Environmental Chemistry

At CERC environmental chemisty characterizes pollution of aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric ecosystems. Research is conducted to provide information to resource managers regarding source of pollution, exposure, trophic transfer and environmental fate. Custom analytical methods are developed to decipher complex mixtures of emerging contaminants, endocrine disruptors, toxic elements and persistent organic pollutants (including dioxins). CERC has state-of-the-art analytical facilities that include gas and liquid chromatography (LC), low and high resolution mass spectrometry (MS), ICP-MS, direct mercury analyzer, atomic absorption, and LC/MS. Passive sampling methods such as the SPMD, POCIS, SLMD and PIMS were invented at CERC and are now used worldwide to assess pollutant exposure.

Research Studies

Publications

Assessment of organic contaminants in integrative samplers from Chesapeake Bay tributaries (91309)

Alvarez, D.A., Cranor, W.L., Huckins, J.N., Clark, R.C. and Perkins, S.D. 2004. Assessment of organic contaminants in integrative samplers from Chesapeake Bay tributaries. Final report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Annnapolis, MD.
Reproductive health of bass in the Potomac, USA, drainage: Part 2. Seasonal occurrence of persistent and emerging organic contaminants (91609)

Alvarez, D.A., Cranor, W.L., Perkins, S.D., Schroeder, V.L., Iwanowicz, L.R., Clark, R.C., Guy, C.P., Pinkney, A.E., Blazer, V.S. and Mullican, J.E. 2009. Reproductive health of bass in the Potomac, USA, drainage: Part 2. Seasonal occurrence of persistent and emerging organic contaminants. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 28(5): 1084-1095.
Reconnaissance of Persistent and Emerging Contaminants in the Shenandoah and James River Basins, Virginia, During Spring of 2007

Alvarez, D.A., Cranor, W.L., Perkins, S.D., Schroeder, V.L., Werner, S.L., Furlong, E.T., Kain, D., and Brent, R., 2008, Reconnaissance of Persistent and Emerging Contaminants in the Shenandoah and James River Basins, Virginia, During Spring of 2007: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, Open-File Report 2008-1231, 19 p.
Uptake rate constants and partition coefficients for vapor phase organic chemicals using semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) (91636)

Cranor, W.L., Alvarez, D.A., Huckins, J.N. and Petty, J.D. 2009. Uptake rate constants and partition coefficients for vapor phase organic chemicals using semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) Atmospheric Environment, 43(20): 3211-3219.
Analysis of SPMD Samples from the April 2004 Deployment in Bluestone River, Virgina for PCB's as Bioavailable Organic Contaminants

Cranor, W.L., Alvarez, D.A., Perkins, S.D., Clark, R.C., and Tegerdine, G.A., 2004, Analysis of SPMD Samples from the April 2004 Deployment in Bluestone River, Virginia for PCB's as Bioavailable Organic Contaminants: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, Report to Virgina Department of Environmental Quality, 71 p.
Use of SPMD Technology for a Probablisitic Assessment of Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants in Selected Reaches of Virginia Rivers

Cranor, W.L., Alvarez, D.A., Perkins, S.D., Tegerdine, G.A., Clark, R.C., and Huckins, J.N., 2005, Use of SPMD Technology for a Probablisitic Assessment of Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants in Selected Reaches of Virginia Rivers: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, Report to Virgina Department of Environmental Quality, 135 p.
Analysis of SPMD Samples from the October/November 2004 Deployment in Lake Anna, Virgina for PCB's as Bioavailable Organic Compounds

Cranor, W.L., Perkins, S.D., Clark, R.C., and Tegerdine, G.A., 2004, Analysis of SPMD Samples from the October/November 2004 Deployment in Lake Anna, Virginia for PCB's as Bioavailable Organic Compounds: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, Report to Virgina Department of Environmental Quality, 43 p.
Estimation of Freely-Dissolved Concentrations of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, 2,3,7,8-Substituted Congeners and Homologs of Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and Dibenzofurans in Water for Development of Total Maximum Daily Loadings for the Bluestone River Watershed, Virginia and West Virginia

Gale, R.W., 2007, Estimation of Freely-Dissolved Concentrations of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, 2,3,7,8-Substituted Congeners and Homologs of Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and Dibenzofurans in Water for Development of Total Maximum Daily Loadings for the Bluestone River Watershed, Virginia and West Virginia: USGS Columbia Environmental Science Center, Open-File Report 2007-1272, 27 p.
Semivolatile organic compounds in residential air along the Arizona-Mexico Border (91629)

Gale, R.W., Cranor, W.L., Alvarez, D.A., Huckins, J.N., Petty, J.D. and Robertson, G.L. 2009. Semivolatile organic compounds in residential air along the Arizona−Mexico Border. Environmental Science and Technology, 43(9): 3054-3060.
Determination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Selected Persistent Organochlorine Pesticides, and Polybrominated Flame Retardants in Fillets of Fishes from the 2006 Missouri Department of Conservation Monitoring Programs

Gale, R.W., May, T.W., Orazio, C.E., and McKee, M.J., 2008, Determination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Selected Persistent Organochlorine Pesticides, and Polybrominated Flame Retardants in Fillets of Fishes from the 2006 Missouri Department of Conservation Monitoring Programs: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Open-File Report 2008-1028, 36 p.
Determination of Diphacinone in Sea Water, Vertebrates, Invertebrates, and Bait Pellet Formulations Following Aerial Broadcast on Mokapu Island, Molokai, Hawai'i

Gale, R.W., Tanner, M., and Orazio, C.E., 2008, Determination of Diphacinone in Sea Water, Vertebrates, Invertebrates, and Bait Pellet Formulations Following Aerial Broadcast on Mokapu Island, Molokai, Hawai'i: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, Open-File Report 2008-1285, 16 p.
How useful are the "other" semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs); the mini-unit (15.2 cm long)? (91634)

Goodbred, S.L., Bryant, W.L., Rosen, M.R., Alvarez, D. and Spencer, T. 2009. How useful are the "other" semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs); the mini-unit (15.2 cm long)? Science of The Total Environment, 407(13): 4149-5156.
The CETAC ADX-500 Autodiluter System: A Study of Dilution Performance with the ELAN 6000 ICP-MS and ELAN Software (90956)

May, T.W. and Wiedmeyer, R.H., 1008, The CETAC ADX-500 Autodiluter System: A Study of Dilution Performance with the ELAN 6000 ICP-MS and ELAN Software: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, Atomic Spectroscopy, Vol. 19(5), pp 143-149.
Concentrations of Elements in Hellbender Blood and Fish Fillets from the Missouri Department of Conservation Monitoring Programs

May, T.W., Walther, M.J., and Brumbaugh, W.G., 2007, Concentrations of Elements in Hellbender Blood and Fish Fillets from the Missouri Department of Conservation Monitoring Programs: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, Open-File Report 2007-1229, 18 p.
Concentrations of elements in fish fillets, fish muscle plugs, and crayfish from the 2007 Missouri Department of Conservation General Contaminant Monitoring Program (91596)

May, T.W., Walther, M.J., Saiki, M.K. and Brumbaugh, W.B. 2009. Total selenium and selenium species in irrigation drain inflows to the Salton Sea, California, April and July 2008. U.S. Geological Survey, Open-File Report 2009-1011.
Total Selenium and Selenium Species in Irrigation Drain Inflows to the Salton Sea, California, April and July 2007

May, T.W., Walther, M.J., Saiki, M.K. and Brumbaugh, W.G., 2007, Total Selenium and Selenium Species in Irrigation Drain Inflows to the Salton Sea, California, April and July 2007: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, Open-File Report 2007-1347, 18 p.
Total Selenium and Selenium Species in Irrigation Drain Inflows to the Salton Sea, California, October 2007 and January 2008

May, T.W., Walther, M.J., Saiki, M.K. and Brumbaugh, W.G., 2008, Total Selenium and Selenium Species in Irrigation Drain Inflows to the Salton Sea, California, October 2007 and January 2008: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, Open-File Report 2008-1178, 15 p.
Selenium Concentrations in Irrigation Drain Inflows to the Salton Sea, California, October 2006 and January 2007

May, T.W., Walther, M.W., and Brumbaugh, W.G., 2007, Selenium Concentrations in Irrigation Drain Inflows to the Salton Sea, California, October 2006 and January 2007: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, Open-File Report 2007-1113, 19 p.
Investigation of the Distribution of Organochlorine and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Compounds in the Lower Columbia River Using Semipermeable-membrane Devices

McCarthy, K.A. and Gale, R.W, 1999, Investigation of the Distribution of Organochlorine and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Compounds in the Lower Columbia River Using Semipermeable-membrane Devices: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4051, 136 p.
Survey of Chemical Contaminants in the Hanalei River, Kaua'i, Hawai'i, 2001

Orazio, C.E., May, T.W., Gale, R.W., Meadows, J.C., Brumbaugh, W.G., Echols, K.R., Steiner, W.W.M., and Berg, C.J., Jr., 2007, Survey of Chemical Contaminants in the Hanalei River, Kaua'i, Hawai'i, 2001: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5096, 22 p.
The Use of Semipermeable Membrane Devices (SPMDs) to Concentrate Inducers of Fish Hepatic Mixed Oxygenase (MFO) (90906)

Parrott, J.L. and Tillitt, D.E., 1997, The Use of Semipermeable Membrane Devices (SPMDs) to Concentrate Inducers of Fish Hepatic Mixed Oxygenase (MFO):Chapter 12 in Ecotoxicology:Responses, Biomarkers, and Risk Assessment, 12 p.
Development and Application of Techniques for Sampling Bioavailable Airborne Organic Compounds

Petty, J.D., Huckins, J.N., Cranor, W.L., Gale, R.W., Alvarez, D.A., and Clark, R.C., 1999, Development and Application of Techniques for Sampling Bioavailable Airborne Organic Compounds:U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, Report to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 126 p.
Assessment of Missouri River Habitat Quality Using SPMDs

Petty, J.D., Huckins, J.N., Orazio, C.E., Lebo, J.A., Poulton, B.C., and Gale, R.W., 1993, Assessment of Missouri River Habitat Quality Using Semi- Permiable Membrane Device: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, 181 p.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydorcarbons in Water, Sediment and Snow from Lakes in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, (91344)

Rhea, D.T., Gale, R.W., Orazio, C.E., Peterman, P.H., Harper, D.D., and Farag, A.M., 2005, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydorcarbons in Water, Sediment and Snow from Lakes in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, Final Report, 29 p.
Year 3 Summary Report: Baseline Selenium Monitoring of Agricultural Drains Operated by the Imperial Irrigation District in the Salton Sea Basin

Saiki, M.K., Martin, B.A., and May, T.W., 2008, Year 3 Summary Report: Baseline Selenium Monitoring of Agricultural Drains Operated by the Imperial Irrigation District in the Salton Sea Basin: U.S. Geological Survey Western Fisheries Research Center, Open-File Report 2008-1271, 77 p.
Summary of total mercury concentrations in fillets of selected sport fishes collected during 2000–2003 from Lake Natoma, Sacramento County, California (91592)

Saiki, M.K., Slotton, D.G., May, T.W., Ayers, S.M., and Alpers, C.N., 2004, Summary of Total Mercury Concentrations in Fillets of Selected Sport Fishes Collected During 2000-2003 from Lake Natoma, Sacramento County, California: U.S. Geological Survey, Data Series 103, 28 p.
Concentrations of cadmium, cobalt, lead, nickel, and zinc in blood and fillets of northern hog sucker (Hypentelium nigricans ) from streams contaminated by lead-zinc mining: Implications for monitoring (91615)

Schmitt, C.J., Brumbaugh, W.G. and May, T.W. 2009. Concentrations of cadmium, cobalt, lead, nickel, and zinc in blood and fillets of northern hog sucker (Hypentelium nigricans ) from streams contaminated by lead–zinc mining: Implications for monitoring Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 56(3): 509-524.
Concentrations of cadmium, cobalt, lead, nickel, and zinc in blood and fillets of northern hog sucker (Hypentelium nigricans ) from streams contaminated by lead-zinc mining: Implications for monitoring (91615)

Schmitt, C.J., Brumbaugh, W.G. and May, T.W. 2009. Concentrations of cadmium, cobalt, lead, nickel, and zinc in blood and fillets of northern hog sucker (Hypentelium nigricans ) from streams contaminated by lead–zinc mining: Implications for monitoring Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 56(3): 509-524.
Occurrence of organic wastewater compounds in the Tinkers Creek Watershed and two other tributaries to the Cuyahoga River, Northeast Ohio (91618)

Tertuliani, J.S., Alvarez, D.A., Furlong, E.T., Meyer, M.T., Zaugg, S.D. and Koltun, G.F. 2008. Occurrence of organic wastewater compounds in the Tinkers Creek Watershed and two other tributaries to the Cuyahoga River, Northeast Ohio. U.S. Geological Survey, Scientific Investigations Report 2008-5173.
The Toxic Equivalents Approach for Fish and Wildlife (90969)

Tillitt, D.E., 1999, The Toxic Equivalents Approach for Fish and Wildlife: Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp 25-32.
Toxic Equivalency Factors (TEFs) for PCBs, PCDDs, PCDFs for Humans and Wildlife (90970)

Van den Berg, M., Birnbaum, L., Bosveld, A.T.C., Brunstrlim, B., Cook, P., Feeley, M., Giesy, J.P., Hanberg, A., Hasegawa, R., Kennedy, S.W., Kubiak, T., Larsen, J.C., Rolaf van Leeowen, F.X., Liem, D.A.K., Nolt, C., Peterson, R.E., Poellinger, L., Safe, S., Schrenk, D., Tillitt, D.E., Tysklind, M., Younes, M., Waern, F. and Zacharewsk, T., 1998, Toxic Equivalency Factors (TEFs) for PCBs, PCDDs, PCDFs for Humans and Wildlife: Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 106, No. 12, 18 p.
An evaluation of selenium concentrations in water, sediment, invertebrates, and fish from the Solomon River Basin (91507)

May, T.W., Fairchild, J.F., Petty, J.D., Walther, M.J., Lucero, J., Delvaux, M., Manring, J. and Armbuster, M. 2008. An evaluation of selenium concentrations in water, sediment, invertebrates, and fish from the Solomon River Basin Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 137(1-3):213-232.
Occurrence of organic wastewater compounds in the Tinkers Creek Watershed and two other tributaries to the Cuyahoga River, Northeast Ohio (91618)

Tertuliani, J.S., Alvarez, D.A., Furlong, E.T., Meyer, M.T., Zaugg, S.D. and Koltun, G.F. 2008. Occurrence of organic wastewater compounds in the Tinkers Creek Watershed and two other tributaries to the Cuyahoga River, Northeast Ohio. U.S. Geological Survey, Scientific Investigations Report 2008-5173.
Assessment of elemental concentrations in streams of the New Lead Belt in Southeastern Missouri, 2002-05 (91485)

Brumbaugh, W.G., May, T.W., Besser, J.M., Allert, A.L. and Schmitt, C.J. 2007. Assessment of elemental concentrations in streams of the New Lead Belt in Southeastern Missouri, 2002-05. U.S. Geological Survey, Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5057.
Assessment of elemental concentrations in streams of the New Lead Belt in Southeastern Missouri, 2002-05 (91485)

Brumbaugh, W.G., May, T.W., Besser, J.M., Allert, A.L. and Schmitt, C.J. 2007. Assessment of elemental concentrations in streams of the New Lead Belt in Southeastern Missouri, 2002-05. U.S. Geological Survey, Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5057.
Determination of total mercury in fillets of sport fishes collected from Folsom and New Melones Reservoirs, California, 2004 (91488)

May, T.W. and Brumbaugh, W.G. 2007. Determination of total mercury in fillets of sport fishes collected from Folsom and New Melones Reservoirs, California, 2004. U.S. Geological Survey, Open-File Report 2007-1077.
Determination of total mercury in fillets of sport fishes collected from Folsom Reservoir, California, 2006 (91487)

May, T.W. and Brumbaugh, W.G. 2007. Determination of total mercury in fillets of sport fishes collected from Folsom Reservoir, California, 2006. U.S. Geological Survey, Open-File Report 2007-1078.
Determination of total mercury in whole-body fish and fish muscle plugs collected from the South Fork of the Humboldt River, Nevada, September 2005 (91489)

May, T.W. and Brumbaugh, W.G. 2007. Determination of total mercury in whole-body fish and fish muscle plugs collected from the South Fork of the Humboldt River, Nevada, September 2005. U.S. Geological Survey, Open File Report 2007-1059.
Residues of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the Spring River, Missouri (90530)

Crunkilton, R.L., Smith, L.M., Petty, J.D. and Kleopfer, R.D. 1987. Residues of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the Spring River, Missouri. Water, Air and Soil Pollution 32(1-2): 219-231.