at the Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, where the article is soon to appear. Other news media articles can be found at: CBS Health Watch - San Francisco <http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/03/30/human-birth-control-hormone-pills-bpa-lower-fertility-in-fish-government-scientists-say/>, The Fish Site <http://www.thefishsite.com/fishnews/25365/bpa-can-adversely-affect-fish-reproduction-new-study-shows/>, Science20 Blog <http://www.science20.com/news_articles/bpa_experiment_affects_reproduction_in_future_generations_of_fish-154255>, The Blaze <http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2015/03/31/how-human-birth-control-could-be-reducing-fish-populations/>, The Independent (UK) <http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/birth-control-for-humans-has-dropped-fertility-in-fish-10144717.html>, Maine News Online <http://mainenewsonline.com/content/15043436-human-birth-control-chemicals-may-cause-low-fertility-fishes>, and numerous others.
-
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Lake Mead -- Clear and Vital
Scientists of the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) in Columbia, MO, appear in the USGS Shoemaker Communications Award 2015 winning video, "Lake Mead -- Clear and Vital" <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka-qqJAnDd4>, over the years of the project, they were directly involved in the chemical analyses performed in the Lake Mead studies. The scientists are shown deploying contaminant passive sampling devices, the SPMD (semipermeable membrane device for non-polar organics) and the POCIS (polar organic chemical integrative sampler), environmental samplers invented and patented by CERC. In addition, data from CERC chemical research is also incorporated in the award winning USGS Circular, "A Synthesis of Aquatic Science for Manggement of Lakes Mead and Mohave," <http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1381/> recognized for the National Association of Government Communicators Blue Pencil/Gold Screen Award. (Contact: David Alvarez, Columbia, MO dalvarez@usgs.gov 573-441-2970)
-
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Chemosensory Impairment in Fish
Aquatic dissolved contaminants interfere with a fish's ability to perceive and respond to important chemical cues, such as locating food, predators and potential mates for reproduction. From March 30-April 3, scientists from the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), Columbia, MO, will meet with Dr. Greg Pyle and his team <http://scholar.ulethbridge.ca/gregpyle/>, at the University of Lethbridge-Calgary, Alberta, Canada <http://www.uleth.ca/calgary/>, to continue research collaboration on chemosensory assay possibilities for the USGS. CERC scientists will learn how to develop the capability of performing electro-olfactograms for use in behavioral and neurophysiological studies before and after fish exposure to environmental aquatic contaminants. (Contact: Robin Calfee, Columbia, MO rcalfee@usgs.gov 573-441-2969)
-
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Laboratory Study Shows Future Generations of Fish Affected by Endocrine Disruptor Exposure
On March 24, the USGS released information on a new open access USGS publication regarding epigenetics where endocrine disruptors may not affect the life of the exposed fish, but can negatively affect future generations. The publication press release entitled, "Laboratory Study Shows Future Generations of Fish Affected by Endocrine Disruptor Exposure," at <http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=4161#.VRGDko7F-lU> previews how fish exposed to the endocrine-disrupting chemicals bisphenol A (BPA) or 17a-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in the laboratory were found to pass adverse reproductive effects onto their offspring up to three generations later. The USGS online Scientific Reports publication (primary research publication of Nature), "Transgenerational Effects from Early Developmental Exposures to Bisphenol A or 17α-ethinylestradiol in Medaka, Oryzias latipes," is co-authored by Dr. Ramji Bhandari (USGS-CERC Visiting Scientist, Assistant Research Professor, University of Missouri-Columbia), Dr. Donald Tillitt (CERC-USGS) and Dr. Frederick vom Saal (Curator's Professor, University of Missouri-Columbia), and is available at <http://www.nature.com/srep/2015/150320/srep09303/full/srep09303.html>.
-
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Conserving Aquatic Ecosystems
On March 22-26, in St. Charles, MO, the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society <http://bit.ly/1MpmfEZ> and the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee <http://www.umrcc.org/> will convene a joint symposium entitled, "Conserving Aquatic Ecosystems - At the Confluence of the Past and Future." USGS scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center will present research findings to include: development of water and sediment toxicity tests with juvenile freshwater mussels, contaminant sensitivity of freshwater mussels and the concomitant relationship to USEPA water quality criteria and standards, sublethal effects of contaminants to fish populations, and science sufficient to support accommodation of socio-economic and ecological values in decision making on large rivers. (Contact: Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO mknelson@usgs.gov 573-876-1896)
-
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Discovering Emerging Contaminants
On March 22-26, in Denver, CO, USGS scientist Dr. David Alvarez will co-chair a session and present research findings at the 249th American Chemical Society National Meeting (ACS) called "Chemistry of Natural Resources" <http://bit.ly/1CdMQBg>. The session, "Advances in Analytical Chemistry for Discovering Emerging Contaminants in the Natural Environment," is arranged to discuss such topics as detection of trace environmental contaminants, microplastics, new monitoring frameworks and novel sampling methods. Alvarez will present research on an emerging contaminant, "Presence of UV Filters (Sunscreens) in Marine Surface Waters of Bays within the Virgin Islands National Park," UV filters found in cosmetic products, an emerging global concern in surface waters. The environmental risks and hazards are unknown and with concentrations high during peak beach and water use there is an immediate need to understand more about cosmetic UV filters. (Contact: David Alvarez, Columbia, MO dalvarez@usgs.gov 573-441-2970)
-
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Early First Publication
Interactive Effects of Climate Change with Nutrients, Mercury and Freshwater Acidification on Key Taxa in the North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative Region
A.E. Pinkney et al.
The North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative LCC (NA LCC) is a public–private partnership that provides information to support conservation decisions that may be affected by global climate change (GCC) and other threats. The NA LCC region extends from southeast Virginia to the Canadian Maritime Provinces. Within this region, the US National Climate Assessment documented increases in air temperature, total precipitation, frequency of heavy precipitation events, and rising sea level and predicted more drastic changes. This publication synthesizes literature on the effects of GCC interacting with selected contaminant, nutrient and environmental processes that adversely affect natural resources within the NA LCC. A case study approach of three stressors is detailed: mercury, freshwater acidification and eutrophication.
Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management (journal)
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Early View, March 2015 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.1612 Contact: Dr. Michael Hooper, Columbia, MO mhooper@usgs.gov 573-441-2985
-
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Using Underwater Stimuli to Attract Invasive Carp
On March 16-18, doctoral graduate student, Brooke Vetter, will work with USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center scientists in Conservation Ecology to develop protocols for conditioning invasive carp to underwater auditory stimuli for potential use as an attractant. Vetter is studying with bioacoustics expert Dr. Allen Mensinger, Professor, University of Minnesota - Duluth, to learn how fish detect, integrate and respond to external cues in the environment. The fish are implanted with electrode and telemetry devices to record physiological signals in free swimming fish, a method hopefully compatible with invasive carp to learn more about how to attract them for control. (Contact: Robin Calfee, Columbia, MO rcalfee@usgs.gov 573-441-2969)
-
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
CERC Continues Its Notable Research Seminar Series
In the ongoing monthly seminar series by researchers at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center in Columbia, MO, on March 3, Carrie Elliot and Dr. Mark Dixon (University of South Dakota - Vermillion) will give talks on "Assessment of Pallid Sturgeon Spawning Habitat in the Lower Yellowstone River," and "Effects of the 2011 Flood on Cottonwood Forests in the Northern Great Plains," respectively. This monthly seminar series is open to all interested people. The next seminar scheduled for April 1, will be: "Determining Microcystin in Environmental Matrices ” and "Comparisons of Gene Expression Profiles Induced by Endocrine Disruptors in Fathead Minnow Ovary, Testis and Liver Tissues," given by Dr. Kathy Echols and Dr. Cathy Richter, respectively. (Contact: Holly Puglis, Columbia, MO
hpuglis@usgs.gov 573-441-2986)
-
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
USGS Scientists Contribute to Pallid Sturgeon Recovery
From February 24-26, Aaron DeLonay and Kimberly Chojnacki (USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center) attended a meeting of the Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Team in Vicksburg, Mississippi. DeLonay provides species expertise to the USFWS and represents USGS science as a member of the species Recovery Team. The Recovery Team includes scientists and managers from state and federal agencies, and academia, along the length of the species’ range from Montana to Louisiana. The team provides advice to the USFWS on recovery planning and implementation, as well as significant research, monitoring programs and conservation augmentation. Chojnacki was an invited participant working closely with the recovery program to address large scale data needs and population trends at the landscape level. (Contact: Aaron J. DeLonay, Columbia, MO
adelonay@usgs.gov 573-876-1878)
-
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
USGS Scientists to Present at Missouri River Conference
From March 10-12, in Nebraska City, NE, USGS scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), Columbia, MO, will present research findings at the 2015 Missouri River Natural Resources Committee annual conference and Biological Opinion Forum (MRNRC) <
http://www.mrnrc2015.com/>. The conference called, "The Year of the River," brings together state and federal governments, academia and others, about the latest research on Missouri River natural resources, promoting stewardship of the Missouri River and its fish and wildlife, and ultimately, its recovery. Missouri River topics presented by CERC scientists include endangered sturgeon reproduction and fecundity; embryo and larva dispersal and hatch; spawning habitat dynamics, characteristics and use; migrations; hydrodynamic and population modeling; hydrogeomorphic modeling and the relationship to floodplain vegetation; and Effects Analysis that synthesizes the science in the entire Missouri River basin, which includes the Yellowstone River in North Dakota. (Contact: Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO
mknelson@usgs.gov 573-876-1875)
-
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Reducing Uncertainty to the Effects of Uranium Mining in the Grand Canyon Watershed
USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center scientist Jo Ellen Hinck was featured in the USGS Leaders Blog by Max Ethridge, USGS Southwest Regional Director (Acting). "Last May 2014 marked the start of the USGS’s second year of fieldwork for a multidisciplinary effort to understand the origin of uranium deposits in the Grand Canyon area, the effects of mining on water and soils, and the toxicological and radiological effects of mining on wildlife. We have asked Jo Ellen Hinck to record a 60-second video telling you about one important component of this multifaceted effort. Jo Ellen is a fish biologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center who played an important role in getting this project off the ground and has been committed to it ever since. She will tell you about her group’s biological research currently underway."
http://bit.ly/1MRzEZu (Contact: Jo Ellen Hinck, Columbia, MO
jhinck@usgs.gov 573-876-1808)
-
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Carp, it's what's for dinner!
Appearing February 11 in the Columbia Missourian, newspaper of the School of Journalism, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center scientist Duane Chapman discusses the U.S. plight of the invasive carp and its hopeful population control by harvesting the fish for food. The article is entitled, "Invasive Asian Carp May Soon Be On the Menu at MU Dining Halls," written by Natalie Helms, available at <
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/a/184410/invasive-asian-carp-may-soon-be-on-the-menu-at-mu-dining-halls/>.
-
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
City Uses Collaborative Adaptive Management to Improve Water Quality
On February 20, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) scientist Nile Kemble will present findings from a sediment toxicity study conducted on the Hinkson Creek, a primary watershed within and outside the city limits of Columbia, MO, to scientists and city, county and state and federal agency stakeholders. A science team was organized, including USGS scientists, to develop and implement a collaborative science-based adaptive management (CAM) approach to improve water quality and the biological community in the Hinkson Creek <
http://helpthehinkson.org/CollaborativeAdaptiveManagement.htm>. Kemble will discuss the results of the CERC study showing that all sediments samples were toxic to the invertebrate tested, which indicates a contaminant problem in the watershed among other confounding water quality issues.
(Nile Kemble, Columbia, MO
nkemble@usgs.gov 573-876-1887)
-
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Ohio River Management Coordination Meeting
On February 3-4, in Indianapolis, IN, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center director, Rip Shively, and scientist Duane Chapman, attended the Ohio River Management Coordination meeting to discuss critical topics regarding invasive carps in U.S. waterways. These topics include: coordinated interagency executive level administrative planning, funding and operations for Asian carp prevention and control in the Ohio River Basin, giving clarity to the WRRDA 2014 (Water Resources Reform and Development Act), understanding the USFWS funding and role, and detailing the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee ACRCC structure and function <
http://asiancarp.us/> with discussions about their relation to Asian carp prevention and control efforts in the Ohio River Basin. (Contact: Rip Shively, Columbia, MO
rsshively@usgs.gov 573-876-1900)
-
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Pallid Sturgeon Spawning in the Yellowstone River
In cooperation with the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks agency, the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), Columbia, MO, is conducting research on the endangered pallid sturgeon (
Scaphirhynchus albus) inhabiting the Yellowstone River in the Upper Missouri River Basin. Dr. Patrick Braaten, CERC scientist stationed at Fort Peck, MT, will present research findings on the issue of pallids demonstrating functional spawning in the Yellowstone but not achieving successful recruitment. This presentation is part of the Dakota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society annual meeting in Bismarck, ND, on February 17-19. For conference details see <
http://dakota.fisheries.org/2015-dakota-chapter-annual-meeting/>. (Contact: Patrick Braaten, Fort Peck, MT
patrick_braaten@usgs.gov 406-526-3253)
-
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Partnership for River Restoration and Science in the Upper Midwest
Dr. Robert Jacobson, USGS scientist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) will give an invited speaker presentation for a symposium convened by the Partnership for River Restoration and Science in the Upper Midwest (PRRSUM) in Dubuque, IA, on February 8-11. The talk is entitled, "River Restoration Writ Large - Science Underlying the Missouri River Recovery Program," providing an overview of the recovery effort with emphasis on transferability of restoration science and approaches. The PRRSUM is a forum for knowledge exchange and collaboration between all interested agencies and parties conducting river research and restoration in the Upper Midwest <
http://www.prrsum.org/content/home>. (Contact: Robert Jacobson, Columbia, MO
rjacobson@usgs.gov 573-876-1844)
-
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Inside Appalachia: Water in the Coalfields
On January 16, news article "Inside Appalachia: Water in the Coalfields" appeared online featuring a photo of acid mine drainage taken by Doug Hardesty, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center scientist. The polluted stream shown, not in Appalachia, but in Missouri on Tebo Creek (CERC research Site 3), depicts the iron-laden, low pH waters of seepage from past surface coal mining practices, a condition that remains acute in many West Virginia waterways. "Water in the Coalfields" describes water quality problems broader than the acid mine drainage problem, it details serious water quality conditions including raw sewage and the destructive effects of mountaintop mining, such that domestic water contains heavy metals, pathogens, pharmaceuticals, etc. The article was published by West Virginia Public Broadcasting <
http://wvpublic.org/post/inside-appalachia-water-coalfields>.
-
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
USGS to Present at Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference
On February 8-11, scientists from the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) will present research on invasive carp and endangered species at the 75th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference in Indianapolis, IN, "Natural Resource Management in An Increasingly Connected World" <
http://www.midwestfw.org/>. Invasive carp and endangered species topics to be presented include: carp control methods and early detection techniques using eDNA (environmental DNA, a genetic signature that remains in the water); and chronic toxicity effects to the Rio Grande silvery minnow when exposed to ammonia, important due to wastewater treatment plant discharges in portions of its current, but contracted, range. In addition to research presentations, CERC and the USGS Great Lakes Science Center - Ann Arbor, MI (GLSC) have combined to teach a class on larval fish and egg identification, "Introduction to Sampling and Identification of Freshwater Fish Eggs and Larvae Using Digital Media." (Contact: Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO
mknelson@usgs.gov 573-876-1875)
-
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
USGS to Present at Warm Water Fish Culture Workshop
On February 2-4, scientist Ann Allert, from the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), will present research at the Midcontinent Warm Water Fish Culture Workshop in Branson, MO. The presentation is entitled, "Evaluation of Chemical Control for Invasive Crayfish in Fish Shipments at a Warmwater Fish Production Hatchery," issues critical to keeping invasive crayfish away due to their propensity to displace native crayfish and alter aquatic community structure and function. This research was in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation and USGS. (Contact: Ann Allert, Columbia, MO
aallert@usgs.gov 573-876-1903)
-
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Visiting Scientist to Give Seminar at USGS CERC
Jennifer Brennan, Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California - Davis, a NIEHS Predoctoral Fellow (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences), will give a seminar at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) on January 22. Brennan's seminar entitled, "Development, Optimization and Application of Nuclear Receptor Dependent Cell-based Bioassays for Endocrine Disruptors," complements endocrine disruptor research on-going at CERC and will provide an opportunity for science exchange. (Contact: Donald Tillitt, Columbia, MO
dtillitt@usgs.gov 573-876-1886)
-
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Dust-Control Products
On January 6, Dr. Bethany Kunz, USGS scientist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), Columbia, MO, was interviewed by Joanne Levasseur for the Canadian Broadcast Corporation News (CBC) regarding USGS dust-control product research <
http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/Projects.aspx?ProjectId=77>. That CERC research was conducted in cooperation with the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a refuge in central Texas near Sherman <
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/hagerman/>, for both performance and environmental testing of dust-control products. Prior to the CBC interview, the Winnipeg Free Press and the CBC reported on a lawsuit regarding the performance of a dust-control product, filed by a customer in Burkina Faso, Africa, against the company in Winnipeg, Canada, who produces the product. Although the performance of dust-control products is very site specific, CERC had previously tested one of this company's products, and Dr. Kunz was consulted to discuss the research and provide context on dust control issues in general.
The two news articles are available at:
Winnipeg Free Press <
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/lawsuit-from-africa-a-puzzler-for-city-firm-287614011.html>
CBC News <
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-company-cypher-environmental-sued-for-10m-1.2890597>
(Contact: Bethany Kunz, Columbia, MO
bkunz@usgs.gov 573-441-2998)
-
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
USGS Participates in Transportation Research Board Conference
On January 11-15, in Washington D.C., USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) scientists, Dr. Bethany Kunz and Dr. Edward Little, will present research on road dust-control at the 94th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies, a division of the National Research Council, whose scientists and engineers provide leadership in transportation innovation. The CERC research is a cooperative project between the USGS, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service. Their presentation, "Development of Formalized Environmental Testing Procedures for Chemical Treatments of Unpaved Roads" highlights CERC's efforts to develop standardized tests that can be used industry-wide for predicting environmental effects of dust-control products. In addition, Dr. Kunz serves on three research and advisory committees within the Transportation Research Board, which will be meeting during the Conference interval. Details of this annual meeting can be found at:
http://www.trb.org/AnnualMeeting2015/AnnualMeeting2015.aspx (Contact: Bethany Kunz, Columbia, MO
bkunz@usgs.gov 573-441-2998)
-
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
USGS Scientist to Give Keynote Address
On January 13-15, in Great Falls, MT, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) scientist, Duane Chapman, Leader, CERC Invasive Carp Research, will give the Keynote Address at the annual meeting of the Montana Weed Control Association <
http://mtweed.org/>, a group working together to manage invasive species. Chapman's keynote is titled, "Asian Carps in North America: History, Effects and Control Efforts" as part of the conference theme "Developing Healthy Ecosystems: the Big Picture in the Big Sky." (Contact: Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO
dchapman@usgs.gov 573-876-1866)
-
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Visiting Scientist Collaborates at USGS Research Center
Dr. Mark Dixon, Associate Professor of Biology at the University of South Dakota, will collaborate with scientists at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) in Columbia, MO, from January to May, 2015. While at CERC, Dr. Dixon on sabbatical, is interacting with CERC large river and landscape scientists conducting research associated with USGS projects and those of his academic interest. Dr. Dixon's profile is available at: <
http://www.usd.edu/arts-and-sciences/biology/mark-dixon.cfm>. (Contact: Robert Jacobson, Columbia, MO
rjacobson@usgs.gov 573-876-1844)
-
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
USGS Feature Story and Associated Online First Publication
Uranium Mining in the Grand Canyon Region: USGS scientists with different areas of expertise have come together to conduct studies addressing information gaps related to the effect of uranium exploration and mining activities on people and environmental resources. The Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) participates in this research, coordinating a baseline study of contaminant levels in various species at the Canyon Uranium Mine. The goal of the all the studies is to reduce uncertainties related to the effects of mining on water quality and quantity, understand the potential toxic and radiation effects on wildlife, and to evaluate potential negative impacts on cultural and tribal resources. This USGS Feature can be accessed at:
http://www.usgs.gov/blogs/features/usgs_top_story/uranium-mining-in-the-grand-canyon-region/ The CERC publication associated with this uranium research is as follows:
Hinck, J.E., Linder, G., Darrah, A.J., Drost, C.A., Duniway, M.C., Johnson, M.J., Mendez-Harclerode, F.M., Nowak, E.M., Valdez, E.W., Wolff, S. and van Riper III, C., 2014, Exposure Pathways and Biological Receptors: Baseline Data for the Canyon Uranium Mine, Coconino County, Arizona, Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management, Online Early Edition October 2014 5(2); e1944-687X. DOI: 10.3996/052014-JFWM-039
The overarching goal of this project was to determine if concentrations of chemical and radiation contamination are increased from mining activities and pose risks to biota within the environs of the Canyon Mine site. Collecting biota that are representative of the local food web before mining starts, during active mining, and post-mine closure and remediation is essential to understanding ecological risks at this and other uranium mining sites. Objectives were to: 1) identify contaminants of potential concern and critical contaminant exposure pathways (ingestion, inhalation, absorption, etc.) for ecological receptors; 2) conduct biological surveys of plants, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and small mammals to understand the local food web and refine the list of target species (ecological receptors) for contaminant analysis; and 3) collect target species to determine baseline chemical contaminant concentrations and radiation levels for the site.
(Contact: Jo Ellen Hinck, Columbia, Missouri
jhinck@usgs.gov 573-876-1808)
-
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
CERC Continues Its Notable Research Seminar Series
In the ongoing monthly seminar series by researchers at the Columbia Environmental Research Center in Columbia, MO, on December 3, Dr. Jason Berninger and Holly Puglis will give talks on “Using Available Data to Prioritize Chemicals of Emerging Concern” and “Behavioral Evaluation of the Sublethal Toxicity of Aqueous Copper to White Sturgeon," respectively. This monthly seminar series is open to all interested people. The next seminar scheduled for January 7, will be: "The Potential Use of Chemical Stimuli with Other Control Strategies to Develop an Integrated Pest Management Tool for the Control of Invasive Asian Carps” and "Assessing the Potential Hazards of Polyethylene Microspheres on Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio", given by Robin Calfee and Rachelle Riegerix, respectively. (Contact: Holly Puglis, Columbia, MO at
hpuglis@usgs.gov or 573-441-2986)
-
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
USEPA Teamwork Award Goes to USGS-CERC Scientist
Over the last couple of years, Columbia Environmental Research Center scientist, Dr. David Alvarez, collaborated with a team of six USEPA scientists developing methods for sampling and analysis of hormonally-active pharmaceuticals, such as those prescribed in hormone replacement therapy, along with identifying their potential fate and metabolism in vertebrate organisms (fish and rats). The prestigious USEPA ORD Teamwork Award presented to the Endocrine Active Pharmaceuticals (EAP) Team is "In recognition of extraordinary commitment and group effort from team members in overcoming geographic and organizational boundaries to complete a comprehensive product of Chemical Safety for Sustainability." (Contact: Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO at mknelson@usgs.gov or 573-876-1875)
-
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
USGS Scientists to Continue Long-Standing Exchange with Russian Scientists
From December 5-15, two USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center scientists will join the Russian Academy of Sciences staff at the Institute for Biology of Inland Waters (IBIW) in Borok, Russia, for a science exchange in aquatic environmental toxicology. Dr. Donald Tillitt will work on two on-going manuscripts from previous studies on contamination in the Selenga River, Mongolia and Russia, and will meet with the IBIW director and staff to finalize the IBIW-CERC Research Protocol for the next three years. Dr. Cathy Richter will work on a continued molecular analysis for a sediment toxicity testing invertebrate in biomarker development. These biological indicators signal a changed physiological state, stress or injury and can be used as an environmental measure of benthic invertebrate health. The IBIW-CERC valuable science exchange between scientists began in the early 1970's and is now over 40 years in its continuance. (Contact: Donald Tillitt, Columbia, MO
dtillitt@usgs.gov 573-876-1886 or Cathy Richter, Columbia, MO
crichter@usgs.gov 573-876-1841)
-
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Passive Sampling Symposium
On November 8-9, in Vancouver, BC, Canada, USGS scientist David Alvarez co-chaired the 7th International Passive Sampling Workshop and Symposium (IPSW 2014), part of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) International Congress. Topics include: hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds, metals and inorganics, volatiles, development of novel passive sampling devices, and environmental application and monitoring techniques. In addition, Dr. Alvarez is giving two presentations at the IPSW conference: "Passive Sampling for Emerging Contaminants: 15 Years of the POCIS, So What Have We Learned?" and "Source Tracking of Bioavailable Organic Contaminants in Lake Mead." (David Alvarez, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO dalvarez@usgs.gov 573-441-2970)
-
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Building Dedication
On October 24, a Chemical Storage Building was dedicated to scientist Paul R. Heine, at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC). This Dedication was in honor of Heine's outstanding service and contribution leading the CERC Safety Program from 1995-2011. In 2011 Paul received the USGS Safety Award and in 2013 he was presented posthumously the prestigious Department of Interior Award of Excellence in Occupational Safety and Health. Heine proposed and designed this storage building to meet safety, environmental and security standards. The name Paul Heine remains synonymous with safety at CERC, and will forever be quoted, “There’s never a second chance for safety first!” (Contact: Carl Orazio, Columbia, MO
corazio@usgs.gov 573-876-1824)
-
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
New Research Vessel Christened for USGS Invasive Species Research
On October 27, at the Missouri River Carl R. Noren Access near Jefferson City, Missouri, the Yi Bolu research vessel was christened, beginning its official research career with the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC). This 28' boat, outfitted with twin 150 hp outboards is currently ready for invasive carp research as its principle project. Dr. Yi Bolu (1915-2009) was a pioneering Chinese fish ecologist and ichthyologist, and an international recognized leader of scientists, a productive author and educator. Dr. Yi, of Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China, collaborated closely with USGS-CERC scientists on the invasive carp research project and in 2006, translated and re-published by USGS, a chapter of his notable book, "Gezhouba Water Control Project and Conservation of the Four Famous Fishes in the Yangtze River," regarding early development of Asian carps in the Yangtze River. This chapter by Yi et al., contains the most detailed description available and approximately 200 drawings of the early development of the four invasive carps, "A Study of the Early Development of Grass Carp, Black Carp, Silver Carp and Bighead Carp in the Yangtze River, China," translated by Duane Chapman and Dr. Ning Wang of USGS-CERC. (Contact: Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO
dchapman@usgs.gov 573-876-1866 or Ning Wang, Columbia, MO
nwang@usgs.gov 573-441-2946)
-
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Sediment Advisory Group Meets with USGS and Russian Scientists
On November 11, in Vancouver, BC, Canada, at the Society of Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual conference, USGS scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) and a visiting Russian scientist, Dr. Nadezhda Stepanova, are invited to present results of a collaborative research project to the members of the SETAC Sediment Advisory Group. The discussions will provide CERC guidance to refine and apply the use of ostracods in assessments of metal toxicity and bioavailability in sediments. These European methods will be used for current projects across the United States and in future projects conducted by CERC. (Contact: Chris Ingersoll, Columbia, MO
cingersoll@usgs.gov 573-876-1819)
-
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
USGS to Present at Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry International Congress
From November 9-13, USGS scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center will present research findings at the 35th Annual Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry in Vancouver, BC, Canada <
http://vancouver.setac.org/>. Environmental toxicology and chemistry topics to be presented include: refining methods for testing toxic, freshwater sediments; fate and effect of heavy metals; passive ion collectors characterizing atmospheric contaminants; relationships between biological conditions and concentrations of contaminants, pesticides, nutrients and sediment in waterways of the U.S. Midwest; assessment of pesticide usage in the U.S. Midwest; and fish exposed to endocrine disrupting contaminants inducing trans-generational effects. (Contact: Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO
mknelson@usgs.gov 573-876-1875)
-
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
USGS Participates in the National Workshop on Large Landscape Conservation
On October 23-24, in Washington, DC, Dr. Esther Stroh, USGS ecologist of the Columbia Environmental Research Center, will participate in the National Workshop on Large Landscape Conservation (NWLLC), that showcases conservation innovation and landscape scale solutions across the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Dr. Stroh is a member of the Program Committee that planned the presentations, in addition, USGS scientists will present 23 of the platform presentations and posters. The conference focuses on large landscape conservation efforts across North America that are producing measurable benefits for rural and urban communities, enhancing water quality and habitat, protecting working forests and farmlands, and making more efficient use of limited financial and human resources. Featured NWLLC keynote speakers include U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden. Details are accessible at:
http://www.largelandscapenetwork.org/2014-national-workshop/ (Contact: Esther Stroh, Columbia, MO
estroh@usgs.gov 573-441-2944)
-
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Russian Scientist and USGS Scientists Collaborate on Sediment Toxicology
From October 14 thru November 8, Dr. Nadezhda Stepanova, Professor of Biology at the Kazan Federal University, Russia, situated at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka Rivers, will collaborate with USGS scientists of the Fish and Invertebrate Toxicology Branch at the Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO. This collaboration focuses on state-of-the-art freshwater sediment toxicology and toxicity test methods development with unique aquatic invertebrate species. Dr. Stepanova will apply the sediment toxicology and test methods knowledge in the Tyumen region in Siberia, a large commercial and industrial complex where gas and oil extraction is predominant. (Chris Ingersoll Columbia, MO
cingersoll@usgs.gov 573-876-1819)
-
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
USGS Scientist Participates in Research with Scientists in Lyon, France
From October 11-18, Dr. Bethany Kunz, USGS biologist of the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), Columbia, MO, will travel to Lyon, France, to participate in a field study designed to evaluate the bioaccumulation in freshwater invertebrates of two global priority contaminants: perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS, a fabric stain protector), and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD, a brominated flame retardant primarily used in building insulation). In collaboration with the research institute IRSTEA of Lyon <
http://www.irstea.fr/en/home-page>, the sponsors of this science endeavor, Dr. Kunz will participate in field work in rivers of central France, partnering with Marc Babut, water and forest engineer of IRSTEA. Dr. Kunz will also present a seminar on CERC contributions to the USGS NAWQA Cycle III Regional Stream Quality Assessments and the use of coupled laboratory and field studies to evaluate stressors in aquatic environments. (Bethany Kunz, Columbia, MO
bkwilliams@usgs.gov 573-441-2998)
-
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
USGS Scientist Receives Exceptional Reviewer Distinction
Each year, the science journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (ET&C), of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), publishes a list of the journal’s exceptional scholarly reviewers to recognize their vital role in the science peer-review process. Dr. Ning Wang, USGS research fish biologist, of the Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, was selected as one of the 15 ET&C exceptional reviewers of 2014, spotlighting those who consistently provide the journal with high-quality, timely reviews. Based on both the quantity and the quality of reviews completed, the exceptional reviewers were selected from among more than 900 ET&C journal reviewers. (Marcia K Nelson mknelson@usgs.gov 573-876-1875)
-
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
CERC Continues Its Notable Research Seminar Series
In the ongoing monthly seminar series by researchers at the Columbia Environmental Research Center in Columbia, MO, on October 1, Dr. Carl Orazio and Karl Anderson will give talks on "Suburban Contaminants in Songbirds in Rachel Carson's Backyard, 50 Years After Silent Spring" and "Investigations on Potential Food Sources for Bigheaded Carps in the Great Lakes", respectively. This monthly seminar series is open to all interested people. The next seminar scheduled for November 5, will be: "Inter-lab Testing of Hyalella azteca Water and Sediment Methods” and "Fast Train Comin': Crude by Rail in the United States", given by Chris Ivey and Steve Hampton (California Department of Fish and Wildlife), respectively. (Contact: Holly Puglis, Columbia, MO at
hpuglis@usgs.gov or 573-441-2986)
-
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
USGS Missouri River Report Cited in Online News Story
On September 29, USGS: Climate Change Impacts Some River Levels, But Not in Midwest by Paige Blankenbuehler, appeared online in KOMU 8 Goes Green. In this article a USGS report was cited <
http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2014/5053/>, "Trends in Annual, Seasonal, and Monthly Streamflow Characteristics at 227 Streamgages in the Missouri River Watershed, Water Years 1960-2011." In addition, Dr. Robert Jacobson, USGS research hydrologist of the Columbia Environmental Research Center, was featured regarding research on climate change in central Missouri, connecting gaps between historical records and global climate change models for the Missouri River. The KOMU 8 Goes Green story is available at: <
http://www.komu.com/news/usgs-climate-change-impacts-some-river-levels-but-not-in-midwest/>. (Contact: Robert Jacobson, Columbia, MO
rjacobson@usgs.gov or 573-876-1844)
-
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
USGS Research Wins Outstanding Professional Presentation Award
A USGS presentation entitled, "Evaluation of Chemical Control for Invasive Crayfish at a Warmwater Fish Production Hatchery”, by Ann Allert et al., was awarded the "Outstanding Professional Presentation Award" at the 20th Symposium of the International Association of Astacology (IAA), held September 20–26, in Sapporo, Japan. The IAA is an international science organization dedicated to the study, conservation and wise utilization of crayfish. The presentation summarized the results of a 2-year investigation conducted cooperatively by scientists from the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center in Columbia, MO and the Missouri Department of Conservation, investigating a potential chemical control protocol to be used at a fish production facility to prevent the release of invasive crayfish in fish shipments. Crayfish are keystone species in many aquatic systems; however, nearly 50% of crayfish species are now threatened or endangered. A primary threat is from the spread of non-native (invasive) crayfish. The study was done in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation and Mississippi River Basin Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species. (Contact: Ann Allert, Columbia, MO
aallert@usgs.gov or 573-876-1903)
-
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
2014 Water Challenges and Opportunities Symposium
On October 7-8, in Columbia, MO, the Missouri Water Resources Research Center of the University of Missouri will convene a symposium focused on the challenges and opportunities for the next 20-30 years in water issues. Dr. Donald Tillitt, USGS senior scientist, and Dr. David Alvarez, USGS research chemist, of the Columbia Environmental Research Center, will present "Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Water: Challenges and Directions for Solutions." This presentation refers to a large number of chemicals that are commonly used in commerce, industry and agriculture that fall under the regulatory structure of the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) and other authorities, with inadequate information about the environmental fate of these contaminants and potential effects on wildlife and human health. Contaminants of emerging concern can affect normal endocrine function and elicit effects at low concentrations, such as an intersex condition, from concentrations routinely found in water, wastewater and agricultural drains. Risk evaluation challenges from these emerging contaminants are currently substantial and growing, with solutions for reduction of risk only coming from efforts to decrease exposure routes, along with better chemical design. (Contact: Donald Tillitt, Columbia, MO
dtillitt@usgs.gov 573-876-1886)
-
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Passive Samplers in Environmental Monitoring Studies
The USGS Office of Water Quality and the Water Science Field Team Water Quality Specialists invited USGS Water Science Center Water-Quality Specialists and other key water quality scientists to attend the USGS National Water Quality Workshop at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV, from October 6-10 <
http://water.usgs.gov/usgs/owq/wq2014/>. Dr. David Alvarez, research chemist of the Columbia Environmental Research Center, will present "Passive Samplers in Environmental Monitoring Studies: Overview, Data Quality and Field Application," a summary of passive sampling technologies available and a discussion on data quality considerations with an emphasis on what the data actually means and how it can be compared to other sampling techniques. Passive sampler devices include: Semipermeable Membrane Device (SPMD), Polar Organic Chemical Integrated Sampler (POCIS), Stabilized Liquid Membrane Device (SLMD), and Passive Integrative Mercury Sampler (PIMS), all developed and patented by USGS scientists at the Columbia Environmental Research Center. (Contact: David Alvarez, Columbia, MO
dalvarez@usgs.gov 573-441-2970)
-
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
USGS Research Presentation at International Meeting in Japan
In Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, from September 20-28, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center research fish biologist Ann Allert <http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/StaffMembers.aspx?ContentId=328> will attend the Symposium of the International Association of Astacology, the first time this science venue is held in Asia. The Symposium is jointly held with the Carcinological Society of Japan <http://2014.the-carcinological-society.jp/top_e>, uniting all crustacean scientists. Allert will present research results on the evaluation of chemical control for invasive crayfish, and results of investigations on thermal tolerance of the Coldwater Crayfish (Orconectes eupuntus), important information as global climate-related changes place many crustaceans at risk. Contact: Ann Allert, Columbia, MO 573-876-1903 aallert@usgs.gov
-
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
USGS Science Team Receives Coveted U.S. EPA Science Achievement Award
In cooperation with the U.S. EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USGS, and individuals from several U.S. universities, a combined cross-agency science team researching freshwater mussel toxicity to ammonia, who broke scientific barriers in nationwide water quality criteria development, became the recipient of the prestigious federal U.S. EPA Science Achievement Award. This particular research changed the water quality ammonia criterion that had previously impeded the protection of aquatic life, including endangered freshwater mussels. The two USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) principal scientists, Dr. Chris Ingersoll and Dr. Ning Wang, and other CERC scientists, developed and conducted aquatic freshwater toxicity tests evaluating contaminants that affect mollusk's ability to thrive and sustain populations, currently a critical issue due to the known rapid decline and multiple environmental risks for them. This U.S. EPA science award is based on major accomplishments in advancing scientific knowledge to agency regulatory and non-regulatory programs; major contributions to environmental problem-solving; and outstanding leadership, creativity, innovation and initiative. Contact: Chris Ingersoll, Columbia, MO 573-876-1819 cingersoll@usgs.gov
-
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Scientist from Finland to Collaborate with USGS
From August 19-22, Dr. Tommi Kauppila, Chief Scientist, Eco-Efficient Mining Research Program, Geological Survey of Finland, will collaborate with environmental chemists and toxicologists of the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) in Columbia, MO. During Dr. Kauppila's visit he will study techniques for measuring metal bioavailability with passive samplers and participate in on-going fish toxicity studies with metal contaminants. In addition, Dr. Kauppila will present a seminar to CERC scientists entitled, "Mining Environmental Research at the Geological Survey of Finland – From Mining Wastes to Receiving Water Bodies." (Contact: Bill Brumbaugh, Columbia, MO 573-876-1857
bbrumbaugh@usgs.gov )
-
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center Scientists to Present at American Fisheries Conference
From August 17-21, the American Fisheries Society will conduct its annual meeting in Québec City, Québec, Canada, "From Fisheries Research to Management: Think and Act Locally and Globally." USGS scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), Columbia, MO, will present current fisheries research findings on endangered and invasive species.
Endangered pallid sturgeon topics include: spawning and successful hatch, and drift of wild pallid in the Yellowstone River; genetic tools indicating low pallid recruitment and high rates of hybridization in the Lower Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, demonstrating that a large fraction of unmarked pallids are of hatchery origin; a mobile GIS strategy developed to support large-scale telemetry tracking efforts documenting pallid movement and ecology, a system designed to move beyond paper-based methods; and characterization of patterns of sturgeon and paddlefish spawning and dispersal in the Lower Missouri River to guide restoration actions.
Invasive carp topics include: early life history behavior that is necessary to understand how these invasives respond to their new environments in order to better prepare for their control, and to that end, there exists a paucity of behavioral information for the period of the yolk-sac larval (pro-larval) stage for invasive carp; the potential use of chemical stimuli (pheromones) with other control strategies to develop an integrated pest management tool for carp and its subsequent field evaluation; and using eDNA (environmental DNA) as an early-detection method for aquatic invasive species, where CERC scientists quantified eDNA shedding rates from bigheaded carp by using qPCR (polymerase chain reaction in real time, a molecular biology techniques that detects targeted DNA molecules) which showed eDNA amounts did exhibit a positive relationship with fish density and that feeding could increase the amount of eDNA shed by ten-fold, whereas water temperature did not have an effect.
One further research topic to be presented is thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency as an impediment to the restoration of native lake trout in the Great Lakes, where CERC scientists present the case for de novo (a Latin expression meaning "from the beginning") production of thiaminase by alewife, evidence consistent with the hypothesis that alewife have a gene that encodes thiaminase and produces thiaminase protein de novo. This is particularly important information in the current controversy concerning the source of thiaminase in alewife.
(Contact: Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1875
mknelson@usgs.gov )
-
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
USGS Fish Biologist Selected as Emerging Leader
The American Fisheries Society (AFS) <http://fisheries.org/> has awarded USGS Fish Biologist, Dr. Cari-Ann Hayer, the distinction of an Emerging Leader, an award program AFS sponsors to provide an opportunity for select individuals to participate on the governing board and receive mentoring that will develop future leaders in fisheries and the Society. Dr. Hayer is a member of the Invasive Carp research team at the Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, investigating habitat selection of larval and juvenile invasive carp and identification of their native predators. (Cari-Ann Hayer, chayer@usgs.gov <http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/StaffMembers.aspx?StaffMemberId=694>)
-
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Chinese Company Interested in Invasive Carp
On July 22, USGS scientist Duane Chapman was quoted in the Miami Herald concerning a commercial fishery focusing on the invasive bigheaded carp occurring in the Mississippi River basin. The article is entitled, "Chinese Aim for Big Asian Carp Catch in Mississippi," referring to a commercial company locating in Mississippi from Shanghai, China, who are interested in catching, processing and shipping the invasives to large markets. The article is available at:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/07/22/4249630/chinese-aim-for-big-asian-carp.html (Contact: Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO 573-876-1866
dchapman@usgs.gov)
-
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
The Year of the Stonefly
USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center aquatic entomologist, Dr. Barry Poulton, will give the Keynote Address at the 6th Annual Water Quality Monitoring Conference, The Year of the Stonefly, sponsored by the Ozark Fly Fishers (Federation of Fly Fishers <
http://www.ozarkflyfishers.org/>, on July 11-12 at Montauk State Park, Missouri. Poulton's address is entitled, "The Life History and Ecology of Stoneflies (Plecoptera)." All nine families of Plecoptera that occur in North America are reliable indicator species of water pollution in streams since the aquatic juveniles are quite intolerant of contamination. In addition, Poulton will be giving another presentation entitled, "Bioassessment: An Impact Study of Human Activity on Stream Ecology." This conference also highlights the celebration of 25 years of the Missouri Stream Team Program, a working partnership of citizens who are concerned about Missouri streams, approximately 110,000 miles of water <
http://www.mostreamteam.org/>. (Contact: Barry Poulton, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO 573-876-1873
bpoulton@usgs.gov )
-
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Aquatic Invasive Species Meeting for the Mississippi River Basin
The Mississippi River Basin Panel (MRBP) on Aquatic Nuisance Species will confer on July 7, in Athens, TX, to discuss issues surrounding invasive carp. This meeting is hosted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. The Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association (MICRA) and the national Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force headquartered in Washington, DC, has oversight of the MRBP. The MRBP is one of six Regional ANS Panels established by the ANS Task Force to coordinate governmental efforts to prevent and manage introductions of aquatic nuisance species in the United States with those of the private sector and other North American interests. The MRBP project area includes the entire Mississippi River Basin, the largest watershed in the nation, covering 1.25 million square miles, and draining 41% of the continental United States. USGS scientist Duane Chapman and Center Director Rip Shively, both of the Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, will present and attend, respectively. Chapman's presentation will include USGS activities with grass and black carp.
(Contact: Duane Chapman, 573-876-1866
dchapman@usgs.gov )
-
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Atrazine Reduces Reproduction in Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes)
New Publication:
Atrazine Reduces Reproduction in Japanese Medaka (
Oryzias latipes)
Abstract: Atrazine is an effective broadleaf herbicide and the second most heavily used herbicide in the United States. Effects along the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonad axis in a number of vertebrate taxa have been demonstrated. Seasonally elevated concentrations of atrazine in surface waters may adversely affect fishes, but only a few studies have examined reproductive effects of this chemical. The present study was designed to evaluate a population endpoint (egg production) in conjunction with histological (reproductive stage, gonad pathology) and biochemical (aromatase activity, sex hormone production) phenotypes associated with atrazine exposure in Japanese medaka. Adult virgin breeding groups of one male and four females were exposed to nominal concentrations of 0, 0.5, 5.0, and 50 μg/L (0, 2.3, 23.2, 231 nM) of atrazine in a flow-through diluter for 14 or 38 days. Total egg production was lower (36–42%) in all atrazine-exposed groups as compared to the controls. The decreases in cumulative egg production of atrazine-treated fish were significant by exposure day 24. Reductions in total egg production in atrazine treatment groups were most attributable to a reduced number of eggs ovulated by females in atrazine-treated tanks. Additionally, males exposed to atrazine had a greater number of abnormal germ cells. There was no effect of atrazine on gonadosomatic index, aromatase protein, or whole body 17 β-estradiol or testosterone. Our results suggest that atrazine reduces egg production through alteration of final maturation of oocytes. The reduced egg production observed in this study was very similar to our previously reported results for fathead minnow. This study provides further information with which to evaluate atrazine's risk to fish populations.
(Contact: Diana Papoulias, 573-999-1788
dpapoulias@usgs.gov )
-
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
USGS 2013 Publication Receives High Honors
The 2013 publication, “Toxicity of Sediments Potentially Contaminated by Coal Mining and Natural Gas Extraction to Unionid Mussels and Commonly Tested Benthic Invertebrates,” by Dr. Ning Wang et al. of the Columbia Environmental Research Center, was awarded the designation "Exceptional" and ranked in the top five for the year, from the Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (ET&C) journal for the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC). This award was just announced in the SETAC July 2014 issue of ET&C.
Citation: Wang, N., Ingersoll, C.G., Kunz, J.L., Brumbaugh, W.G., Kane, C.M., Evans, R.B., Alexander, S., Walker, C., and Bakaletz, S. 2013. Toxicity of sediments potentially contaminated by coal mining and natural gas extraction to unionid mussels and commonly tested benthic invertebrates. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 32(1):207-221
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/etc.2032
(Contact: Ning Wang, 573-441-2946
nwang@usgs.gov )
-
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
USGS Rare Plant Survey for Park Service
Recently featured on the Manassas National Battlefield Park page in Facebook are USGS scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, conducting a floral survey as part of the National Resource Preservation Program (NRPP), with the US National Park Service. This plant inventory along Bull Run will provide the Park critical information on rare and endangered plants found within the area, specifically cliff micro-habitats. The USGS scientists featured include: Dr. Esther Stroh, Keith Grabner and Matt Struckhoff.
The Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/manassasbattlefield/posts/806878419329858
(Contact: Esther Stroh, 573-441-2944
estroh@usgs.gov )
-
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Binational Risk Assessment Asian Carp Scoping Meeting
On June 10-11, in Cleveland, OH, Duane Chapman, USGS CERC scientist, and Rip Shively, CERC Center Director, will attend the Grass Carp Binational Risk Assessment for the Great Lakes scoping meeting with others from the USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (the GLFC was established in 1955 by the Canadian and U.S. Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries). Duane Chapman is the U.S. science lead, so appointed by the Canada DFO and the GLFC. (Contact: Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO at
dchapman@usgs.gov or 573-876-1866)
-
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
CERC Continues Its Notable Research Seminar Series
In the ongoing seminar series by researchers at the Columbia Environmental Research Center in Columbia, MO, on June 4, Dr. Ramji Bhandari and Dr. Paul Peterman gave talks on “Transgenerational Inheritance of Environmentally Induced Phenotypes” and “Tell Tale Toenails: What’s Inside You and Your Pet Cat”, respectively. This monthly seminar series is open to all interested people. The next seminars scheduled for July 2, will be: "Development of a Chemical Control Strategy for Invasive Crayfish at Blind Pony Hatchery, Missouri" and “Asian Carp Ecology of the South Dakota Great Plains,” given by Ann Allert and Dr. Cari-Ann Hayer, respectively. (Contact: Holly Puglis, Columbia, MO at
hpuglis@usgs.gov or 573-441-2986)
-
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Specialty in Asian Carp Brings Scientist Unexpected Fame
On May 19, Duane Chapman, USGS scientist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center, was featured in a news article on the front page, above the fold, of the Columbia Missourian, Columbia, MO. The article is entitled, "Specialty in Asian Carp Brings Scientist Unexpected Fame," by Carolin Lehmann, and is available at
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/a/173572/specialty-in-asian-carp-brings-scientist-unexpected-fame/.
-
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Trends in Occurrence of Emerging and Legacy Contaminants in the Lower Columbia River
Spatial and Temporal Trends in Occurrence of Emerging and Legacy Contaminants in the Lower Columbia River 2008–2010
David Alverez et al. in the journal Science of the Total Environment 484:322-330, Special Section: Foodweb Transfer, Sediment Transport, and Biological Effects of Emerging and Legacy Organic Contaminants in the Lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, USA
The Lower Columbia River in Oregon and Washington, USA, is an important resource for aquatic and terrestrial organisms, agriculture, and commerce. An 86-mile stretch of the river was sampled over a 3 year period in order to determine the spatial and temporal trends in the occurrence and concentration of water-borne organic contaminants. Sampling occurred at 10 sites along this stretch and at 1 site on the Willamette River using the semipermeable membrane device (SPMD) and the polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) passive samplers. Contaminant profiles followed the predicted trends of lower numbers of detections and associated concentrations in the rural areas to higher numbers and concentrations at the more urbanized sites. Industrial chemicals, plasticizers, and PAHs were present at the highest concentrations. Differences in concentrations between sampling periods were related to the amount of rainfall during the sampling period. In general, water concentrations of wastewater-related contaminants decreased and concentrations of legacy contaminants slightly increased with increasing rainfall amounts.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.07.128
USGS Press Release: Potentially Harmful Levels of Contaminants Found in Fish in the Columbia River
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3878
-
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Edward R. Murrow Award
On April 22, 2014 the Radio Television Digital News Association announced the 2014 recipients of the prestigious Edward R. Murrow regional awards. The RTDNA's announcement says "the awards recognize the best electronic journalism produced by radio, television and online news organizations around the world." "RTDNA is proud to be able to honor the best of local broadcast and digital journalism with these prestigious awards while honoring the legacy of Edward R. Murrow." RTDNA Chairman Chris Carl KBIA is proud to receive three awards in the categories of Continuing Coverage, Feature Reporting, and Website. For Continuing Coverage, Abbie Fentress Swanson's coverage of Agricultural Runoff was honored.
http://kbia.org/post/scientists-check-corn-belt-waters-effects-ag-runoff
-
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Chinese Market Could Help Rid Midwest Rivers of Asian Carp
-
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Dust Suppressant Research
USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center USGS-CERC) scientist, Dr. Bethany Kunz, was featured in a story on road dust suppressant chemicals research based at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in north central Texas, near Sherman <
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/hagerman/>. The article entitled, "Hagerman Refuge, USGS Lead the Way on Dust Suppression," appears in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge Update, the March/April 2014 (Vol 11, No 2) issue, written by Bill O'Brian <
http://on.doi.gov/1i9Yyo1>. There are approximately 150 road dust control products of various chemical compositions on the market with few studies conducted on their environmental safety. To address this knowledge gap, the USGS-CERC has partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to evaluate the environmental safety of dust suppressants in both laboratory and field tests. (Contact: Bethany Kunz, Columbia, MO 573-441-2998)
-
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
USGS-CERC Publication Selected as Top 5
USGS-CERC Publication Selected as Top 5: The publication, “Toxicity of Sediments Potentially Contaminated by Coal Mining and Natural Gas Extraction to Unionid Mussels and Commonly Tested Benthic Invertebrates,” by Dr. Ning Wang et al. of the Columbia Environmental Research Center, was selected in the Top 5 articles out of 350 for 2013, from the Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (ET&C) journal for the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC). In the upcoming SETAC July 2014 issue of ET&C, the Best Paper Award will be announced from the Top 5.
Citation: Wang, N., Ingersoll, C.G., Kunz, J.L., Brumbaugh, W.G., Kane, C.M., Evans, R.B., Alexander, S., Walker, C., and Bakaletz, S. 2013. Toxicity of sediments potentially contaminated by coal mining and natural gas extraction to unionid mussels and commonly tested benthic invertebrates. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 32(1): 207-221
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/etc.2032
-
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Invasive Carp Webex
On February 14, Duane Chapman, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center, will conduct a Webex for the Nebraska Invasive Species Council. The Webex is entitled, "Asian Carp Biology and Effects and Current Efforts." The Nebraska Invasive Species Council is an advisory group that coordinates invasive species management and research across the state for the prevention and detection of invasive plant and animal species. (Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO
dchapman@usgs.gov 573-876-1866)
-
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Videos Show Fish Swimming Through Barrier Meant to Stop Asian Carp
Duane Chapman, USGS scientist, was quoted on February 8 in a news article for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, written by Dan Egan, entitled "Videos Show Fish Swimming Through Barrier Meant to Stop Asian Carp. 'Specimens of Asian carp have been picked up in nets 15 miles below the barrier, though no juvenile Asian carp have been found within about 80 miles of those adult finds, said U.S. Geological Survey biologist Duane Chapman. Yet there is evidence the fish are on the move; research released last summer showed that Asian carp were spawning 25 miles from the barrier — about 100 miles closer than biologists believed. Chapman said that doesn't mean juvenile Asian carp are in that area, because river currents push freshly hatched, eyelash-sized fish back downstream. But he isn't sure. "I worry that we could get spawning and survival of eggs and larvae to the juvenile stages farther upstream" than existing known populations, he said. "But so far there is no evidence of it, and there are a lot of people looking." This article is available at:
http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/videos-show-fish-swimming-through-barrier-meant-to-stop-asian-carp-b99198591z1-244565641.html
-
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Vietnamese Scientists Show Interest in Science Collaboration with USGS-CERC
On January 6, at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), two visiting scientists from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam toured the facility and through discussions expressed interest in developing collaboration for research and scientist exchanges with CERC. Mr. Ngyen Gia Lap, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology of Ha Noi, and Dr. Ca, Science and Technology of Vietnam for the Embassy in Washington DC, gave an overview of the Mekong River Basin regarding hydropower, climate change, biodiversity, and water supply and quality. (Contact: Carl Orazio, Columbia, MO 573-876-1823)
-
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
-
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
World Leader in Chemical and Metal Sampling
On December 8, scientists from the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center were featured in an article by the Columbia Missourian by reporter Andrew Brown, Columbia, MO, detailing the development, patent and use of contaminant passive samplers, which are now used worldwide. The article introduction is available at:
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/m/49959/usgs-researcher-checks-apparatus/ (the full article is available only for subscribers).
-
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
American Geophysical Union
Scientists from the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center will present endangered and invasive species research findings at the American Geophysical Union 46th annual fall meeting in San Francisco, California, from December 9-13. The presentations include: “Landscape-scale Habitat Templates and Life Histories of Endangered and Invasive Fish Species in Large Rivers of the Mid-Continent USA”, “The Influence of Flow Regime and Channel Morphology on Larval Drift and Dispersion in a Large Regulated River", “Remote-sensing of Riverine Environments Utilized by Spawning Pallid Sturgeon Using a Suite of Hydroacoustic Tools and High-resolution DEMs”, and “Long Term Dynamics of Interior Least Tern Sandbar Habitat: Landsat’s Contribution to a Metapopulation Ecological Model.” Information on this conference is available at:
http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2013/ Contact: Robert Jacobson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1844
-
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Russian Scientist to Visit USGS Research Center
From November 24 thru December 7, Mikhail Malin of the Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Borok, Yaroslavl, Russia, will visit the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC). Sponsored by Yaroslavl Expeditions, Malin will continue his science exchange with CERC scientists collaborating on fisheries of large rivers (Volga, Missouri and Mississippi), with emphasis on endangered sturgeon and invasive carp. Contact: Aaron DeLonay, Columbia, MO 573-876-1878
-
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
USGS Presenting at SETAC North America
In Nashville, TN, from November 17-21, at the 34th annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), USGS scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center will present research findings on contaminant topics including: freshwater mollusk toxicity test development and toxicity data in reference to national Water Quality Criteria, legacy contaminants and contaminants of emerging concern in the Great Lakes basin, Great Lakes lake sturgeon health assessment, uranium ecotoxicity risk near the Grand Canyon, sediment toxicology, amphibian chloride sensitivity, fungicide toxicity, Upper Columbia River white sturgeon toxicity responses, and sensitivity of new test organisms <
http://nashville.setac.org/>. (Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1875)
-
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Russian Scientist Learning Sediment Toxicity Testing
For the week of October 28, Dr. Nadezhda Stepanova, Professor of Biology at the Kazan Federal University of Kazan, Russia at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka Rivers, is learning how to setup and conduct freshwater sediment toxicity tests from scientists at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center in Columbia, MO. Dr. Stepanova will take the contaminant testing knowledge back to the region of Tyumen in Siberia, a large commercial and industrial complex where gas and oil extraction is predominant. (Marcia K Nelson Columbia, MO 573-876-1875)
-
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
USGS Scientist Training Florida DEP
Technical aspects of contaminant passive samplers, their proper use and data interpretation are the topics of a training webex to be conducted on October 31 by USGS scientist Dr. David Alvarez for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). This training is in preparation for a new monitoring effort for legacy and emerging organic contaminants by the Florida DEP, utilizing the semipermeable membrane device (SPMD) and polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) that were invented and patented by the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center and now used worldwide.
-
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Invasive Carp Research Presentations
On October 8-9, USGS scientist Duane Chapman will present invasive carp research findings at the University of Minnesota - St. Paul for the
Freshwater Society, a graduate seminar, and at a meeting with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. (Contact: Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO 573-876-1866)
-
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Study: Few Asian Carp Needed to Establish Foothold
-
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
USGS Research Featured on CBC-TV
In Canada, "The Nature of Things" with David Suzuki opens its season with "Carpe Diem: A Fishy Tale", a film about invasive carp featuring USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center research, produced by Rock Yenta Productions for CBC-TV. View the promotion at:
http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/episode/carpe-diem-a-fishy-story.html (Contact: Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1875)
-
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
USGS Presenting Research at National AFS Meeting
On September 8-12, USGS scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center will present research findings at the national American Fisheries Society (AFS) meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas <
http://afs2013.com/>. Topics to be presented include: controlling invasive carp with chemical stimuli; using environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool for species detection; sturgeon migration and spawning in the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers; large-river alteration and restoration; genetic tagging, parental genotype and spatial examination of endangered pallid sturgeon genetics from previous stocking programs in the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. (Contact: Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1875)
-
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
New Ammonia WQC Value
Sensitivity of freshwater mussels to ammonia resulted in lowering the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) National Water-Quality Criteria (WQC), now a national recommendation for the protection of aquatic life. Approximately 10 percent of native North American freshwater mussels and snails have become extinct in historical times, and about half of the remaining 900 species are of conservation concern. Presently, 100 freshwater mollusk species are listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as threatened or endangered. Factors that contributed to these declines include habitat alteration, invasive species, over-utilization, disease, predation and contaminants. The USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center, in cooperation with the USEPA, USFWS, academia and private industry developed the first American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard method for conducting toxicity tests with freshwater mussels <
http://www.astm.org/Standards/E2455.htm>. USGS toxicologists used the ASTM methods and found that mussels are frequently more sensitive to ammonia or metals, including copper, than the standard test organisms. This is noteworthy because ammonia is the most ubiquitous toxic chemical in U.S. surface waters. Consequently, USEPA used the mussel toxicity data to update the National WQC for ammonia, lowering the chronic criterion by over two fold. The WQC document for ammonia is available at: <
http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/criteria/aqlife/ammonia/index.cfm>. (Chris Ingersoll, Columbia, MO 573-876-1819)
-
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Obama Administration's $50M Asian Carp Plan Doesn't Separate Waterways
-
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Mississippi-Yangtze Eco Partnership
In 2012, The Nature Conservancy and the Yangtze River Basin Fisheries Resource Management Commission established a partnership to promote an exchange on conservation and management of the Mississippi and the Yangtze River Basins. On July 15, USGS scientist Duane Chapman participated in a conference call with the Chinese partnership delegation and The Nature Conservancy discussing a potential collaborative science exchange regarding research and monitoring of invasive Asian carp. Within this partnership, one objective is to jointly explore a new cooperation model of dealing with exotic invasive species, and to promote the improvement of invasive species management of the Mississippi and the Yangtze River Basins. (Contact: Duane Chapman Columbia, MO 573-876-1866)
-
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
USGS Carp Webinar for the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee
On July 30, USGS scientist Duane Chapman will conduct a webinar to present information on the current status of invasive carp in the Missouri River to the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC) <
http://moriverrecovery.usace.army.mil/mrrp/f?p=136:3:0::NO:::>. MRRIC provides a basin-wide collaborative forum for a shared vision and comprehensive plan for Missouri River recovery, whose members represent a wide array of local, state, tribal and federal interests throughout the Basin. Also, MRRIC has stakeholder members who represent 16 non-governmental categories. (Contact: Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO 573-876-1866)
-
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Human Hormones Hamper Aquatic Wildlife
On July 5, an interview with Dr. Diana Papoulias, USGS scientist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center, was broadcast on KOMU-TV Columbia, MO, "Human Hormones Hamper Aquatic Wildlife" <
http://www.komu.com/news/enterprise-human-hormones-hamper-aquatic-wildlife/>. 'Researchers at the United State Geological Survey (USGS) in Columbia are conducting tests on Missouri fish to measure the levels of human hormones in Missouri's waterways. The USGS is testing to see if there is a rise in intersex characteristics in sturgeon. Those characteristics refer to a developmental abnormality where there are both male and female reproductive organs in a fish.'
-
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Invasive Carp Commercial HarvestHighlight
The Mississippi River Basin Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species (MRBP), hosted by the Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association (MICRA), will convene on July 23 in Columbus, OH, a forum to discuss the potential for commercial harvest of invasive carp as an effective tool reducing populations in the Mississippi River Basin. Duane Chapman, USGS scientist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center is the lead speaker for this forum. (Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO 573-876-1866)
-
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
What Is Farm Runoff Doing to the Water? Scientists Wade In
On July 5, Dr. Diana Papoulias, USGS scientist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center, was featured in a broadcast on NPR All Things Considered, "What Is Farm Runoff Doing to the Water? Scientists Wade In" <
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/07/09/199095108/Whats-In-The-Water-Searching-Midwest-Streams-For-Crop-Runoff>. 'Scientists want to get a better sense of how all that agricultural runoff is affecting water quality. So this summer, three dozen scientists from the EPA and U.S. Geological Survey are wading into some 100 streams, from Ohio to Nebraska. Their mission: Test for hundreds of pesticides and nutrients used in farming, and check for possible effects on what's living in the streams.'
-
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Missouri River Chemicals of Concern
On July 9, as part of the Big Muddy Speaker Series, USGS scientist Diana Papoulias will give a presentation entitled, Chemicals of Concern in the Missouri River and Their Effect on Fish. This public, monthly speaker series, which addresses Missouri River ecology, history and biology, is sponsored by the non-profit Missouri River Relief <
http://www.riverrelief.org/>.
-
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Novus Scholars from China to Visit USGS Science Center
On July 2, Novus Scholars from China will tour the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, students of agriculture with an interest in environmental research on contaminants and their effects to non-target organisms. Novus Scholars is a part of Novus International, whose scientific roots and history originate in the 1950's when St. Louis, Missouri-based Monsanto Company began conducting livestock and poultry feed metabolism studies <
http://www.novusint.com/>. (Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1875)
-
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Scientists Check Corn Belt Waters for Effects of Ag Runoff
On June 17, scientists from the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) were featured in a radio and online news story by Abbie Fentress Swanson entitled, "Scientists Check Corn Belt Waters for Effects of Ag Runoff", produced by Harvest Public Media of KBIA National Public Radio in Columbia, MO. The CERC, in cooperation with the USGS National Water Quality Assessment program, are investigating the effects and presence of aquatic endocrine disruptive agriculture contaminants. The online story and audio are accessible at: <
http://harvestpublicmedia.org/article/scientists-check-corn-belt-waters-effects-ag-runoff>.
-
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Governors Met to Discuss Threat of Asian Carp
USGS scientist Duane Chapman was featured in a radio news story by Michigan Public Radio on June 3, regarding invasive carp entry into the Great Lakes. On June 1-2, the Council of Great Lakes Governors met to discuss economic cooperation and harmonizing plans to deal with invasive carp problems. Chapman was called to give comment on carp eDNA found in the Lakes, what is known about these invasives and their potential to survive once inside. Listen to the story at:
http://www.michiganradio.org/post/governors-meet-discuss-threat-asian-carp
-
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Louisiana Chef's Solution To Asian Carp Invasion - Eat Them!
-
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Aquatic Invasive Species International Conference
On April 21-25 in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, USGS scientist Duane Chapman will present, "Assessment of Non-Planktonic Food Sources for Bigheaded Carps in the Laurentian Great Lakes," at the 18th International Conference on Aquatic and Invasive Species. This conference is considered the most comprehensive forum on aquatic invasive species providing opportunities for international cooperation and collaboration addressing issues with a global perspective. (Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO 573-876-1866)
-
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Invasive Carp Spawning
-
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Warmwater Pay Lakes for Fishing
On March 26, USGS scientist Duane Chapman will present a webex on aquatic nuisance species for the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership <
http://southeastaquatics.net/>, a collaboration of natural resource and science agencies, private interests and conservation organizations across the southeast U.S. The topic is fee fishing lakes as vectors for nuisance and invasive species as a result of the varied business models used. Likely organisms to be introduced include invasive fishes, invertebrates, plants and pathogens, with potential for serious harm to the environment and economy.
-
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
USGS Scientist to Give Plenary Talk
A joint meeting with Ohio and West Virginia Chapters of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) convenes at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, on February 19-21. USGS scientist Duane Chapman, Columbia Environmental Research Center, will give a plenary talk at this conference about invasive carp in the U.S., "A Pragmatic Discussion of the Asian Carp Invasion." The meeting announcement is available at <
http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~ocafs/2013AFS_MeetingAnnouncement.pdf>. (Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO 573-876-1866)
-
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Asian Carp eDNA Science Meeting
On January 23-24, scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) will present research findings at the Asian Carp eDNA Science Meeting in Chicago, IL, sponsored by the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ACRCC) <
http://www.asiancarp.us/index.htm>. This meeting is to facilitate open discussion about the science and application of eDNA and review lessons learned to identify future direction with regards to the utilization of eDNA as a monitoring tool. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is the genetic material of an organism that is found in the environment, released in the form of secretions, feces and urine. eDNA testing is useful as a potential early indicator of Asian carp presence, however, there remain many uncertainties about what a positive eDNA sample indicates. (Marcia Kelly Nelson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1875)
-
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
USGS Scientists Rank Well in Top 100 List
In a list of the top 100 cited papers for the journal of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (ET&C), since its beginning in 1982, of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) either authored (3) or co-authored (1) four of these 100 highly visible contaminant science papers; each CERC paper was cited between 119-225 times. The topical areas these papers cover include: occurrence, causes, and significance of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the environment; chemical and biological approaches for assessing the effects of effluent or sediment-associated contaminants; advances in risk assessment practices; and detecting and evaluating contaminants of historical and emerging concern. The scientists from CERC are: Dr. David Alvarez, Dr. Donald Tillitt, Dr. Edward Little and Susan Finger. This Top 100 List is available at: <
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.2053/full>. (Marcia Kelly Nelson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1875)
-
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Asian Carp Perilously Close to Invading the Great Lakes
"Asian Carp Perilously Close to Invading the Great Lakes: Five States Lose Battle to Build a Carp Barrier," by Alison Fairbrother, published online by TakePart on December 7 , features USGS scientist Duane Chapman discussing USGS invasive bigheaded carp research and issues about barriers preventing these invasives entry into the Great Lakes. The entire article is available at: <
http://bit.ly/SW9LuV>.
-
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
USGS Presents at Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference
On December 9-12, in Wichita, KS, USGS scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center will present results of fish research on invasive and declining species, bigheaded carps and shovelnose sturgeon, respectively, at the 73rd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Results from studies show that bigheaded carps are adaptive invaders that do feed on alternative foods when planktonic choices are limited. Using discrete choice models to aid in recovery efforts for the shovelnose sturgeon in the lower Missouri River, investigation of its resource selection revealed important key habitat characteristics for the critical reproductive season. Conference details are available at <
http://www.midwestfw.org/index.html>. (Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1875)
-
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
USGS Science Advisory to Platte River Recovery
On December 4-5, in Denver, CO, USGS scientist Dr. Robert Jacobson will brief the Governance Committee of the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program (PRRIP) <
https://platteriverprogram.org/AboutPRRIP/Pages/ProgramInformation.aspx>. As a member of the PRRIP Independent Science Advisory Committee, Dr. Jacobson will discuss approaches to developing alternative flow recommendations. (Robert Jacobson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1844)
-
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
USGS Interaction with French Science and Technology Institute
On November 26-28 at the USGS National Center, three scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center will meet with scientists from the IRSTEA of France (National Research Institute of Science and Technology for Environment and Agriculture) <
http://www.irstea.fr/en/home-page> to discuss environmental contaminant research including: sediment toxicology, passive samplers, natural resource restoration and ecological risk assessment. Those participating are: Dr. David Alvarez, Dr. Bethany Williams and Dr. Chris Ingersoll. In addition, discussions will proceed to find common interests for future collaboration and what next steps to take. (David Alvarez, Columbia, MO 573-441-2970)
-
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
USGS Scientists Present Environmental Health Research
In Long Beach, CA, from November 11-15, at the 33nd annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), USGS scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center will present research findings on several contaminant topics including: endocrine disruption, special symposium on contaminants of emerging concern, uranium ecotoxicity risk, sediment toxicology, fish health, and inorganic atmospheric pollutants <
http://longbeach.setac.org/>. (Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1875)
-
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Selenga River Watershed and Lake Baikal International Workshop
USGS research chemist Dr. William Brumbaugh is invited to participate in an international workshop, “Bringing Together Selenga-Baikal Research”, in Geneva, Switzerland, on October 31. Dr. Brumbaugh's presentation entitled, “Survey of Water Quality and Metal Contaminants in the Selenga River Basin, August 2010, Mongolia", discusses results from studies conducted in collaboration with scientists from the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center, the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Mongolia Academy of Sciences. The workshop is sponsored by the Faculty of Geography - Lomonosov Moscow State University, the Fund for Protection of Lake Baikal, the Centre International de l’Université d’Etat de Moscou, and the Russian Geographical Society. (William Brumbaugh, Columbia, MO 573-876-1857)
-
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Chilean Scientist Collaborates with USGS
From October 15 to 26, through an International Atomic Energy Association fellowship, Carlos Enrique Valdovinos of the University de Mayor, Santiago, Chile, will train at the Columbia Environmental Research Center learning ecotoxicological techniques to detect persistent organic contaminants, heavy metals and pesticides in fish, crustaceans and mollusks. Evaluation and assessment of the toxic effects of these contaminants in seafood species, both at the individual level and at the population level will also be addressed, with application of these techniques to biomonitoring seafood contaminants. (Donald Tillitt, Columbia, MO 573-876-1886)
-
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
USGS Scientist Awarded DOI Citation for Meritorious Service
In recognition of her exceptional leadership and accomplishments in natural resources for the USGS, Susan Finger of the Columbia Environmental Research Center was awarded the DOI Citation for Meritorious Service. Susan has demonstrated outstanding capabilities as a leader in ecological effects of contaminated resources and the associated damages, and serves as the Federal interagency liaison for the DOI Natural Resources Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) Program. (Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1875)
-
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
USGS Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Science Facility
On October 17, at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), a ribbon-cutting ceremony will occur to dedicate a new state-of-the-art science research building. This building will be dedicated to Dr. Richard A. Schoettger (1932-1995) former CERC Center Director. Dr. Marcia McNutt, USGS Director, will speak at the ceremony and participate in the ribbon-cutting prior to opening the building for tours and discussions of CERC research. (Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1875)
-
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
USGS Scientist Speaks to Academy of Science-St. Louis
Co-sponsored by the Academy of Science-St. Louis <
http://academyofsciencestl.org/> and the St. Louis Zoo <
http://www.stlzoo.org/>, USGS scientist Dr. Diana Papoulias, on October 10, will present a seminar in their Science Seminar Series. The topic is how environmental chemicals affect the health of fish and their ability to reproduce, e.g., the intersex condition, sentinels alerting society to the adverse consequences of historic and contemporary use of chemicals. (Diana Papoulias, Columbia, MO 573-876-1902)
-
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Carpe Diem: A Fishy Tale
On September 26-28, Charlotte Engel and Rock Yenta Productions, Inc., of Toronto <
http://www.rockyenta.com/>, was at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center filming a television production for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). The focus of this documentary is on the critical issues of invasive carps in the U.S., now nearing entry to the Great Lakes, and features principal research investigators Duane Chapman and Dr. Edward Little. The production is entitled, "Carpe Diem: A Fishy Tale," in association with CBC's popular and informative, "The Nature of Things" with David Suzuki <
http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/>. This documentary is to air in September 2013 when the new CBC television season begins.
-
Monday, September 17, 2012
Pallids in Purgatory
"Pallids in Purgatory", published by High Country News, features USGS scientist Dr. Patrick Braaten, research fish biologist, and Dave Fuller, fisheries technician, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The article begins with, "On the overworked Missouri River, scientists search for signs that pallid sturgeon haven't reached the end of their time." The research High Country News reports on encompasses the Upper Missouri River and the lower reaches of the Yellowstone River, with focus on the endangered pallid sturgeon and its discovered failure for young to survive. Something is happening between reproduction and the rest of their lifespan. The article is available through subscription at <
http://www.hcn.org/hcn/issues/44.16/can-pallid-sturgeon-hang-on-in-the-overworked-missouri-river>.
-
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Asian Carp and the Great Lakes: What If the Carp Make a Home Here?
On September 13, a public radio interview with USGS scientist Duane Chapman was broadcast by Michigan Radio, part of the National Public Radio digital network, 91.7 FM, Ann Arbor/Detroit, and 104.1 FM West Michigan, for the program, The Environment Report. The interview is entitled, "Asian Carp and the Great Lakes: What If the Carp Make a Home Here?", where Chapman speaks of the risk and probability that invasive bigheaded carps establish populations in the Great Lakes. This interview is available at: <
http://www.michiganradio.org/post/asian-carp-great-lakes-what-if-carp-make-home-here-part-4>.
-
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Feminized Fish: A Side Effect of Emerging Contaminants
On September 13, a public radio interview with USGS scientist Dr. Donald Tillitt was broadcast by EarthFix, KUOW, 94.9 FM, a public media project of Oregon Public Broadcasting and Boise State Public Radio, Idaho Public Television, KCTS 9 Seattle, KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio, Northwest Public Radio and Television, Southern Oregon Public Television and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The interview concerned "Feminized Fish: A Side Effect of Emerging Contaminants", in which Dr. Tillitt speaks to the issue of the intersex condition found in smallmouth bass across the U.S., from endocrine disrupting contaminants in waste water and other sources. Access to this interview is at: <
http://earthfix.kuow.org/water/article/clean-water-the-next-act-emerging-contaminants-fem/>.
-
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Michigan Public Radio
-
Thursday, August 30, 2012
USGS Conducts International Passive Sampling Workshop
In cooperation with the Institute of Public Health, Ostrava, Czech Republic, and the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center, the 5th International Passive Sampling Workshop, and training, will convene in Columbia, MO, on September 11-14. The meeting focus and training is on the use of in situ passive samplers for environmental contaminant monitoring and risk assessment. With the continued maturation of passive sampling techniques and their application, this meeting offers unique discussions regarding specific practical uses, in addition to topics related to approaches for data evaluation and use in regulatory monitoring. Workshop information is available at <
http://ipsw.eu/2012/>. (David Alvarez, Columbia, MO 573-441-2970)
-
Thursday, August 30, 2012
USGS Continues Science Exchange with Russia
USGS scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center will travel to the Russian Academy of Science's Institute for Biology of Inland Waters in Borok, Russia, from September 4-16. The scientists will participate in a science and technology exchange program that began between the two research centers in the 1970's. During this visit, collaborative research in the areas of aquatic toxicology, environmental chemistry, fish ecology and riparian vegetation community structure will be conducted. This long-standing science exchange program provides an excellent forum to share research approaches concerning the effects and extent of environmental contamination, as well as concepts in aquatic ecology important to managing fisheries resources. (Diana Papoulias, Columbia, MO 573-876-1902)
-
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Deep Trouble by Dan Egan
-
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Russian Academy Scientist Visits USGS Research Center
On August 27-29, Dr. Andrey Reshetnikov of the Ecology and Evolution Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, will visit the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, to collaborate and exchange information on invasive fish research and investigation techniques. During his visit, Dr. Reshetnikov will present a seminar entitled, "Expansion of the Invasive Fish, Perccottus glenii: The Past, The Present and The Future", details of an invasive fish in Lake Baikal, Baltic, Black Sea, Caspian Sea and White Sea Basins . (Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO 573-876-1866)
-
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Invasive Carp Research
On August 21 and again on August 22, USGS scientist Duane Chapman was quoted in newspaper articles regarding invasive carp research, their biology and issues concerning the current spread throughout the surface waters of the Mississippi River Basin. The articles are: "High-Tech Hunt for Asian Carp Scientists Find DNA - and Controversy", in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel by Dan Egan; and "Biologists Refining Attack on Asian Carp" in the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, MN; accessible online, respectively: <
http://bit.ly/NfvBuH> and <
http://bit.ly/Q3xkms>.
-
Thursday, June 28, 2012
More Water Samples Show Asian Carp DNA in Chicago Canal System
-
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Contaminants Assessed In Mongolia That May Enter Lake Baikal, Russia
USGS scientist Dr. Donald Tillitt is invited to participate in a comprehensive evaluation of contaminants in the Selenga River Basin of Mongolia, a transboundary river system whose flow contributes nearly half of the water to Lake Baikal in Russia. The Russian Academy of Sciences, in conjunction with the Ministry of Nature and Environment of Mongolia, asked Dr. Tillitt of the Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, to assist in a contaminant evaluation and provide expertise designing the assessment studies. From June 17 - July 5, Dr. Tillitt will participate in this joint study of these two countries to evaluate contaminant pathways and effects on biota, providing better understanding of contaminant loads entering Lake Baikal. (Don Tillitt, Columbia, MO 573-876-1886)
-
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Endangered Desert Pupfish Relatively Tolerant of Selenium
The endangered desert pupfish, a small fish with broad adaptations to a harsh environment, once common in the southwest is now extirpated from the majority of its range. Through the years pupfish succumbed to habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as non-native fish invasives, but little is known about its sensitivity to environmental contaminants. Recent studies conducted by the USGS indicate that this rare species is relatively insensitive to selenium contamination, unlike other fish and wildlife, but do exhibit a drop in egg production to this well known contaminant in western agricultural irrigation drain waters. Results of these studies are now released in a USGS report entitled, "Bioaccumulation and Toxicity of Selenium During a Life-Cycle Exposure with Desert Pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius)", by Dr. John Besser et al., accessible at <
http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2012/5033/>. Conclusions indicate that additional studies are needed to determine the role of egg production in the maintenance and recovery of these pupfish populations. (John Besser, Columbia, MO 573-876-1818)
-
Monday, April 30, 2012
Flooding Disperses Invasive Plant, Fish Species
-
Thursday, April 12, 2012
The Battle Against Invasive Species Rages On
On April 5, in VOX Magazine of the Columbia Missourian newspaper in Columbia, MO, USGS scientists were featured in a story about invasive carp research and problems in the Missouri River and its tributaries. "The Battle Against Invasive Species Rages On" is available at <
http://www.voxmagazine.com/stories/2012/04/05/attack-killer-species/>.
-
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Stocking Endangered Pallid Sturgeon
Just released online for "early view" in the Journal of Applied Ichthyology, is a manuscript by USGS scientist Dr. Patrick Braaten, detailing the first assessment of natural growth and diet of young, endangered pallid sturgeon in the wild, pallids released as free embryos and larvae starting in 2004, in the upper Missouri River and the lower Yellowstone River. Results show growth through six years that may also be expected for naturally produced wild pallids under current habitat conditions in this region, an area that spans eastern Montana and western North Dakota. (Patrick Braaten, Glasgow, MT 406-526-3253)
-
Friday, March 9, 2012
The Big Muddy--What Have We Learned?
From March 13-16, scientists and stakeholders from around the U.S. will convene in Pierre, SD, for the 2012 Missouri River Natural Resources Committee Conference. Several scientists from the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center will present research findings including: endangered pallid sturgeon aging techniques of wild individuals, GIS mapping of genetic data for pallid stocking plans, effects of persistent organic pollutants to surrogate sturgeon embryos, and understanding pallid behavior and ecology through remote sensing using data storage tags. Information on this conference and presentation abstracts are available at <
http://mrnrc2012.com/>. (Aaron DeLonay, Columbia, MO 573-876-1878)
-
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Montana Water News
On January 29, USGS scientist, Dr. Patrick Braaten, was featured in the Montana Water News in an in-depth story on sturgeon and research conducted on the endangered pallid sturgeon. The Montana Water News is a publication of the Montana Water Center, a part of the Montana State University in Bozeman. This article is available at <
http://water.montana.edu/mwnewsletter/archives/newsletter_12_01.htm>.
-
Monday, January 23, 2012
Asian Carp Would Thrive in Lake Erie
On January 23, Duane Chapman was quoted in the Sandusky Register, OH, in an article entitled, "Asian Carp Would Thrive in Lake Erie". This news article is based on the January 5 publication in the Journal of Great Lakes Research, authored by USGS scientists P.M. Kocovsky, D.C. Chapman and J.E. McKenna, where invasive carp were examined as to whether they could successfully spawn in the rivers that feed into Lake Erie, taking into consideration whether the water is warm enough and other factors. This news article is available at <
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/news/2012/jan/22/fishstudy011811tjxml>. (Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO 573-876-1866).
-
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Palmyra Atoll Research Planning
The Palmyra Atoll Research Consortium (PARC) <
http://www.palmyraresearch.org/> convenes in Palo Alto, CA, for a January 12-13 research planning meeting. The USGS is an inaugural member of PARC, which includes Stanford University; The Scripps Research Institute; University of California, Santa Barbara; University of Hawaii, Manoa; American Museum of Natural History; and Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. The Nature Conservancy and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation act as advisors and partners to PARC. Dr. Carl Orazio, USGS environmental chemist, is co-chair of PARC and its Operations Committee. Research and operations of the USFWS Palmyra Atoll National Fish and Wildlife Refuge will be discussed. (Carl Orazio, Columbia, MO 573-876-1823)
-
Thursday, November 3, 2011
USGS Scientists Present Environmental Health Research
In Boston, MA, from November 14-17, at the 32nd annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, USGS scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center will present research findings on several contaminant topics including: endocrine disruption, emerging contaminants, metals toxicity, endangered species sensitivities, nitrogen pollution, sediment toxicology, fish health, persistent organic pollutants, remediation and ecological restoration <
http://boston.setac.org/>. (Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1875)
-
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Australian Scientist Collaborates with USGS
From October 31 to November 11, Dr. Roger Chong will visit the Columbia Environmental Research Center to interact with the biochemistry scientists about indicators of fish health, including histologic and molecular. Dr. Chong is from the government Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory in Queensland, Australia, working as the principal veterinary officer for aquatic animal biosecurity <
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/4790_2897.htm>. (Donald Tillitt, Columbia, MO 573-876-1886)
-
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Symposium on Quantifying Damage to the Gulf
As a result of the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico and the resulting oil spill, natural resource trustees—state and federal agencies—initiated a formal Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA). A symposium will convene on November 2-4, to discuss NRDA for the Gulf, at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD. USGS scientist Dr. David Alvarez will present the benefits and considerations related to use of passive samplers in these complex environmental situations. Details of the Gulf symposium are available at <
http://www.aqua.org/symposium-about.html>. (David Alvarez, Columbia, MO 573-441-2970)
-
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Russian Scientists Visit USGS Research Center
Beginning October 16, the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) will host five Russian scientists from the I.D. Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters (IBIW), Borok, Russia, of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The science exchange program between IBIW and CERC nears 40 continuous years, with senior, junior and student scientists participating. The Russian scientists in this two week exchange are involved in effects of contaminant exposure at the cellular level; genomic molecular techniques; factors affecting large river fish reproduction, movements and habitat use; and vegetation community classification and development. The IBIW is located in the Nekouz district of the Yaroslavl region, 400 km (~250 miles) north of Moscow <
http://ibiw.ru/>. (Diana Papoulias, Columbia, MO 573-876-1902)
-
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Invasive Carp Early Development
Now available online is the latest invasive carp USGS science investigations report entitled, "Developmental Rate and Behavior of Early Life Stages of Bighead Carp and Silver Carp". Understanding these factors is essential for development of models to evaluate risk that bigheaded carps could successfully use tributaries of the Laurentian Great Lakes for spawning and recruitment. <
http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2011/5076/pdf/sir2011-5076.pdf> (Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO 573-876-1866)
-
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Freshwater Mussel Sensitivity to Copper
Recently published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry is a critical manuscript about freshwater mussel sensitivity to copper and its relationship to the current Water Quality Criteria, regulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The paper entitled, "Influence of Dissolved Organic Carbon on Toxicity of Copper to a Unionid Mussel (Villosa iris) and a Cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia) in Acute and Chronic Water Exposures", authored by USGS scientist Dr. Ning Wang and colleagues, represents an efficacious cooperative effort between industry, academia and government, to better understand what factors are influencing the precipitous decline in freshwater mussel populations around the world, but markedly so in North America where diversity is the greatest. (Ning Wang, Columbia, MO 573-441-2946)
-
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Road Dust Suppressants, Are They Toxic?
Road dust consists of solid particulate matter from various sources and is produced by facilities or construction sites, among many others. Dust emissions are required by federal law to be controlled for the prevention of contamination or damage to humans and the environment. Although chemical dust control on unpaved roads is becoming increasingly popular, the toxicity of applied chemical dust suppressants is not fully understood. Dust suppressants may negatively affect roadside plants, wildlife and water quality. At the International Conference on Ecology and Transportation <
http://www.icoet.net/ICOET_2011/> in Seattle, WA, August 21-25, USGS scientist Dr. Bethany Williams will present findings on the potential toxicity of 15 dust suppressants studied under laboratory and field conditions. Results of these toxicity studies will ultimately aid road managers as they select effective and environmentally responsible dust control products. (Bethany Williams, Columbia, MO 573-441-2998)
-
Thursday, August 11, 2011
World Federation of Scientists
Dr. Donald Tillitt, USGS scientist, will give a plenary paper on "Contaminants of Emerging Concern: Agricultural Chemicals and the Adverse Health Effects on Freshwater Fish", at the 44th Erice International Seminars on Planetary Emergencies, World Federation of Scientists, in Erice, Sicily, August 19-25. "The Role of Science in the Third Millennium" is the umbrella title for workshops of this federation that will focus on climate, information security, energy, water and pollution, and energy and pollution. The goal for the workshop on water pollution, one of the identified planetary emergencies, is to bring world experts together to discuss the sources, effects and mitigation strategies of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in drinking water and wastewater. (Donald Tillitt, Columbia, MO 573-876-1886)
-
Friday, August 5, 2011
Asian Carp: Perhaps Not so Threatening to the Great Lakes After All?
-
Friday, August 5, 2011
Asian Carp: Perhaps Not So Threatening to the Great Lakes After All?
-
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Fishing for an Asian Carp Needle in a Haystack
-
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Cyanobacterial Toxins
Cyanobacteria is a phylum of bacteria (aka blue-green algae) that obtain their energy through photosynthesis and can be found in almost every conceivable environment. Some produce toxins, called cyanotoxins, which are toxic to the nervous system and liver, among other effects. To better understand linkages between cyanobacterial blooms, toxicity and human health impacts, a three-day science workshop is convening at Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME, on August 4-6 <
http://www.bowdoin.edu/earth-oceanographic-science/workshops/index.shtml>. USGS scientist Dr. Kathy Echols of the Columbia Environmental Research Center, will present findings on microcystins, a cyanobacterial liver toxin, and its effects on endangered suckers of Klamath Lake. (Kathy Echols, Columbia, MO 573-876-1838)
-
Sunday, July 17, 2011
The Truth About Asian Carp
-
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Invasive Carps vs. Laurentian Great Lakes
On July 19, in Chicago, IL, at the Coastal Zone 2011 Conference <
http://www.doi.gov/initiatives/CZ11/index.htm>, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center scientists, Duane Chapman and Dr. Karthik Masagounder, will present current research findings on multiple proposed factors that may limit or allow carp invasion, and results of a study evaluating a validation of a fish bioenergetics model where laboratory food consumption and growth rate of the invasive carps were applied. The Coastal Zone conferences are international, biennial events for government, academia, nonprofit organizations and industry to discuss issues facing our world's oceans, coasts and the Great Lakes. (Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO 573-876-1866)
-
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Scientist Questions Flood Benefits of Public Lands Along Missouri River
On July 05, USGS scientists Dr. Robb Jacobson and Carrie Elliot were featured in a news article from the Columbia Missourian entitled, "Scientist Questions Flood Benefits of Public Lands Along Missouri River". Public lands along the Missouri River don't soak up nearly as much floodwater as previously believed. At least that's the initial conclusion of Robb Jacobson, who has studied the river for two decades. The idea of publicly managed wetlands warding off big floods was "wishful thinking," he said, and couldn't be backed by science. "For large floods, unless we have a lot more of these flood plains and wetlands, it's unlikely they'll store a big enough volume to attenuate the flood," Jacobson said. "Locally, they'll have an effect. But systematically, they won't."
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/07/05/columbia-usgs-evaluates-effectiveness-public-land-reducing-flood-severity/
-
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Summer Food 4 Kids
From July 11-22, the USGS Columbia Environmental;l Research Center will conduct a food drive as part of the Feds Feed Families campaign. The donated food items will be given to the Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri. Summer months are critical to help the Food Bank, because children are not in school feeding programs during this time, the Food Bank provides food through "Summer Food 4 Kids". (Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1875)
-
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
World Sturgeon Conservation
From July 11-14, scientists from around the world will meet at Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia, for the international conference on sturgeon and paddlefish, with emphasis on these fishes recovery. Scientists from the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) will present recent findings on the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon of the lower Missouri River, from Gavins Point Dam, SD, to the confluence with the Mississippi River at St. Louis, MO. These findings include the most current information on the pallid's ecological requirements and reproductive ecology, and results of tracking migration pathways and spawning locations. Also presented is how the extensive amount of sturgeon data is managed by a relational database called SIMS (Sturgeon Information Management System), a central platform for all research cooperators and partners. The SIMS was developed at CERC by scientist Kimberly Chojnaki, so that rapid querying, charting and data mapping occurs to provide visualization of sturgeon movement and habitat use through space and near real-time. <
http://www.viu.ca/sturgeon/docs/NACWSCS2011NanaimoMeetingDraftAgenda.pdf> (Aaron DeLonay, Columbia, MO 573-876-1878)
-
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Invasive Asian Carps in North America
Just released as a special symposium publication, by the American Fisheries Society, is the book Invasive Asian Carps of North America, co-edited and co-authored by USGS scientist Duane Chapman of the Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO. This book examines the history, biology and status of Asian carps, reviews current research on control measures and factors influencing recruitment and spread, habitat requirements, diet overlap and potential competition between invasive carps and native fishes, and the use of pheromones as controls. ISBN: 978-1-934874-23-3 (Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO 573-876-1866)
-
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Mississippi Flooding May Have Spread Asian Carp
On June 10, the Associated Press released news featuring USGS CERC scientist Duane Chapman, which was entitled, "Mississippi Flooding May Have Spread Asian Carp." The following links are known news outlets that ran the story:
TIME.com
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2076901,00.html
Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, CA
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/06/10/3690989/mississippi-flooding-may-have.html
Washington Post, Washington, D.C.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/some-experts-fear-mississippi-river-flooding-may-have-spread-invasive-asian-carp-downstream/2011/06/10/AGhaucOH_story.html
Chicago Tribune, Chicago, IL
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chibrknews-mississippi-flooding-may-have-spread-asian-carp-20110610,0,5800481.story?track=rss
ABC 7 TV, Chicago, IL
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/national_world&id=8183527
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, MO
http://www.stltoday.com/news/state-and-regional/missouri/article_bfd30386-ba9e-511c-b37b-903e8b64cf8f.html
Times Union, Albany, NY
http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Mississippi-flooding-may-have-spread-invasive-fish-1418791.php
Bloomberg Businessweek.com
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9NP62P80.htm
LiveScience.com
http://www.livescience.com/14552-mississippi-flooding-asian-carp.html
Newsday.com
http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/mississippi-flooding-may-have-spread-invasive-fish-1.2946409
Daily Reporter, Greenfield, IN
http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/eafba05054994957b4ea30d9777b4d12/LA--River-Flooding-Asian-Carp/
GreenAnswers.com
http://greenanswers.com/news/244129/recent-mississippi-floods-disperse-asian-carp-new-areas
Boston Globe, Boston, MA
http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2011/06/11/floods_may_widen_spread_of_invasive_carp/
-
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Researchers: Western Lake Erie Could Support Growth of Asian Carp
-
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Record Precipitation, Reservoir Releases to Cause Missouri River Flooding
-
Thursday, May 19, 2011
HOOKED: Carp Invasion
Upcoming on May 27, 7:00pm (CDT), the National Geographic Channel (TV) will broadcast, "HOOKED: Carp Invasion". The Columbia Environmental Research Center filming occurred two years ago, featuring USGS scientist Duane Chapman, but is just now airing. Another showing will be on June 3, at 6:00pm (CDT). Details are available at: <
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/hooked/4261/Overview>.
-
Thursday, May 12, 2011
USGS to Present at PRIMO 16
The 2011 Pollutant Responses in Marine Organisms (PRIMO) conference <
http://www.visitlongbeach.com/primo>, it's 30-year anniversary, will be held in Long Beach, CA, on May 15-18. USGS scientist Diana Papoulias will present research findings on the effects of exposure of fish to estrogenic chemicals in long-term studies up to 18 months. Results indicate that feminization of males did not occur, a conundrum given that reproduction was expected to be affected and an intersex condition expressed. (Diana Papoulias, Columbia, MO 573-876-1902)
-
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Fish and Chips: Implanted Transmitters Help Map the Endangered Pallid Sturgeon
"Fish and Chips: Implanted Transmitters Help Map the Endangered Pallid Sturgeon," written by Kimberly Chojnacki and Aaron DeLonay, was published in GeoWorld magazine. The article features sturgeon research conducted at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, specifically tracking the endangered pallid sturgeon in the muddy Missouri River. This research is in cooperation with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The full article is available at: <
http://read.dmtmag.com/issue/29869>. (Kimberly Chojnacki, Columbia, MO 573-441-2990)
-
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Thoughts on Asian Carp with Duane Chapman, the 'Carp Guy'
In Outdoor News, USGS scientist Duane Chapman was featured in an article, "Thoughts on Asian Carp with Duane Chapman, the 'Carp Guy'". Excerpt: Duane Chapman, a USGS researcher, has devoted a solid portion of his career to studying the current effects and potential long-term impacts of Asian carp on places like Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes. This article is available at: <
http://outdoornews.com/asiancarp/pdf/pdf_652ab16c-772b-11e0-a30c-001cc4c03286.html>.
-
Thursday, May 5, 2011
USGS Participates in Network of Landscape Conservation Practitioners
USGS ecologist, Dr. Esther Stroh, is invited to participate in a Network of Practitioners for Large Landscape Conservation, sponsored by the Lincoln Institute for Land Policy in Cambridge, MA, from May 17-19. The select group, from around the U.S., will meet for the first time and represents scientists, resource managers, ranchers, and members of nonprofit organizations involved in some aspect of collaborative, landscape-level science or conservation. Dr. Stroh was selected because of her work in the Ozark Highlands and with the Ozark Partnership <
http://ozarks.cr.usgs.gov/>. The formation of this special group is a recommendation from a 2009 National Policy Dialogue, "Toward a National Landscape Conservation Strategy," available at <
http://www.lincolninst.edu/pubs/1808_Large-Landscape-Conservation>. (Esther Stroh, Columbia, MO 573-441-2944)
-
Thursday, May 5, 2011
USGS Scientist Named to a National Academy of Science Committee
Dr. Bethany Williams, USGS biologist, was recently appointed to the Ecology and Transportation Committee, National Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academy of Science. The TRB is one of six major divisions of the National Research Council— a private, nonprofit institution that is the principal operating agency of the National Academies in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The TRB conducts studies at the request of Congress, executive-branch federal agencies, the states, and other organizations on an array of complex and often controversial transportation topics of national significance. (Bethany Williams, Columbia, MO 573-441-2998)
-
Thursday, April 21, 2011
USGS to Meet With DOI NRDAR Director
The USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), Columbia, MO, on May 2-4, will host a visit by Steve Glomb, the Acting Director of the DOI Office of Restoration and Damage Assessment. This office oversees Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) cases across the nation. CERC coordinates USGS science support for these cases, including the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Steve Glomb will be discussing on-going studies as well as future DOI needs in restoration science. (Susan Finger, Columbia, MO 573-876-1850)
-
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Corps Acknowledges Fish Barrier Won't Repel All Asian Carp
On March 26, in the Journal Sentinel of Milwaukee, WI, USGS scientist Duane Chapman was quoted in an article by Dan Egan entitled, "Corps Acknowledges Fish Barrier Won't Repel All Asian Carp: Critics Push for Way to Keep Invaders from Great Lakes". This article about the invasive carp nearing entry to the Great Lakes is available at: <
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/118657619.html>.
-
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Monitoring Ecosystem Effects of Contaminants in the Great Lakes
On April 6-7 in Chicago, IL, at Region 5 EPA, sponsored by the International Joint Commission (IJC), is a strategy planning workshop for monitoring contaminants of emerging concern in the Great Lakes Basin, the earth's largest system of fresh water. The binational workshop attendees are from an IJC Multi-Board Work Group that includes Dr. Don Tillitt of the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center. The strategy developed will address contaminant exposure and ecological effects to the Great Lakes ecosystem from pollutants of multiple, dispersive and non-point sources. (Don Tillitt, Columbia, MO 573-876-1886)
-
Thursday, March 24, 2011
US/Mexico Border Climate Change Issues
On March 24th in Washington, D.C., Dr. Diana Papoulias, CERC research fish biologist, provided a presentation on USGS's global climate change activities along the US/Mexico border to the Good Neighbor Environment Board. The GNEB is a presidential advisory board of representatives from government, industry, and academia that provides an annual report on environmental issues affecting human communities in the borderlands. (Diana Papoulias, Columbia, MO 573-876-1902)
-
Thursday, March 3, 2011
USGS Participates in Missouri River Conference
The 2011 Missouri River Natural Resources Committee Conference is March 9-11, in Nebraska City, NE, entitled, "The Missouri River: On the Road to Recovery". Scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center will present Missouri River Basin research findings that cover topics related to the endangered pallid sturgeon, including habitat and behavior, tributary usage, energetics, migration pathways, 10-year summary report of the Fort Peck Flow Modification Project, floodplain vegetation and hydrology, and modeling potential climate change impacts. Details for this conference are available at: <
http://www.mrnrc2011.com/>. (Robert Jacobson, Columbia, MO 573-8761844)
-
Monday, February 28, 2011
Army Corps to Release Carp Barrier Study Soon
-
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Invasive Carp
USGS scientist Duane Chapman was quoted in an article on invasive carp nearing entry to the Great Lakes, which appeared in the Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, WI. The article is entitled, "No Rush Job on Carp Study," and can be accessed at:
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/116419819.html
-
Thursday, February 10, 2011
USGS Scientist Trains University Faculty on Emerging Pollutants
On February 23, in Homestead, FL, USGS research chemist, Dr. David Alvarez, will present techniques for the sampling and analysis of emerging pollutants as part of a week-long training course for the University of Florida faculty at the Tropical Research and Education Center. The purpose of this course is to aid faculty in keeping abreast of the latest changes in water quality monitoring programs so they can relate this information back to their students, and in addition, to explore potential collaborations. More information on this course is available at:
http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ufwq2/index.htm (David Alvarez, Columbia, MO 573-441-2970)
-
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Got Mud? - The Science and Policy of Missouri River Sediment
At the upcoming Missouri River Relief speaker's series on February 8, in Rocheport, MO, USGS fluvial geomorphologist, Dr. Robert Jacobson, will present a talk about sediment flow in the Missouri River. Most of the changes humans have made to the Missouri River have affected the flow of sediment through the system, a complex issue for a river named for its sediment flow, The Big Muddy. Dr. Jacobson's presentation is also accompanied with a talk given by Dr. David Galat, University of Missouri, on policy development of what the sediment means in this river.
http://j.mp/fH5EuW
-
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Invasive Carp Now on the Menu
USGS scientist Duane Chapman appeared in a news article from FIS United States, "Invasive Carp Now on the Menu". A YouTube video was highlighted showing Duane cleaning the invasives for food preparation, "Flying Fish, Great Dish", a video created in cooperation with the USGS, Sea Grant and LSU Ag Center Research and Extension . This article is accessible at:
http://j.mp/eOXuKS
-
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Under the Microscope from KBIA 91.3 FM
On December 9, and December 10, an interview with Mark Wildhaber, USGS scientist, aired on KBIA 91.3 FM (NPR affiliate in Columbia, MO) discussing effects of climate change on sturgeon populations in the Missouri River. This interview was broadcast from "Under the Microscope", a science oriented news program for radio <
http://bit.ly/f7uLXp>.
-
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Columbia Researchers Study Intersex Sturgeon in Missouri River
"Though fish with both male and female sexual characteristics have been observed throughout the world in the past decade, the Missouri River intersex sturgeon are unusual." from the Columbia Missourian at:
http://bit.ly/hcUVCu
-
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Lakes Adrift: Invasions Demand Leadership, Action
On December 4, Duane Chapman, USGS scientist was quoted in an article by the Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, WI, entitled, "Lakes Adrift: Invasions Demand Leadership, Action," detailing threats facing the Great Lakes by invasive species. This news article is accessible at: <
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/111329919.html>.
-
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Current Contaminant Biology and Chemistry
"Bridging Science with Communities", the 31st annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, will be held on November 7-11 in Portland, OR. Scientists from the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center will present research findings on the toxicity of herbicides and chlorine to Kootinai River white sturgeon, nickel toxicity and bioavailability, toxicity of coal-associated contaminants to mussels, amphibian sensitivity to nitrates and ammonia, toxicity of dust suppressants, contaminants in the Lower Columbia River, water quality guidelines for copper and ammonia for land application of biosolids, toxicity of produced waters from coalbed natural gas production, and mercury bioaccumulation and transfer in biota of the Ozark Plateau region. (Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1875)
-
Monday, October 25, 2010
Fish Give Biologists a Challenge
-
Thursday, October 21, 2010
New Publication
The USGS just released a new Open File Report (OFR) detailing the studies and results of the 2009 pallid sturgeon research at the Columbia Environmental Research Center. This OFR 2010-1215 was prepared in cooperation with the Missouri River Recovery–Integrated Science Program U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Yankton, SD, and is authored by Aaron DeLonay, Robert Jacobson, Diana Papoulias, Mark Wildhaber, Kim Chojnacki, Emily Pherigo, Casey Bergthold, and Gerald Mestl. The "Ecological Requirements for Pallid Sturgeon Reproduction and Recruitment in the Lower Missouri River: Annual Report 2009" is accessible at: <
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2010/1215/>.
-
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Distinguished Scientists to Visit CERC
On October 8, distinguished scientists Dr. Terry Collins and Dr. Pete Myers will visit the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) to discuss on-going CERC research on endocrine disruption and become acquainted with the research staff. Dr. Collins is senior member of the Institute for Green Science at Carnegie Mellon University <
http://www.chem.cmu.edu/groups/collins/about/members/collins.html>, and Dr. Myers is Chief Scientist with Environmental Health Sciences, and co-author of the noteworthy book on endocrine disruption entitled, Our Stolen Future. (Carl Orazio, Columbia, MO 573-876-1823)
-
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Invasive Carps in the News
From September 29 to present, numerous news media sources quoted USGS scientist Duane Chapman in articles about invasive carps entering the Great Lakes and the potential adverse ecological changes. These news stories are accessible on the Columbia Environmental Research Center's web at:
http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/WhatsNew.aspx?ContentId=327 (Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1875)
-
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
USGS Plans and Participates in Ozark Summit 2010
The third Ozark Summit, will convene in Tahlequah, OK, on October 19-21, bringing together the USGS, NPS, FWS, BIA, BLM, FS, EPA, NRCS and ACOE to discuss, "Living on Karst: Sustainable Management of Ozark Ecosystems". Esther Stroh, Columbia Environmental Research Center scientist again participated on the planning committee for this partnership summit. Primary partnership goals with the federal agencies, states, tribes, academia, conservation organizations, businesses and landowners are to more effectively use resources by coordinating landscape-scale research and management of Ozark ecosystems, on which many local communities and economies depend. Topics covered at the summit include: land management, public involvement, water quality, and caves and karst. More information is available at: <
http://ozarks.cr.usgs.gov/ozark_summit_2010.htm>. (Esther Stroh, Columbia, MO 573-441-2944)
-
Thursday, September 23, 2010
On the Job
Chris Ingersoll, Columbia Environmental Research Center toxicologist, was featured in VOX Magazine's "On the Job" series. VOX is published by the Columbia Missourian newspaper, which is affiliated with the University of Missouri, staffed by Missouri School of Journalism students who do the reporting, and directed by professional editors. The magazine article is available at: <
http://www.voxmagazine.com/stories/2010/09/23/job-aquatic-toxicologist/>.
-
Thursday, September 23, 2010
USGS Assists Penobscot Indian Nation
Scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center are part of a governmental team conducting research to determine if culturally important plants, animals and sediment of the Penobscot River in Maine are contaminated with toxic pollutants. The Penobscot Indian Nation is concerned with river contamination and pollutant impact on tribal health and cultural practices. A meeting will be held at the Penobscot Indian Nation Department of Natural Resources on October 14-15, in Bangor, ME, to discuss results of the pollutant study. The Penobscot Department of Natural Resources web is accessible at: <
http://www.penobscotnation.org/DNR/DNR1.htm>. (Carl Orazio, Columbia, MO 573-876-1823)
-
Thursday, September 9, 2010
USGS Participates in International Leadership Program
Beginning September 14 and running for three months, the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) is hosting a Korean biotechnology student through the International Leadership, Excellence and Professionalism (I-LEAP) program with the University of Missouri Asian Affairs Center. During his visit, Younghan "Justin" Yu will circulate through the science branches at CERC getting diverse and hands-on science experience. More information about the I-LEAP program is available at: <
http://www.aacmiti.com/pages/miti_006.php>. (Robin Calfee, Columbia, MO 573-441-2969)
-
Thursday, September 2, 2010
CERC to Hold Groundbreaking Ceremony
On September 17 at 10:00am, the Columbia Environmental Research Center is holding a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction start of a state-of-the-art office and laboratory facility, and in addition, outdoor aquatic research facilities will be renovated as part of the one-year construction project. Funding for the effort is provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, with design and construction activities anticipated to employ more than 100 Missourians. (Marcia K Nelson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1875)
-
Thursday, August 26, 2010
CERC Scientists Travel to Russia
Participating in a continuous 38-year science exchange program with the Russian I.D. Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters (IBIW), four scientists of the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center from September 2-10, will interact with Russian counterparts at IBIW. Dr. Cathy Richter, Dr. Pat Braaten, Aaron DeLonay and Dr. Esther Stroh are involved in ongoing projects that encompass genomic molecular techniques, sturgeon biology and population dynamics, and a new endeavor of comparing U.S. and Russian approaches to hierarchical classification of riparian vegetation types. IBIW of the Russian Academy of Sciences is located in Borok, the Nekouz district of the Yaroslavl region, 400 km (~250 miles) north of Moscow <
http://ibiw.ru/>. (Diana Papoulias, Columbia, MO 573-876-1902)
-
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Carp Big Hazard for MR340 Racer
-
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Rise of the She-Fish?
-
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Contaminants in the Selenga River Basin, Mongolia
Scientists from the USGS are invited to participate in a comprehensive evaluation of contaminants in the Selenga River Basin of Mongolia, a transboundary river system whose flow contributes nearly half of the water to Lake Baikal in Russia. The Russian Academy of Sciences, in conjunction with the Ministry of Nature and Environment of Mongolia, asked Dr. Don Tillitt and Dr. Bill Brumbaugh of the Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, to assist in the contaminant evaluation and provide expertise designing the assessment studies. This cooperation is from August 22 - September 9, including attendance in the 30th Anniversary Symposium of the Russian-Mongolian Environmental Exchange Program from September 6-8, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital. (Don Tillitt, Columbia, MO 573-876-1886)
-
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Time Magazine Ecocentric Blog
-
Thursday, August 5, 2010
CERC Has New Center Director
Starting on August 15, Rip S. Shively begins working as the Center Director for the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), Columbia, Missouri. Rip began his federal career in 1990 with the Western Fisheries Research Center at the Columbia River Research Laboratory, studying anadromous juvenile salmonids in the lower Columbia River, then on to Klamath Falls Field Station studying endangered fish species. His recent position was Bureau Approving Official for Biology in the USGS Central Region, having moved to Columbia, Missouri in 2008. (Carl Orazio, Columbia, MO 573-876-1823)
-
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Team Busy Tagging Sturgeon at Hatchery
The USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) was mentioned in an article by the Neosho Daily News (Neosho, Missouri) where several agencies teamed up at the Neosho National Fish Hatchery to give endangered pallid sturgeon a better chance for survival. The team tagged and recorded data for 7,950 fish, to be stocked next week in the Missouri River at nursery sites, where the fish will hopefully return to spawn on their own. Participants from CERC included: Emily Pherigo, Joe Helming and Becky Welly. This article is available at: <
http://www.neoshodailynews.com/news/x1137372188/Team-busy-tagging-sturgeon-at-hatchery>.
-
Thursday, July 22, 2010
International Scientists Visit CERC
On July 19, 35 scientists from around the world attending the International Association of Astacology (IAA) Symposium held on the University of Missouri campus toured the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC). Anne Allert, USGS CERC scientist, lead the committee organizing this international conference dedicated to the global study, conservation and wise utilization of freshwater crayfish. Allert's research demonstrates that crayfish are adversely affected by mining practices and heavy metal exposure in the Lead Belt area of southeast Missouri. Crayfish play a critically integral role in stream ecology, a keystone species that are prey for fish, reptiles, birds and mammals, and themselves omnivorous. (Contact: Anne Allert, Columbia, MO 573-876-1903)
-
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Monster Fish
Starting July 18 at 9pm (CDT), the National Geographic Channel will premiere its new series, "Monster Fish", in which the first episode is "Flying Carp" that features USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center scientists conducting invasive species research.
-
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
CERC Director Retires
On July 2, Michael Mac retires after 37 years of dedication and accomplishment in service with the Department of the Interior. Dr. Mac began as a fishery biologist in Michigan with the USFWS and retires as the Center Director for the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center.
-
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
NPR Broadcasts
Recently, USGS scientist Duane Chapman was interviewed by two National Public Radio (NPR) stations regarding the ecological dangers of invasive Asian carp entering the Great Lakes: 1) on June 24, WKSU in Kent, OH (Kent State University NPR affiliate) broadcast an interview, "Asian Carp Found Six Miles from Lake Michigan." This audio story was aired across northeast Ohio and is available at: <
http://www.wksu.org/news/story/25726>; and 2) on June 27, an interview with Chapman by Guy Raz, the weekend host of NPR News "All Things Considered", was conducted for national broadcast, "The Dangers of Asian Carp in Great Lakes"; audio story and its transcript are both available at: <
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128149009>.
-
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Asian Carp Caught Past Electric Barrier
On June 24, News/Talk WJR 760 AM Radio (Detroit, MI) with Frank Beckmann conducted a live phone-interview with USGS scientist Duane Chapman regarding ecological issues that surround the invasive bighead carp caught on June 23, past the Great Lakes electric barrier system.
-
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Puerto Rico News Radio
A reporter from the WALO 1240 AM news radio in Humacao, Puerto Rico, has established a date (July 1 at 2:00pm CDT) to do a live phone-interview in Spanish with USGS scientist Diana Papoulias. Producers of this daily science and environment radio program are interested in the research conducted at CERC on fish exposed to the commonly used herbicide atrazine, which caused reduced spawning and other reproductive effects (see USGS Press Release, May 19, 2010
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2467).
-
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Work Shows Atrazine's Potential Harm
-
Thursday, June 3, 2010
ZED Documentary
On May 26, USGS fisheries biologist Duane Chapman was interviewed by Benjamin Turquet of "ZED", a film production company based in Paris, France <
http://www.zed.fr> regarding the invasive carps, bighead and silver. ZED is currently developing a TV documentary series about animals conquering new territories who cause environmental problems or disrupt human activities. This series "Les Conquérants" will air by the French-German channel Arte in Europe and channels in North America. Each episode of this series will focus on one species, explaining its biology, behavior, problems it causes, scientific research and efforts to control its population.
-
Thursday, May 20, 2010
USGS Press Release on CERC Study of Atrazine
On May 19, the USGS released news about an online "In Press" publication from the journal
Aquatic Toxicology authored by CERC scientists Dr. Don Tillitt, Dr. Diana Papoulias, Dr. Jeff Whyte (University of Missouri, Biomedical Sciences) and Dr. Cathy Richter. The results reveal that substantial reproductive effects were observed at concentrations below the USEPA water-quality guideline for the herbicide atrazine. Atrazine, one of the most commonly used herbicides in the world, was shown to affect reproduction of fish at concentrations commonly found in agricultural streams and rivers. These exposures caused reduced reproduction and spawning, as well as tissue abnormalities in laboratory studies with fathead minnows, a surrogate species often used in aquatic toxicity testing. This press release is available at:
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2467
-
Thursday, May 13, 2010
USGS Continues Collaboration with Chinese Scientists
On May 23-June 8, USGS scientist Ning Wang travels to China to present research at the international meeting of SETAC Asia-Pacific (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry) in Guangzhou. In addition, Dr. Wang will give invited research talks to scientists at two Chinese research facilities in Shanghai and Wuhan, and to discuss continued and potential collaboration. The research in discussion is about freshwater mussel toxicity test methods developed at the Columbia Environmental Research Center and used to assay several types of pollutants including ammonia, mining wastes and heavy metals. Freshwater mussels, in critical decline around the world, are very sensitive to some contaminants and can be used as protective surrogates for developing water and sediment quality criteria. (Ning Wang, Columbia, MO 573-441-2946)
-
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Asian Carp Fix: Just Eat It
-
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Atrazine
Commonly Used Herbicide Affects Fish Reproduction: Atrazine, the widely used herbicide, has been shown to affect the hormonal axis in certain vertebrate species, but few studies have examined reproductive effects of this chemical on fish. In the journal Aquatic Toxicology, is a recently accepted for publication manuscript entitled, "Atrazine Reduces Reproduction in Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas)," authored by Donald Tillitt et al., using egg production, in conjunction with gonad development and hormone production as biochemical and biological evaluation tools to assess fathead minnow exposure to atrazine. Total egg production was lower (19-39 %) in all atrazine-exposed groups, including environmentally relevant concentrations, as compared to the non atrazine-exposed fish, as well as reduced numbers of spawning events, and gonad abnormalities in both male and female fish. The reproductive effects observed in this study warrant further investigation and evaluation of the potential risks posed by atrazine, particularly feral populations of fish from streams in agricultural areas with high use of this herbicide. (Contact: Donald Tillitt, Columbia, MO 573-876-1886)
-
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Take a Child to CERC Day
On April 22, 17 elementary and middle school students attended the "job shadowing" work day at the Columbia Environmental Research Center. Activities included trying on and using safety gear, chemical chromatography demonstration, collecting aquatic pond life, viewing life through a microscope, extracting DNA from strawberries, learning about invasive fish and tracking fish with radio transmitters. (Contact: Carl Orazio, Columbia, MO 573-876-1823)
-
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Asian Carp Invasion
On April 6 at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, USGS scientist Duane Chapman will speak to an august audience of scholars, journalists, public administrators and others on the current issue of invasive Asian carps nearing entry to the Great Lakes. Other speakers include: an Associate of the Metropolitan Planning Council, USEPA, the Director of the Aquatic Conservation at the University of Notre Dame, and the Director of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative. The "Asian Carp Invasion: Potential Economic and Ecological Impacts in the Great Lakes" session is a collaborative project of the University of Chicago and funded in part by the McCormick Foundation. (Contact: Duane Chapman, Columbia, MO 573-876-1866)
-
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Prestigious ASTM Award of Merit Given to USGS Scientist
USGS scientist, Dr. Christopher Ingersoll, received the highest, most prestigious award given in ASTM International <
http://www.astm.org>, one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world. The Award of Merit was established in 1949 by the ASTM International Board of Directors and is the highest society award granted to an individual member for distinguished service and outstanding participation in ASTM International committee activities. Recipients also receive the honorary title of Fellow. Dr. Ingersoll's participation in and leadership of the Committee E47 Biological Effects and Environmental Fate extends back to 1980, and he is currently the chair of E47.03 on Sediment Assessment. (Contact: Christopher Ingersoll, Columbia, MO 573-876-1819)
-
Thursday, March 25, 2010
USGS Participates in South Korea Science Exchange
From April 19 to May 21, Robin Calfee, biologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center, will serve as a member of a working team and participate in a Group Study Exchange with environmental scientists in South Korea. The purpose is to establish and develop relationships with South Korean Universities and Institutions coordinating education exchanges with Korean students and faculty, with USGS and the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. Calfee will serve as a representative for the Environmental Science community, providing expertise in ecotoxicology and gain cultural experience with Korean professionals. By developing professional relationships and continuing collaborations in South Korea, the USGS will have the opportunity to expand it's current international exchange program relative to emerging contaminants, invasive species and global climate change. (Contact: Robin Calfee, Columbia, MO 573-441-2969) Profile:
http://igskrgcbwb01050/Staff.aspx?StaffId=234
-
Thursday, March 11, 2010
DOI Meritorious Service Award
Edward E. Little, PhD, supervisory research biologist for the U.S. Geological Survey Columbia Environmental Research Center, received the prestigious Meritorious Service Award from the U.S. Department of the Interior. This honor award recognizes his exceptional scientific contributions to the understanding of environmental issues associated with the use of fire fighting chemicals for the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Contact: Edward Little, Columbia, MO 573-876-1817)
-
Thursday, March 4, 2010
USGS to Present at Missouri River Conference
On March 17-19, in Nebraska City, NE, scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) will present research findings at the 2010 Missouri River Natural Resources Committee (MRNRC) and BiOP Forum Conference. CERC research presentations include monitoring the progress of shallow water habitat restoration; little known life history dynamics of the endangered pallid sturgeon providing information on larvae survival and drift, and their ecological requirements for reproduction and recruitment; and the unveiling of an innovative digital system to organize and explore the large volumes of CERC data on pallid sturgeon (i.e., movement, habitat use, spawning locations, models, larval dispersal) called the Sturgeon Information Management System (SIMS). The MRNRC promotes and facilitates the preservation, conservation and enhancement of the natural resources of the Missouri River. (Contact: Michael Mac, Columbia, MO 573-876-1900)
-
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Invasive Asian Carps
-
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Asian Carps Nearing Entry to the Great Lakes
Numerous newspapers and news radio shows interviewed and quoted USGS scientist,
Duane Chapman, about the invasive Asian carps, bighead and silver, nearing entry into the Great Lakes. From January 22 to 27 interviews and quotes appeared in: CBC News Radio Canada, WJR News Radio Detroit, the Washington Post, Associated Press, ABC News Money, The Daily Reporter Milwaukee, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids News and Outdoor America magazine. These news stories are available at: <
http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/WhatsNew.aspx?ContentId=327>.
-
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Congressional Visit
Cindy Eberting Hall, Regional Director for Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo), on January 28 will visit the Columbia Environmental Research Center for a briefing by
Michael Mac, Center Director, and Martin Smith, Project Manager, on the proposed building project funded through the economic stimulus package authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. (Michael Mac, Columbia, MO 573-876-1900)
-
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Facility Overhaul
-
Thursday, December 17, 2009
ASARCO Historic Damage Settlement Entered
Through the DOI Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program (NRDAR), the American public is compensated for the damage and loss of natural resources resulting from ASARCO's past mining, smelting and refining operations. The contribution of USGS scientists to the settlement of this case provides long-term ecological benefits to an area that has been heavily affected by decades of mining activity. CERC and PWRC provided scientific expertise and legally defensible information to the NRDAR program since its inception in the late 1980s. Studies from these Centers documented the extent and severity of contamination from mining activity by focusing on aquatic, vegetative, and avian resources. Critically important were investigations demonstrating the sensitivity of endemic crayfish and endangered freshwater mussels to metals and mining activity. At the request of the Department of Justice, two CERC scientists and one PWRC scientist prepared expert witness reports that were relied upon in court-ordered mediation to defend the Departmental claim that mining activity resulted in adverse effects on biological resources, ecosystem service loss, and overall extensive habitat injury. (Susan Finger, Columbia, MO 573-876-1850)
-
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Invasive Asian Carp Nearing the Great Lakes
News media interviews, from December 5-10, continue to occur featuring Duane Chapman, USGS research fish biologist, surrounding the issues of the invasive Asian carp close to entering the Great Lakes. Included in these numerous interviews are: AP, Washington Post, New York Times, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Detroit Free Press.
http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/WhatsNew.aspx?ContentId=327#DivNews
-
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Carp Battle Not Over Yet
-
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Chemicals in Water Alter Gender of Fish
CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, Dean Reynolds Correspondent
The small mouth is also a fish of special value to researchers who suspect it may tell us something alarming about our water. In Columbia, Mo., the U.S. Geological Survey is keeping smallies in some artificial ponds, investigating why so many males are showing female characteristics. "Because it's male, you're seeing sperm here and here," said USGS Diana Papoulias while examining a fish. "But oddly, you're also seeing eggs. Small, undeveloped eggs. It is an abnormality," she said. "In bass we would not expect to see eggs in a male."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/11/25/eveningnews/main5778106.shtml (text)
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5779348n&tag=related;photovideo (video)
-
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
International Toxicology Conference
USGS scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center will present environmental contaminant research findings at the 29th annual meeting of the Society of Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) on November 19-23, in New Orleans, LA. Presentations include freshwater mussel toxicity tests for evaluating coal fly ash releases, contaminated sediments as a result of Hurricane Katrina, evidence of cyanobacterial toxins in Lake Mead, heavy metal toxicity effects of endangered sturgeon, and sediment toxicity test harmonization between the U.S. and Canada. SETAC promotes the advancement and application of scientific research related to contaminants and other stressors in the environment, and the use of science in environmental policy and decision-making. (Marcia Nelson, Columbia, MO 573-876-1875)
-
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
After a Devastating Fire
On October 3, scientists Diana Papoulias and Edward Little appeared in the New York Times article, "After A Devastating Fire, an Intense Study of Its Effects". The article focused on the Station fire in the Angeles National Forest, Calif., which started in late August and burned over 160,000 acres of this forested area, leaving behind charred and denuded mountains, fire retardants, ash and debris. The Columbia Environmental Research Center was asked to assess environmental effects on fish and amphibians in the aftermath of this damaging fire. <
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/03/science/earth/03fire.html>
-
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
USGS in Wuhan, China
Scientists from the Columbia Environmental Research Center will present findings from USGS sturgeon research conducted on the Missouri River, at the 6th International Symposium on Sturgeon. This symposium, "Harmonizing the Relation Between Humans and Sturgeons", from October 25-30, is held in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Scientists, students and enforcement authorities from different parts of the world will attend this event to discuss the recent developments in sturgeon status from various ecosystems, habitat restoration efforts, and management and conservation policies. <
http://www.iss6.org/en/> (Aaron DeLonay, Columbia, MO 573-876-1878)
-
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Media Coverage on Intersex Bass
USGS scientist Jo Ellen Hinck responded to numerous media requests from several news and broadcast outlets about the intersex condition found in black bass across nine U.S. river basins. Media outlets included NPR, Discovery Channel, the Washington Post and the Denver Post. In addition, the AP, UPI and Greenwire picked up the story.
-
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
USGS Hosts Russian Scientists
Beginning September 20, the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) will host three Russian scientists from the Institute for Biology of Inland Waters (IBIW), Borok, Russia, of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The science exchange program continues between IBIW and CERC for over 30 years, with senior and student scientists participating. The Russian scientists in this two week exchange are involved in effects of contaminant exposure at the cellular level, genomic molecular techniques and large river hydrodynamics. (Diana Papoulias, Columbia, MO 573-876-1902)
-
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Visiting Korean Scientist
On a one-year sabbatical from Pusan National University, Dr. Jeong-Eun Oh of Pusan, Korea, just joined the environmental chemists of the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC). Dr. Oh has chosen to investigate pharmaceuticals released from wastewater treatment plants using passive samplers invented at CERC. In addition, CERC and Dr. Oh are fostering what hopes to be further joint research endeavors between the USGS and Pusan National University. (David Alvarez, Columbia, MO 573-441-2970)
-
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Emerging Contaminants
Pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and nanoparticles are throughout our environment, and in some cases, in our drinking water. These and other emerging contaminants are associated with significant environmental impacts, such as the feminization of fish, presenting challenges for scientists, engineers, regulators and the public. Dr. David Alvarez of the Columbia Environmental Research Center will present findings on the use of passive samplers in emerging contaminant studies and research in Lake Mead and the Potomac/Shenandoah Rivers, at the 2nd International Conference of Occurrence, Fate, Effects, and Analysis of Emerging Contaminants in the Environment. This Conference is on August 4-7 in Fort Collins, CO, sponsored by the USGS and Colorado State University. Details can be obtained at: <
http://soilcrop.colostate.edu/EmCon2009/>. (David Alvarez, Columbia, MO 573-441-2970)
-
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Pallid Sturgeon Featured on Missouri River Educational Excursion
USGS scientists of the Columbia Environmental Research Center will participate in an educational canoe trip on the Missouri River, July 11, near Columbia, MO, to share information about the endangered pallid sturgeon and factors affecting its reproduction and survival. The event, hosted by the nonprofit Missouri River Communities Network, provides an opportunity for scientists to brief the public on five years of research conducted on the endangered fish in the Lower Missouri River. (Aaron DeLonay, Columbia, MO 573-876-1878)
Media
-
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Asian Carp in Missouri River
-
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Missouri Earth Day 2009 a Great Success
"Reuse the Past, Recycle the Present, Save the Future" the theme for this year's Missouri Earth Day in Jefferson City, MO, on April 24, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and others, hosted about 1,200 Kindergarten through grade 12 students. Julia Towns-Campbell and Robin Tillitt of the Columbia Environmental Research Center set up an exhibit to interact with these young students, teaching and guiding them about aquatic contaminants, large river ecology and the fish and wildlife that inhabitat river environments. (Julia Towns-Campbell, Columbia, MO 573-876-1853)