Molly A. Moloney
Molly is a Physical Scientist at the Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center.
Molly actively collaborates with other researchers to execute multi-disciplinary studies linking water quality to ecological health. Molly's recent experiences include laboratory and field studies aimed to understand how active and historical mining affect water quality and aquatic ecosystems health (e.g., aquatic insect larvae, fish, and aquatic-terrestrially linked food webs).
Education and Certifications
B.S. Zoology, Oregon State University, 2023
Science and Products
Fish Tissue Analysis Results, Koocanusa Reservoir, Montana, 2021 Fish Tissue Analysis Results, Koocanusa Reservoir, Montana, 2021
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (MT FWP), in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center (WY-MT WSC), Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) collected fish from the Koocanusa Reservoir in 2021 for tissue analysis. Fish tissue collected included muscle, eggs...
Suspended-sediment and phosphorus response in a fire-affected central Montana headwater catchment Suspended-sediment and phosphorus response in a fire-affected central Montana headwater catchment
Purpose Eutrophication and nuisance filamentous algal blooms (i.e. Cladophora) are increasingly common occurrences throughout much of the western United States. Wildfire may be contributing to the frequency and magnitude of algal blooms through excess sediment and nutrient loading to streams and rivers. Our objective was to evaluate the effects the 2021 Woods Creek Fire had on sediment...
Authors
Gregory D. Clark, Michael W. Suplee, Haylie M. Brown, Molly A. Moloney, Rodney R. Caldwell
Selenium and mercury tissue partitioning and trophodynamics in the Lake Koocanusa (USA–Canada) fish community Selenium and mercury tissue partitioning and trophodynamics in the Lake Koocanusa (USA–Canada) fish community
Mining-related contaminants such as selenium (Se) and mercury (Hg) accumulate in aquatic organisms and transfer through aquatic food webs, where they can exert toxic effect undermining the ecological health of aquatic resources. Yet, how Se and Hg co-distribute within food webs and within individual organisms remains poorly understood. We compiled muscle and ovary Se and Hg concentration...
Authors
Noelie Moldert, James L. Dunnigan, Travis S. Schmidt, Trevor M. Selch, Brian Balmer, Molly A. Moloney, Jessica E. Brandt
Preparation and analysis methods for fish tissue collected from Lake Koocanusa, Montana Preparation and analysis methods for fish tissue collected from Lake Koocanusa, Montana
Lake Koocanusa, a reservoir, receives mine wastes from metallurgical coal mines in the Elk River Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Selenium and other elements discharged by the mines into the waters of the United States can pose unknown risks to aquatic life. The U.S. Geological Survey Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center can collaborate with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and other...
Authors
Travis S. Schmidt, Ashley Morgan Bussell, Molly A. Moloney, James L. Dunnigan, Trevor M. Selch, Jessica E. Brandt, Craig A. Stricker, A. Robin Stewart, Veronika A. Kocen, Danielle M. Cleveland, Vicki S. Blazer, Sarah E. Janssen, Jacob M. Ogorek, Meghan Dunn, Theresa L. McBride, Katie B. Adams, Benjamin P. Colman, Matt Young, Jennie Christensen
Science and Products
Fish Tissue Analysis Results, Koocanusa Reservoir, Montana, 2021 Fish Tissue Analysis Results, Koocanusa Reservoir, Montana, 2021
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (MT FWP), in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center (WY-MT WSC), Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) collected fish from the Koocanusa Reservoir in 2021 for tissue analysis. Fish tissue collected included muscle, eggs...
Suspended-sediment and phosphorus response in a fire-affected central Montana headwater catchment Suspended-sediment and phosphorus response in a fire-affected central Montana headwater catchment
Purpose Eutrophication and nuisance filamentous algal blooms (i.e. Cladophora) are increasingly common occurrences throughout much of the western United States. Wildfire may be contributing to the frequency and magnitude of algal blooms through excess sediment and nutrient loading to streams and rivers. Our objective was to evaluate the effects the 2021 Woods Creek Fire had on sediment...
Authors
Gregory D. Clark, Michael W. Suplee, Haylie M. Brown, Molly A. Moloney, Rodney R. Caldwell
Selenium and mercury tissue partitioning and trophodynamics in the Lake Koocanusa (USA–Canada) fish community Selenium and mercury tissue partitioning and trophodynamics in the Lake Koocanusa (USA–Canada) fish community
Mining-related contaminants such as selenium (Se) and mercury (Hg) accumulate in aquatic organisms and transfer through aquatic food webs, where they can exert toxic effect undermining the ecological health of aquatic resources. Yet, how Se and Hg co-distribute within food webs and within individual organisms remains poorly understood. We compiled muscle and ovary Se and Hg concentration...
Authors
Noelie Moldert, James L. Dunnigan, Travis S. Schmidt, Trevor M. Selch, Brian Balmer, Molly A. Moloney, Jessica E. Brandt
Preparation and analysis methods for fish tissue collected from Lake Koocanusa, Montana Preparation and analysis methods for fish tissue collected from Lake Koocanusa, Montana
Lake Koocanusa, a reservoir, receives mine wastes from metallurgical coal mines in the Elk River Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Selenium and other elements discharged by the mines into the waters of the United States can pose unknown risks to aquatic life. The U.S. Geological Survey Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center can collaborate with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and other...
Authors
Travis S. Schmidt, Ashley Morgan Bussell, Molly A. Moloney, James L. Dunnigan, Trevor M. Selch, Jessica E. Brandt, Craig A. Stricker, A. Robin Stewart, Veronika A. Kocen, Danielle M. Cleveland, Vicki S. Blazer, Sarah E. Janssen, Jacob M. Ogorek, Meghan Dunn, Theresa L. McBride, Katie B. Adams, Benjamin P. Colman, Matt Young, Jennie Christensen