Barnett A. Rattner   

USGS-Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Beltsville Laboratory
c/o BARC-East, Building 308
10300 Baltimore Avenue
Beltsville, MD 20705

Telephone: 301-497-5671

Fax: 301-497-5624

Email: brattner@usgs.gov 

Ecotoxicologist

Primary Responsibilities: 
Conducts high priority scientific research and risk assessments for the USGS and the DOI on the toxicity and hazards of various contaminants (industrial contaminants, metals, pesticides, petroleum crude oil) to wildlife populations and the environment. Leads hypothesis-driven investigations on “Contaminant Exposure and Potential Effects on Reproduction of Ospreys”, “Toxicity of Polybrominated Flame Retardants to Avian Embryos,” "Development of a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model for the rodenticide diphacinone," and “Applying a Bioassessment and Monitoring Framework for Public Lands and Trust Resources in Coastal and Estuarine Habitats of the United States”. Actively represents the DOI on risk assessment-driven efforts as a member of the Interagency Testing Committee of the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Interagency Coordinating Committee for the Validation of Alternative Methods, and serves as a special consultant to the Fish and Wildlife Service on issues related to nontoxic shot used in hunting. Reviews and generates scholarly publications and products that are of direct benefit and use to those charged with managing wildlife resources.

Education/Training: 
B.S., University of Maryland, 1972 - Zoology 
M.S., University of Maryland, 1974 - Zoology, Developmental Biology 
Ph.D., University of Maryland, 1977 - Zoology, Environmental Physiology

Accomplishments/Awards/Achievements: 
Authored over 95 publications, co-edited two books (Handbook of Ecotoxicology, Ecotoxicology of Wild Mammals), and made over 150 presentations at scientific meetings, work shops and symposia.

Compiled two widely used internet-accessible ecotoxicological databases (Contaminant Exposure and Effects—Terrestrial Vertebrates database, Biological and Ecotoxicological Characteristics of Terrestrial Vertebrate Species Residing in Estuaries).

Serves as Associate Editor of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, and serves as an Editorial Board member of the Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, and Outlooks on Pest Management.

SETAC Government Service Award 2007

Active Projects: 

Development of a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model for the rodenticide diphacinone in American kestrels and eastern screech owls

Toxicity of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac to New World vultures

Toxicity of polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants to avian embryos

Contaminant exposure and potential reproductive effects in ospreys nesting in Chesapeake and Delaware Bay

Applying a bioassessment and monitoring framework for public lands and trust resources in coastal and estuarine habitats of the United States

Contaminant-related activities and synoptic reviews in support of client agencies in the Department of the Interior

Technical assistance to the Fish and Wildlife Service on alternative shot

Publications/Products: 

Rattner, B.A. 2009. History of wildlife toxicology. Ecotoxicology. 18:773-783. (abstract)

McKernan, M.A., B.A. Rattner, R.C. Hale and M.A. Ottinger. 2009. Toxicity of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (DE-71) in chicken (Gallus gallus), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), and American kestrel (Falco sparverius) embryos and hatchlings. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 28:1007-1017. (abstract)

Rattner, B.A., M.A. Whitehead, G. Gasper, C.U. Meteyer, W.A. Link, M.A. Taggart, A.A. Meharg, O.H. Pattee and D.J. Pain. 2008. Apparent tolerance of turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 27:2341-2345. (abstract)

Rattner, B.A., J.C. Franson, S.R. Sheffield, C.I. Goddard, N.J. Leonard, D. Stang and P.J. Wingate. 2008. Sources and implications of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on natural resources. The Wildlife Society. Technical Review 08-01. 62 pp. (details)

Rattner, B.A. and B.K. Ackerson. 2008. Potential environmental contaminant risks to avian species at important bird areas in the northeastern United States. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. 4:344-357. (abstract)

Rattner, B.A., N.H. Golden, P.C. Toschik, P.C. McGowan, and T.W. Custer.  2008.  Concentrations of metals in blood and feathers of nestling ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) in Chesapeake and Delaware Bays.  Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 54:114-122. (abstract)

McKernan, M.A., B.A. Rattner, R.C. Hale, M.A. Ottinger.  2007.  Egg inculation position affects toxicity of air cell administered polychlorinated biphenyl 126 (3,3’,4,4’,5-pentachlorobiphenyl) in chicken (Gallus gallus) embryos. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 26:2724-2727. (abstract)

Rattner, B.A., M.A. McKernan, K.M. Eisenreich, W. Link, G. Olsen, D.J. Hoffman, K.A. Knowles and P.C. McGowan. 2006. Toxicity and hazard of vanadium to mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and Canada geese (Branta canadensis). Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 69:331-351. (abstract)

Toschik, P.C., M.C. Christman, B.A. Rattner, and M.A. Ottinger.  2006.  Evalulation of osprey habitat suitability and interaction with contaminant exposure.  Journal of Wildlife Management.  70:997-988. (abstract)

Rattner, B.A., K.M. Eisenreich, N.H. Golden, M.A. McKernan, R. L. Hothem and T.W. Custer. 2005. Retrospective ecotoxicological data and current information needs for terrestrial vertebrates residing in coastal habitat of the United States. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 49:257-265. (abstract)

Toschik, P.C. B.A. Rattner, P.C. McGowan, M.C. Christman, D.B. Carter, R.C. Hale, C.W. Matson, and M.A. Ottinger. Effects of contaminant exposure on reproductive success of ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) nesting in Delaware River and Bay, USA. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 24:617-628. (abstract)

Rattner, B.A., P.C. McGowan, N.H. Golden, J.S. Hatfield, P.C. Toschik, R.F. Lukei Jr., R. C. Hale, I. Schmitz-Afonso, and C.P. Rice. 2004. Contaminant exposure and reproductive success of ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) nesting in Chesapeake Bay regions of concern. Archives of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 47:126-140. (abstract)

Hoffman, D. J., B. A. Rattner, A. G. Burton, Jr. and J. Cairns, Jr. (Editors). 2003. Handbook of Ecotoxicology. Second Edition. Lewis Publishing Inc./CRC Press Inc., Boca Raton, Florida. 1290. pp. (details)

Shore, R.F. and B.A. Rattner, Editors. 2001. Ecotoxicology of Wild Mammals. Ecological and Environmental Toxicology Series. John Wiley and Sons, Ltd., New York. 730 pp. (details)

Rattner, B.A., P. C. McGowan, J. S. Hatfield, C.-S. Hong, and S.G. Chu. 2001. Organochlorine contaminant exposure and reproductive success of black-crowned night herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) nesting in Baltimore Harbor, Maryland. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 41:73-82. (abstract)