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Email: hale@vims.edu
Office: Chesapeake Bay Hall, S310
Phone: (804) 684-7228

 

Robert C. Hale

  • Professor of Marine Science
  • 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. 

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Current Projects

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Selected Publications

  • *Chen, D., B. Mai, J. Song, Q. Sun, Y. Luo, X. Luo, E.Y. Zeng, R.C. Hale. In press 2007. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in birds of prey from Northern China. Environ. Sci. Technol.
  • *Wu, N., T. Herrmann, O. Paepke, J. Tickner, R. Hale, E. Harvey, M. La Guardia, M. McClean and T. Webster. In press 2006. Human exposure to PBDEs: Associations of PBDE body burdens with food consumption and house dust concentrations. Environ. Sci. Technol.
  • *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.

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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.
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Current Students

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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)

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Faculty / Student Awards

  • 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

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Professional Memberships

  • American Chemical Society: Environmental Chemistry Division

  • Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

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Collaborative / Interdisciplinary Efforts

  • 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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