march 22, 2024
Using High-Throughput Toxicity Data and Bioeffects Monitoring to Rapidly Prioritize and Screen Chemicals of Emerging Concern (CECs) in MN Waters.
Dr. Dalma Martinović-Weigelt
Professor, University of St. Thomas
Abstract
The State of Minnesota is a national leader in monitoring of the surface waters for contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). Nevertheless, the understanding of biological risks posed by the complex mixtures of CECs found in MN waters is limited. This presentation will examine how publicly available chemistry and high-throughput toxicity data can be integrated with in situ bioeffects data to rapidly prioritize and screen CECs and their hazards in MN waters. MN-based case studies will be used to also illustrate how these approaches can be used to assess the effectiveness of CEC removal from the stormwater via best management practices, and the efficacy of the natural attenuation in the petroleum impacted groundwaters.
Biosketch
Dalma Martinović-Weigelt completed Ph.D. in Fisheries Science and Water Resources at the U of MN (2005), and served as National Academies Research Associate at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA; 2006-09). Dr. Martinović-Weigelt is a Professor at the University of St. Thomas (2009-present), where she served as a Director of Environmental Science Program and Chair of Biology Department. Dr. Martinović-Weigelt’s research interests include: 1) Assessment of effects of environmental stressors and contaminants (e.g., hypoxia, chemicals of emerging concern) to inform adverse outcome pathway development, 2) Optimization and development of bioeffects-based assessment of effectiveness of wastewater and stormwater treatment, 3) Use of artificial intelligence to inform risk assessment, and 4) Characterization of proximate mechanisms that underlie behavior and reproduction in fish. Dr. Martinović-Weigelt has co-authored 55+ research manuscripts that assess occurrence and the effects of chemicals of emerging concern and other stressors on fish and aquatic ecosystems. Dr. Martinović-Weigelt is a recipient of several U.S. EPA’s Scientific and Technological Achievement Awards. She has served on the Editorial Board of the Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal and is a recipient of research funding from a variety of state and federal agencies including U.S. Environmental Pollution Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, and National Science Foundation.