Environmental fish and invertebrate toxicology scientists develop, apply, and validate methods for assessing the effects of contaminants and other environmental stressors on aquatic organisms. Research focuses on bioaccumulation and toxicity of contaminants from water, sediment, and food; the physical, chemical, and biological factors affecting these processes; and relationships between lab responses and characteristics of contaminated aquatic ecosystems.
Current environmental toxicology studies include standardization of acute and chronic toxicity test methods, bioavailability of metals associated with mining, toxicity assessments of confined animal feedlot effluents, and sensitivity evaluations of endangered fish, amphibians and mussels.