&EPA
MED in Review
www.epa.gov
EPA/600/N-10/001
Spring 2010
United States Environmental
Protection Agency
• Office of Research and
Development
• National Health and
Environmental Effects
Research Laboratory
• Mid-Continent Ecology
Division, Duluth,
Minnesota
In this Issue:
Research Events
Featured Research
Current Events
New Publications
MED Seminars
Awards
People
MED in Review Editor
Mary Ann Starus
(218)529-5075
starus.maryann@epa.gov
MED in Review Design
SES3 Contract
GS-35F-4594G
Task Order 1524
Research Events
ANNUAL POSTER SOCIAL
The Mid-Continent Ecology Division and Twin
Ports Freshwater Folk co-hosted the 4th Annual
MED Poster Social on December 2. Over 20
posters were on display, highlighting the research
presented by MED staff at scientific meetings
throughout 2009. Presentations covered the wide
range of work being conducted at MED, from
research on nanoparticles to large scale ecosystems:
1 Towards an ecosystem services research program
for the Great Lakes Basin (ESRP-GLB): Understanding multiscale variation in ecosystem
structure, function, and services in aquatic ecosystems subjected to multiple stressors.
Angradi, T.A., D. Bolgrien, J. Hoffman, T. Hollenhorst, M. Moffett, J. Morrice, J.
Scharold, M. Sierszen, D. Taylor, A. Trebitz, J. Thompson and P. Yurista.
1 A classification scheme for assignment of chemical class and mode of action for organic and
metal contaminants. Barren, M.G., D.N. Vivian, C.L. Russom, and S. Raimondo.
1 Microwave digestion and furnace atomic absorption method for the quantification of
nano-scale TiO2 in aqueous samples. Brennan, A.A., J.D. Fernandez, and S.A. Diamond.
1 Relative chemical binding affinities for trout and human estrogen receptor using different
competitive binding assays. Denny, J.S., M.W. Hornung, M.A.Tapper, P.K. Schmieder,
J. Pregenzer, J. McKim IV, and D. Blakeman.
1 Measuring endocrine-active chemicals at ng/L concentrations in water. Durhan, E.J.,
E.A. Makynen, J.E. Cavallin, L.C. Wehmas, and G.T. Ankley
1 Ecoenzymatic stoichiometry of microbial nutrient acquisition in aquatic sediments.
Hill, B.H. and C.M. Elonen.
1 The influence of test conditions on the performance of Chironomus dilutus and Hyalella
azteca in sediment toxicity tests. Hockett, J.R., T.L. Highland, D.J. Hoff, C.T. Jenson,
T.J. Norberg-King, and D.R. Mount.
1 An evaluation of the venous equilibrium model for hepatic clearance using isolated perfused
rainbow trout livers. Hoffman, A.D., T.L. ter Laak, P.N. Fitzsimmons, and J.W. Nichols.
1 Effects of silver nanoparticles on Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) and Daphnia magna.
Hoheisel, S., A.A. Brennan, S.A. Diamond, and D.R. Mount.
1 Use of tandem in vitro and ex vivo assays to assess chemicals for thyroid hormone synthesis
inhibition. Hornung, M.W. and E. Burgess.
1 Evaluation of the antimicrobial triclocarban in a short-term reproduction assay with the
fathead minnow (Pimephalespromelas). Jensen, K.M., J.E. Cavallin, E.J. Durhan,
M.D. Kahl, E.A. Makynen, D.L. Villeneuve, L.C. Wehmas, and G.T. Ankley.
1 Dynamic nature of alterations in the endocrine system of fathead minnows exposed to the
fungicide prochloraz. Kahl, M.D., J.E. Cavallin, K.M. Jensen, N.D. Mueller,
D.L. Villeneuve, L.C. Wehmas, G.T. Ankley, and D. Martinovic.
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Mid-Continent Ecology Division • Duluth, MN
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POSTER SOCIAL - CONTINUED
• An international conference on the ecology of Lake Superior: Integrated approaches
and challenges in the 21st century. J.R. Kelly and M. Munawar
• Resolving responses of coastal receiving systems to landscape stressors: A model
approach in support of nutrient criteria development in large regional settings.
J.A. Morrice, M.E. Sierszen, J.A. Thompson, A.S. Trebitz, and J.R. Kelly
• Metabolism of 7-ethyoxycoumarin by isolated perfused rainbow trout livers. Nichols,
J.W., G.J. Lien, A.D. Hoffman, and P.N. Fitzsimmons.
• Comparisons of sediment test volumes for freshwater solid phase sediment toxicity
tests. Norberg-King, T.I, T.L. Highland, R.J. Hockett, and D.R. Mount.
• Using biological assemblages to assess the condition of the Great Rivers of the Central Basin, USA. Pearson, M. S., T.R. Angradi,
S.L. Batterman, D.L. Taylor, T.M. Jicha, and D.W. Bolgrien.
• Use of microarray to analyze gene expression profiles of acute effects of prochloraz on fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas).
Skolness, S.Y., K.M. Jensen, M.D. Kahl, D. Martinovic, D.L. Villeneuve, and G.T. Ankley.
• Defining Great Lakes shallow nearshore zones for the USEPA 2010 National Coastal Assessment. Starry, M.A., J.R. Kelly,
P.M. Yurista, J.V. Scharold, and T. Olsen.
• Negative feedback control of pituitary thyroid-stimulating hormone synthesis and secretion by thyroid hormones during
metamorphosis inXenopus laevis. Sternberg, R.M., K.R. Thoemke, J.J. Korte, S.M. Moen, J.E. Tietge, and S.J. Degitz
• Multimetric habitat and hydrology indices for Mid-Continent (USA) Great Rivers. Taylor, D.L., B.H. Hill, M.S. Pearson,
D.W. Bolgrien, and T.R. Angradi.
• In vitro and in vivo estrogenicity of wastewater treatment plant effluent. L. Wehmas, J. Cavallin, L. Blake, E. Durhan, K. Jensen,
M. Kahl, D. Martinovic, D. Villeneuve, J. Mayasich, T. Tuominen, and G. Ankley.
Contact: Mike Hornung (218) 529-5236.
UNIVERSITY FOR SENIORS
In January, February, and March 2010, several Division
scientists made presentations on a variety of research topics as
part of a work study group associated with the University for
Seniors program at the University of Minnesota Duluth. This
program is sponsored by the Department of Continuing
Education, which provides lifelong learning for individuals age
50 and older, and focuses on opportunities for intellectual and
cultural development. The program is designed to function as
an intellectual cooperative with its members acting as
instructors, planners, and committee members. Over forty study
groups are offered each term, and three eight-week terms are
held each academic year.
Bob Spehar made a series of general presentations highlighting
the Division's research, organism culture, and test system designs
from the late 1960s, when the laboratory was built, to the present.
Later presentations described the use of science in regulation
(Teresa Norberg-King); and research involving asbestos
(Phil Cook), amphibians (Joe Tietge), wildlife (Rick Bennett),
and toxicokenetics (Mike Hornung). Each presentation discussed
why the research was undertaken, what was done, and how it has
evolved over time. An excellent exchange of questions and
answers occurred after each presentation between the seniors and
the Division's scientists. Contact: Bob Spehar (218) 529-5123.
ORD AND GLNPO SCIENTISTS MEET TO CHARACTERIZE POTENTIAL RISKS OF Toxic SUBSTANCES IN GREAT LAKES
On January 20-21, scientists from across ORD held a meeting in Chicago with the USEPA Region 5 Great
Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO), the toxic chemical component of the Great Lakes Restoration
Initiative (GLRI). The purpose of the meeting was to create a strategy to establish a framework to be used
by GLNPO to prioritize and organize toxics-related work that may be conducted by ORD, federal agencies,
grantees, and other collaborators. The draft strategy will be reviewed and critiqued at a binational,
interagency workshop to be held in May of 2010 in Toronto. The GLRI is a major, comprehensive effort to
address priority issues in the Great Lakes, including the issue of toxic substances. Monitoring of toxic substances in the Great Lakes
has been longstanding, but assessing the risks associated with the presence of legacy contaminants and contaminants of emerging
concern has been hampered by the lack of effects data or predictions. Therefore, a major emphasis in the upcoming GLRI work will be
on characterizing and predicting potential effects of chemicals relevant to the Great Lakes. Contact: Joe Tietge (218) 529-5176.
MED in Review
Mid-Continent Ecology Division • Duluth, MN
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SYMPOSIUM ON INTEGRATED MODELING FOR LARGE AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
PUTTING THE BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO USE: INTEGRATED MODELING AND ANALYSIS TO
SUPPORT THE MANAGEMENT AND RESTORATION OF LARGE AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
The visible signs of a major water-body under stress are
profound. Harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, habitat loss,
nuisance species invasions, declining fish and shellfish
populations, waters unsafe for drinking or swimming...
Large aquatic ecosystems such as the Chesapeake Bay, Great
Lakes, and Puget Sound are facing some of the Nation's most
complex water resources and ecosystem management
challenges. These systems are very complicated networks of
correlated hydraulic, hydrological, ecological, geochemical,
biological, and atmospheric components, supporting a
variety of processes. In addition to housing an amazingly
diverse array of plants and wildlife, these ecosystems
support many important economic activities. The stress on
these ecosystems from urban sprawl, air and water pollution,
invasive species, and climate change has wide ranging
impacts on the quality of life in their vicinity. Consequently,
their restoration is increasingly viewed as a national priority.
Developing strategies for the management and restoration of
the large aquatic ecosystems relies on scientific analyses that
tie the multiple pressures on these systems to multiple
ecological responses of concern. Given the multi-scale and
multi-media challenges associated with understanding and
restoring these ecosystems, integrated modeling and analysis
is an especially useful approach.
On January 21-22, the USEPA convened a symposium on
the development and design for application of multi-media,
multi-scale, and multi-disciplinary models to support the
protection and restoration of large aquatic ecosystems. The
symposium sought to determine how science-based modeling systems
can be used to inform management and the design of innovative
policies, including those that combine traditional regulatory
approaches with market-mechanisms. Over 150 participants attended
from a wide range of sectors (federal, state and local government,
NGOs, academia, private sector), including policy analysts,
ecologists, environmental engineers, economists, IT specialists, and
program managers. Plenary sessions and breakout workgroups were
convened. Next steps are to develop a symposium report, a
symposium white paper, and a journal publication on integrated
modeling and analysis systems.
The organizing committee was composed of USEPA personnel from
numerous Offices and Programs:
Richard Allen, Office of Environmental Information
Alan Dixon, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
Noha Gaber, Office of the Science Advisor
Michael Hiscock, Office of the Science Advisor
Russell Kreis, Office of Research and Development, NHEERL
John Lehrter, Office of Research and Development, NHEERL
Lewis Linker, Chesapeake Bay Program Office
Mahri Monson, Pacific Islands Office
Gabriel Olchin, Office of the Science Advisor
John Powers, Office of Water
Gary Shenk, Chesapeake Bay Program Office
The Symposium website can be found at:
http://www.epa.gov/crem/2010-symposium.htm.
Contact: Russ Kreis (734) 692-7615.
GTH US-JAPAN BILATERAL MEETING ON ENDOCRINE DISRUPTION TEST METHODS DEVELOPMENT
This meeting was held in Washington DC on January 27-28, to harmonize efforts by the USEPA and Japanese Ministry of the
Environment to develop Tier 2 testing protocols for evaluating chemicals for endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity in fish,
amphibians, and invertebrates. Meeting participants included Japanese representatives from the Ministry of the Environment, the
Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute, and the National Institute of Environmental Studies; and USEPA representatives from
the Office of Scientific Coordination and Policy and the ORD NHEERL Mid-Continent Ecology Division. The agenda included
presentations of bilateral progress in test development, followed by the establishment of workgroups to discuss issues for each test
protocol and to propose areas of collaboration between US and Japanese research groups, for possible integration into research plans
for the following year. Also discussed was US-Japanese cooperation on harmonizing test protocols for Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development validation. The bilateral meeting provided opportunities for exchange of research results, opinions, and
views on various issues related to endocrine disruption effects in aquatic animal species, including fish, amphibians, and invertebrates.
Contact: Rod Johnson (218) 529-5117 or Sig Degitz (218) 529-5168.
MED in Review
Mid-Continent Ecology Division • Duluth, MN
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Featured Research
NANOMATERIALS ECOTOXICOLOGY RESEARCH
Nanomaterials continue to be developed, produced, and incorporated into consumer and commercial products at an ever-increasing
pace. These materials, loosely defined as having at least one dimension between 1 and 100 nm, are characterized by having
physical-chemical properties and behaviors not present in their bulk forms. These characteristics make nanomaterials extremely
attractive as additives or primary constituents in consumer, commercial, and industrial products. They have the potential to
dramatically increase the efficiency of solar voltaic systems, rapidly degrade environmental
contaminants, greatly advance targeted drug delivery, yield lighter and stronger materials, and
impact almost every sector of human activity. All of these characteristics also contribute to
concerns with the environmental risk posed by these materials. Adding to those concerns is the
paniculate or fibrous nature of nanomaterials. Ecotoxicity test protocols or guidelines focus
exclusively on soluble chemicals and do not describe methods for creating exposure media or
monitoring factors such as agglomerate size or settling rates. To address these issues, researchers
at MED have, over the last two years, identified the inadequacies in test protocols and begun
developing test approaches that address those inadequacies. Initial testing with nano-scale
titanium dioxide (TiO2) and silver (n-Ag) has demonstrated that, for many nanomaterials, test
protocols will need to require additional characterization of particle suspension including
agglomeration state (the extent to which individual particles clump together) and measurement of
concentration. For example, the figures shown here illustrate the consistent change in these
properties over a standard media renewal time of 24 hours. These properties are also strongly
affected by water-quality factors including ionic strength and pH, and the presence of organisms
(likely due to exudates in exposure media). MED researchers have also quantified the increase in
toxicity of TiO2 in the presence of solar radiation (simulated; SSR). At very moderate levels of SSR (simulating a mostly-cloudy
summer day in Duluth) the effect level (96-hour LC50) has been estimated to be about 4.5 mg/1, whereas only partial effects are seen
at 500 mg/1, representing a two order of magnitude increase in potency. There is also some suggestion that larger agglomerates are
slightly more toxic than smaller agglomerates, although this effect has not been entirely confirmed.
100 nm f "••*•%
TEM confirmation of agglomerate sizes
2000
1200
800
1 ppm
4 ppm
20
25
MED researchers have also completed several assays with a variety of forms of n-Ag and Ag salts
in an effort to differentiate between toxicity of particles and the ions that they may release to the
exposure media. A key regulatory issue relative to n-Ag and n-Ag-containing products: it is
currently unclear whether it is adequate to regulate n-Ag based solely on the ions that it may
release, or if regulation should, in part, be based on the toxicity of particles, per se. Research at
MED indicates that n-Ag is much less toxic, on a bulk concentration basis, but it remains unclear
whether the toxicity observed is due to ions released from the particles (note that ionic silver is
toxic to small fish and aquatic invertebrates at low part per billion levels). In the near future, MED
researchers plan to incorporate proteomic approaches to address this question.
The nanomaterials toxicology research at MED is being conducted by a team comprised of Steve
Diamond (lead PI), Dave Mount (co-Pi), Sarah Hohiesel (UMD M.S. student being funded under
the UM Coop), and Amanda Brennan (SSC), with assistance from Joe Fernandez and others. MED
researchers have also collaborated with NHEERL, NRMRL/CINCI, and NERL researchers as well
as US Army Corps scientists. The research directly addresses needs of OPPTS and partially fulfills
a US commitment to participate in international research efforts being coordinated by the
Organization for Economic and Cooperative Development. Contact: Steve Diamond at (218) 529-5229, or diamond. steve@,epa. gov.
10 15
Hours)
ppm
10 15
Hours
20 25
Variation in TiO2 exposure
OUR NEW RESEARCH VESSEL!
The Research Vessel R/VLake Explorer II was transferred to USEPA Duluth in August 2008 from NOAA/Norfolk, VA, where it was
known as the RUDE. The vessel will be used at MED to complete a series of research surveys across the Great Lakes, which will
develop and demonstrate a new generation of lakewide assessment designs. The Division's efforts to improve existing designs include
nearshore ecosystems in lakewide assessment, and are designed to integrate with the work of bi-national monitoring partners.
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Mid-Continent Ecology Division • Duluth, MN
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NEW RESEARCH VESSEL - CONTINUED
The vessel is moored at the Army Corps of Engineers vessel yard at 901 Minnesota Ave., the first one
in line of the "research vessel row" along the south dock, in front ofR/VLL Smith (University of
Wisconsin-Superior), and the R/V Blue Heron (UMD Large Lakes Observatory). The R/VLake
Explorer II is a 90-foot vessel of 150 gross registered tons and has a draft of 7.5 feet (1.9 meters),
shallow for a vessel of this size. There are eleven bunks (four double staterooms and one triple
stateroom) aboard. The vessel accommodates four crew (boat captain, first mate, chief and first
engineers) and up to seven scientists.
The vessel's former mission with NOAA
was to perform inshore hydrographic surveys along the east coast in
support of NOAA's nautical charting mission, specializing in the location
and accurate positioning of submerged hazards to navigation. Aside from
hydrographic surveying, RUDE was called upon to assist the US Coast
Guard and Navy in search, rescue, and recovery operations. The RUDE
located the TWA flight 800 wreckage of Moriches, NY in 1996 and
located John F. Kennedy Jr.'s plane off Martha's Vineyard.
The R/V Lake Explorer II came well-equipped from the transfer. All the
operational equipment to navigate the vessel was left aboard, but all the
NOAA science mission equipment was removed. MED is currently fitting
the vessel with the necessary equipment to conduct Great Lakes research.
Even though the vessel is equipped with an A-frame, MED seeks to add install another winch and frame for deploying our in situ
sensor packages to make continuous synoptic maps of water and plankton properties on extensive research surveys more efficient.
The R/V Lake Explorer II went into a Portsmouth, VA shipyard in summer 2009 for extensive upgrades to
structural components. The primary objective of the haul-out was to install a new tank to hold all sewage
generated aboard the vessel to meet the Great Lakes requirement of zero discharge of sewage and grey
water. During this period, the sewage tank was installed, shaft tubes were replaced, sea valves replaced
or rebuilt, new anti-foul bottom paint applied, and routine out-water inspection of equipment and hull
performed.
Once out of the shipyard, the R/V Lake Explorer II was sailed from
Norfolk, VA to Duluth, MN. The vessel and crew departed from NOAA Marine Operations Base
in Norfolk at 7:00 am Oct. 1. The transit included two days on the Atlantic Ocean to New York,
NY harbor, then a break in New York before continuing up the Hudson River to enter the New
York State Canal System, also known as the Erie Canal. It took four days to navigate the Canal
System, which ends in Oswego, NY. The R/V Lake Explorer II cleared 30 locks to get from the
Hudson River to Lake Ontario. The trip took 15 days from start to end: 1580 miles, one ocean, 7
rivers, 39 locks, and 4 Great Lakes. Contact: Captain Sam Miller (218) 529-5211.
RESERV RESEARCH PROGRAM
The Regional Ecosystem Services (REServ) research program is a new collaborative program between ORD and USEPA regions. The
dual goals of REServ are:
to characterize the type, quality, and magnitude of services we receive from ecosystems and to offer a scientific basis for
transforming the way decision-makers view ecosystems;
to demonstrate the value of ecosystems services for improving regional/state environmental management decisions.
Ecosystem services can be defined as the products of ecological functions or processes that directly or indirectly contribute to
human well-being, or have the potential to do so in the future. This definition provides an interpretation of ecosystem services that
may or may not be quantifiable. It is used to help us recognize the broad array of services we receive, whether or not amenable to
economic valuation.
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Mid-Continent Ecology Division • Duluth, MN
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RESERV RESEARCH PROGRAM - CONTINUED
The conceptual model below illustrates this framework showing the relationship between services (left), drivers mediating these
services (arrows), and their contributions to human well-being (right; from the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005).
CONSTITUENTS Of WELL-BEING
FWL
FrvMhXn
• M
Cultural
LIFE ON &WTH • BiOOtVf fttiTy
Tum Tr TO tf
*B,C TO ACHXVE
wiMl *M Momrtu*L
•,-. •:>'••
of UnkaQMhi
••Hi humn w«B4Mfr>g
In general, ecosystem services are products like clean air and water, food, and fiber supplied by the natural world. The ecosystem
processes and functions creating these services are the chemical, physical, and biological interactions among ecosystem components.
In some circumstances, what may be a service in one case is a function or process in another, when the process is an intermediate input
to the final service. For proper accounting, services are identified in relationship to particular goals, problems, regions, or decisions
that are of concern.
Natural ecosystems and associated plants and animals provide humans with services that are difficult to replace. One of the greatest
challenges in defining the value of ecosystem services is finding ways to identify, quantify, or consider them in ways applicable to
commerce. The National Research Council (2004) defined the ecological production function as the translation of ecosystem
structure and function into goods and services produced from inputs of natural and human capital, labor, and other resources. While
much work remains to be done to effectively value ecosystem services, there are some methods available to characterize societal
values. There are also decision support methods available that do not rely on monetization. Questions about REServ may be directed
to Brian Hill (hill.brian@epa.gov. 218-529-5224).
Current Events
MED HOSTS LAKE SUPERIOR BINATIONAL FORUM
On January 29, the Binational Forum met at the Division. The Forum is a
collaborative of federal, state, tribal, local, and industry partners focused on the
entire ecosystem of Lake Superior-its air, land, water, and human and wildlife.
USEPA and the Forum co-sponsored this public event titled Monitoring
Climate Change: How Can We Tell It's Happening in the Lake Superior Basin and Can We Do Anything About It? Speakers from the
Division, National Resources Research Institute, UMD; and the MN Sea Grant discussed signs of changing climate, how climate
changes affect port/harbor infrastructure and moose populations, and the Twin Ports Interfaith Climate Change Initiative.
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MED in Review
Mid-Continent Ecology Division • Duluth, MN
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LAKE SUPERIOR BINATIONAL FORUM - CONTINUED
The Forum is the stakeholder group of the Lake Superior Binational Program. The Forum will develop and further the goals of the
Binational Program to restore and protect the Lake Superior Basin; review projects, budgets, and activities undertaken by the
governments that were signatory to the Binational Program, the Lake Superior Task Force, and Lake Superior Work Group; and
identify obstacles and solutions to the achievement of goals of the Binational Program. The Forum may also serve as a source of
information and stakeholder input to the communities of the Lake SuperiorBasin on environmental issues that impact the water quality
of Lake Superior and the larger ecosystem made up by the Basin. The Forum recognizes individuals and organizations through the
annual Lake Superior Environmental Stewardship Awards. For more information, see: http://superiorforum.org/.
Contact: Carl Richards (218) 529-5010.
USEPA REGION 5 MEETS WITH TRIBAL TECHNICAL STAFF AT THE DIVISION
The Division hosted a quarterly meeting of the Minnesota reservations technical staff on February 18-19. This meeting was
coordinated by Ed Fairbanks, USEPA Region 5, Minnesota Tribal Liaison. Thirty invited technical staff attended, representing Native
American tribal environmental programs from across Minnesota. During this meeting Allan Batterman, Outreach Coordinator at the
Division, offered a tour of the MED research facility; and Dr. Carl Richards, MED Director, provided an overview of ORD research
programs and discussed ways in which ORD can interact with tribal programs. Other agenda items for this meeting included: reports
on National Tribal Air and Water Councils, Central Regional Air Planning Association/CenRAP, and Region 5 Air Monitoring
Network Assessment; presentation and discussion on emergency notification; discussion on Minnesota Department of Transportation
right-of-ways on tribal lands; National and Regional Tribal Operations Committees Reports; tribal/MPCA wild rice correspondence
and the wild rice standard; tri-annual water quality standards; and regional haze state implementation plan/SIP.
Contact: Carl Richards (218)-529-5010.
UPCOMING: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: ECOLOGY OF LAKE SUPERIOR INTEGRATED -APPROACHES & CHALLENGES OF THE
21 ST CENTURY, MAY 3-5
Co-hosted by MED and the Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society (AEHMS), this
conference will be held at the Division. The Lake Superior Binational Program, Great Lakes Regional
Research Information Network is sponsoring the event, which is being organized by a committee from the
US, Netherlands, and Canada.
Conference objectives include:
Develop understanding of Lake Superior's ecology, including its internal limnological dynamics.
Explore the lake's interactions with the basin, air shed, and regional climatology.
Create a state-of-the-lake perspective from a variety of information.
Overview recent study results that can provide insights enabling integration and synthesis at several levels, such as:
from water quality/biogeochemical cycles to effects on food webs and fisheries;
from basin/air shed trends to their influences on physical limnology and biology;
across spatial scales and habitats within the lake, such as linking coastal processes with offshore ecology or surface water
dynamics with deep water ecology; and
across temporal scales from seasons to decades or longer.
Consider current and future threats to the ecology of the lake, including climate change and exotic species.
Background questions:
How well do we know the present status and ecological dynamics of Lake Superior?
Can we integrate understanding of the lake and its interaction with the basin and atmosphere more comprehensively?
What does our present knowledge portend for the lake's future into the 21 st century?
Can we identify important information gaps that could be filled by research and monitoring?
What emerging tools and approaches will best facilitate an integrated, multi-disciplinary assessment in Lake Superior and function
as an international model?
Are there useful lessons and comparisons of Lake Superior with other great lakes of the world?
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MED in Review
Mid-Continent Ecology Division • Duluth, MN 7
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LAKE SUPERIOR BINATIONAL FORUM - CONTINUED
The Publication and Production Committee of the AEHMS, chaired by Dr. M. Munawar, Chief Editor, will oversee the publication of
selected manuscripts originating from the conference. The manuscripts will be considered for publication subject to peer review in the
ISI rated journal: Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management and/or in the Ecovision World Monograph Series depending on the
quality and suitability of the manuscripts. For more information, see the AEHMS website: http://www.aehms.org/.
Contact: Jack Kelly (218) 529-5119.
New Publications since November 2009
Angradi, T.R., M.S. Pearson, D.W. Bolgrien, T.M. Jicha,
D.L. Taylor, andB.H. Hill. 2009. Multimetric
macroinvertebrate indices for mid-continent US great rivers.
Journal of the North American Benthological Society
28:785-804.
Ankley, G.T., D. Bencic, J.E. Cavallin, K.M. Jensen, M.D. Kahl,
E.A. Makynen, D. Martinovic, N. Mueller, L.C. Wehmas,
and D.L. Villeneuve. 2009. Dynamic nature of alterations in
the endocrine system of fathead minnows exposed to the
fungicide prochloraz. Toxicological Sciences 112:344-353.
Ankley, G.T., R.S. Bennett, R.J. Erickson, D.J. Hoff,
M.W. Hornung, R.D. Johnson, D.R. Mount, J.W. Nichols,
C.L. Russom, P.K. Schmieder, J.A. Serrano, J.E. Tiegte, and
D.L. Villeneuve. 2010. Adverse outcome pathways: A
conceptual framework to support ecotoxicology research
and risk assessment. Environmental Toxicology and
Chemistry 29:730-741.
Blocksom, K., D.M. Walters, T.M. Jicha, J.M. Lazorchak,
T.R. Angradi, and D.W. Bolgrien. 2010. Persistent organic
pollutants in fish tissue in the mid-continental great rivers of
the United States. Science of the Total Environment
408:1180-1189.
Burkhard, L.P., P.M. Cook, andM.T. Lukasewycz. 2010. Direct
application of biota-sediment accumulation factors.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 29:230-236.
Greenberg, R., B.J. Olsen, andM.A. Etterson. 2010. Patterns of
seasonal abundance and social segregation in inland and
coastal plain swamp sparrows in a Delaware tidal marsh.
The Condor 112:159-167
Etterson, M.A., G.J. Niemi, andN.P. Danz. 2009. Estimating the
effects of detection heterogeneity and overdispersion on
trends estimated from avian point counts. Ecological
Applications 19:2049-2066.
Martinovic, D., D.L. Villeneuve, M.D. Kahl, L.S. Blake,
J. Brodin, and G.T. Ankley. 2009. Hypoxia alters gene
expression in the gonads of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Aquatic
Toxicology 95:258-272.
Nichols, J.W., A.D. Hoffman, and P.N. Fitzsimmons. 2009.
Optimization of an isolated perfused rainbow trout liver
model: Clearance studies with 7-ethoxycoumarin. Aquatic
Toxicology 95:182-194.
Petkov, P.I., S. Temelkov, D.L. Villeneuve, G.T. Ankley, and
O.G. Mekenyan. 2009. Mechanism-based categorization of
aromatase inhibitors: A potential discovery and screening
tool. SAR and QSAR in Environmental Research 20:657-
678.
Reavie, E.D., T.M. Jicha, T.R. Angradi, D.W. Bolgrien, and
B.H. Hill. 2010. Algal assemblages for large river
monitoring: comparison among biovolume, absolute and
relative abundance metrics. Ecological Indicators 10:167-
177.
Sinsabaugh, R.L., B.H. Hill, and J.J. Follstad Shah. 2009.
Ecoenzymatic stoichiometry of microbial organic nutrient
acquisition in soil and sediment. Nature 462:795-798.
Stroom, K.T., K.L. Schmude, J. Snitgen, S.J. Lozano,
T.D. Cony, and J.V. Scharold. 2010. New records and
range extensions for several Chironomid genera from Lake
Superior. Proceedings of the XV International Symposium
on Chironomidae, The Chironomidae Research Group,
University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, pp. 184-195.
Trebitz, A.S., J.R. Kelly, J.C. Hoffman, G.S. Peterson, and
C. W. West. 2009. Exploiting habitat and gear patterns for
efficient detection of rare and non-native benthos and fish in
Great Lakes coastal ecosystems. Aquatic Invasions 4:651-
667.
Van Aggelen, G., G.T. Ankley, W. Baldwin, D. Bearden,
W. Benson, J. Chipman, T. Collette, J. Craft, N. Denslow,
M. Embry, F. Falciani, S. George, C. Helbing, P. Hoekstra,
T. Iguchi, Y. Kagami, I. Katsiadaki, P. Kille, L. Lie,
P. Lord, T. Mclntyre, A. O'Neill, H. Osachoff, E. Perkins,
E. Santos, R. Skirrow, J. Snape, C. Tyler, D. Versteeg,
M. Viant, D. Volz, T. Williams, and L. Yu. 2010.
Integrating omic technologies into aquatic ecological risk
assessment and environmental monitoring: Hurdles,
achievements and future outlook. Environmental Health
Perspectives 118:1-5.
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Mid-Continent Ecology Division • Duluth, MN
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PUBLICATIONS - CONTINUED
Villeneuve, D.L., N. Garcia-Reyero, D. Martinovic,
N.D. Mueller, J.E. Cavallin, EJ. Durban, E.A. Makynen,
K.M. Jensen, M.D. Kahl, L.S. Blake, EJ. Perkins, and
G.T. Ankley. I. Effects of a dopamine receptor antagonist
on fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas, reproduction.
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.
Villeneuve, D.L., N. Garcia-Reyero, D. Martinovic,
N.D. Mueller, J.E. Cavallin, EJ. Durban, E.A. Makynen,
K.M. Jensen, M.D. Kahl, L.S. Blake, EJ. Perkins, and
G.T. Ankley. II. Effects of a dopamine receptor antagonist
on fathead minnow dominance behavior and ovarian gene
expression in the fathead minnow and zebrafish.
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.
MED Seminars
January 6
Ms. Jayna DeVore, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Indirect effects of plant invasion on American toads: Top-down and bottom-up influences
January 13
Dr. Rachel Morgan, US Army Corps of Engineers, ERDC-CERL, Champaign IL
Cell and tissue-based biosensors: Exploiting biological processes for water toxicity testing
January 27
Drs. Mike Hornung & Dan Villeneuve, USEPA, MED
Ecotoxicology for the 21st Century within the framework of adverse outcome pathways
February 3
Dr. Carlie LaLone, USEPA, MED
Identification of key Echinacea constituents and their mechanism leading to the inhibition of prostaglandin E2 (research
conducted at Iowa State University)
February 10
Dr. Ric Lopez & Ms. Annie Neale, USEPA, NERL, Las Vegas
Mapping ecosystem services
February 24
Mr. Eric Mead & Mr. Rod Booth, USEPA, MED
MED culture unit wastewater treatment system
March 31
Dr. Euan Reavie, UMD-NRRI
Scientific aspects of the Great Ships Initiative
Awards
As part of its comprehensive Environmental Management System (EMS), the Division has developed a very successful solid waste
diversion program. Staff has been recycling for over 20 years with great success; in FY08, we diverted 64% of our solid waste, and in
FY09, 79%. (Diversion rate is the percent of solid waste diverted from the landfill by recycling, reusing, or donating waste items.) In
addition to food waste composting, where we divert food scraps and biodegradable paper products from the waste stream, our "recycle,
reduce, and reuse" practices include use of 100% recycled content paper, two-sided printing, energy and water conservation, and our
sustainable "Northern meadow" landscape.
Continued on next page...
MED in Review
Mid-Continent Ecology Division • Duluth, MN
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AWARDS - CONTINUED
In 2009, MED-Duluth was crowned the heavyweight champion in the "Laboratory
Conference" in the EPA-wide Strive for 45 recycling competition. Our 79% rate
translated to a diversion of 22.3 pounds of waste per person per week! The Grosse He
facility had a diversion rate of 65%, an excellent rate for a multi-tenant facility. MED's
EMS Team was acknowledged in 2009 with an award for achieving "full success" at
meeting Agency EMS goals in FY08, and we expect a top rating for FY09 and into
future years. Contact: Barb Sheedy (218) 529-5192.
Raising the Bar on Recycling
"• /
People
Dr. Joel Hoffman has joined our Ecosystem Assessment Research Branch as a Research Biologist in
Systems Ecology (fisheries). In 2006 Joel received his Ph.D. in Marine Science at The College of William
and Mary, Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). Joel was an NSF fellow at VIMS and received a
number of notable graduate student awards during that time. He earned dual undergraduate degrees in
1999 from the University of Michigan: B.S. with Honors (Resource Ecology and Management) andB.A.
with Highest Distinction (Philosophy). His research interest is to understand the connections between
human-caused changes to the environment, ecosystem processes, food web dynamics, habitat, and fish
population success to develop a workable practice of sustainable ecosystem-based management. He has
worked in a number of marine and freshwater environments, focusing often on coastal and estuarine fishes
because of their economic and social importance and because their habitat is highly vulnerable to
anthropogenic impacts. Joel has been a very active post-doctoral researcher at MED for the past three
years, where he studied larval fish as potential indicators of terrestrial subsidies of organic matter and the
role this linkage may play in structuring the production of coastal fisheries. He also contributed as co-Pi to
invasive species and coastal wetland research, and to development of isotopic techniques to unravel Lake Superior and mid-Atlantic
Ocean food webs.
We are pleased to welcome him to a career research scientist role at MED and know that he will continue to make strong contributions
to ORD's Water Quality and Ecosystem Services Research Program. Joel is in room 204; phone (208) 529-5135.
MED in Review
Mid-Continent Ecology Division • Duluth, MN
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