Dr. Robert J. Letcher, Ph.D., FRSC
Robert Letcher est le chef d'unité et de groupe du Laboratoire de recherche sur les contaminants organiques (au sein de la Division de l'écotoxicologie et de la santé de la faune du ST&B/WLSD) situé au Centre national de la recherche faunique de l'Université Carleton à Ottawa. Il dirige un groupe d'employés d'ECCC et (co)supervise les projets de plusieurs étudiants diplômés et boursiers postdoctoraux à tout moment. Il s'est engagé dans des recherches collaboratives pendant plus de deux décennies avec de nombreux partenaires gouvernementaux et universitaires. En 2022, ce travail a abouti à plus de 400 articles de revues évalués par des pairs, plus de 40 articles de synthèse, de nombreux chapitres de livres et d'autres publications évaluées par des pairs, et de nombreux rapports gouvernementaux et externes. La recherche prioritaire d'ECCC du Dr Letcher couvre un large éventail de domaines et de sujets et a fait progresser la compréhension de la chimie environnementale/analytique, de l'exposition, du devenir (métabolisme/biotransformation), de la dynamique du réseau trophique, des tendances spatiales/temporelles, des processus environnementaux (p. ) et les effets et impacts biologiques des contaminants hérités/émergents sur la faune/le biote et leurs écosystèmes partout au Canada et à l'échelle internationale (p. ex., l'Arctique et les systèmes aquatiques d'eau douce comme les Grands Lacs). Ses résultats de recherche novateurs ont fortement influencé et informé les intervenants dans divers programmes qui surveillent et évaluent les risques et la gestion des produits chimiques au Canada et dans le monde, p. le Plan de gestion des produits chimiques (PGPC; ECCC/SC), le Programme de lutte contre les contaminants dans le Nord (PCN; ECCC/RCAANC) et le Programme de surveillance et d'évaluation de l'Arctique (AMAP; panarctique).
Recherche et / ou projets en cours
Le Dr Letcher a grandement contribué aux progrès du gouvernement du Canada en matière de science, de politique ou de technologie. Son travail répond aux priorités et au mandat du gouvernement du Canada et d'ECCC de préserver, de conserver et d'améliorer la qualité de l'environnement naturel en vertu de la Loi canadienne sur la protection de l'environnement (LCPE). L'information a servi les programmes scientifiques en S&TB, WLSD et SRAD. Par exemple, le plan de gestion des produits chimiques d'ECCC (PGPC via les divisions EAD, EPD et NSD, et influençant RM (c'est-à-dire CMD)); liés à la Liste intérieure des substances (LIS)), les engagements envers les espèces circumpolaires de l'Arctique et le PLCN (RCAANC), les Programmes de surveillance du goéland argenté et des poissons des Grands Lacs d'ECCC et, plus récemment, le Plan national de la science et des connaissances sur les changements climatiques d'ECCC. Les informations scientifiques générées ont eu un impact et influencé les accords internationaux et les cadres réglementaires ayant des objectifs complémentaires à ECCC, par ex. l'Accord relatif à la qualité de l'eau dans les Grands Lacs (Commission mixte internationale Canada-États-Unis), l'AMAP du Conseil de l'Arctique et la Convention de Stockholm sur les polluants organiques persistants (POP) du PNUE et la Convention de Minamata sur le mercure.
Énoncés de recherches/projets
Le Dr Letcher a mis en place un laboratoire de recherche ECCC innovant et de classe mondiale et les cinq déclarations suivantes résument les domaines d'activités du projet :
• Développement de méthodes analytiques, découverte et exposition de contaminants environnementaux nouveaux et prioritaires dans l'environnement en se concentrant sur le biote
• Développement d'essais chimiques et de biomarqueurs et application pour déterminer les impacts biologiques des composés prioritaires
• Exploration du devenir, de la dégradation, de la biotransformation et du métabolisme des produits chimiques prioritaires dans la faune prioritaire et sentinelle et leurs écosystèmes associés
• Exploration des effets biologiques et (éco)toxicologie des produits chimiques prioritaires et des mélanges chimiques complexes dans la faune à différents niveaux d'organisation biologique
• Changement climatique et autres changements et influences des systèmes écologiques, physiologiques et abiotiques sur l'exposition aux contaminants et le comportement de la faune
Activités professionnelles / intérêts
Fellow : Académie des sciences, Société royale du Canada, 2019-présent
Président du comité d'élection du conseil d'administration : Groupe d'experts international sur la pollution chimique, 2019-présent
Coordonnateur associé : Ottawa-Carleton Chem. & Environ. Programme de toxicologie, 2009-2018
Membre du comité consultatif de rédaction : Sciences et technologies de l'environnement, 2017-présent
Co-rédacteur en chef de la revue : Examens critiques dans Environ. Science et technologie, 2018-présent
Co-rédacteur en chef de la revue : Recherche environnementale, 2019-présent
Prix et études
doctorat Chimie environnementale et écotoxicologie, Université Carleton, 1991-1996
M.Sc. Chimie organométallique et spectroscopie, Université Carleton, 1988-1991
B.Sc. (avec distinction) Chimie, Université de Toronto, 1983-1987
Prix annuel d'excellence en examen: revue Sciences et technologie de l'environnement, 2021
Reconnaissance de 15 ans de service : ECCC, gouvernement du Canada, 2019
Prix annuel d'excellence en examen, revue Sciences et technologie de l'environnement, 2014
Citation d'excellence en sciences, ECCC, travail d'équipe, partenariat et innovation, 2013
Prix annuel d'excellence en examen, revue Sciences et technologie de l'environnement, 2013
Prix de reconnaissance, organisation de l'atelier sur les retardateurs de flamme bromés, 2009
Bourse de chercheur émérite de l'Ontario, chimie et toxicologie environnementales, 2002-2005
Chaire de recherche du Canada (niveau II) en chimie et toxicologie environnementales, 2002-2005
Bourse d'excellence en recherche du premier ministre (Ontario) (PREA), ronde 7, 2001-2004
Prix de reconnaissance de l'Université de Windsor pour l'excellence en recherche et en bourses d'études, 2002-2004
Expérience et / ou de travail international
Membre du comité scientifique: 42nd International Symposium on Halogenated Environmental Pollutants and POPs (DIOXIN’2022), 9-14 oct. 2022, New Orleans, LA, U.S.A.
Doctorat externe examinateur de thèse: Johan Gustavsson, Département des sciences de l'environnement (ACES), Université de Stockholm, Stockholm, Suède "Exposition et effets des polybromodiphényléthers hydroxylés naturellement produits chez les poissons : implications pour la faune de la mer Baltique", 2018-2022
Doctorat externe examinateur de thèse: Drew Szabo, Département de chimie analytique et des sciences de l'environnement, École de chimie, Université de Melbourne, Melbourne, Australie "Transport, bioaccumulation et impact des substances per- et polyfluoroalkyles (PFAS) chez les oiseaux du sud-est de l'Australie", 2018-2022
Doctorat externe examinateur de thèse: Ike van der Veen, Institut d'Amsterdam pour la vie et l'environnement, Université libre d'Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Pays-Bas " Analyse des substances per- et polyfluoroalkyles (PFAS) dans les vêtements d'extérieur", 2018-2022
Co-président de la session: "Environnements arctiques et antarctiques : Contaminants chimiques nouveaux et existants dans les environnements arctiques et antarctiques en évolution", réunion virtuelle SciCon3, 42nd Réunion annuelle de la Société de toxicologie et de chimie environnementales, 15-19 novembre 2021 Portland, OR, U.S.A.
Membre du groupe : Groupe d'experts sur la biotransformation et la bioaccumulation des contaminants aviaires, Institut d'études de la santé et de l'environnement (HESI : Washington, DC, États-Unis), 2016-présent
Membre du groupe : Groupe d'experts AMAP, POP et changement climatique dans l'Arctique, 2019-présent
Membre du groupe : Groupe d'experts AMAP, Mercure dans l'Arctique, 2019-présent
Membre du groupe : Groupe d'experts AMAP, produits chimiques émergents préoccupants dans l'Arctique, 2016-présent
Membre du groupe : Comité d'experts de l'AMAP sur les tendances temporelles des POP, 2015-présent
Membre du groupe : Comité d'experts AMAP POPs (Polluants Organiques Persistants), 2008-présent
Président : Association internationale de recherche sur les Grands Lacs (IAGLR), 2011-2012
Conseil d'administration : Association internationale de recherche sur les Grands Lacs (AIGLR), 2009-2014
Chercheur post-doctoral, Institut de recherche en toxicologie, Université d'Utrecht, Pays-Bas, 1997-2000
Chercheur postdoctoral, Université agricole de Wageningen, Pays-Bas, 1997-1999
Chercheur postdoctoral, toxicologie marine, Institut néerlandais de recherche sur la mer, Texel, 1997-2000
Principales publications
Key Publications:
Selected Research Articles: 2018 to present
Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author), Morris, A.D. (PDF), Dyck, M., Sverko, E., Reiner, E., Blair, D.A.D., Chu, S.G. and Shen, L. 2018. Legacy and new halogenated persistent organic pollutants in polar bears from a contamination hotspot in the Arctic, Hudson Bay Canada. Science of the Total Environment 610-611, 121-136.
Su, G. (PDF), Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author), Crump, D. and Farmahin, R. (PDF). 2018. Photolysis of highly brominated flame retardants leads to time-dependent dioxin-responsive mRNA expression in chicken embryonic hepatocytes. Chemosphere 194, 352-359.
Fernie, K.J. and Letcher, R.J. (co-corresponding author). 2018. Waste-water treatment plants are implicated as an important source of flame retardants in insectivorous tree swallows (Tachicyneta bicolor). Chemosphere 195, 29-39.
Daugaard-Petersen, T. (MSc student), Langebæk, R., Rigét, F.F., Letcher, R.J., Hyldstrup, L., Bech Jensen, J.-E., Bechshoft, T., Wiig, Ø., Jenssen, B.M., Pertoldi, C., Dietz, R. and Sonne, C. 2018. Persistent organic pollutants, skull size and bone density of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from East Greenland 1892–2015 and Svalbard 1964–2004. Environmental Research 162, 74-80.
Strobel, A. (MSc student), Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author), Willmore, W.G., Sonne, C. and Dietz, R. 2018. Organophosphate esters in East Greenland polar bears and ringed seals: adipose tissue concentrations and in vitro depletion and metabolite formation. Chemosphere 196, 240-250.
Hill, K.L. (MSc student), Hamers, T., Kamstra, J.H., Willmore, W.G. and Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author). 2018. Organophosphate triesters and selected metabolites enhance binding of thyroxine to human transthyretin in vitro. Toxicology Letters 285, 87-93.
Chu, S.G. and Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author) 2018. A novel mixed-mode chromatographic separation method for the analysis of dialkyl phosphates. Journal of Chromatography A. 1535, 63-71.
Hill, K.L. (MSc student), Mortensen, Å.K., Teclechiel, D., Willmore, W.G., Sylte, I., Jenssen, B.M. and Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author). 2018. In vitro and in silico competitive binding of brominated polyphenyl ether contaminants with human and gull thyroid hormone transport proteins. Environmental Science and Technology 53, 1533-1541.
Morris, A.D. (PDF), Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author), Dyck, M., Chandramouli, B., Fisk, A.T. and Cosgrove, J. 2018. Multivariate statistical analysis of metabolomics profiles in tissues of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from the Southern and Western Hudson Bay subpopulations. Polar Biology 41, 433-449.
Strobel, A. (MSc student), Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author), Willmore, W.G., Sonne, C. and Dietz, R. 2018. Structure-dependent in vitro metabolism of alkyl-substituted analogues of the organophosphate ester, triphenyl phosphate, in East Greenland polar bears and ringed seals. Environmental Science and Technology Letters 5, 214-219.
Zhang, R. (PhD student), Wang, X., Zhang, X., Song, C., Letcher, R.J. and Liu, C. 2018. Polychlorinated diphenylsulfides activate aryl hydrocarbon receptor 2 in zebrafish embryos: Potential mechanism of developmental toxicity. Environmental Science and Technology 52, 4402–4412.
Daugaard-Petersen, T. (MSc student), Langebæk, R., Rigét, F.F., Dyck, M., Letcher, R.J., Hyldstrup, L., Bech Jensen, J.-E., Dietz, R. and Sonne, C. 2018. Persistent organic pollutants and penile bone mineral density in East Greenland and Canadian polar bears (Ursus maritimus) during 1996–2015. Environment International 114, 212-218.
Li, J. (PhD student), Su, G., Letcher, R.J., Xu, W., Yang, M. and Zhang, Y. 2018. Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs): A new generation of persistent bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) compounds? Environmental Science and Technology (Viewpoint) 52, 5005–5006.
Gewurtz, S.B. (PDF), Martin, P.A., Letcher, R.J. (co-corresponding author), Burgess, N.M., Champoux, L., Elliott, J.E. and Idrissi, A. 2018. Perfluoroalkyl acids in European starling eggs indicate landfill and urban influences in Canadian terrestrial environments. Environmental Science and Technology 52, 5571–5580.
Verreault, J., Letcher, R.J., Gentes, M.-L. and Braune, B.M. 2018. Unusually high Deca-BDE concentrations and novel flame retardants in a top predator seabird from the Canadian Arctic. Science of the Total Environment 639, 977–987.
Zhang, Y. (PhD student), Li, S., Li, M., Wang, Q., Zhu, G., Su, G., Letcher, R.J. and Liu, C. 2018. Exposure to tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate for two generations decreases fecundity of zebrafish at environmentally relevant concentrations. Aquatic Toxicology 200, 178-187.
Guigueno, M.F. (PDF), Karouna-Renier, N.K., Henry, P.F.P., Head, J.A., Peters, L.E., Palace, V.P., Letcher, R.J. and Fernie, K.J. 2018. Female hatchling American kestrels have a larger hippocampus than males: A link with sexual size dimorphism? Behavioural Brain Research 348, 99-108.
Su, G. (PDF), McGoldrick, D.J., Clark, M.G., Evans, M.S., Gledhill, M., Garron, C., Armelin, A., Backus, S.M. and Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author). 2018. Isomer-specific hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) levels in top predator fish from across Canada and 36-year temporal trends in Lake Ontario. Environmental Science and Technology 52, 6197−6207.
Dietz, R., Desforges, J.-P. (PDF), Gustavson, K., Sonne, C., Rigét, F.F., Born, E.W. and Letcher. R.J. 2018. Immunologic, reproductive, and carcinogenic risk assessment from POP exposure in East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus) during 1983–2013. Environment International 118, 169-178.
Provencher, J.F. (PDF), Avery-Gomm, S. (MSc student), Liboiron, M., Braune, B.M., Macaulay, J.B., Mallory, M.L. and Letcher. R.J. 2018. Are ingested plastics a vector of PCB contamination in northern fulmar seabirds from coastal Newfoundland and Labrador? Environmental Research 167, 184-190.
Desforges, J.-P. (PDF), Hall, A., McConnell, B., Rosing Asvid, A., Barber, J.L., Brownlow, A., De Guise, S., Eulaers, I. (PDF), Jepson, P.D., Letcher, R.J., Levin, M., Ross, P.S., Samarra, F., Víkingson, G., Sonne, C. and Dietz, R. 2018. Predicting global killer whale population collapse from PCB pollution. Science 361, 6409, 1373-1376.
Zhang, Y. (PhD student), Su, G., Li, M., Li, S., Wang, Q., Zhu, G., Letcher, R.J. and Liu. C. 2018. Chemical and biological transfer: Which one is responsible for the maternal transfer toxicity of tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate in zebrafish? Environmental Pollution 243, 1376-1382.
Zhang, R. (PhD student), Wang, X., Zhang, X., Zhang, J., Zhang, X., Crump, D., Letcher, R.J. and Liu. C. 2018. Down-regulation of hspb9 and hspb11 causes wavy notochord in zebrafish embryos following exposure to polychlorinated diphenylsulfides. Environmental Science and Technology 52, 12829–12840.
Dang, Y. (PhD student), Sun, Q., Letcher, R.J. and Liu, C. 2018. Unexpected observations: Exposure to aromatase inhibitor prochloraz did not alter vitellogenin content in zebrafish ova, but inhibited growth of offspring larvae. Environmental Science and Technology Letters 5, 629-634.
Guigueno, M.F. (PDF), Karouna-Renier, N.K. Henry, P.F.P., Peters, L.E., Palace, V.P., Letcher, R.J. and Fernie, K.J. 2018. Sex-specific responses in neuroanatomy of hatchling American kestrels in response to embryonic exposure to bis(2-ethylhexyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrabromophthalate or 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 37, 3032-3040
Morris, A.D. (PDF), , Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author), Dyck, M., Chandramouli, B. and Cosgrove, J. 2019. Concentrations of legacy and new contaminants are related to metabolomic profiles in Hudson Bay polar bears. Environmental Research 168, 364-374.
Shen, J. (PhD student), Zhang, Y., Yu, N., Crump, D., Li, J., Su, H., Letcher, R.J. and Su, G. 2019. Organophosphate ester, 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP), elicits cytotoxic and transcriptomic effects in chicken embryonic hepatocytes and its biotransformation profile compared to humans. Environmental Science and Technology 53, 2151-2160.
Crump, D.C., Williams, K.L., Chiu, S., Periard, L. and Letcher, R.J. 2019. A rapid method of preparing complex organohalogen extracts from avian eggs: Applications to in vitro toxicogenomics screening. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 38, 811-819.
Zhao, L. (PhD student), Jain, K., Su, K., Zhang, Z., Li, J., Letcher, R.J. and Su, G. 2019. Organophosphate esters (OPEs) in Chinese foodstuffs: Dietary intake estimation via a market basket method, and suspect screening using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Environment International 127, 35-51.
Spörndly-Neesa, E. (PhD student), Holm, L., van Beest, F.M., Fakhrzadeh, A., Ekstedt, E., Letcher, R.J., Magnusson, U., Desforges, J.-P. (PDF), Dietz, R. and Sonne, C. 2019. Age and seasonal variation in testis and baculum morphology in East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in relation to high concentrations of persistent organic pollutants. Environmental Research 173, 246–254.
Eng, M.L. (PDF), Karouna, N.K., Henry, P.F.P., Letcher, R.J., Schultz, S.L., Bean, S.G., Peters, L.E., Palace, V.P., Williams, T.D., Elliott, J.E. and Fernie, K.J. 2019. In ovo exposure to novel brominated flame retardants Part II: assessment of effects of TBBPA-BDBPE and BTBPE on hatching success, morphometrics, and physiology in American kestrels. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 175, 151-159.
Eng, M.L. (PDF), Williams, T.D., Fernie, K.J., Karouna, N.K., Henry, P.F.P., Letcher, R.J. and Elliott, J.E. 2019. In ovo exposure to novel brominated flame retardants Part I: assessment of effects of TBBPA-BDBPE on survival, morphometrics, and physiology in zebra finches. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 175, 104-110.
Boisvert, G. (MSc student), Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author), Sonne, C., Dietz, R. and Rigét, F.F. 2019. Bioccummulation and biomagnification of perfluoroalkyl acids and major precursors in East Greenland polar bears and their ringed seal prey. Environmental Pollution 252, 1335-1343.
Desforges, J.-P. (PDF), Hall, A. (PDF), McConnell, B., Rosing Asvid, A., Barber, J.L., Brownlow, A., De Guise, S., Eulaers, I. (PDF), Jepson, P.D., Letcher, R.J., Levin, M., Ross, P.S., Sonne, C. and Dietz, R. 2019. Response to L. Witting: PCBs still a major risk for global killer whale populations. Marine Mammal Science 35,1201-1206.
Dietz, R., Sonne, C., Desforges, J.-P. (PDF), Eulaers, I. (PDF), Letcher, R.J., Rosing Asvid, A. and Jepson, P.D. 2019. Killer whales call for further protection. Environment International (correspondance letter) 126, 443-444.
Bastiaensen, M., Van den Eede, N., Su, G., Letcher, R.J., Stapleton, H.M. and Covaci, A. 2019. Towards establishing indicative values for metabolites of organophosphate ester contaminants in human urine. Chemosphere 236, 124348.
Guigueno, M.F. (PDF), Head, J.A., Letcher, R.J., Karouna, N.K., Peters, L., Palace, V., Hana, A.M. and Fernie, K.J. 2019. Early life exposure to triphenyl phosphate: effects on thyroid function, growth, and resting metabolic rate of Japanese Quail chicks. Environmental Pollution 253, 899-908.
Chu, S.G. and Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author). 2019. In vitro metabolic activation of triphenyl phosphate leading to the formation of glutathione conjugates by rat liver microsomes. Chemosphere 237, 124474.
Zhang, Y. (PhD student), Su, H., Ya, M., Li, J., Ho, S.H., Zhao, L., Jian, K., Letcher, R.J. and Su, G. 2019. Distribution of flame retardants in smartphones and identification of current-use organic chemicals including three novel aryl organophosphate esters. Science of the Total Environment 693, 133654.
Gauthier, L.T., Laurich, B. (MSc student), Hebert, C.E. and Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author). 2019. Tetrabromobisphenol-A-bis (dibromopropyl ether) flame retardant in eggs, regurgitates and feces of herring gulls from multiple North American Great Lakes locations. Environmental Science and Technology 53, 9564-9571.
Brown, A.K. (MSc student), Zia, Z., Bulloch, P. (MSc student), Idowu, I. (PhD student), Francisco, O., Stetefeld, J., Stout, J., Zimmer, J., Marvin, C., Letcher, R.J. and Tomy, G.T. 2019. Validated quantitative cannabis profiling for Canadian regulatory compliance - cannabinoids, aflatoxins, and terpenes.. Analytica Chimica Acta 1088, 79-88.
Chen, S. (PhD student), Dang, Y., Gong, Z., Letcher, R.J. and Liu, C. 2019. Progression of liver tumor was promoted by tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate through the induction of inflammatory responses in krasV12 transgenic zebrafish. Environmental Pollution 255, 113315.
Su, H. (MSc student), Shi, S. (MSc student), Zhu, M., Crump, D., Letcher, R.J., Su, G. and Giesy, J.P. 2019. Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) were detected in indoor residential dusts. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the U.S.A. 116, 26450-26458.
Provencher, J.F. (PDF), Avery-Gomm, S. (MSc student), Braune, B.M., Letcher, R.J., Dey, C.J. and Mallory, M.L. 2019. Phthalate esters in Northern Fulmar preen oil are not higher in birds that have ingested more plastic debris. Marine Pollution Bulletin 150, 110679.
Bulloch, P. (MSc student), Schur, S., Muthumuni, D., Xia, Z., Johnson, W., Palace, V., Su, G., Letcher, R.J. and Tomy, G.T. 2020. F2-Isoprostanes in fish mucus: A new, non-invasive analysis of oxidative stress biomarkers. Chemosphere 239, 124797.
Hanas, K. (MSc student), Guigueno, M.F. (PDF), Letcher, R.J., Ste. Marie Chamberland, F., Fernie, K.J. and Head, J.A. 2020. Behavioural effects of triphenyl phosphate in early life stage Japanese quail. Environmental Pollution 258, 113695.
Marteinson, S.C., Guigueno, M. (PDF), Chu, S.G., Head, J., Fernie, K.J. and Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author). 2020. Triphenyl phosphate: Uptake and metabolism in eggs and chicks of Japanese quail (Cortunix japonica). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 39, 565-573.
Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author), Chu, S.G. and Smyth, S.A. 2020. Side-chain fluorinated polymer surfactants in biosolids from wastewater treatment plants. Journal of Hazardous Materials 388, 122044.
Chen, S. (PhD student), Gong, Z., Letcher, R.J. and Liu, C. 2020. Promotion effect of liver tumor progression in male kras transgenic zebrafish induced by tri (1, 3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 191, 110220.
Meng, W. (PhD student), Li, J., Deng, Y., Shen, J., Letcher, R.J. and Su, G. 2020. Functional group dependent screening of organophosphate esters (OPEs), and discovery on an abundant OPE, bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-phenyl phosphate (BEHPP), in indoor dust. Environmental Science and Technology 54, 4455-4464.
Smythe, T.A. (PhD student), Mattioli, L.C. and Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author). 2020. Distribution behaviour in body compartments and in ovo transfer of flame retardants in North American Great Lakes herring gulls (Larus argentatus). Environmental Pollution 262, 114306.
Fernie, K.J., Henry, P.F.P., Letcher, R.J., Schultz, S.L., Peters, L.E., Palace, V. and Karouna-Renier, N.K. 2020. Physiological and endocrine responses of hatchling American kestrels (Falco sparverius) following embryonic exposure to technical short chain chlorinated paraffins (C10-13). Environment International 145, 106087.
Sun, J. (PDF), Letcher, R.J. (co-corresponding author), Eens, M., Covaci, A., Fernie, K.J. (co-corresponding author). 2020. Perfluoroalkyl acids and sulfonamides and dietary, biological and ecological associations in peregrine falcons from the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin. E nvironmental Research 191, 110151.
Yuan, S. (PhD student), Liang, C., Li, W., Letcher, R.J., Liu, C. 2021. A comprehensive system for behavior detection of D. magna exposed to various chemicals. Journal of Hazardous Materials 402, 123731.
Kong, R. (PhD student), Sun, Q., Cheng, S., Fu, J., Liu, W. Letcher, R.J., Liu, C. 2021. Uptake, excretion and toxicity of titanate nanotubes in three stains of free-living ciliates of the genus Tetrahymena. Aquatic Toxicology 233, 105790.
Sonne, C., Dietz, R., Jenssen, B.M., Lam, S.S., Letcher, R.J. 2021. Emerging contaminants and biological effects in Arctic wildlife. Trends in Ecology and Evolution – Opinion 26, 421-429.
Remili, A. (PhD student), Letcher, R.J., Samarra, F.I.P., Dietz, R., Sonne, C., Desforges, J.P., Vikingsson, G., Blair, D., McKinney, M.A. 2021.Individual prey specialization drives PCBs in Icelandic killer whales. Environmental Science and Technology 55, 4923-4931..
Zhang, Y. (PhD student), Huang, K., Sun, Q., Kong, R., Chen, S., Liang, C., Li, M., Letcher, R.J., Liu, C. 2021. TDCIPP reduces expression of gs in pituitary via binding to ghrhr and inhibits growth of Carassius auratus. Environmental Science and Technology 55, 8108-8118.
Sun, J. (PDF), Letcher, R.J. (co-corresponding author), Waugh, C.A., Jaspers, V.L.B., Covaci, A., Fernie, K.J. (co-corresponding author). 2021. Influence of perfluoroalkyl acids and other parameters on circulating thyroid hormones and immune-related microRNA expression in free-ranging nestling peregrine falcons. Science of the Total Environment 770, 145346.
Goodchild, C. (MSc student), Karouna-Renier, N.K., Henry, P.F.P., Letcher, R.J., Schultz,S.L., Maddox, C.M., Bean, T.G., Peters, L.E., Palace, V., Fernie, K.J. 2021. Toxicity of two alternative brominated flame retardants, EHTBB and TBPH to American kestrel embryos. Environment International 157, 106826.
Thomas, P.J. (PhD student), Eickmeyer, D.C., Eccles, K.M., Kimpe, L.E., Felzel, E., Brouwer, A., Letcher, R.J., Maclean, B.D., Chan, H.M., Blais, J. 2021. Paleotoxicity of petrogenic and pyrogenic hydrocarbon mixtures in sediment cores from the Athabasca oil sands region, Alberta (Canada). Environmental Pollution 292, 118271.
Ma, L.Q., Letcher, R.J., Coulonc F., Juhasz, A., Rinklebe, J., Ok, Y.S., Bradford, S.A. 2021. New measures in 2021 to increase the quality and reputation of the Critical Review in Environmental Science and Technology (CREST) journal. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 51, 1303–1305.
Morris, A.D. (PDF), Braune, B.M., Gamberg, M., Stow, J., O’Brien, J. and Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author). 2022. Temporal chanhe and the influence of climate and weather factors on mercury concentrations in Hudson Bay polar bears, caribou and seabirds. Environmental Research 207, 112169.
Sun, Q. (PhD student), Liu, H., Zhang, Y., Yi, X., Kong, R., Su, G., Letcher, R.J., Giesy, J.P., Liu, C. 2022. Global distribution of ustiloxins in rice and their male-biased hepatotoxicity. Environmental Pollution 301, 118992.
Chen, S. (PhD student), Li, M., Sun, Q. (PhD student), Letcher, R.J., Liu, C. 2022. A high-throughput screening assay for identification of chemicals with liver tumor promoting potential using a transgenic zebrafish line. Chemosphere 297, 134169.
Choy, E.S. (PDF), Elliott, K.H., Esparza, I.M. (MSc student), Patterson, A., Letcher, R.J., Fernie, K.J. 2022. Potential disruption of thyroid hormones by perfluoroalkyl acids in an Arctic seabird during reproduction. Environmental Pollution 305, 119181.
Esparza, I.M. (MSc student), Fernie, K.J., Choy, E.S. (PDF), Braune, B.M., Head, J., Letcher, R.J., Patterson, A., Elliott, K.H. 2022.
Mercury, legacy and emerging POPs, and endocrine-behavioural linkages: Implications of Arctic change in a diving seabird. Environmental Research 212, 113190.
Sun, Q. (PhD student), Qian, Z., Liu, H., Zhang, Y., Yi, X., Kong, R. (PhD student), Cheng, S., Man, J., Zheng, L., Huang, J., Su, G., Letcher, R.J., Giesy, J.P., Liu, C. 2022. K.J., Letcher, R.J., Lu, Z., Mallory, M.L., Avery-Gomm, S., Provencher, J.F.Occurrence and translocation of ustiloxins in rice false smut-occurred paddy fields, Hubei, China. Environmental Pollution 307, 119460.
Suhring, R., Baak, J.E., Letcher, R.J., Braune, B.M., De Silva, A.O., Dey, C., Fernie. Letcher, R.J., Lu, Z., Mallory, M.L., Avery-Gomm, S., Provencher, J.F. 2022. Co-contaminants of microplastics in two seabird species from the Canadian Arctic. Environmental Science and Ecotechnology 12, 100189.
Selected Review Articles: 2018 to present
Brown, T.M., Macdonald, R.W., Muir, D.C.G. and Letcher, R.J. 2018. The distribution and trends of persistent organic pollutants and mercury in marine mammals from Canada's Eastern Arctic. Science of the Total Environment 618, 500-517.
Bechshøft, T.Ø. (PDF), Derocher, A.E., Viengkone, M., Routti, H., Aars, J., Letcher, R.J., Dietz, R., Sonne, C., Jenssen, B.M., Richardson, E. and Lunn, N.J. 2018. On the integration of ecological and physiological variables in polar bear toxicology research: a systematic review. Environmental Reviews 26, 1-12.
Rigét, F.F., Bignert, A., Braune, B., Dam, M., Dietz, R., Evans, M., Green, N., Gunnlaugsdóttir, H., Kucklick, J., Letcher, R.J., Muir, D.C.G., Schuur, S., Sonne, C., Stern, G., Tomy, G.T., Vorkamp, K. and Wilson, S. 2018. Temporal trends of persistent organic pollutants in Arctic marine and freshwater biota. Science of the Total Environment 649, 99-110.
Routti, H., Atwood, T., Bechshøft, T.Ø., Boltunov, A., Ciesielski, T.M., Desforges, J.-P. (PDF), Dietz, R., Gabrielsen, G.W., Jenssen, B.M., Letcher, R.J., McKinney, M.A., Morris, A.D., Rigét, F.F., Sonne, C., Styrishave, B. and Tartu, S. 2019. State of knowledge on current exposure, fate and potential health effects of contaminants in polar bears from the circumpolar Arctic. Science of the Total Environment 664, 1063-1083.
Li, J. (PhD student), Zhao, L. (PhD student), Letcher, R.J., Zhang, Y., Jian, K and Su, G. 2019. A review on organophosphate ester (OPE) flame retardants and plasticizers in foodstuffs: Levels, distribution, human dietary exposure, and future directions. Environment International 127, 35-51.
Bidleman, T.F., Jantunen, L.M., Kucklick, J.R., Kylin, H., Letcher, R.J. and Wong, F. 2019. A review of halogenated natural products in Arctic, Subarctic and Nordic ecosystems. Emerging Contaminants 5, 89-115.
Balmer, J.E., Muir, D.C.G, Hung, H. and Letcher, R.J. 2019. Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD) Contamination in the Arctic environment: A review. Emerging Contaminants 5, 116-122.
Balmer, J.E., Muir, D.C.G., Hung, H., Yu, Y. and Letcher, R.J. 2019. Sources and environmental fate of pyrogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Arctic. Emerging Contaminants 5, 128-142.
Vorkamp, K., Balmer, J.E., Hung, H., Letcher, R.J. and Rigét, F.F. 2019. A review of chlorinated paraffin contamination in the Arctic environment. Emerging Contaminants 5, 219-231.
Muir, D.C.G., Bossi, R., Carlsson, P., Evans, M., de Silva, A.O., Halsall, C., Harner, T., Herzke, D., Hung, H., Letcher, R.J., Rigét, F.F. and Roos, A. 2019. Levels and trends of poly- and per-fluorinated compounds in the Arctic environment – an update. Emerging Contaminants 5, 240-271.
Vorkamp, K., Balmer, J.E., Hung, H., Letcher, R.J., Rigét, F.F., de Wit, C.A. 2019. urrent-use halogenated and organophosphorous flame retardants: A review of their presence in Arctic ecosystems. Emerging Contaminants 5, 179-200.
Dietz, R., Letcher, R.J. (co-corresponding author), Desforges, J.-P. (PDF). Wilson, S. + 66 additional coauthors. 2019. Current state of knowledge on the biological effects of contaminants on Arctic wildlife and fish. Science of the Total Environment 696, 133792.
Dominique, M. (MSc student), Letcher, R.J., Rutter, A. and Langlois, V.S. 2020. Comparative review of the distribution and burden of contaminants in the body of polar bears. Environmental Sciences and Pollution Research 27, 32456–32466.
Gewurtz, S.B., Tardif, G., Power, M., Backus, S., Dove, A., Dubé-Roberge, K., Garron, C., King, M., Lalonde, B., Letcher, R.J., Martin, P.A., McDaniel, T.V., McGoldrick, D.J., Pelletier, M., Small, J., Smyth, S.A., Teslic, S., Tessier, J. 2020. Bisphenol A in the Canadian environment: A multimedia analysis. Science of the Total Environment. 755, 142272.
Marteinson, S.C., Bodnaryk, A., Fry, M., Riddell, N., Letcher, R.J., Marvin, C., Tomy, G.T. and Fernie, K.J. 2021. A review of 1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)cyclohexane in the environment and assessment of its persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity. Environmental Research 195, 110497.
Liu, Y. (PhD student), Gong, S., Ye, L., Li, J., Liu, C., Chen, D., Fang, M., Letcher, R.J., Su, G. 2021. Organophosphate (OP) Diesters and a review of sources, chemical properties, environmental occurrence, adverse effects, and future directions. Environment International 155, 106691.
Kennedy, E.K.C. (PhD student), Perono, G.A., Nemez, D.B., Holloway, A.C., Thomas, P.J., Letcher, R.J., Marvin, C., Stetefeld, J., Stout, J., Peters, O., Palace, V., Tomy, G.T. 2022. Increasing cannabis use and importance as an environmental contaminant mixture and associated risks to exposed biota: A review. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 52, 203-239.
Kuo, D.T.F., Rattner, B.A., Marteinson, S.C., Letcher, R.J., Fernie, K.J., Treu, G., Deutsch, M., Johnson, M., Deglin, S.E., Embry, M. 2022. A review on bioaccumulation and biotransformation of organic chemicals in birds. Reviews in Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 260, 6.
Smythe, T.A. (PhD student), Su, G., Bergman, Å., Letcher, R.J. (corresponding author). 2022. Metabolic transformation of environmentally relevant brominated flame retardants in fauna: A review Environment International. 161, 107097.
Dietz, R., Letcher, R.J. + 54 additional coauthors. 2022. A risk assessment review of mercury exposure in Arctic marine and terrestrial mammals. Special Issue-Science of the Total Environment 829, 154445.
Morris, A.D., Rigét, F.F., Wilson, S., Letcher, R.J., + 31 additional coauthors. 2022. Temporal trends of mercury in Arctic biota: 10 more years of progress in Arctic 0] monitoring, Special Issue-Science of the Total Environment 839, 155803.
McKinney, M.A., Chételat, J., Burke, S.M., Elliott, K.H., Fernie, K.J., Houde, M., Kahilainen, K.K., Letcher, R.J., Morris, A.D., Muir, D.C.G, Routti, H., Yurkowski, D.J. 2022. Climate change and mercury in the Arctic: Biotic interactions, Special Issue-Science of the Total Environment 834, 155221.
Houde, M., Krümmel, E.M., Letcher, R.J., + 37 additional coauthors. 2022. Contributions and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples to the study of mercury in the Arctic. Special Issue-Science of the Total Environment 841, 156566.
Book Chapters: 2018 to present
Brown, T.M., MacDonald, R.W., Muir, D.C.G. and Letcher, R.J. 2019. Distribution and Patterns of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Mercury in the Region, In: ArcticNet, From Science to Policy in the Eastern Canadian Arctic: An Integrated Regional Impact Study (IRIS) of Climate Change and Modernization. (eds. Belly, T and Brown, T.M.). Chap. 10, pp. 271-304.
Sonne, C., Letcher, R.J., Jenssen, B.M., Desforges, J.-P. (PDF), Eulaers, I. (PDF), Andersen-Ranberg, E., Gustavson, K., Bossi, R., Styrishave, B., Sinding, M.-H.S. and Dietz, R. 2020. Sled dogs as sentinel species for monitoring Arctic ecosystem health. In: Pets as Sentinels, Forecasters and Promoters of Human Health (eds. Pastorinho, M.R., Sousa, A.C). p. 375-+.
Rode, K.D., Obbard, M., Belikov, S.E., Derocher, A.E., Durner, G.M., Theimann, G.W., Tryland, M., Letcher, R.J., Meyerson, R., Sonne, C., Jenssen, B.M., Dietz, R., Vongraven, D. 2021. Chapter 14 - Polar Bears, Section - Parasites, Infections, Diseases and Industrial Chemicals. In: Bears of the World, (Eds. V. Penteriani, M. Melletti), Cambridge University Press. Online ISBN: 9781108692571, DOI: 10.1017/9781108692571
Sonne, C., Letcher, R.J., Jenssen, B.M. and Dietz, R. 2022. Chapter 6 - Arctic Ecosystems, Wildlife and Man: Threats from Persistent Organic Pollutants and Mercury. In: Arctic One Health: Challenges for Northern Animals and People (ed. M. Tryland). ISBN: 978-3-030-87852-8. Published March 2022.
Desforges, J.-P., Siebert, U., Routti, H., Levin, M., Dietz, R., Basu, N., Letcher, R.J., Jenssen, B.M., Sonne, C. 2022. Chapter 7 – “Marine Mammals as Indicators of Environmental Pollution and Potential Health Effects” In: “Marsupial and Placental Mammal Species in Environmental Risk Assessment Strategies”, (Eds. M.L. Larramendy, G. Liwszyc), Royal Society of Chemistry Press pp. 133-169, Online ISBN: 9781839161988.
Installation de recherche
ORCIDExpertise
Affiliations
Professeur auxiliaire : Département de chimie, Université Carleton, 2004-présent
Professeur auxiliaire : Département de biologie, Université Carleton, 2015-présent
Professeur auxiliaire : Institut des Grands Lacs pour la recherche environnementale, Université de Windsor, Canada, 2005-2016
Faculté associée : Département de biologie environnementale, Université de Guelph, ON, Canada, 2006-2014
Professeur adjoint, Institut des Grands Lacs pour la recherche environnementale, Université de Windsor, Canada, 2000-2004
Professeur adjoint, Département de chimie et biochimie, Université de Windsor, Canada, 2000-2004