Derek C.G. Muir

Education

•  B.Sc. General Science, McGill University, 1970.
• M.Sc. Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, 1973. 
• Ph.D. Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, 1977

Research

Derek has been an adjunct professor in the School of Environmental Sciences and Department of Environmental Biology, since 1998. His scientific interests focus broadly on the environmental chemistry and biogeochemistry of persistent organic contaminants, mercury and other metals. His research has focussed on understanding bioaccumulation and bioavailability of persistent and bioaccumulative chemicals of concern in the aquatic and terrestrial environments under field and laboratory conditions with special emphasis on food chain transfer. As an Emeritus Scientist with Environment & Climate Change Canada (starting April 2022) Derek continues to be involved with research on Arctic contaminants. He co-leads the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme Expert Group on Persistent Organic Pollutants and leads the chapter on perfluoroalkyl acids in water in the forthcoming Stockholm Convention Global Monitoring Program report.

Selected Recent Publications (OA) - *indicates corresponding author

For a full list of publications, refer to Derek's google scholar profile.

• Muir, D.C.G.*, M. J. Gunnarsdóttir, K. Koziol, F. van Heppel, D. Szumińska, N. Ademollo, S. Corsolini, A. De Silva, G.W. Gabrielsen, R. Kallenborn, K. Vorkamp. 2024. Local versus long range transport of of organic contaminants in the Arctic: Future developments related to climate change. Environ. Sci. Advances. 4, 355-408.
• Lohmann, R.*, K. Abass, E. Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen, R. Bossi, R. Dietz, S. Ferguson, K. J. Fernie, P. Grandjean, D. Herzke, M. Houde, M. Lemire, R. J. Letcher, D. Muir, A.O. De Silva, S.K. Ostertag, A.A. Rand, J. Søndergaard, C. Sonne, E. M. Sunderland, K. Vorkamp, S. Wilson, and P. Weihe. 2024. Cross-cutting studies of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in Arctic wildlife and humans. Sci. Total Environ. 954, 176274.
• Zhang, X., L. Li, Z. Xie, J. Ma, Y-F. Li, M. Cai, N-Q. Ren, R. Kallenborn, Z-F. Zhang*, X. Zhang, D. Muir. Exploring global oceanic persistence and ecological effects of legacy persistent organic pollutants across five decades. Science Advances 10 (39) , eado5534.
• Persaud, D., A.S.Criscitiello, C. Spencer, I. Lenherr, D.C.G.Muir,  A.O De Silva, C.J.Young*. 2024. A 50-year record for perfluoroalkyl acids in the High Arctic: Implications for global and local transport. Environ. Sci. Process. Impacts 26, 1543-1555.
• Hudelson, K., D.C.G. Muir*, G. Koeck, X. Wang, J. Kirk*, D. Iqaluk. 2023. Mercury at the top of the world: A 31-year record of mercury in Arctic char in the largest High Arctic lake linked to atmospheric mercury concentrations and climate oscillations. Environ. Poll. 337, 122466.
• Burke, S.M., D.C.G. Muir*, J. Kirk*, B. Barst, D. Iqaluk, X. Wang, M. Pope, S.F. Lamoureux, M.J. Lafrenière. 2023. Divergent Temporal Trends of Mercury in Arctic Char from Paired Lakes Influenced by Climate-related Drivers. Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry. 42(12), 2712-2725.
• Lohmann, R.*, D. Muir, F. Smedes, J. Sobotka, B. Vrana, E. Zeng, L.-J. Bao, R.M. Prats, B.L. van Drooge, M. Tsapakis. 2023. Passive-sampler derived PCB and OCPs in the waters of the world – first results from the AQUA-GAPS/Monet sampling network. Environ. Sci. Technol. 57 (25), 9342–9352.
• Muir, D.C.G.*, G.J. Getzinger, M. McBride, P. L. Ferguson. 2023. How many chemicals in commerce have been determined in environmental media? A 50 year bibliometric analysis. Environ. Sci. Technol. 57 (25), 9119–9129.
• Zhang, X., X. Sun, R. Jiang, E. Zeng, D.C.G Muir*. 2020. Screening new persistent and bioaccumulative organics in China’s inventory of industrial chemicals. Environ Sci Technol 54: 7398–7408.
• Wang, Z.*, G.W. Walker, D.C.G. Muir, K. Nagatani-Yoshida. 2020. Toward a Global Understanding of Chemical Pollution: A First Comprehensive Analysis of Regulatory Industrial Chemical Inventories. Environ. Sci. Technol. 54 (5), 2575-2584

Awards

International Awards

• Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Government Service Award 2019
• SETAC Founder’s Award. 2000. Highest scientific award of the Society of Environment Toxicology & Chemistry, November 2000.
• Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation. 1997-2000.  For Research on Arctic Contaminants.

National Awards and recognition

• Appointed Officer of the Order of Canada. December 2024. Order of Canada | The Governor General of Canada
• W. Garfield Weston Family Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Northern Research 2018.
• Martin Bergmann Medal for Excellence in Arctic Leadership or Science, 2018. Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
• Public Service Award of Excellence 2015. For contributions to environmental science and policy. Highest level award for Canada’s federal public servants.
• Environment Canada 2015. Citation of Excellence. For contributions to environmental science and policy.
• Environment Canada 2012 Citation of Excellence in the Teamwork, Partnering and Collaboration category for work on the Oil Sands Integrated Environmental Monitoring Plan.
• Environment Canada 2011 Citation of Excellence in the Teamwork, Partnering and Collaboration category for work on the Chemicals Management Plan
• Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, Gold Medal. 2005.  In recognition of achievements and contributions in the field of environmental science.
• Royal Society of Canada, Miroslaw Romanowski Medal, 2004. For work on persistent organic pollutants and mercury in Canada's North
• Society of Canadian Limnologists. Rigler Lecture Award. 2003. Annual award given to a leading Canadian scientist working in the field of limnology.