Research topics: Aquatic toxicology, biomarkers of exposure and effect, development of chemical tolerance, fish health

Research program: My research focuses on the response of aquatic organisms to pollutants, including metals, fuel oil, organochlorines and pesticides. In these investigations I examine the development of tolerance to such compounds, and what the consequences are of pollutant exposure to organism health. I conduct my research within an ecological context to determine how season, gender, life history, and habitat affect organism response. My work involves aspects of both field and laboratory research, requires whole animal and molecular manipulations, and is supported by chemical analysis. At present, I am developing new research directions to address the effects of multiple stressors on survival, reproduction and physiological processes in fish, with a focus on anadromous species.

Selected Publications

Elskus, A.A., Collier, T.K., Monosson, E. Interactions among lipids and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in fish. In: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Fishes, Volume 6. Environmental Toxicology. P.W. Hochachka and T.P. Mommsen, Eds. Elsevier (in press).

Elskus, A.A. (2004) Estradiol and estriol suppress CYP1A1 expression in rainbow trout hepatocytes. Marine Environmental Research 58:463-467.

Arzuaga, X., Calcaņo, W., and Elskus, A.A. (2004) The DNA de-methlating agent 5-azacytidine does not restore CYP1A1 induction in PCB resistant Newark Bay killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus). Marine Environmental Research 58: 517-520

McArdle, M.E., McElroy, A.E and Elskus, A.A. (2004) CYP1A, CYP3A and estradiol 2-hydroxylase in fish exposed to organic pollutants and sewage effluent. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 23(4):953-959.

Brammell, B.F., Price, D.J., Birge, W.J., Elskus, A.A. (2004) Apparent lack of CYP1A1 response to high PCB body burdens in fish from a chronically contaminated PCB site. Marine Environmental Research 58: 251-255

Rohr, J.R., Elskus, A.A., Shepherd, B.S., Crowley, P.H., McCarthy, T.M., Niedzwiecki, J.H., Sager, T., Sih, A. and Palmer, B.D. (2004) Multiple stressors and streamside salamanders: Effects of the herbicide atrazine and food limitation. Ecological Applications 14:1028-1040.

Monosson, E, Ashley, J.T.F, McElroy, A.E., Woltering, D. and. Elskus, A.A., (2003). PCB congener distributions in muscle, liver and gonad of Fundulus heteroclitus from the lower Hudson River Estuary and Newark Bay. Chemosphere 52:777-787.

Arzuaga, X. and Elskus, A.A. (2002) Evidence for resistance to benzo[a]pyrene and 3,4,3'4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl in a chronically polluted Fundulus heteroclitus population. Marine Environmental Research 54:247-251.

Todorov, J.R., Elskus, A.A., Schlenk, D., Ferguson, P.L. Brownawell, B.J. and McElroy, A.E. (2002) Estrogenic responses of larval sunshine bass (Morone saxatilis x M. chrysops) exposed to New York City sewage effluent. Marine Environmental Research 54: 691-695.

Elskus, A.A. (2001) Toxicant resistance in wildlife: fish populations. In PCB: Recent Advances in Environmental Toxicology and Health Effects. L.W. Robertson and L.G. Hansen, Editors. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 273-276.

Other publications from this laboratory