Scientific Exchange Program with CERC and IBIW Columbia Environmental Research Center and the Institute for Biology of Inland Waters

Introduction For 30 years, the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), of the U.S. Geological Survey, in Columbia, MO, and the Institute for Biology of Inland Waters (IBIW), Russian Academy of Sciences, Borok, , have maintained a scientific exchange program. The initial impetus was a US-Soviet agreement on environmental protection in 1972, that was reaffirmed by a new US-Russian agreement Photo Courtesy Living Earth, Inc. signed by Vice President Gore and Although seperated by 5,160 miles, the CERC in Columbia, Missouri, and the IBIW in , Prime Minister Chernomyrdin on June Russia, share a common research mission. 23, 1994. Under the auspices of these technicians, and 25 administrative Project 02.02.13 Effects of Pollution agreements the CERC and IBIW have and maintenance personnel. Among on Aquatic Organisms and developed and maintained a long- the scientific staff are toxicologists, Ecosystems: Development of Water standing program of environmental physiologists, biochemists, Quality Criteria research. ecologists, invertebrate zoologists, The purpose of this project is microbiologists, environmental Primary Research Areas to conduct cooperative research, chemists, hydrologists, biometricians, Primary research areas at IBIW exchange and compare data, and and geographic information systems include investigations on the ecology other information that will lead to specialists. of aquatic organisms, development development of water quality criteria of scientific information for the Scientific Exchange Program applicable to both countries. Scientific management of water bodies for approaches are developed that multiple use, and evaluation of natural The CERC-IBIW Scientific are used to assess and evaluate and anthropogenic threats to the Exchange Program comprises the health, or well being of aquatic resources of the River Basin. Area II Protection of River Basins, ecosystems, i.e., lakes, streams, The IBIW employs approximately Lakes, and Estuaries of the Gore/ rivers, reservoirs, wetlands, or coastal 160 scientists, 80 technicians, and Chernomyrdin agreement. Within areas. These scientific approaches 280 other individuals who work as Area II, research is conducted under address a wide range of contaminant support staff in various areas. Among two broad project categories: Project problems and, when feasible, are the scientific staff are microbiologists, 02.02.13 Effects of Pollution on customized to endemic species zoologists, ichthyologists, Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems: and specific situations. Examples of toxicologists, limnologists, ecologists, Development of Water Quality Criteria, studies: immunologists, botanists, hydrologists, and Project 02.02.15 Assessment of • Development of toxicological and hydrochemists. Complex Anthropogenic Impacts on methods for assessment of Similar to the IBIW, the CERC has Ecosystems of Reservoirs and Rivers. contaminated sediments. a long history of scientific research • Investigations of the physiological in areas of aquatic ecology and and morphological effects toxicology. Primary research areas of contaminants in early of the CERC include investigations developmental stages of fishes. in environmental toxicology and • Development of behavioral chemistry, ecological research, methods for assessing the effects landscape analysis and large of habitat alteration on aquatic river ecology, and information and environments. technology transfer. The CERC staff • Assessment of the effects of is approximately 120 scientists and acidification and mercury. Entrance to the Darwin Reserve.

U.S. Department of the Interior August 2006 U.S. Geological Survey the Volga and Missouri Rivers. buildings, and a library that contains • Evaluation and management of over 200,000 books and periodicals fishery productivity of the Volga, on hydrobiology and related sciences Missouri, and Mississippi Rivers. in Russian and other languages. Several valuable biological collections are also located at the Institute, IBIW including collections of algal cultures, The I.D. Papanin Institute for an herbarium of aquatic and riparian Biology of Inland Waters is situated plants, and extensive collections of on the shores of the fish and aquatic invertebrate species Reservoir, in Borok, Nekouz Region, of the Volga region. Additionally, the . The IBIW has Institute has 60 research ponds, as a long history of environmental well as extensive laboratory facilities research in the Volga River Basin. for rearing and testing a variety of Founded in 1938 as the Upper aquatic organisms. For large river Volga Station of the former USSR and reservoir research, the IBIW has Academy of Sciences, the station a fleet of five research vessels for was built on property donated by expeditions, and special land vehicles the esteemed academician N. A. for terrestrial projects. A survey of fish populations in the Morozov. Then in 1947 the station Rybinsk Reservoir, Yaroslavl, Russia, yields was reorganized into the Borok Information a catch of bream, Abramis spp. Biological Station. Early studies at the For information on the CERC- station concentrated on the biology of IBIW Scientific Exchange Program: Project 02.02.15 Assessment of large reservoirs, and the success of Complex Anthropogenic Impacts Carl E. Orazio, CERC, USGS these early investigations prompted 4200 New Haven Road on Ecosystems of Reservoirs and the reorganization of the station in Rivers. Columbia, MO 65201 USA 1956 into the Institute for the Biology Phone: 573-876-1823 The purpose of this project is to of Reservoirs. In 1962, the expansion FAX: 573-876-1896 conduct cooperative research, to of activities and experimental [email protected] exchange and compare data, and research at the Institute led to its other information that will lead to transformation into the Institute for Yevgeniy “Jack” Flerov, IBIW recommendations for improvement or Biology of Inland Waters. In 1987, Russian Academy of Sciences restoration of habitat and fisheries in the Institute was renamed after its 152742 Borok the Volga, Missouri, and Mississippi founder and first director, the eminent Nekouz Region, Yaroslavl Oblast Rivers. The objective is to develop polar investigator, Rear Admiral I.D. RUSSIA descriptive models or reports on the Papanin. Phone/FAX: (08547) 24042 (IBIW) existing status of the riverine and The Institute occupies an area of Phone/FAX: (08547) 24688 (office) reservoir natural resources, and the 140 hectares, with seven laboratory [email protected] anthropogenic factors affecting them. http://www.ibiw.ru/ This information is used to identify the effectiveness of current restoration methods and help develop strategies for needed research. Examples of studies conducted under this project: • Development of semipermeable membrane devices for measuring metals and organic contaminant concentrations in the Volga, Missouri, and Mississippi Rivers. • Assessment of the structure and function of zooperiphyton and benthic macroinvertebrate communities in large rivers. • Evaluation and management of aquatic macrophyte productivity of Volga, Missouri, and Mississippi Rivers. • Development of immunoassay A lock and dam on the Volga River near Uglich, Yaroslavl, Russia. Navigation structures and biochemical methods for on large rivers in the U.S. and Russia modify riverine ecosystems and present challenges to evaluating contaminant effects in aquatic resource managers.