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Publications

Since 1966, CERC scientists have published over 2000 peer reviewed articles and reports. Browse our publications below or search CERC's publications by author or title through the USGS Publications Warehouse.

If you need assistance in locating a specific CERC publication, please contact the CERC Librarian.

Filter Total Items: 1407

Use of semipermeable membrane devices for in situ monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aquatic environments

A method is given for the recovery, cleanup, and analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that have been sequestered in SPMDs (semipermeable membrane devices). SPMDs are polymeric membranes enclosing lipids, and mimic the bioconcentration process of aquatic animals. SPMDs are used as passive, in situ monitors of contamination by organic pollutants of aquatic environments. The method rep
Authors
Jon A. Lebo, James L. Zajicek, James N. Huckins, Jimmie D. Petty, Paul H. Peterman

A sediment suspension system for bioassays with small aquatic organisms

Exposure of aquatic organisms to suspended sediments can impair growth and survival and increase bioaccumulation of sediment-associated contaminants. However, evaluation of the effects of suspended sediments and their associated contaminants on aquatic organisms has been hampered by the lack of a practical and inexpensive exposure system for conducting bioassays. We present a cost-effective system
Authors
M. J. Schmidt-Dallmier, G.J. Atchison, M.T. Steingraeber, B.C. Knights

Selenium and other elements in freshwater fishes from the irrigated San Joaquin Valley, California

Arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), and selenium (Se) were measured in composite whole-body samples of five fishes — bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and Sacramento blackfish (Orthodon microlepidotus) — from the San Joaquin River system to determine if concentrations were elevated from ex
Authors
M. K. Saiki, M.R. Jennings, T.W. May

Cadmium and mercury in emergent mayflies (Hexagenia bilineata) from the upper Mississippi River

Burrowing mayflies (Hexagenia bilineata) were analyzed to assess longitudinal patterns in their cadmium and mercury content along the upper Mississippi River. Emergent mayflies (subimagoes and imagoes) were collected in 1988 at 34 sites (25 navigation pools), extending 1260 km from Little Falls, Minnesota, downstream to St. Louis, Missouri. Cadmium concentrations in composite samples of whole mayf
Authors
J. Therese Dukerschein, James G. Wiener, Ronald G. Rada, Mark T. Steingraeber

Sediment bioaccumulation testing with fish

In this chapter, we discuss methods for conducting bioaccumulation bioassays with fish; the advantages and disadvantages of using fish rather than invertebrates; and problems associated with bioaccumulation testing, with a special emphasis on statistical treatment.
Authors
Michael J. Mac, Christopher J. Schmitt

Histopathologic biomarkers

No abstract available.
Authors
D.E. Hinton, P. C. Baumann, G. R. Gardner, W. E. Hawkins, J. D. Hendricks, R. A. Murchelano, M.S. Okihiro

Lake acidity and mercury content of fish in Darwin National Reserve, Russia

Darwin National Reserve is a protected natural area on the north-west shore of the Rybinsk Reservoir, 350 km north of Moscow. In June 1989, six lakes in the Reserve and the reservoir were surveyed to assess lake acidity and the mercury content of perch, Perca fluviatilis. Five were seepage lakes with no permanent inlets or outlets and one was a drainage lake with both an inlet and an outlet. The s
Authors
Terry A. Haines, V. Komov, C.H. Jagoe

The use of tumors in wild populations of fish to assess ecosystem health

Evidence has linked toxicants in aquatic systems with cancer in fish and population level effects on species. Thus some types of tumors may be useful monitors of ecosystem health, at least as affected by genotoxins and promoters. However, tumors caused by purely genetic mechanisms or by virus would not be good indicators. Only neoplasms which have chemicals as a portion of their etiology (either a
Authors
Paul C. Baumann

The use of freshwater and saltwater animals to distinguish between the toxic effects of salinity and contaminants in irrigation drain water

Irrigation drain waters entering Stillwater Wildlife Management Area (SWMA) in south-western Nevada contain elevated levels of salinity and several inorganic contaminants (As, B, Cu, Li, Mo, and Sr). Mortalities of fish and waterfowl at the management area are believed to be associated with the poor water quality of the drains. The objective of the present study was to use fresh-water and saltwate
Authors
Christopher G. Ingersoll, F.J. Dwyer, S.A. Burch, M.K. Nelson, D.R. Buckler, J. B. Hunn

Communications: Blood chemistry of laboratory-reared Golden trout

Golden trout Oncorhynchus aguabonita obtained from a wild stock as fertilized eggs were reared in the laboratory for 21 months. The laboratory-reared golden trout in our study reached sexual maturity earlier and grew more rapidly than wild golden trout do (according to the scientific literature). Male fish averaged 35.6 cm in total length and 426 g in weight, and females averaged 36.2 cm and 487 g
Authors
Joseph B. Hunn, Ray H. Wiedmeyer, Ivan E. Greer, Andrew W. Grady

Assessment of sediment contamination at Great Lakes Areas of Concern: the ARCS Program Toxicity-Chemistry Work Group strategy

In response to a mandate in Section 118(c)(3) of the Water Quality Act of 1987, a program called Assessment and Remediation of Contaminated Sediments (ARCS) was established. Four technical work groups were formed. This paper details the research strategy of the Toxicity-Chemistry Work Group.The Work Group's general objectives are to develop survey methods and to map the degree of contamination and
Authors
P.E. Ross, G.A. Burton, E.A. Crecelius, J. C. Filkins, J. P. Giesy, C.G. Ingersoll, P.F. Landrum, M. J. Mac, T. J. Murphy, J. E. Rathbun, V. E. Smith, H. E. Tatem, R.W. Taylor

Aquatic hazard assessment of the organophosphate insecticide fonofos

This study determined the acute and chronic toxicity of the organophosphate insecticide fonofos to standard freshwater aquatic organisms under laboratory conditions. Fonofos was acutely toxic to bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), Daphnia (D. magna), and midge (Chironomous riparius) at 5.3, 2.7, and 39 μg/L, respectively. Three fonofos formulations (technical, 94.8% A.I.; 20G, field granular 20% A.I.;
Authors
James F. Fairchild, Edward E. Little, James N. Huckins