Pickard's research interests focus on the spatial and temporal modeling of bioaccumulation and bioavailability of organic sediment contaminants in Great Lakes watersheds. His major contaminants of study include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Mirex, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs), and polybrominated piphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (flame retardants). Such toxicological information is useful in the assessment of sediment contamination in terms of what fractions are available for biological uptake or to exert toxicity, or can be potentially accumulated in aquatic food webs. In addition, it aids in the evaluation of sediment quality guidelines and standards, and in the development of sediment remediation criteria.
