Dr. Gretchen Bielmyer-Fraser

Education

• Ph.D., Clemson University (2003)
• M.S., Clemson University (2000)
• B.Sc., University of North Florida (1997)

Area of Specialization

Aquatic Toxicology

Research Focus

My primary research interests are in the field of Environmental Toxicology with a focus on aquatic systems. Specifically, my research examines how organisms respond to contaminant (particularly metals) exposure, and analyzes the complex interactions between metals and other chemical components in aquatic systems. Mechanisms of toxicity and effects may differ depending on contaminant exposure route, exposure duration, water chemistry and physiology and sensitivity of the organism. Characterizing how these variables interact to influence toxicity at the organism (survival, growth, reproduction), physiological (ion transport, acid-base balance), and biochemical (enzyme activity) levels are central components of my current and future planned research.

Research and Publications

(*Undergraduate co-author; **Graduate student co-author)

• Siddiqui, S.**, G.K. Bielmyer-Fraser. 2019. Accumulation and effects of dissolved and nanoparticle silver and copper in two marine seaweed species. Georgia Journal of Science 77(2), 1. https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol77/iss2/1
• Bielmyer-Fraser G.K., B. Harper*, C. Picariello*, A. Albritton-Ford*. 2018. The influence of salinity and water chemistry on acute toxicity of cadmium to two euryhaline fish species. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology C 214, 23-27. DOI:10.1016/j.cbpc.2018.08.005
• Bielmyer-Fraser G.K., P. Patel*, M. Grosell. 2018. Sublethal effects of seawater acidification and copper exposure in two coral species. Marine Pollution Bulletin 133, 781-790.
• Kirkley, J.A.**, G.K. Bielmyer-Fraser, J. Elder, D. Bechler. 2018. The Alapahoochee Watershed microgeographic structure and its potential influence on metal concentrations and genetic structure in the cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti, within the watershed. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 190, 220. DOI:10.1007/s10661-018-6579-5
• Miller R.J., E.B. Muller, B. Cole, T. Martin, R. Nisbet, G.K. Bielmyer-Fraser, T. A. Jarvis**, A. A. Keller, G. Cherr, H.S. Lenihan. 2017. Photosynthetic efficiency predicts toxic effects of metal nanomaterials in phytoplankton. Aquatic Toxicology 185, 83-93.
• Bielmyer-Fraser, G.K., M.N. Waters, C.G. Duckworth*, P. Patel*, B. Webster*, A. Blocker*, C.H.Crummey*, A. Duncan*, S. Nwokike*, C. Picariello*, J.T. Ragan*, E.L. Schumacher*, R. Tucker*, E.Tuttle*, C. Wiggins*. 2017. Assessment of metal contamination in the biota of four rivers experiencing varying degrees of human Impact. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 189, 23. DOI:10.1007/s10661-016-5738-9.
• Duckworth*, C.G., C.R. Picariello*, R.K. Thomason*, K.S. Patel*, G.K. Bielmyer-Fraser. 2017. Responses of the sea anemone, Exaiptasia pallida, to ocean acidification conditions and zinc or nickel exposure. Aquatic Toxicology 182, 120-128.
• Thomason, R.K.*, W.J. Loughry, J.M. Lockhart, G.K. Bielmyer-Fraser. 2016. Metal accumulation in bobcats in the Southeastern United States. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 188, 565-574. DOI:10.1007/s10661-016-5587-6.
• Lockhart, J.M., S. Siddiqui**, W.J. Loughry, G.K. Bielmyer-Fraser. 2016. Metal accumulation in wild-caught opossums. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 188(6), 1-10. DOI:10.1007/s10661-016-5327-y
• Venkat, A.*, A. Amerson*, G.K. Bielmyer-Fraser. 2016. Influence of water hardness on accumulation and effects of silver in the green alga, Raphidocelis subcapitata. Georgia Journal of Science 74(2), Article 5. Available at: http://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol74/iss2/5.
• Siddiqui, S.**, G.K. Bielmyer-Fraser. 2015. Responses of the sea anemone, Exaiptasia pallida, to ocean acidification conditions and copper exposure. Aquatic Toxicology 167, 228-239. DOI:10.1016/j.aquatox.2015.08.0012
• Jarvis, T.A.**, T. Capo, G.K. Bielmyer-Fraser. 2015. Dietary metal exposure to the marine sea hare, Aplysia californica. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C DOI:10.1016/j.cbpc.2015.06.009
• Jarvis, T.A.**, G.K. Bielmyer-Fraser. 2015. Accumulation and effects of metals in two seaweed species. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C. 171, 28-33.DOI:10.1016/j.cbpc.2015.03.005
• Siddiqui, S.**, R.H. Goddard, G.K. Bielmyer-Fraser. 2015. Comparative effects of dissolved copper and copper oxide nanoparticle exposure to the sea anemone, Exaiptasia pallida. Aquatic Toxicology 160, 205-213. DOI:10.1016/j.aquatox.2015.01.007
• Patel, P.*, G.K. Bielmyer-Fraser. 2015. The influence of salinity and copper exposure on copper accumulation and physiological impairment in the sea anemone, Exaiptasia pallida. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology C. 168, 39-47. DOI:10.1016/j.cbpc.2014.11.004
• Bielmyer-Fraser, G.K., T.A. Jarvis**, H.S. Lenihan, R.J. Miller. 2014. Cellular partitioning of nanoparticulate versus dissolved metals in marine phytoplankton. Environmental Science and Technology. 48(22), 13443-50. DOI:10.1021/es501187g
• Brock, J.*, G.K. Bielmyer. 2013. Metal accumulation and sublethal responses in the sea anemone, Aiptasia pallida after waterborne exposure to metal mixtures. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C 158, 150-158.
• Jarvis, T.A.**, J.M. Lockhart, W.J. Loughry, G.K. Bielmyer. 2013. Metal accumulation in wild nine-banded armadillos. Ecotoxicology 22(6), 1053-1062.
• Jarvis, T.A.**, R.C. Miller, H. Lenihan, G.K. Bielmyer. 2013. Toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles to the copepod, Acartia tonsa, exposed via a phytoplankton diet. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 32(6), 1264-1269.
• Bielmyer, G.K., C. DeCarlo*, C. Morris*, T. Carrigan*. 2013. The influence of salinity on acute nickel toxicity to the two euryhaline fish species, Fundulus heteroclitus and Kryptolebias marmoratus. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 32(6), 1354-1359.
• Shyn, A.*, S.J. Chalk, K. Smith, N. Charnock*, G.K. Bielmyer. 2012. Zinc distribution in the organs of adult Fundulus heteroclitus after waterborne zinc exposure in freshwater and saltwater. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 63, 544–553.
• Bielmyer, G.K., J.B. Bullington*, C.A. DeCarlo*, N.L. Charnock*. S.J. Chalk, K. Smith. 2012. The effects of salinity on acute toxicity of zinc to two euryhaline species of fish, Fundulus heteroclitus and Kryptolebias marmoratus. Integrative and Comparative Biology 52(6), 753-760. DOI: 10.1093/icb/ics045.
• Bielmyer, G.K., T. Jarvis*, B.T. Harper*, B. Butler*, L. Rice*, S. Ryan. 2012. Metal accumulation from dietary exposure in the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 63, 86–94.
• Bielmyer, G.K., W.R. Arnold, J.J. Isely, S.J. Klaine, J. Tomasso. 2012. Effects of roof and rainwater characteristics on copper concentrations in roof runoff. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 184, 2797–2804.
• Bland, M.J.**, G.K. Bielmyer, B.C. Ring. 2010. Toxic effects of Hygromycin B on Kryptolebias marmoratus early development. Georgia Journal of Science 68(3), 140-148.
• Bielmyer, G.K., M. Grosell, R. Bhagooli, A.C. Baker, C. Langdon, P. Gillette, T. Capo. 2010. Differential effects of copper on three species of scleractinian corals and their algal symbionts (Symbiodinium spp.). Aquatic Toxicology 97,125-133.
• Main, W.P.L.*, C. Ross, G.K. Bielmyer. 2010. Copper accumulation and oxidative stress in the sea anemone, Aiptasia pallida, after waterborne copper exposure. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C 151, 216-221.
• Bielmyer, G.K., K.V. Brix, M. Grosell. 2008. Is Cl- protection against silver toxicity due to speciation? Aquatic Toxicology 87, 81-87.
• Bielmyer, G.K., M. Grosell, P.R. Paquin, R. Mathews, K.B. Wu, R.C. Santore, K.V. Brix. 2007.Validation study of the acute biotic ligand model for silver. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 26(10), 2241-2246.
• Bielmyer, G.K., J. Tomasso, S.J. Klaine. 2006. Physiological responses of hybrid striped bass to aqueous copper in freshwater and saltwater. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 50, 531-538.
• Bielmyer, G.K., M. Grosell, K.V. Brix. 2006. Toxicity of silver, zinc, copper, and nickel to the copepod, Acartia tonsa, exposed via a phytoplankton diet. Environmental Science and Technology 40, 2063-2068.
• Bielmyer, G.K., K.V. Brix, T.R. Capo, M. Grosell. 2005. The effects of metals on embryo-larval and adult life stages of the sea urchin, Diadema antillarum. Aquatic Toxicology 74(3), 254-263.
• Bielmyer, G.K., J. Tomasso, D. Gatlin, J. Isely, S.J. Klaine. 2005. Responses of hybrid striped bass to waterborne and dietary copper in freshwater and saltwater. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C 140, 131-137.
• Bielmyer, G.K., R. Arnold, J. Tomasso, S.J. Klaine. 2004. Influence of salt source on synthetic saltwater quality. Chemosphere 57, 1707-1711.
• Bielmyer, G.K., R.A. Bell, S.J. Klaine. 2002. The effects of ligand-bound silver to Ceriodaphnia dubia. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 21(10), 2204-2208. 

 Advisees

• Matthew Hartfiel 
  • Physiological Stress Response of Large Coastal Sharks
• Rachel Somerville 
  • Analysis of heavy metals and antioxidant enxzymes in the muscle tissue of Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
• Ashlen Ward
  • Analysis of heavy metal concentration in several tissues of stranded Tursiops Truncatus in Florida, 2019 compared to the UME of 2013-2015

Location: Swisher 1B