CERC Science Topic: Ecological Risk Assessment

Ecological risk assessments are conducted to evaluate the likely responses of natural systems exposed to altered physical, chemical, or biotic variables that alone and in combination may pose stress to the environment.

Risk assessments evaluate the likelihood that the observed injuries are the result of exposure to stressors, and predict the likelihood of future adverse effects. Risk assessments consider the magnitude and timing of exposure to the stressor relative to threshold sensitivity of ecological receptor, and determine if causal pathways exist that would enable such exposures to occur. An ecological risk assessment can define undesirable changes such as alterations of important structural or functional characteristics of ecosystems.

Research Studies

Publications

Interactions between chemical and climate stressors: A role for mechanistic toxicology in assessing climate change risks (91934)

Hooper, M.J., Ankley, G.T., Cristol, D.A., Maryoung, L.A., Noyes, P.D., and Pinkerton, K.E., 2013, Interactions between chemical and climate stressors: A role for mechanistic toxicology in assessing climate change risks, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 32(1): 32-48, (91934)
Atmospheric deposition and critical loads for nitrogen and metals in arctic Alaska: Review and current status (91982)

Linder, G., Brumbaugh, W.G., Neitlich, P. and Little, E.E., 2013, Atmospheric deposition and critical loads for nitrogen and metals in arctic Alaska: Review and current status, Open Journal of Air Pollution 2(4): 76-99, (91982)
The influence of global climate change on the scientific foundations and applications of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Introduction to a SETAC international workshop (91935)

Stahl, R.G., Hooper, M.J., Balbus, J.M., Clements, W., Fritz, A., Gouin, T., Helm, R., Hickey, C., Landis, W., and Moe, S.J., 2013, The influence of global climate change on the scientific foundations and applications of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Introduction to a SETAC international workshop, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 32(1): 13-19, (91935)
Ecotoxicology of organochlorine chemicals in birds of the Great Lakes (91937)

Tillitt, D.E., and Giesy, J.P., 2013, Ecotoxicology of organochlorine chemicals in birds of the Great Lakes, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 32(3): 490-492, (91937)
Toxicity of chloride under winter low-flow conditions in an urban watershed in Central Missouri, USA (91912)

Allert, A.L., Cole-Neal, C.L., and Fairchild, J.F., 2012, Toxicity of chloride under winter low-flow conditions in an urban watershed in Central Missouri, USA, Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 89(2): 296-301, (91912)
Semiparametric bivariate zero-inflated Poisson models with application to studies of abundance for multiple species (91899)

Arab, A., Holan, S.H., Wikle, C.K., and Wildhaber, M.L., 2012, Semiparametric bivariate zero-inflated Poisson models with application to studies of abundance for multiple species, Environmetrics 23(2): 183-196, (91899)
Binational ecological risk assessment of bigheaded carps (91911)

Cudmore, B., Mandrak, N.E., Dettmers, J.M., Chapman, D.C., and Kolar, C.S., 2012, Binational ecological risk assessment of bigheaded carps, DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat, Research Document 2011/114, 57 p., (91911)
Laboratory toxicity and benthic invertebrate field colonization of Upper Columbia River sediments: Finding adverse effects using multiple line of evidence (91906)

Fairchild, J.F., Kemble, N.E., Allert, A.L., Brumbaugh, W.G., Ingersoll, C.G., Dowling, B., Gruenenfelder, C., and Roland, J.L., 2012, Laboratory toxicity and benthic invertebrate field colonization of Upper Columbia River sediments: Finding adverse effects using multiple line of evidence, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 63(1): 54-68, (91906)
The potential effects of sodium bicarbonate, a major constituent from coalbed natural gas production, on aquatic life (91909)

Farag, A.M., and Harper, D.D., 2012, The potential effects of sodium bicarbonate, a major constituent from coalbed natural gas production, on aquatic life, U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2012-5008. 101 p., (91909)
Structural and functional effects of herbicides on non-target organisms in aquatic ecosystems with an emphasis on atrazine (91740)

Fairchild, J.F., 2011, Structural and functional effects of herbicides on non-target organisms in aquatic ecosystems with an emphasis on atrazine, in: Kortekamp, A., ed., Herbicides and Environment: New York, NY, InTech, p. 303-404, (91740)
Behavioral, clinical, and pathological characterization of acid metalliferous water toxicity in mallards (91936)

Isanhart, J.P., Wu, H., Pandher, K., MacRae, R.K., Cox, S.B., and Hooper, M.J., 2011, Behavioral, clinical, and pathological characterization of acid metalliferous water toxicity in mallards, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 61(4): 653-667, (91936)
Baseline ecological risk assessment of the Calcasieu Estuary, Louisiana: Part 2. An evaluation of the predictive ability of effects-based sediment-quality guidelines (91854)

MacDonald, D.D., Ingersoll, C.G., Smorong, D.E., Sinclair, J.A., Lindskoog, R., Wang, N., Severn, C., Gouguet, Meyer, J., and Field, J., 2011, Baseline ecological risk assessment of the Calcasieu Estuary, Louisiana: Part 2. An evaluation of the predictive ability of effects-based sediment-quality guidelines, Archives of Environmental Contamination & Toxicology 61(1): 14-28, (91854)
Baseline ecological risk assessment of the Calcasieu Estuary, Louisiana: Part 1. Overview and problem formulation (91853)

MacDonald, D.D., Moore, D.R.J., Ingersoll, C.G., Smorong, D.E., Carr, R.S., Gouguet, R., Charters, D., Wilson, D., Harris, T., Rauscher, J., Roddy, S., and Meyer, J., 2011, Baseline ecological risk assessment of the Calcasieu Estuary, Louisiana: Part 1. Overview and problem formulation, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 61(1): 1-13, (91853)
Avian toxicity testing (91715)

Hooper, M.J., 2010, Avian toxicity testing, in: Newman, M.C., ed., Fundamentals of Ecotoxicology (3rd ed.): Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press, p. 262-265, (91715)
An ecological risk assessment of the acute and chronic effects of the herbicide Clopyralid to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (91673)

Fairchild, J., Allert, A., Feltz, K., Nelson, K., and Valle, J., 2009, An ecological risk assessment of the acute and chronic effects of the herbicide Clopyralid to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 57(4): 725-731, (91673)
An ecological risk assessment of the exposure and effects of 2,4-D acid to rainbow trout (Onchorhyncus mykiss) (91547)

Fairchild, J.F., Feltz, K.P., Allert, A.L., Sappington, L.C., Nelson, K.J., and Valle, J.A., 2009, An ecological risk assessment of the exposure and effects of 2,4-D acid to rainbow trout (Onchorhyncus mykiss), Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 56(4): 754-760, (91547)
An ecological risk assessment of the acute and chronic toxicity of the herbicide Picloram to the threatened bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and the rainbow trout (Onchorhyncus mykiss) (91621)

Fairchild, J.F., Feltz, K.P., Sappington, L.C., Allert, A.L., Nelson, K.J., and Valle, J., 2009, An ecological risk assessment of the acute and chronic toxicity of the herbicide Picloram to the threatened bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and the rainbow trout (Onchorhyncus mykiss), Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 56(4): 761-769, (91621)
Effect of lead-zinc mining on crayfish in the Black River watershed, Missouri (91613)

Allert, A.L., Fairchild, J.F., DiStefano, R.J., Schmitt, C.J., Besser, J.M., Brumbaugh, W.G., and Besser, J.M., 2008, Effect of lead-zinc mining on crayfish in the Black River watershed, Missouri, Missouri Department of Conservation, Science Notes 3: 2p., (91613)
Tool for monitoring hydrophilic contaminants in water: polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) (91781)

Alvarez, D.A., Huckins, J.N., Petty J.D., Jones-Lepp, T.L., Stuer-Lauridsen, F., Getting,D.T., Goddard, J.P., and Gravell, A., 2007, Tool for monitoring hydrophilic contaminants in water: polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS), in: Greenwood, R., Mills, G., and Vrana, B., eds., Passive Sampling Techniques in Environmental Monitoring: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry 48: 171-197, (91781)
Impacts of historic mining on aquatic ecosystems - an ecological risk assessment (91760)

Besser, J.M., Finger, S.E., and Church, S.E., 2007, Impacts of historic mining on aquatic ecosystems - an ecological risk assessment, chap. D of Church, S.E. and others, eds., Integrated investigations of environmental effects of historical mining in the Animas River watershed, San Juan County, Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1651, p. 89-106, (91760)
Bigheaded carps: a biological synopsis and environmental risk assessment (91555)

Kolar, C.S., Chapman, D.C., Courteney, W.R., Jr., Housel, C.M., Williams, J.D., and Jennings, D.P., 2007, Bigheaded carps: a biological synopsis and environmental risk assessment, Bethesda, MD, American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 33, 204 p., (91555)
Assessment of biological conditions at selected stream sites in Johnson County, Kansas, and Cass and Jackson Counties, Missouri, 2003 and 2004 (91493)

Poulton, B.C., Rasmussen, T.J., and Lee, C.J., 2007, Assessment of biological conditions at selected stream sites in Johnson County, Kansas, and Cass and Jackson Counties, Missouri, 2003 and 2004, U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2007-510, 68 p., (91493)
Fate and effects of nitrogen and phosphorus in shallow vegetated aquatic ecosystems. Final report (91532)

Fairchild, J.F., and Vradenburg, L.A., 2006, Fate and effects of nitrogen and phosphorus in shallow vegetated aquatic ecosystems. Final report, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center EPA 660/R-06/058, 169 p., (91532)
Fate and Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Shallow Vegetated Aquatic Ecosystems (91532)

Fairchild,J.F., and Vradenburg,L.A., 2006, Fate and Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Shallow Vegetated Aquatic Ecosystems. Final Report, EPA 660/R-06/058, (91532)
Risk and consequence analysis focused on biota transfers potentially associated with surface water diversions between the Missouri River and Red River basins (91447)

Linder, G., Little, E.E., Johnson, L.E., Vishy, C., Peacock, B., and Goeddecke, H., 2005, Risk and consequence analysis focused on biota transfers potentially associated with surface water diversions between the Missouri River and Red River basins, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Final Report, [various pagings], (91447)
Selenium in water, sediment, plants, invertebrates, and fish from nine streams in the Blackfoot River drainage near phosphate mining operations (91345)

Hamilton, S.J., and Buhl, K.J., 2004, Selenium in water, sediment, plants, invertebrates, and fish from nine streams in the Blackfoot River drainage near phosphate mining operations, Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 159(1): 3-34, (91345)
Evaluation of minimum data requirements for acute toxicity value extrapolation with aquatic organisms (91432)

Buckler, D.R., Mayer, F.L., Ellersieck, M.R., and Asfaw, A., 2003, Evaluation of minimum data requirements for acute toxicity value extrapolation with aquatic organisms, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, EPA 600/R-09/104, [various pagings], (91432)
An integrated assessment of the trophic status of Fort Cobb Reservoir, Oklahoma (91311)

Fairchild, J.F., Lakish, B., Echols, K., Chapman, D., Johnson, B., and Jones, S., 2003, An integrated assessment of the trophic status of Fort Cobb Reservoir, Oklahoma, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Final report to U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Great Plains Region, 89 p., (91311)
Casual analysis and the evaluation of declining amphibian populations: Illustrative case studies (91751)

Linder, G., 2003, Casual analysis and the evaluation of declining amphibian populations: Illustrative case studies, in: Linder, G., Krest, S.K., and Sparling, D.W., eds., Amphibian Decline: An Integrated Analysis of Multiple Stressor Effects: Pensacola, FL, SETAC Press, p. 243-248, (91751)
Amphibian decline: An integrated analysis of multiple stressor effects (91750)

Linder, G., Krest, S.K., and Sparling, D.W., eds., 2003, Amphibian decline: An integrated analysis of multiple stressor effects, Pensacola, FL, SETAC Press, 345 p., (91750)
Fate and effects of the triazinone herbicide metribuzin in experimental pond mesocosms (91211)

Fairchild, J.F., and Sappington, L.C., 2002, Fate and effects of the triazinone herbicide metribuzin in experimental pond mesocosms, Archives of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 43(2): 198-202, (91211)
Selenium and other trace elements in water, sediment, aquatic plants, aquatic invertebrates, and fish from streams in southeastern Idaho near phosphate mining operations: June 2000 (91237)

Hamilton, S.J., Buhl, K.J., and Lamothe, P.J., 2002, Selenium and other trace elements in water, sediment, aquatic plants, aquatic invertebrates, and fish from streams in southeastern Idaho near phosphate mining operations: June 2000, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Field Research Station, Final Report as part of the USGS Western U.S. Phosphate Project, 72 p., (91237)
Evaluation of contaminant exposure and the potential impacts on aquatic habitat quality in the Anchorage area of the Cook Inlet Basin (91248)

Huckins, J.N., Petty, J.D., Cranor, W.L., and Clark, R.C., 2001, Evaluation of contaminant exposure and the potential impacts on aquatic habitat quality in the Anchorage area of the Cook Inlet Basin, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Prepared for U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, 51 p., (91248)
Evaluation of planar halogenated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in estuarine sediments using ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase induction of H4IIE cells (91090)

Gale, R.W., Long, E.R., Schwartz, T.R., and Tillitt, D.E., 2000, Evaluation of planar halogenated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in estuarine sediments using ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase induction of H4IIE cells, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 19(5): 1348-1359, (91090)
Use of behavioral endpoints to determine protective concentrations of the insecticide fonofos for bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) (91061)

Fairchild, J.F., and Little, E.E., 1999, Use of behavioral endpoints to determine protective concentrations of the insecticide fonofos for bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), in: Hensel, M.C., Black, M.C., and Harrass, M.C., eds., Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment: Standardization of Biomarkers for Endocrine Disruption and Environmental Assessment (8th volume) West Conshohocken, PA, ASTM, p. 387-400, (91061)
The role of mesocosm studies in ecological risk analysis (91014)

Boyle, T.P., and Fairchild, J.F., 1997, The role of mesocosm studies in ecological risk analysis, Ecological Applications 7(4): 1099-1102, (91014)
Transboundary pollution: Persistent organochlorine pesticides in migrant birds of the southwestern United States and Mexico (90876)

Mora, M.A., 1997, Transboundary pollution: Persistent organochlorine pesticides in migrant birds of the southwestern United States and Mexico, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 16(1): 3-11, (90876)
Environmental implications of fire-fighting chemicals: A summary of current research by the National Biological Survey (90826)

Finger, S.E., 1996, Environmental implications of fire-fighting chemicals: A summary of current research by the National Biological Survey, in: Ramsey, G.S., ed., Proceedings International Wildland Fire Foam Symposium and Workshop, Thunder Bay, Ontario, May 3-5, 1994 Chalk River, Ontario, Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Information Report PI-X-123, p. 119-122, (90826)
Survival, sublethal responses, and tissue residues of Atlantic salmon exposed to acidic pH and aluminum (90777)

Buckler, D.R., Cleveland, L., Little, E.E., and Brumbaugh, W.G., 1995, Survival, sublethal responses, and tissue residues of Atlantic salmon exposed to acidic pH and aluminum, Aquatic Toxicology 31(3): 203-216, (90777)
An aquatic plant risk assessment of sixteen herbicides using toxicity tests with Selenastrum capricornutum and Lemna minor (91100)

Fairchild, J.F., Ruessler, D.S., Lovely, D.A., and Heine, P.R, 1995, An aquatic plant risk assessment of sixteen herbicides using toxicity tests with Selenastrum capricornutum and Lemna minor, National Biological Service, Midwest Science Center, Submitted to Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Research Laboratory, 49 p., (91100)
Hazard assessment of inorganics to three endangered fish in the Green River, Utah (90776)

Hamilton, S.J., and Buhl, K.J., 1995, Hazard assessment of inorganics to three endangered fish in the Green River, Utah, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 30(2): 134-142, (90776)
Relations between benthic community structure and metals concentrations in aquatic macroinvertebrates: Clark Fork River, Montana (90802)

Poulton, B.C., Monda, D.P., Woodward, D.F., Wildhaber, M.L., and Brumbaugh, W.G., 1995, Relations between benthic community structure and metals concentrations in aquatic macroinvertebrates: Clark Fork River, Montana, Journal of Freshwater Ecology 10(3): 277-293, (90802)
Effects of an herbicide and insecticide mixture in aquatic mesocosms (90759)

Fairchild, J.F., La Point, T.W., and Schwartz, T.R., 1994, Effects of an herbicide and insecticide mixture in aquatic mesocosms, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 27(4): 527-533, (90759)
Bioavailability and toxicity of agricultural chemical in runoff from MSEA sites: Potential impacts on non-target aquatic organisms. An aquatic hazard assessment of four herbicides using six species of algae and five species of aquatic macrophytes (91279)

Fairchild, J.F., Ruessler, S., Nelson, M., and Haverland, P., 1994, Bioavailability and toxicity of agricultural chemical in runoff from MSEA sites: Potential impacts on non-target aquatic organisms. An aquatic hazard assessment of four herbicides using six species of algae and five species of aquatic macrophytes, National Biological Survey, Midwest Science Center, Submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Research Laboratory-Duluth, 132 p., (91279)
Hazard ranking of contaminated sediments based on chemical analysis, laboratory toxicity tests, and benthic community structure: method of prioritizing sites for remedial action (91171)

Wildhaber, M.L., and Schmitt, C.J., 1994, Hazard ranking of contaminated sediments based on chemical analysis, laboratory toxicity tests, and benthic community structure: method of prioritizing sites for remedial action, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes National Program Office EPA-905-R94-024, 90p., (91171)
Population-, community- and ecosystem-level responses of aquatic mesocosms to pulsed doses of a pyrethroid insecticide (90668)

Fairchild, J.F., La Point, T.W., Zajicek, J.L., Nelson, M.K., Dwyer, F.J., and Lovely, P.A., 1992, Population-, community- and ecosystem-level responses of aquatic mesocosms to pulsed doses of a pyrethroid insecticide, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 11(1): 115-129, (90668)
Aquatic hazard assessment of the organophosphate insecticide fonofos (90672)

Fairchild, J.F., Little, E.E., and Huckins, J.N., 1992, Aquatic hazard assessment of the organophosphate insecticide fonofos, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 22(4): 375-379, (90672)
Laboratory and field techniques in ecotoxicological research: strengths and limitations (90602)

La Point, T.W., Fairchild, J.F., Little, E.E., and Finger, S.E., 1989, Laboratory and field techniques in ecotoxicological research: strengths and limitations, in: Boudou, A. and Ribeyre, F., eds., Aquatic Ecotoxicology: Fundamental Concepts and Methodologies: 239-255, (90602)
Comparison of laboratory and field assessment of fluorene part II: effects on the ecological structure and function of experimental pond ecosystems (90465)

Boyle, T.P., Finger, S.E., Paulson, R.L., and Rabeni, C.F., 1985, Comparison of laboratory and field assessment of fluorene part II: effects on the ecological structure and function of experimental pond ecosystems, in: Boyle, T.P., ed., Validation and Predictability of Laboratory Methods for Assessing the Fate and Effects of Contaminants in Aquatic Ecosystems. ASTM Special Technical Publication 865: 134-151, (90465)
Effects of inorganic nutrients on microbial leaf decomposition and mitigation of chemical perturbation (90413)

Fairchild, J.F., Boyle, T.P., Robinson-Wilson, E.F., and Jones, J.R., 1984, Effects of inorganic nutrients on microbial leaf decomposition and mitigation of chemical perturbation, Journal of Freshwater Ecology, 2(4): 405-416, (90413)

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