Buck Creek, Idaho, one year after a wildfire burned the watershed. Buck Creek was one of 36 headwater streams in watersheds burned by wildfire that USGS scientists studied to determine mercury mobilization, methylation, and bioaccumulation in aquatic insects.
Austin K Baldwin
Austin Baldwin is a Research Hydrologist with the USGS Idaho Water Science Center in Boise, Idaho.
Austin's research focuses on field-based studies of contaminants in surface water and sediment, including organic compounds, mercury and other metals, and microplastics. His work specifically focuses on (1) investigations into the sources, transport, and fate of contaminants, (2) processes driving contaminant partitioning among environmental compartments and transformation to more bioavailable forms, and (3) potential adverse effects of contaminants on ecosystem health. Through each of these research themes, he aims to inform management decisions to improve ecosystem health.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Organic contaminants in aquatic environments; mercury in aquatic environments; aquatic toxicity; microplastic sources, transport, fate, and biological uptake; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon source identification.
Science and Products
Assessing the Water Quality of the Lower Boise River and Selected Tributaries
For decades, the lower Boise River downstream of Lucky Peak Reservoir has been highly enriched with phosphorus. Too much of a good thing, the high concentrations of phosphorus create a cycle of excessive plant growth, decreased oxygen for fish, and even algal blooms.
Mercury Cycling in the Hells Canyon Complex
The Hells Canyon Complex (HCC) is the largest privately owned hydroelectric power complex in the United States. Upstream are millions of acres of irrigated agricultural lands and Idaho’s largest metropolitan area clustered around the state capital Boise. Downstream lie confluences with the Salmon and Clearwater Rivers, critical habitat for threatened bull trout and fall chinook salmon. Elevated...
Occurrence and Potential Risk of Microplastics in Lake Mead and the Delaware River
There is mounting evidence that microplastics present a significant threat to aquatic organisms. Microplastics – defined as plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter – come from many different sources, including synthetic textiles, industrial waste products, personal care products, and the breakdown of litter, car tires, and other objects. This study will assess the occurrence of microplastics...
Trace Elements in Streams Near the Stibnite Mining Area
Mining of stibnite (antimony sulfide), tungsten, gold, silver, and mercury near the town of Stibnite in central Idaho has left a legacy of trace element contamination in the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River (EFSFSR) and its tributaries. Concentrations of arsenic, antimony, and mercury frequently exceed human health criteria and may impact threatened or endangered salmonid species...
Buck Creek, Idaho
Buck Creek, Idaho, one year after a wildfire burned the watershed. Buck Creek was one of 36 headwater streams in watersheds burned by wildfire that USGS scientists studied to determine mercury mobilization, methylation, and bioaccumulation in aquatic insects.
Water sample collected for mercury analysis
An example of a water sample collected to study the link between wildfire and mercury mobilization, methylation, and bioaccumulation in aquatic insects.
An example of a water sample collected to study the link between wildfire and mercury mobilization, methylation, and bioaccumulation in aquatic insects.
Soil sample collected for mercury analysis
An example of a soil sample collected to study the link between wildfire and mercury mobilization, methylation, and bioaccumulation in aquatic insects.
An example of a soil sample collected to study the link between wildfire and mercury mobilization, methylation, and bioaccumulation in aquatic insects.
Microplastics in Jar
Microplastics, organic material, and other debris in a sample from the Milwaukee River, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Microplastics, organic material, and other debris in a sample from the Milwaukee River, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Collecting microplastic samples
USGS scientists Pete Lenaker and Nic Buer collect a microplastic sample at the Manitowoc River, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
USGS scientists Pete Lenaker and Nic Buer collect a microplastic sample at the Manitowoc River, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Neuston net
Collecting a microplastics sample using a neuston net, Milwaukee River, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Collecting a microplastics sample using a neuston net, Milwaukee River, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Biofilms
This image shows benthic biofilms growing in Wilson Park at 13th Street, Milwaukee.
This image shows benthic biofilms growing in Wilson Park at 13th Street, Milwaukee.
Science and Products
Assessing the Water Quality of the Lower Boise River and Selected Tributaries
For decades, the lower Boise River downstream of Lucky Peak Reservoir has been highly enriched with phosphorus. Too much of a good thing, the high concentrations of phosphorus create a cycle of excessive plant growth, decreased oxygen for fish, and even algal blooms.
Mercury Cycling in the Hells Canyon Complex
The Hells Canyon Complex (HCC) is the largest privately owned hydroelectric power complex in the United States. Upstream are millions of acres of irrigated agricultural lands and Idaho’s largest metropolitan area clustered around the state capital Boise. Downstream lie confluences with the Salmon and Clearwater Rivers, critical habitat for threatened bull trout and fall chinook salmon. Elevated...
Occurrence and Potential Risk of Microplastics in Lake Mead and the Delaware River
There is mounting evidence that microplastics present a significant threat to aquatic organisms. Microplastics – defined as plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter – come from many different sources, including synthetic textiles, industrial waste products, personal care products, and the breakdown of litter, car tires, and other objects. This study will assess the occurrence of microplastics...
Trace Elements in Streams Near the Stibnite Mining Area
Mining of stibnite (antimony sulfide), tungsten, gold, silver, and mercury near the town of Stibnite in central Idaho has left a legacy of trace element contamination in the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River (EFSFSR) and its tributaries. Concentrations of arsenic, antimony, and mercury frequently exceed human health criteria and may impact threatened or endangered salmonid species...
Buck Creek, Idaho
Buck Creek, Idaho, one year after a wildfire burned the watershed. Buck Creek was one of 36 headwater streams in watersheds burned by wildfire that USGS scientists studied to determine mercury mobilization, methylation, and bioaccumulation in aquatic insects.
Buck Creek, Idaho, one year after a wildfire burned the watershed. Buck Creek was one of 36 headwater streams in watersheds burned by wildfire that USGS scientists studied to determine mercury mobilization, methylation, and bioaccumulation in aquatic insects.
Water sample collected for mercury analysis
An example of a water sample collected to study the link between wildfire and mercury mobilization, methylation, and bioaccumulation in aquatic insects.
An example of a water sample collected to study the link between wildfire and mercury mobilization, methylation, and bioaccumulation in aquatic insects.
Soil sample collected for mercury analysis
An example of a soil sample collected to study the link between wildfire and mercury mobilization, methylation, and bioaccumulation in aquatic insects.
An example of a soil sample collected to study the link between wildfire and mercury mobilization, methylation, and bioaccumulation in aquatic insects.
Microplastics in Jar
Microplastics, organic material, and other debris in a sample from the Milwaukee River, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Microplastics, organic material, and other debris in a sample from the Milwaukee River, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Collecting microplastic samples
USGS scientists Pete Lenaker and Nic Buer collect a microplastic sample at the Manitowoc River, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
USGS scientists Pete Lenaker and Nic Buer collect a microplastic sample at the Manitowoc River, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Neuston net
Collecting a microplastics sample using a neuston net, Milwaukee River, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Collecting a microplastics sample using a neuston net, Milwaukee River, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Biofilms
This image shows benthic biofilms growing in Wilson Park at 13th Street, Milwaukee.
This image shows benthic biofilms growing in Wilson Park at 13th Street, Milwaukee.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government