Imagine you are kneeling on the bank of a cold glacier-fed stream with your arm in the water taking a grab sample.
You are an eco-toxicologist and you are taking samples of the creek because there is concern that a potentially harmful chemical has polluted the water.
Biologists studying fish downstream have noticed the fish population is almost entirely mature adults, with very few young fish. The absence of younger fish indicates that the population is not reproducing; a sign of toxins in the water.
You have been asked to investigate the situation, determine a cause, and find a way to reverse the effects. As an eco-toxicologist, you must find out why the creek's fish have stopped reproducing and if something can be done about it.
The first step toward finding these answers is to visit the site itself, both to gather water samples and to see if there is obvious evidence of the cause in the surrounding environment. This could be a result of dumped chemical containers or a spill site. Even when the cause seems apparent, you must investigate a little deeper.
You will bring the water samples to the lab for analysis, to get a better idea of the different chemicals present in the water.
From the list of chemicals, you will look at each one to see if it is responsible for stopping reproduction. But you aren't finished once you have found the culprit or culprits; you will also study the mechanism by which the contaminant acts on the fish, which will be the key to reversing its effects.
It’s important that you find the source of the toxicant so you can prevent similar incidences in the future.
It's a big task, but your specialty is answering the questions of what, how, and where disturbances are in the ecosystem.
Duties vary significantly from job to job, but the following list includes typical job duties one might encounter as an eco-toxicologist:
If you are a high school student considering a career as an environmental geophysicist, you should have a keen interest in:
If you are a post-secondary student considering a career as an environmental geophysicist, the following programs are most applicable.
In most cases, the minimum education requirement to work as an environmental geophysicist is a graduate degree. Pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in fields related to environmental geophysics can enhance your expertise, career prospects, and ability to contribute to the field. These advanced degrees offer specialized knowledge and skills highly valued in both the professional and academic worlds.
In many provinces, geophysicists must obtain registration and licensure with their provincial association as a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.). The certification process for geophysicists is similar to that of engineering professions and is typically overseen by the same regulatory body.
Our Environmental Professional (EP) designation can also help you progress in your chosen environmental career.
Technical Skills
Personal and Professional Skills
Environmental employers look for professionals who can combine technical knowledge with soft skills. Watch our free webinar “Essential Not Optional: Skills Needed to Succeed in Canada’s Environmental Industry” or take our Essential Skills courses.
As key executive leaders who shape their company’s sustainability policy, CSOs work in many different types of organizations. Common employers of CSOs include:
Search for jobs on the ECO Canada Job Board.
If you are a post-secondary student seeking a CSO role in the future, consider pursuing a university degree related to:
In addition to the educational fields mentioned above, you will also need extensive management experience to become a CSO, with well-developed human resources management and leadership skills. Consider educational seminars or post-graduate studies that will hone your analytical thinking, such as:
Our Environmental Professional (EP) designation can also help you progress in your chosen environmental career.
Technical Skills
Personal and Professional Skills
Environmental employers seek professionals who combine technical knowledge with personal and professional skills. Watch our free webinar “Essential Not Optional: Skills Needed to Succeed in Canada’s Environmental Industry” or take our Essential Skills courses.
What does Angela Li-Muller like about her job in toxicology? "I enjoy learning more about environmental problems and working with other experts on solutions." Angela works for the City of Toronto. Her search for information on toxic substances in the environment is carefully plotted. "First I try to find out if some substances are harmful. Then, I try to find out how much of these substances are in the environment.
Thirdly, I try to find out how much of these substances in the environment actually reach body tissues. Based on all this information, I try to determine if what is present in the environment is safe for people." Is there anything she doesn't like about her job? "I find it difficult when people are unwilling to accept my findings because the conclusions do not fit with their belief. Sometimes there is resistance to bad news, and sometimes people just don't want to believe that there is a problem."
Angela's career preparation included a bachelor's and a master's degree in chemistry. Her master's degree had an emphasis on environmental toxicology. Angela completed her academic preparation when she received a Ph.D. with a toxicology focus from the University of Guelph.
As an eco-toxicologist, you’re responsible for predicting the effects of pollutants on food resources for wildlife populations, ecosystems, and humans.
Eco-toxicologists aim to understand, predict and prevent undesirable events in the natural environment. They do this by carrying out ecotoxicity testing and risk assessment on new chemicals that may be used, disposed, or otherwise reach the environment. They are also involved in conducting detailed monitoring studies of invertebrates and fish in polluted rivers, to assess the impact of toxins within a food chain.
Eco-toxicology is just one branch of toxicology. Other fields include academic, regulatory, industrial, pharmaceutical, occupational, clinical, forensic, and contract toxicology.
Eco-toxicologists develop models to help explain the negative effects chemicals can have on the ecosystem to industry.
This means there is a need for collaborative efforts between eco-toxicologists, biochemists, and other scientists. Eco-toxicologists play a pivotal role in contributing globally to protecting food resources in agriculture, aquaculture, and fishing.
As an eco-toxicologist you ensure that organizations abide with the relevant standards and guidelines. These standards are created to prevent harmful events. You must be attentive to the levels of toxicants in stable environments and monitor this. Ideally, you’re looking to prevent a dangerous increase in toxins, but if the level rises too far you must make others aware so that it can be controlled.
When needed, you may even be asked to be in the field to help with clean up efforts to ensure that everything is done in a safe manner.
Marine geologists are classified into the following occupational grouping:
NOC Code: 21102 – Geoscientists and oceanographers
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) provides a standardized language for describing the work performed by Canadians in the labour market. It gives statisticians, labour market analysts, career counsellors, employers, and individual job seekers a consistent way to collect data and describe and understand the nature of work within different occupations.
See ECO’s Blue National Occupational Standard for a career competency profile for a marine geologist that outlines the specific skills, knowledge, and behaviours required for individuals to perform effectively in this particular role. This profile is a benchmark for training and development, ensuring consistency and quality across professions within the blue economy.
Dans un esprit de respect, de réciprocité et de vérité, nous honorons et reconnaissons Moh’kinsstis, le territoire traditionnel du Traité 7 et les pratiques orales de la confédération des Pieds-Noirs : Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, ainsi que les nations Îyâxe Nakoda et Tsuut’ina. Nous reconnaissons que ce territoire abrite la Nation métisse de l’Alberta, la région 3 au sein de la patrie historique des Métis du Nord-Ouest. Enfin, nous reconnaissons toutes les nations qui vivent, travaillent et se divertissent sur ce territoire, et qui l’honorent et le célèbrent.
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth, we acknowledge that we live, work, and gather on the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, including the Blackfoot Confederacy—comprising the Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani Nations—as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina Nations.
This land, known as Moh’kinsstis in the Blackfoot language and encompassing what is now Districts 5 and 6, is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3, within the historical Northwest Métis homeland.
We recognize and honour the deep connection these Nations have to the land, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share in its stewardship.
As we continue our work, we commit to learning from Indigenous knowledge systems, uplifting Indigenous voices, and fostering relationships rooted in equity, understanding, and reconciliation.
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