Birgit M. Braune

Research Scientist - Contaminant Monitoring and Surveys

National Wildlife Research Centre (Ottawa, ON)

CURRENT S&T / RESEARCH - Contributing to Environment Canada’s mandate to ensure wildlife is conserved and protected

• Spatial and temporal trends of contaminants in Arctic marine biota
• Relationship of biochemical effects and organochlorine contaminants in Arctic seabirds
• Role of toxic chemicals in the population decline of the ivory gull
• Species sensitivity to methylmercury

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES / INTERESTS

Designated Contributing Expert for Canada, Mercury Expert Group and Persistent Organic Pollutants Expert Group for the international Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (Lead author of the Temporal Trends chapter in AMAP Assessment 2002: Heavy Metals in the Arctic)

Research grant proposal reviewer for national and international granting agencies (e.g., U.S. National Science Foundation and North Pacific Research Board, Research Council of Norway) and for manuscripts submitted to scientific journals (e.g., Editorial Board Member, Environmental Pollution)

Session organizer and co-chair for international scientific conferences (e.g., SETAC-Europe 2005, 5th SETAC World Congress 2008)

Supervisory committee member for 3 M.Sc. and 1 Ph.D. students, and external examiner for post-graduate defences for Carleton University

KEY PUBLICATIONS

Braune, B.M. and Noble, D.G. 2009. Environmental contaminants in Canadian shorebirds. Environ. Monit. Assess. 148: 185-204.

Braune, B.M. and Scheuhammer, A.M. 2008. Trace element and metallothionein concentrations in seabirds from the Canadian Arctic.  Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 27: 645-651.

Braune, B.M. 2007. Temporal trends of organochlorines and mercury in seabird eggs from the Canadian Arctic, 1975 to 2003. Environ. Pollut. 148: 599-613.

Braune, B.M., Mallory, M.L., Gilchrist, H.G., Letcher, R.J. and Drouillard, K.G. 2007. Levels and trends of organochlorines and brominated flame retardants in ivory gull eggs from the Canadian Arctic, 1976 to 2004.  Sci. Total Environ. 378: 403-417.

Braune, B.M. and Malone, B.J. 2006. Mercury and selenium in livers of waterfowl harvested in northern Canada.  Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 50: 284-289.

Braune, B.M., Mallory, M.L. and Gilchrist, H.G. 2006. Elevated mercury levels in a declining population of ivory gulls in the Canadian Arctic. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 52: 969-987.

Braune, B.M., Outridge,P.M., Fisk, A.T., Muir, D.C.G., Helm, P.A., Hobbs, K., Hoekstra, P.F., Kuzyk, Z.A., Kwan, M., Letcher, R.J., Lockhart, W.L., Norstrom, R.J. and Stern, G.A.  2005. Persistent organic pollutants and mercury in marine biota of the Canadian Arctic: An overview of spatial and temporal trends.  Sci Total Environ 351-352: 4-56.

Braune, B.M., Hobson, K.A. and Malone, B.J.  2005. Regional differences in collagen stable isotope and trace element profiles in populations of long-tailed duck breeding in the Canadian Arctic.  Sci Total Environ 346: 156-168.