An important feature of SRP is that it supports ecological research. The Program's broad mandates enable its investigators to conduct research that enhances our ability to assess or predict the damage that hazardous substances can cause to ecosystems. More so, SRP research has demonstrated that studying the effects from hazardous substances on ecosystems and wildlife can lead to an improved understanding of the impact of hazardous substances on human health. For example:

• Killifish Hint at Genetic Basis for Human Toxicant Susceptibility : Killifish populations have adapted to survive and reproduce in polluted waters. Researchers have studied the evolutionary and genetic basis for this adaptation, discovering that it comes with a cost. For more than two decades, the Duke University and Boston University Superfund Research Program (SRP) Centers have used these 2-3 inch long fish to understand the toxicity, mechanisms, and health effects of two groups of hazardous contaminants.

• Wildlife Biomonitoring at Hazardous Waste Sites : SRP researchers have developed and applied biomarkers and analytical techniques to allow them to monitor the health of wildlife inhabiting hazardous waste sites. Their data provide important information about the bioavailability of contaminants at hazardous waste sites, supporting the design of appropriate remediation strategies.