EPA/600/R-94/068
                                         April 1994
           SPOTLIGHT ON
               RESEARCH
                     1994
This report was prepared by various individuals. Research and
related activity inputs were written by those listed as contacts for
more information. These inputs were, reviewed, edited and
re-formatted by: Evelyn Hunt, EPA, from a technical information
perspective; Bob Drummond, EPA, scientific outreach perspective;
and Ann Sigford, ELS, environmental education perspective.
      Environmental Research Laboratory-Duluth
      Office of Environmental Processes and Effects
        Office of Research and Development
       U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                            Printed on Recycled Paper

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                            DIRECTOR'S PERSPECTIVE
           The mission of our laboratory continues to focus on providing the science
necessary to protect and maintain sustainable freshwater ecosystems. Our
scientists have focused their research on the important aspects of predicting the lexicological
and ecological effects of chemical, physical and biological stressors on important ecosystems
and the aquatic life and wildlife that live within them.  At the same time, the ongoing efforts
to reinvent and streamline government offer opportunities to increase our efficiency and,
therefore, the quantity and quality of our products.

           The Office of Research and Development (ORD) is increasingly taking
advantage of the opportunities for improved integration and interactions that occur by focusing
on a few geographic areas. The Great Lakes basin is one of those areas that is benefiting
through cooperative studies between our laboratory, other ORD laboratories, EPA Regions and
Program Offices as well as other state and federal agencies. The Environmental Research
Laboratory-Duluth (ERL-D) continues to be ORD's lead in Great Lakes ecology, toxicology
and mass balance modeling. Our research capabilities were recently expanded by obtaining
the R/V Lake Explorer. This 82 foot research vessel makes the Great Lakes much more
accessible for our direct research involvement.

           As can be seen in this document, however, our research is not solely directed
toward the Great Lakes. Our research in predictive toxicology and ecology provides a
foundation of knowledge that can be applied throughout our nation and, in fact, the world.

           Please feel free to contact the individuals listed to obtain additional information on
the research described.
                                      -1-

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                                   CONTENTS
RESEARCH AREAS
                                                                               Page
Biotechnology	,	      1
Contaminated Sediment Research	     2
Databases
        AQUIRE	     3
        QSAR	      4
        ASTER	      5
        ECOTOX	     6
Ecosystem Response	      7
Environmental Monitoring & Assessment Program (EMAP)	      8
Global Climate Change Program	      9
Great Lakes-Overview	,	     10
           -Modeling	    11
           -Food Chain Contaminant Research	    12
Introduced Species	     13
Nonpoint Source Characterization	     14
Point-Source Discharges/Effluent Characterization	     15
Risk Assessment -Predictive Toxicology	    16
Water Quality Criteria-Metals	    17
Watersheds	     18
Wetlands	     19

RELATED ACTTvTTIES

American Indian Program	    20
Environmental Education Outreach	     21
International Exchange	     22
Research Seminars	     23
Research Vessel - The Lake Explorer.	    24

Organizational Structure	     25
Recent Publications	     26
                                       -11-

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                             -Biotechnology
.^*          Ecological risk assessment for the intentional addition of
^      microorganisms to freshwater systems requires information from
     laboratory tests. Experiments are conducted using simple and complex
    laboratory systems.  In the simplest tests, one fish or invertebrate species is
  exposed to the microbe. Fish are exposed to a pathogen in poor as well as good
 conditions to measure how environmental change affects infection.  Invertebrate
 studies measure if and how the animal transports microbes. In a special single
 species study, the potential for exchange of DNA between microbes living in an
 insect's gut is being determined. The latter study is an important key in regulating
 "engineered" microbes.

     The most complex test system is called TEMPOCORE. It is based on soil
 cores collected from a dried, temporary pool of water. Water is added and soon a
   representative pool is produced in the laboratory. Microbes having different
     characteristics are added to measure how they survive or affect other
      animals living the laboratory pool'.  Once these systems are proven
   "\   they will be used to evaluate microbes used for controlling pests,
          degrading toxic materials or in industrial processes.
                                                                           \
                    For more information contact
                   Dick Anderson (218) 720-5616


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                 Contaminated Sediment Research

         Scientists here have developed a set of standard test protocols,
      to be used across the EPA, for assessing the toxicity and
    bioaccumulation of sediment-associated contaminants by freshwater
   invertebrate species. Short-term (10 day) toxicity tests are conducted
 with the amphipod Hyalella azteca and the midge Chironomus tentans,
while long-term (28 day) bioaccumulation tests are conducted with the
oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus.  Research is underway to develop
 long-term life cycle tests with both the amphipod and the midge. Results of
these tests will serve as a basis for directly estimating the potential effects of
contaminated sediments on aquatic ecosystems.
   Studies are being conducted to define factors controlling the partitioning
 behavior of different classes of contaminants in sediments.  We currently
 are evaluating an organic carbon-based model for predicting the bioavail-
  ability of nonionic organic chemicals such as pesticides and PCB's, and a
  model based on sediment acid volatile sulfide concentration to predict the
    bioavailability of cationic metals such as cadmium.  This research
      serves as a basis for developing numeric sediment quality criteria for
         specific contaminants,  and also supports efforts focused upon
            evaluating the fate/transport of sediment-associated
                contaminants.
                 For more information please contact
                  GaryAnkley (218) 720-5603.
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                       Databases: AQUIRE
             AOUatic toxicity Information REtrieval
  ^ S"   		
 , c    The AQUIRE database was established in 1981 and is updated
 ,?  and maintained at ERL-D.  It provides quick access to a comprehensive,
3* systematic, computerized compilation of aquatic toxic effects data. Scientific
 papers published world-wide on the toxic effects of chemicals to aquatic organisms
 and plants are collected and reviewed for AQUIRE. Toxicity test results and related
testing information for any individual chemical from laboratory  and field aquatic
toxicity tests are extracted and added to AQUIRE. Acute, sublethal and bioconcen-
tration effects are recorded for freshwater and marine organisms.
     As of January 1994, AQUIRE consists of over 115,000 individual test results
on computer file. These tests contain information for 5,292 chemicals and 2,550
 organisms, extracted from over 8,000 publications. All data entries have been
  subjected to established quality assurance procedures.
        AQUIRE is a VAX-based system located at ERL-D and the EPA
    National Computer Center at RTP, NC. It can be accessed  through the EPA
  x.    network via the VAX system or through a modem and personal computer.
        A user-friendly, menu-driven program to extract toxicity
           information is available for use by government offices.
              There are several commercial vendors of AQUIRE              ||
                  for access by the private sector.
                   For more information please contact
                   Christine Russom (218) 720-5709.
                             -3-

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                      Databases: QSAR
         Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship
      QSAR is an expert system which provides immediate information on
   physicochemical properties, fate and effects of organic chemicals on the
  environment.. QSAR utilizes structure-activity relationships; statistical methods
 which relate the structure and physicochemical properties of compounds to
biological activity.
      The QSAR system includes a database of measured physicochemical properties
such as melting point, boiling point, vapor pressure, and water solubility as well as
more than 56,000 molecular structures stored as SMILES (Simplified Molecular
Input Line Entry System) strings for specific chemicals. When empirical data are
 not available mechanistically-based predictive models are used to estimate
 ecotoxicology endpoints, chemical properties, biodegradation, and environmental
  partitioning.  QSAR also provides information on the potential genotoxicity of a
   chemical by either retrieving information from a database of known
    carcinogens/mutagens or invoking an expert system.
         QSAR is a VAX-based system located at ERL-D and the EPA National
      Computer Center at RTF, NC. The database can be accessed through the
    \   EPA network via the VAX system or through a modem and personal
     "\   computer. A user-friendly, menu-driven program to
      •PV                                                            <"•„ ff
              extract information is available for use by
                    government offices.
                 For more information please contact
                 Christine Russom (218)720-5709.
                             -4-

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                          Databases: ASTER
                Assessment Tools for the Evaluation of Risk
    ~/    ASTER was developed by ERL-D to assist regulators in performing
  ^ ecological risk assessments. ASTER is an integration of the AQUIRE
 y.* (AQUatic toxicity Information REtrieval) toxic effects database and the QS AR
;
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                       Databases: ECOTOX
             The goal of the proposed ECOTOX system is to establish a single
       database containing ecotoxicological effects information for aquatic life,
    wildlife, and plants that will be available for state, regional, national and inter-
  national agencies through the EPA National Computing Center at Research Triangle
FPark, NC. Development of this database will insure that high quality and properly
 reviewed toxic effects data are readily available to the regulatory and research
 community for use in performing ecological risk assessments and evaluating results of
 environmental monitoring programs.
      The proposed project will integrate three high quality ORD laboratory eco-
 toxicological effects databases: AQUIRE (see page 3), TERRE-TOX, developed at the
 Environmental Research Lab-Gorvallis (ERL-C), which contains toxicological effects
 data for terrestrial animals, and PHYTOTOX, also developed by ERL-C,  which
  contains toxicological effects data for terrestrial plants. Currently these  three data
  bases are not integrated into a single system.  Risk assessors and researchers are
    therefore confronted with an inefficient and expensive means of gathering
  \ ecological hazard assessment data.
              ERL-D, ERL-C and the Office of Science Planning and
         Regulatory Evaluation, with support from Agency Program Offices
              and other Federal Agencies, have developed a demon-
                  stration version of ECOTOX. A beta-test version is        i-
                         expected by the end of FY94.
                            V
                For more information please contact
                Christine Russom (218) 720-5709.
                            -6-

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                           Ecosystem Response
   v ^             We have developed and refined a littoral enclosure
  V%         design which allows us to partition a natural freshwater ecosystem
 \*      and measure the effects of pesticides, toxicants and other stressors without
j°    harming the total ecosystem. Data from these experiments represent the
   response of a natural system, and they are being used to develop and calibrate
  the Littoral Ecosystem Risk Assessment Model (LERAM). Our goal with
 experimental ecosystems is to apply this technology to problems found in the
 Great Lakes Basin.
        LERAM is a model derived from CASM (the Comprehensive Aquatic System
 Model) which predicts the probability of different levels of damage to a littoral
 ecosystem caused by toxic stress. The model includes fish and most other trophic
 levels in the littoral zone of lakes. Because the littoral ecosystem and many wetland
 ecosystems have similar foodwebs, we will be modifying this model to describe the
  wetland ecosystem. Taken together, the wetlands model, CASM (for a north
   temperate dimictic lake), POND (for a small lake: or pond) and LERAM, represent
     most aquatic ecosystems found in the Great Lakes Basin.
                Our goal is to link these ecosystem models together to represent
     \      the interconnected lentic ecosystems in large drainage basins and
       •:>-        use this network of models to predict changes in risk
                    associated with management decisions at the
                              watershed level.
                     For more information please contact
                     Richard Siefert (218)  720-5552 or
                         Frank Stay  (218) 720-5542

                                -7-

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        Environmental Monitoring & Assessment Program
                           (EMAP)
          The EMAP-Great Lakes Program is an interagency, inter-
   disciplinary program whose goals are to estimate the current status, trends
  and changes in selected biological indicators of the condition of the Great
Lakes with known confidence. We are looking for associations between
selected indicators of natural and anthropogenic stresses and indicators of
condition. We plan to provide annual statistical summaries and periodic
assessments of the Great Lakes.

      Within each of the five lakes, nearshore, offshore, harbor/bay and
 wetland resource classes have been established for monitoring activities.
  Trophic status, sediment characterization, diatom assemblage and
    benthic invertebrate indices are being developed for Lake Michigan
      and Lake Superior.
                     **»
           For more information please contact
           Stephen Lozano, (218) 720-5594.
                          -8-

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     ^>; °               Global Climate Change Program
     -/
   *v?           -  •                                                           \
  „ /          The objectives of this research program are to (1) predict the
 ^ /        effects of climate change on freshwater ecosystems and fisheries
^       resources of North America, and (2) determine the effects of climate change
*    on the spread of exotic species in North America;
       Recent research activities have been focused on developing methods to estimate
  the effect of climate change associated with a doubling of CO2 in the atmosphere on the
 distribution and abundance of fishes in different regions of the U.S. This requires
 integrating information on the thermal sensitivity offish, 2X CO2 meteorological
projections, water body physical characteristics in different regions, and 2X CO2 thermal
 regimes and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in lakes and streams obtained from
 validated physics-based models. Fish thermal sensitivity is being investigated here while
  the University of Minnesota is modeling temperature and DO conditions of surface
   waters. Estimates of effects on fish in Minnesota indicated that cold water species
     (trout, salmon) would be reduced in abundance while cool water fish
       (walleye, northern pike) would increase.  Future work will deal with the
  x     impact of changes in winter conditions and with general ecosystem
         productivity.
     \          Also being studied is the role of climate change in the spread
            of exotic species. Distribution and effects of present nuisance
                species (e.g. zebra mussels) and those that will displace
                    indigenous species but are still desirable within    ...,,,.,;-%
                         their current range are being studied.
                  For more information please contact
                  John Eaton (218) 720-5557.
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                  Great Lakes Research - Overview

\
             The EPA's Office of Research and Development's
       Great Lakes Research program is designed to solve environmental
    problems confronting Great Lakes ecosystems.  The general approach
   involves determining relative risks so that regulatory priorities may be
  established.

     This is done by collecting essential data, conducting scientific
 assessments and using mathematical models to make predictions of future
conditions.  These models relate sources and quantities of chemical inputs to the
 lakes to concentrations in water, sediment, and biota. Model predictions are
 then used to determine the effectiveness of alternative regulatory control  .
  strategies.

         The scientific goal is to develop an understanding of the Great
       Lakes ecosystem and how human activities impact this valuable
          resource.
                   For more information please contact
                   William Richardson, (313) 692-7611.
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                  Great Lakes Research •• Modeling
                                                                       \
0^/          Mathematical models are being developed that relate the
^?        input of toxic chemicals to their eventual destination in water,
       sediment, and biota. Although individual studies and experiments may
     provide useful information on ecosystem structure and behavior, the models
   are able to integrate all the components so that interactions are accounted for.
       Once models are calibrated they can be used to predict future concentra-
tions under various regulatory scenarios. This approach has been demonstrated to
a large degree in a recently completed project for Green Bay and the Fox River.
Results from the study are being used by EPA Region 5 and the State of Wiscon-
sin to establish priorities for reducing inputs of PCB's.
        Currently, models are being used to evaluate various sediment removal
  scenarios in the Fox River. Total removal could cost up to one billion dollars.
   By assessing the location of contaminated sediments  and determining their
    susceptibility for resuspension, the model of the lower Fox River will predict
     which sediment areas are the most susceptible and will help to establish
       removal priorities.
             We are now developing the next generation of models for Lake
          Michigan and have planned future model development for Lake
             Erie and Lake Huron with an ultimate goal of producing a
                  model of all five lakes in a series connected to
                         important watershed models.
              For more information please contact
              Douglas Endicott (313) 692-7613 or
              William Richardson (313) 692-7611.
                             -11-

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\
         Great Lakes Research - Food Chain Contaminants
        Progress has been made in reducing and eliminating toxic
   chemicals from the environment, yet many fish and wildlife species in the
  Great Lakes remain affected. Lake trout do not reproduce naturally in Lake
 Michigan and concentrations of PCBs remain above the acceptable level for
human consumption.
     Research is underway to determine the source of contamination and how
it moves up the links of the food chain. Part of the research goal is to
develop bioaccumulation models for important Great Lakes food chains.
 The Green Bay project demonstrated the utility of such an approach and EPA's
  Office of Research and Development is now extrapolating these results to Lake
   Michigan where issues are more complex.
        Working with the Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO),
    the Great Lakes states, NOAA and the National Biological Survey, the
      food chain of greatest significance is being selected for detailed
          investigation. This will include development of a bioaccum-
             ulation model with linkages to a mass balance, fate and
                transport model.
                  For more information please contact
                  Russell Kreis (313) 692-7615 or
                  Douglas Endicott (313)692-7613

                             -12-

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          * -x               Introduced Species
     ^
    ^        The U.S. EPA research program on aquatic nuisance species
   ^/   is managed and conducted by research scientists at ERL-D. The ob-
, Y   jectives are to develop an integrated, coordinated research program on
";-%  aquatic nuisance species throughout the continental United States, focusing
    initially on the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River basin. The program is
  in response to the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act
 of 1990, and is coordinated with other agencies through the Aquatic Nuisance
Species Task Force and its committees.
       The approach has been to consider the problem of introduced species from
three aspects; as an interaction of (1) a species population with (2) a vulnerable
ecosystem to (3) produce effects. Under this framework ERL-D is focusing ini-
tially on several species which have demonstrated their ability to successfully
invade lake and river ecosystems, including the zebra mussel, the ruffe (a fish)
  and the rusty crayfish. The effect of projected changes in climate on the ability
  of invading species to enter new environments is being investigated, as well
    as possible changes in ecosystem vulnerability to invasion induced by
      climate change. Finally, projects are underway or planned on the accu-
      mulation and trophic transfer of organic chemicals by zebra mussels
   \     and their effect on nutrient and energy dynamics, metabolism
    \      and toxicokinetics of contaminants in zebra mussels, and
               the potential influence of zebra mussels on native
                    benthic communities in the upper
                          Mississippi River.
\
                  For more information please contact
                  J. David Yount  (218) 720-5752.
                               -13-

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                Nonpoint Source Characterization
                                                                    "•=!

              We have continued to determine the impact
        of agrichemicals on aquatic life. This project is fulfilling certain
     objectives of EPA's Midwest Agrichemical Surface/Subsurface
    Transport and Effects Research (MASTER) Plan that outlines research
   needs for the Walnut Creek Watershed located near Ames, Iowa and the
 western corn belt ecoregion.

     The U.S. Department of Agriculture Management Systems Evaluation
Areas (MESA) Program has emphasized research on the transport and fate of
selected agrichemicals and effects on water. However, the ecotoxicological
effects associated with varying farming systems and agrichemical loadings have
not been addressed to date.  The goals of the research at ERL-D are to develop
 fate and ecotoxicological cause-and-effect information for typical classes of
  agriculture chemicals found in the surface waters of the Midwest corn belt.
   This information will assist in developing diagnostic procedures and
     predictive techniques to describe their impacts on the well-being of
       aquatic life and to assess the environmental benefits of dif-
         ferent ecosystem restorative techniques or alternate farm
              management systems.
            For more information please contact
            A. Ron Carlson (218) 720-5523.
                          -14-

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                     Point-Source Discharges /
                     Effluent Characterization
           The complex effluent research program has had an active
      involvement in the development of the basic science and technological
   tools supporting the whole effluent toxicity based approach of EPA's
   water quality based effort  to control toxics.
  Current effluent related research includes (1) the performance of field studies
 investigating the relationships between point source toxicity and ambient toxicity,
and their impacts upon the biological structure in ambient (receiving) water, (2) the
development of procedures for identifying, assessing and controlling chemicals
which cause chemical residues in fish and shellfish by bioconcentration and/or
bioaccumulation processes, and (3) the development of toxicity identification
 evaluation (TIE) procedures for identifying the cause of acute and chronic toxicity
  in effluents and ambient waters.

        Guidance documents for performing TIE procedures for characterizing,
      identifying, and confirming the cause(s) of toxicity for acutely and
         chronically toxic freshwater effluents recently have been revised.
   \     These revised documents, Phase I (Toxicant Characterization),
             Phase n (Toxicant Identification), and Phase HI (Toxicant     _  '
                   Confirmation) have been printed and are
                         available.                                 ',,
                For more information please contact
                Lawrence Burkhard (218) 720-5554.
                              -15-

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              Risk Assessment - Predictive Toxicology
         Efforts at ERL-D have been initiated to address a variety of new
    research and application issues associated with use of predictive
   toxicology models in ecological risk assessments.  Research to support the
  use of quantitative structure activity relationships (QSARs), physiologically-
 based toxicokinetic models, and molecular dosimetry techniques in assessing
the hazards of chemical stressors has been undertaken.

        Recent results have led to improved understanding of chemical
reactivity and studies involving xenobiotic metabolism and cellular intoxica-
tion will provide the toxicologic knowledge base to develop second generation
 QSAR models for reactive toxicants. In turn, state-of-the-art analytical
 techniques are being perfected whereby the presence of potentially toxic
  reactive chemicals can be identified in sediments, leachates, or aquatic
   organisms. These models help provide the means to relate environ-
      mental exposures to residue accumulation and adverse effects.
            For more information please contact
             Steven Bradbury (218)720-5527.
                           -16-

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                        Water Quality Criteria-Metals
\
     ^      Current water quality criteria for metals were developed
   \/   on the basis of total concentration of metal in laboratory test
 ^ ^   waters. The applicability of these criteria is uncertain because many       \
 "f  natural waters have a higher fraction of total metals bound to suspended
>'   solids, organic matter, and other constituents than laboratory water.  This
  bound metal will often be less available to organisms, thus less toxic, so that
 laboratory-derived criteria would overestimate risks. In short, bioavailabilities of
 different forms of metals are uncertain and variable, and there is currently no
 reliable way to chemically measure or calculate bioavailable metal.

         Efforts at ERL-D are directed at better establishing the bioavailabilities of
 different forms of metal and at developing methods to modify criteria to reflect metal
 bioavailability in specific waters. Acute and subchronic toxicity tests using
 fathead minnows and Ceriodaphnia dubia were conducted to assess the bioavail-
  ability of copper and lead bound to suspended solids.  Copper toxicity was strictly
   correlated with dissolved metal, suggesting little or no bioavailability of the copper
   bound to solids. For lead, there were indications of some contribution from the
     bound metal, but dissolved metal still appeared to be a reasonable basis for
       assessing risk for these organisms and endpoints.
               Ongoing work addresses the  effects of dissolved organic
            matter and pH on copper toxicity to these same organisms
                 and the role of copper speciation in these effects.         ,,  -"
                     For more information please contact
                     RussErickson  (218) 720-5534.
                                -17-

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                           Watersheds
                Our goal for this research is to develop procedures
      that define watershed quality. This project focuses on assessing
    the susceptibility of watersheds to human disturbance.
        Particular emphasis is placed on agricultural low order streams in the
 states of. Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota. A variety of physical,
chemical and biological approaches are being used that identify and
quantify natural descriptors (attributes) controlling watershed quality. The
studies are being conducted both through in-house research and extramural
assistance agreements.
      The gathered information is consolidated with statistical and
geographical procedures to provide integrative systems that discern
degradation severity. Occurrence  of impacted biological stream communities
 has already been related to poor habitat conditions and elevated sediment
  and nutrient concentrations. In particular/amounts of woody debris,
    fine stream-borne sediments, and elevated ammonia and nitrate
       levels are important descriptors of watershed quality.
                An important final product from this research is to
\         provide regulators with procedures to classify water-          -,;,
   %.          shed status and assist in formulating goals for         _
     %%.              remediation activities.
              »>.
               f» ',<•„
                      'A.,, ,

                      •%
                       f
                 For more information please contact
                   John Arthur (218)720-5565.
                           -18-

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                                                              X
                              Wetlands

          The objectives of our research are three-fold: (1) determine
        the contribution of individual and wetland complexes to water quality
      improvement, wildlife habitat and hydrology functions and to develop
    techniques to protect and enhance these functions, (2) quantify the effects
  of environmental stressors and adjacent environments on wetland function,
 and  (3) provide support to regulatory groups for the development of criteria to
 protect wetland function.

 Studies addressing these objectives for three different wetland types are under-
way.  The most comprehensive of these is occurring in the prairie pothole
region of North Dakota and Minnesota where research is characterizing these
 wetlands and evaluating the effects of sediment and agricultural chemicals.  A
 field study is assessing the effect of watershed manipulations on prairie pothole
 habitat functions by evaluating the impacts of four different land uses. The
  second research project is investigating the role Great Lakes wetlands play in
    the health of the Great Lakes. Initial research is characterizing the animal
     and plant life that inhabit these wetlands. Following this characterization,
       it will be possible to differentiate between stressed and unstressed
         wetlands. The third study area is investigating the role southeastern
    \     forested wetlands play in the water quality of adjacent small
      \      streams. The research is determining how forest
                  harvesting techniques affect pesticide movement
                        and ultimately downstream             .     >
                              water quality.                    „ ''
\
                   For more information please contact
                   William Sanville (218) 720-5723.
                               -19-

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                       American Indian Program
                  Over the past five years ERL-D, the Fond du Lac Indian
       //*'' Reservation, and the Center of American Indian and Minority
       ^ Health have maintained a positive working relationship. As a result of
       this cooperative effort, several programs are in place and planned which
       :nefit American Indian students.

       Our cooperative education program with area schools targets kindergarten
   irough senior high school  students. The objective of this program is to expose
  merican Indian elementary students to science, thereby increasing their interest in
 careers as scientists.  Internships for high school students and K-12 teachers are
 available to foster interest in science, math, and bio-medical careers. Students and
 teachers complete research projects over a four-week period each summer.  ERL-D
 also hosts a program for undergraduate science and bio-medical students. This
  program, through the Fond du Lac Reservation's Ni-Shou Gabawag grant (NTH),
 ; allows students to work with research teams for ten hours per week during the
\  school year and full-time during breaks and summer vacations.

           We recently developed a pre-collegiate program titled 'Summer
       Bridges' with the Education Department of the Fond du Lac Reservation.
         This cooperative training agreement consists of a summer experience
       .   designed to encourage junior and senior high school students to pursue
        \  college level education in the sciences. Through continued partic-   jj
          \,   ipation in these programs, ERL-D anticipates  a small,            r
              %   steady stream of American Indian scientists in
               ''*
                       five years.
                      For more information please contact
                      Sherry Linder (218) 720-5543.


                                  -20-

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                   Environmental Education Outreach
    •//        We have expanded our efforts to help students and teachers
  //       better understand our science. An environmental education
 vv      specialist was hired, under contract, to execute our outreach programs.

•"  Our focus is on elementary students and their teachers. We hope to visit all area
 schools at least once during the school year. Hands-on presentations will be given
 to illustrate the science of freshwater ecology and water pollution studies. Other
 activities include conducting teacher workshops, developing new learning units,
 participating in science fairs and field excursions, and preparing handout materials.

 For high school and college students we continue to provide in-house tours and
 follow-up discussions. A special guidebook was ptrepared that describes research
  being conducted in each room at ERL-D.  The book is designed for use by our
   staff when giving a tour. Each room description includes two sections: one for
j.    technical audiences; the other for the general public (students).
 \                                    •.          •          •  •
  \    Lastly, we have an excellent working relationship with EPA Region 5,
        Chicago. They have been most supportive of our efforts to promote
     \    EE from a science perspective.  We have helped in the review of
              grant proposals, especially those dealing with freshwater.
                  For more information please contact
                  RobertDrummond(218) 720-5733.
                               -21-

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                     International Exchange

       In 1993 approximately 10 scientists from many countries of the
  world visited ERL-D. These men and women spent days or weeks
 interacting with ERL-D scientists.  Some of the homelands represented
were Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Canada.

       ERL-D scientists traveled world-wide to share their expertise with
scientists in Finland, Norway, Canada, Australia and Thailand.

       We at ERL-D are proud to be part of the world-wide scientific
  community, and we expect this interaction to continue and to accelerate
   in the coming years.
\

               For more information please contact
                 Evelyn Hunt  (218) 720-5509.
                           -22-

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                       Research Seminars

         ERL-D scientists and staff members gather regularly to listen
    to seminars presented by their colleagues and other scientists from the
  United States, Canada, and other countries.  Scientists share their
 accomplishments in their areas of interest and expertise.  Local and area
researchers from other institutions also attend these interesting and
illuminating lectures.

      In addition, scientists at ERL-D share their expertise by presenting
 poster sessions and giving formal papers at symposia such as the Society of
  Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) and the American
   Chemical Society.
           For more information please contact
            Evelyn Hunt (218) 720-5509.
                       -23-

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                            Research Vessel
                             Lake Explorer
            Our Laboratory recently acquired a new research vessel to
    augment its research mission.  It will be used as one the means of
   conducting environmental sampling necessary to support Great Lakes research.

       In particular, the Lake Explorer will be used in research on Lake Superior
that will help implement EPA's Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Program (EMAP). This program has the goal of monitoring and assessing the
status and trends of the ecological condition of the Great Lakes.

       The Lake Explorer is an 82-foot vessel originally used by the Coast Guard
 as a patrol boat for search and rescue operations. It has twin diesel engines and
   can house a crew of 10 operators and scientists. Floyd Boettcher,
    ERL-D, will serve as captain.  The boat has a cruising speed of 18 knots
       which makes it one of the fastest research vessels on the Great Lakes.
   X
         For more information please contact
         Floyd Boettcher (218)  720-5701.
                            -24-

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              RECENT   PUBLICATIONS
Ankley, G.T., D.A. Benoit, R.A. Hoke, E.N.  Leonard,  C.W.  West,
G.L. Phipps, V.R. Mattson and L.A. Anderson.   1993.   Development
and evaluation of test methods for benthic invertebrates  and
sediments:  Effects of flow rate and feeding on water quality and
exposure conditons.   Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.  25:12-19.

Ankley, G.T., V.R. Mattson, E.N. Leonard,  C.W.  West  and J.L.
Bennett.  1993.  Predicting the acute toxicity of copper  in
freshwater sediments:  Evaluation of the role of acid volatile
sulfide.  Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 12:315-320.

Ankley, G.T., G.J. Niemi, K.B. Lodge, H.J.  Harris,  D.L. Beaver,
D.E. Tillitt, T.R. Schwartz, J.P. Giesy, P.D. Jones  and C.
Hagley.  1993.  Uptake of planar polychlorinated biphenyls  and
2, 3 , 7, 8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzdfurans and dibenzb-p-
dioxins by birds nesting in the lower Fox River/Green Bay,
Wisconsin, USA.  Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 24:332-344.

Benoit, D.A., G.L. Phipps and G.T. Ankley.   1993.  A sediment
testing intermittent renewal system for the automated renewal of
overlying water in toxicity tests with contaminated sediments.
Water Res. 27:1403-1412.

Bradbury, S.P., J.M. Dady, P.N. Fitzsimmons,  M.M. Voit, D.E.
Hammermeister and R.J. Erickson.  1993.  Toxicokinetics and
metabolism of aniline and 4-chloroaniline in medaka Oryzias
latipes.  Toxixol. Appl. Pharmacol. 118:205-214.

Brezonik, P.L., J.G. Eaton, T.M. Frost, P.J.  Garrison, T.K.
Kratz, C.E. Mach, J.H. McCormick, J.A. Perry, W.A.  Rose,  C.J.
Sampson, B.C.L. Shelley, W.A. Swenson and K.E.  Webster.  1993.
Experimental acidification of Little Rock Lake-, Wisconsin-:
Chemical and biological changes over the pH range 6.1 to  4.7.
Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Scl. 50:1101-1121.

Burkhard, L.P. and J.J. Jenson.  1993.  Identification of
ammonia, chlorine and diazinon as toxicants in a municipal
effluent.  Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.  25:506-515.

Cook, P.M., R.J. Erickson, R.L. Spehar, S.P.  Bradbury and G.T.
Ankley.  1993.  Interim report on data and methods for assessment
of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin risks to aquatic life and
associated wildlife.  EPA 600/R-93/055, March,  1993  (Released in
April, 1993) .
                              -26-

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Detenbeck,  N.E.,  C.A.. Johnston and G.J.  Niemi.   1993.   Wetland
effects  on  lake water quality in  the  Minneapolis/St.  Paul
metropolitan  area.   Landscape Ecol. 8:39-61.

Drummond, R.   1993.   Multiple newsbriefs or  one  newsletter for
all?   Published in Government Communications, June,  1993.

Durhan,  E.J.,  M.T. Lukasewycz and S.  Baker.  1993.   Alternatives
to methanol-water elution  of  solid-phase extraction  columns for
the fractionation of high  log Row organic compounds  in  aqueous
environmental  samples.   J.  Chromatography 629:67-74 .

Eaton, J.G., W.A. Swensen,  J.H. McCormick, T.D.  Simonson and K.M.
Jensen.   1993.  A field  and laboratory investigation of acid
effects  on  largemouth bass, rock  bass, black crappie  and yellow
perch.   Trans. Am. Fish. Soc.  121:644-658.

Featherstone,  D., C.D. Drewes,  J.R. Coats and S.P. Bradbury.
19'93.  A_non-invasive neurotoxicity assay using  larval  medaka .
In:  Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment:   2nd Volume,
ASTM STP  1216, 275-288.  J.W.  Gorsuch, F.J. Dwyer, C.G. Ingersoll
and T.W.  LaPointe, Eds., American Society for Testing and
Materials,  Philadelphia.

Harris, H.J.,  T.C. Erdman,  G.T. Ankley and K.B.  Lodge.  1993.
Measures  of reproductive success  and polychlorinated biphenyl
residues  in eggs  and chicks of-Forster's  tern on Green  Bay,  Lake
Michigan-1988,  Arch.  Environ.  Contam. Toxicol.  25:304-314.

Hoke,  R.A. ,  J.P.  Giesy, M.  Zabik  and M. linger.   1993.   Toxicity
of sediments and  sediment pore  waters from the Grand Calumet
River-Indiana  Harbor,  Indiana  area of concern.   Ecotoxicol.
Environ.  Saf.  26:86-112.

Jones,_P.D., G.T.  Ankley, D.A.  Best, R. Crawford, N. DeGalan,
J.P.  Giesy,  T.J.  Kubiak, J.P.   Ludwig,  J.L. Newsted, D.E. Tillitt
and D.A. Verbrugge.    1993.  Biomagnification of  bioassay-derived
2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents.   Chemosphere
26:1203-1212.

Jones, P.D.., J.P.  Giesy, J.L.  Newsted, D.A. Verbrugge, D.L.
Beaver, G.T. Ankley,  D.E. Tillitt, K.B. Lodge and G.J. Niemi.
1993.   2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents in tissues
of birds at Green Bay, Wisconsin,  USA.  Arch. Environ. Contam
Toxicol. 24:345-354.

Leino, R.Lv and J.H.  McCormick.   1993.  Responses of juvenile
largemouth bass to different pH and aluminum levels at
overwintering temperatures: effects on gill morphology,
electrolyte balance,  scale calcium, liver glycogen and depot  fat
Can.  J. Zool.  71:531-543.
                              -27-

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Leonard, E.N., V.R. Mattson, D.A. Benoit, R.A. Hoke and G.T.
Ankley.  1993.  Seasonal variation of acid volatile sulfide
concentration in sediment cores from three northeastern Minnesota
lakes.  Hydrobiologia 271:87-95.

Lien, G.J. and J.M. McKim.  1993.  Predicting branchial and
cutaneous uptake of 2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl in fathead
minnows  (Pimephales promelas) and Japanese medaka (Oryzias
latipes):  Rate limiting factors.  Aquat. Toxicol.  27:15-32.

McKim, J.M., Jr., J.M. McKim, Sr., S. Naumann, D.E.
Hammermeister, A.D. Hoffman and C.D. Klaassen.  1993.  In vivo
microdialysis sampling of phenol and phenyl glucuronide in the
blood of unanesthetized rainbow trout: Implications for
toxicokinetic studies.  Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 20:190-198.

Mekenyan, O.G., G.D. Veith, S.P. Bradbury and C.L.  Russom.  1993.
Structure-toxicity relationships for a, (3 unsaturated alcohols in
fish.  Quant. Struct.-Act. Relat. 12:132-136.

Nichols, J.W., J.M. McKim, G.J. Lien, A.D. Hoffman, S.L.
Bertelsen and C.A. Gallinat.  1993.  Physiologically-based
toxicokinetic modeling of three waterborne chloroethanes in
channel  catfish Ictalurus punctatus.  Aquat. Toxicol.  27:83-112.

Niemi, G.J., N.E. Detenbeck and J.A. Perry.  1993.  Comparative
analysis of variables to measure recovery rates in streams.  Env.
Tox. and Chem. 12 (9) :1541-1547.

Norberg-King, T.J. and S. Schmidt.   1993.  Comparison  of effluent
toxicity results using Ceriodaphnia  dubia cultured on  several
diets.   Environ. Toxicol. Chem.  12:1945-1955.

Phipps,  G.L., G.T. Ankley,  D.A. Benoit and V.R. Mattson.  1993.
Use  of  the  aquatic oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus  for
assessing the toxicity and  bioaccumulation of sediment-associated
contaminants.  Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 12:269-279.

Richards, C., G.E. Host and J.W. Arthur.  1993.  Identification
of predominant environmental  factors structuring stream
macroinvertebrate  communities within a large  agricultural
catchement.   Freshwater Biol.  29:285-294.

Schubauer-Berigan, M.K.,  J.R. Amato,  G.T. Ankley, S.E. Baker,
L.P. Burkhard, J.R.  Dierkes,  J.J.  Jenson, M.T.  Lukasewycz and
T.J. Norberg-King.   1993.   The  behavior  and  identification  of
toxic metals  in  complex mixtures:  Examples  from effluent  and
sediment pore water  toxicity identification  evaluations.  Arch.
Environ. Contam.  Toxicol.  24:298-306.
                               -28-

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Schubauer-Berigan, M.K., J.R. Dierkes, P.D. Monson and G.T.
Ankley.  1993.- pH-dependent toxicity of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn to
Ceriodaphnia dubia,  Pimephales promelas,  Hyalella azteca and
Lumbriculus varigatus.  Environ. Toxicol.  Chem. 12:1261-1266.

Serrano, J., D.W. Kuehl and S. Naumann.  1993.  Analytical
procedures and quality assurance criteria' for the determination
of major and minor deoxynucleosides in fish tissue DNA by liquid
chromatography-ultraviolet spectroscopy and liquid
chromatography-thermospray mass spectrometry.   J. Chromatography:
Biomedical Applications 615:203-213.

Sierszen, M.E. and T.M. Frost.  1993.  Response of predatory
zooplankton populations to the experimental acidification of
Little Rock Lake, Wisconsin.  J. Plankton Res. 15:553-562.

Tillitt, D.E., T.J.  Kubiak, G.T. Ankley and J.P. Giesy.  1993.
Dioxin-like potency in Forster's tern eggs from Green Bay, Lake
Michigan, North America.  Chemosphere 26:2079-2084.

Velleux, M.L., J.E.  Rathbun, R.G. Kreis,  Jr.,  J.L. Martin, M.J.
Mac and M.L. Tuchman.  1993.  Investigation of contaminant
transport from the Saginaw Confined Disposal Facility.  J. Great
Lakes Res. 19 (1) :158-174.

West, C.W., V.R. Mattson, E.N. Leonard, G.L. Phipps and G.T.
Ankley.  1993.  Comparison of the relative sensitivity of three
benthic invertebrates to copper-contaminated sediments from the
Keweenaw Waterway.  Hydrobiologia 262:57-63.

     *Many of our products are available in the open literature
and in books.  EPA reports may be obtained by writing to:

     Center for Environmental Research Information  (CERI)
     26 W. Martin Luther King Drive
     Cincinnati, OH  45268,

or purchased from the

     National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
     5235 Port Royal Road
     Springfield, VA  22161.

     Also available are:

          Spotlight on Research - 1991.  EPA/600/R-92/026.

          Spotlight on Research - 1992.  EPA/600/R-93/029.

          Bibliography of Research Products in the Fields of
          Freshwater Ecology and Toxicology 1967-1990.  NTIS.
          EPA/600/3-90/071.

                               -29-

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