Virginia Institute of Marine Science -

Robert C. Hale

Professor of Marine Science

Email: [[hale]]
Phone: (804) 684-7228
Office: Chesapeake Bay Hall S310
Department: Environmental and Aquatic Animal Health

Education

B.S., B.A., Wayne State University, 1979
Ph.D., College of William and Mary, 1983

Research Interests

My primary research interests are in the identification of anthropogenic compounds and the elucidation of their fate, bioavailability and effects in the aquatic environment.

Current Projects

PCBs and chlorinated pesticides in fishes of Virginia waters.

Virginia DEQ: Fish Tissue and Sediment Contaminants Monitoring Program

Virginia Dept. of Health: Fish Consumption Advisories and Restrictions in Effect for Virginia Waterways

Monitoring of pollutants released from agricultural sites receiving sewage sludge (biosolids) amendments and their effects.
Sources, analysis, fate and effects of brominated flame retardants and non-ionic detergents in the environment.
Bioavailability of sludge-associated brominated diphenyl ether flame retardants to crickets, oligochaetes and fish.
Development of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) for the analysis of lipophilic marine environmental pollutants.
PCBs and chlorinated pesticides in fishes of Virginia waters.

Selected Publications

*Chen, D., MJ. La Guardia, E. Harvey, M. Amaral, K.Wohlfort, R.C. Hale. In press. 2008. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) eggs from the Northeastern U.S. Environ. Sci. Technol. DOI URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es8010749 Electronic Reprints URL: http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/download.pl?es8010749/i6x5
Hale, R.C., S.L. Kim, E. Harvey, M.J. La Guardia, T.M. Mainor, E.O. Bush, E.M. Jacobs. 2008. Antarctic research bases: Local sources of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants. Environ. Sci. Technol. 42:1452-1457. DOI URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es702547a Electronic Reprints URL: http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/download.pl?es702547a/L4xS
*McKernan , M.A., B.A Rattner , R.C. Hale, M.A. Ottinger. 2007. Egg incubation position affects toxicity of air cell administered polychlorinated biphenyl 126 (3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl) in chicken (gallus gallus) embryos. Environ Toxicol Chem. 26: 2724-2727.
*Sullivan, C.A., C.L. Mitchelmore, R.C. Hale, P.A. Van Veld. 2007. Induction CYP1A and DNA damage in the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) following exposure to biosolids. Sci. Total Environ. 384:221-228.
*La Guardia, M. J., R.C. Hale, E. Harvey. 2007. Evidence of debromination of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) in biota from a wastewater receiving stream. Environ. Sci. Technol. 41:6663-6670. DOI URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es070728g Electronic Reprints URL: http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/download.pl?es070728g/K7tV
*Chen, D., B. Mai, J. Song, Q. Sun, Y. Luo, X. Luo, E.Y. Zeng, R.C. Hale. 2007. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in birds of prey from Northern China. Environ. Sci. Technol. 41:1834-1840. DOI URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es062045r Electronic Reprints URL: http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/download.pl?es062045r/77Tp
*Wu, N., T. Herrmann, O. Paepke, J. Tickner, R. Hale, E. Harvey, M. La Guardia, M. McClean and T. Webster. 2007. Human exposure to PBDEs: Associations of PBDE body burdens with food consumption and house dust concentrations. Environ. Sci. Technol. 41:1584-1589.
*La Guardia, M.J., R.C. Hale, E. Harvey. 2006. Detailed polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congener composition of the widely used Penta-, Octa-, and Deca-PBDEs technical flame-retardant mixtures. Environ. Sci. Technol. 40: 6247-6254.
Hale, R.C., *M.J. La Guardia, E. Harvey, M.O. Gaylor and T. M. Mainor. 2006. Brominated flame retardant concentrations and trends in abiotic media. Chemosphere. 64:181-186.
*Ciparis, S. and R.C. Hale. 2005. Bioavailability of polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants in biosolids and spiked sediment to the aquatic oligochaete, Lumbriculus variegates. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 24 154-163.
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. In press. Effects of contaminant exposure on reproductive success of ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) nesting in Delaware River and Bay, USA. Environ. Toxicol. Chem.
*La Guardia, M.J., R.C. Hale, E. Harvey, E.O. Bush, T.M. Mainor and *M.O. Gaylor. 2004. Organic contaminants of emerging concern in land-applied sewage sludge (biosolids). J. Residuals Sci. Technol. 1111-122.
*Mezin, L. and R.C. Hale. 2004. Effect of humic acids on toxicity of DDT and chlorpyrifos to freshwater and estuarine invertebrates. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 23583-590.
*Mezin, L. and R.C. Hale. 2004. Combined effects of humic acid and salinity on SPMD of DDT and chlorpyrifos, an estimator of their bioavailability. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 23 576-582.
Rattner, B.A., P.C. McGowan, N.H. Golden, Hatfield, J.S., 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 halietus) nesting in Chesapeake Bay Regions of Concern. Archives Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 47(1) 126-140.
Chu, F-L.E., P. Soundant, and R.C. Hale. 2003. Relationship between PCB accumulation and reproductive output in conditioned oysters Crassostrea virginica fed a contaminated algal diet. Aquatic Toxicol. 65293-307.
Hale, R.C., M. Alaee, J.B. Manchester-Neesvig, H.M. Stapleton, M.G. Ikonomou. 2003. Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants in the North American environment. Environment International 29771-779.
Hale, R.C. and M.J. La Guardia. 2002. Emerging contaminants of concern in coastal and estuarine environments. Chapter 3 in Risk Assessment in Coastal and Estuarine Environments. Ed. M.C. Newman, M.H. Roberts Jr. and R.C. Hale. pp. 41-72.
Hale, R.C., M.J. La Guardia, E. Harvey and T.M. Mainor. 2002. The potential role of fire retardant-treated polyurethane foam as a source of brominated diphenyl ethers to the US environment. Chemosphere 46:729-735.
Newman M.C., R.C. Hale and M.H. Roberts Jr. 2002. Synthesis of concepts in ecological risk of coastal environments. Chapter 13 in Risk Assessment in Coastal and Estuarine Environments. Ed. M.C. Newman, M.H. Roberts Jr. and R.C. Hale. pp. 327-336.
Roberts Jr., M.H., M.C. Newman and R.C. Hale. 2002. Overview of ecological risk assessment in coastal and estuarine environments. Chapter 1 in Risk Assessment in Coastal and Estuarine Environments. Ed. M.C. Newman, M.H. Roberts Jr. and R.C. Hale. pp. 1-13.
Chu, F-L., A.K. Volety, R.C. Hale and Y. Huang. 2002. Cellular responses and disease expression in oysters (Crassostrea virginica) exposed to field contaminated sediments. Mar. Envir. Res. 53:17-35.
Hale, R.C., M.J. LaGuardia, E. Harvey, M.O. Gaylor and W.H. Duff. 2001. Flame retardants: Persistent pollutants in land-applied sludges. Nature 412:141-2.
Hale, R.C., M.J. La Guardia. 2001. Directions in Science: Synthetic organic pollutants in land-applied sewage sludges. TheScientificWorld 1, 10-13.
Hale, R.C., M.J. La Guardia, E.P. Harvey, T.M. Mainor, W.H. Duff, M.O. Gaylor. 2001. Polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants in Virginia freshwater fishes (USA). Env. Sci.& Technol. 35:4585-4591.
M.J. LaGuardia, R.C. Hale, E. Harvey and T.M. Mainor. 2001. Alkylphenol ethoxylate degradation products in land applied sewage sludges (biosolids). Env. Sci. Technol. 35:4798-4804.
Hale, R.C., M.J. La Guardia, E.P. Harvey, T.M. Mainor, W.H. Duff, *M.O. Gaylor, E.M. Jacobs and G.L. Mears. 2000. Comparison of brominated diphenyl ether fire retardant and organochlorine burdens in fish from Virginia Rivers (USA). Organohalogen Cpds. 47:65-72.
Hale, R.C., C.L. Smith, P.O. de Fur, E. Harvey, E.O. Bush, M.J. La Guardia and G.G. Vadas. 2000. Nonylphenols in sediments and effluents associated with diverse Virginia (USA) wastewater outfalls. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 19:946-952.
*Mezin, L. and R.C. Hale. 2000. Effects of contaminated sediment on the epidermis of the mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 19:2779-2787.
*Padma, T.V., R.C. Hale, M. H. Roberts, Jr and R.N. Lipcius. 1999. Toxicity of creosote water soluble fractions generated from contaminated sediments to the bay mysid. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Safety 42:171-176.
Hale, R.C., C. Enos and K. Gallagher. 1998. Sources and distribution of polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs) at a major U.S. aeronautics research facility. Environ. Management 22:937-945.
Hale, R.C. and K.M. Aneiro. 1997. Invited Review: Detection of coal tar and creosote constituents in the aquatic environment. J. Chromatogr.A 774:79-95.
Hale, R.C and C.L. Smith. 1996. A multiresidue approach for trace organic pollutants: Application to effluents and associated aquatic sediments and biota from the Southern Chesapeake Bay drainage basin 1985-1992. Intern. J. Environ. Anal. Chem. 64:21-33.
Hale, R.C. and *M. Gaylor. 1995. Analysis of PCBs in fish tissues using supercritical fluid extraction. Environ. Sci. Technol. 29:1043-1047.
Chu, F.L. and R.C. Hale. 1994. Relationship between pollution and susceptibility to infectious disease in the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Mar. Environ. Res. 38:243-256.
*Gallagher, K., R.C. Hale, J. Greaves, E.O. Bush and D.A. Stillwell. 1993. Trophic level distribution of polychlorinated terphenyls in aquatic species inhabiting a tidal creek. Ecotox. Environ. Safety 26:302-312.
*Mothershead, R.F., II and R.C. Hale. 1992. Influence of ecdysis on the accumulation of polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons in field exposed blue crabs. Mar. Environ. Res. 33:145-156.
*Mothershead, R.F., II and R.C. Hale. 1991. Lipophilic pollutants in blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, collected from the heavily contaminated Elizabeth River, Virginia. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 10:1341-1349.
Hale, R.C., J. Greaves, *K. Gallagher and G. Vadas. 1990. Novel chlorinated terphenyls in sediments and shellfish of an estuarine environment. Environ. Sci. Technol. 24:1727-1731.
Hale, R.C. 1989. Accumulation and biotransformation of an organophosphorus pesticide in fish and bivalves. Mar. Environ. Res. 28:67-71.
Hale, R.C. 1988. Disposition of polycyclic aromatic compounds in blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, from the southern Chesapeake Bay. Estuaries 11:255-263.

Research group activities in the news

Everyday poisons: Are fire retardants actually a toxic hazard? The Walrus. December 2004.
Virginia Department of Health strengthens guidelines for fish consumption advisories in state waters. VDH news release. December 13, 2004.

Fire Retardant Catfish? Science News, December 8, 2001.

Burned by Flame Retardants? Science News, October 13, 2001.

VIMS Environmental Scientists Spearheading New Research in US. Fall, 2001. The Crest, 3(2):3.

New Data Back Up Sludge Debate. 2001. Env. Health. Persp. 109(9):A417.

Use of Biosolids Creates a Stink. The News and Advance, July 27, 2001.

Deconstructing Sludge. The New York Times, July 24, 2001.

Study Sludge. Editorial, Where the Newspaper Stands, The Daily Press, July 20, 2001.

Fertilizer May be Unsafe-Study Says. The Virginian Pilot, July 12, 2001.

Study Questions Sludge-Use Safety. Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 12, 2001.

Flame Retardants Fire Concern Over Sewage Sludge. Science News, July 12, 2001.

Mounting Concern Over Brominated Flame Retardants. Science News, June 1, 2001.

Traces of Chemical Found in Fish. Richmond Times-Dispatch, February 13, 2001.

Researchers Discover New Pollutants Infiltrating Virginia Rivers. Summer, 2000. The Crest, 2(2):11.

Flame Retardant Levels in Virginia Fish are Among the Highest Found. Environ. Sci. and Technol. 2000. 34(7):163A.

Chemical Found in Fish from Three Rivers. Journal Now, April 19, 2000.
Toxins are Reported in Virginia Rivers. Richmond Times-Dispatch, April 13, 2000.

Current Students

Courses Taught / Teaching

MS 562 Water Pollution
Chem 409 Chemistry Research (W&M)
Chem 320 Introduction to Research (W&M)
Chem 496 Honors Chemistry Research (W&M)

Faculty / Student Awards

William J Hargis, Jr. Fellowship. VIMS. 2007. S. Rice.
Graduate Student Research Award. SETAC Chesapeake and Potomac Regional Chapter. 2007. S. Rice
Best Master's Student Platform Presentation. Pacific Northwest Chapter SETAC meeting 2007. C. Sullivan. Major Prof P. VanVeld.
Best Student Publication Award. Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry 2005. S. Ciparis
Highest Honors Thesis in Chemistry (W&M). 2004. K. Potter
SETAC-CPRC Graduate Student Paper Award. 2003. M. Gaylor
SETAC-CPRC Graduate Student Research Award. 2003. M. Gaylor
SETAC-CPRC Student Travel Award. 2002. S. Ciparis
SETAC-CPRC Student Travel Award. 2002. M. Gaylor
SETAC-CPRC Student Travel Award. 2001. M. Gaylor
SETAC-CPRC Graduate Student Award. 2000. M. Gaylor
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Research Biology Fellowship. 1999. P. Rajan (undergrad)
High Honors Thesis in Chemistry (W&M). 1999. M. Jacobs (undergrad)
Honorable mention – Virginia Junior Academy of Science – Environmental Science Division. Gloucester HS Science Project. 1999. B. Oesterling
W&M Environmental Sciences & Policy Summer Research Fellowship. 1998. M. Jacobs (undergrad)
Honorable mention - State Junior Science Competition - Microbiology Division. Gloucester HS Science Project. 1998. B. Oesterling
Best Graduate Student Presentation - 50th Annual Virginia Water Environment Association Conference. 1996. M. Gaylor
Best Undergraduate Student Presentation - 50th Annual Virginia Water Environment Association Conference 1996. B. Bierwagen
High Honors Thesis in Chemistry (W&M) 1996. B. Bierwagen (undergrad)
VIMS Women in Science Award 1994. K. Gallagher
NSF Travel Fellowship-Japan 1993. K. Gallagher
NSF Travel Fellowship-Japan 1993. J. Gundersen
Best Student Paper Award. 13th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. Jekyll Island, 1993. M. Rybitski
The Henri Seibert Award for Outstanding Student Presentation. 2nd place. Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. El Paso, Texas. 1993. M. Rybitski
Zeigler Award-Outstanding VIMS Graduate 1991. R. Mothershead

Professional Memberships

American Chemical Society: Environmental Chemistry Division
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Collaborative / Interdisciplinary Efforts

B. Mai (State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences) PBDEs in the Chinese environment
J. Song (Beijing Normal University/Beijing Raptor Rescue Center (IFAW BRRC)/International Fund for the Welfare of Animals (IFWA)) Contaminants in Chinese raptors http://www.brrc.org.cn/brrceng/index.html
T. Webster (Boston U) Association between PBDEs in indoor dust and burdens in human residents
S. Kim (Moss Landing Marine Laboratories) Contaminants in fish and sediments collected near the McMurdo (Antarctica) Research Station
B. Rattner (USGS Patuxent Research Center) Persistent organic pollutants in US ospreys
B. Watts (W&M Conservation Biology) Persistent organic pollutants in US peregrine falcons
P. Lioy (UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School) PBDEs in indoor and outdoor dust associated with the WTC disaster.
With E. Turf, S. Harris (Virginia Commonwealth University) & M. Monti (Virginia Health Dept.): Levels of brominated flame retardants in human sera.
With Virginia DEQ and Dr. Gary Rice (William and Mary - Chemistry Department): Assessment of pollutants in fish and sediments of Virginia tributaries
With US EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle Park, NC: Disposition of PBDEs in rats.

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