Sharon is a Physical Scientist with the USGS Colorado Water Science Center (COWSC), duty station Beaverton, Oregon.
Sharon received her masters from the University of Illinois in 1993 and has been both a Hydrologist and Physical Scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey since 1992. She has been a Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial analyst and database manager for multiple National and small programs and projects. She began her career in the Illinois Water Science Center with the Upper Illinois River Basin Pilot as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA). From there, she moved to the COWSC in 1993 to begin working with the South Platte NAWQA as a GIS analyst and database manager. She continued working with NAWQA in the COWSC on the High Plains NAWQA until 2010. After NAWQA, she worked with various National programs on water availability in the High Plains and Glacial aquifers and a national assessment of brackish water in aquifers of the United States. From 2018 to 2021, she again joined the NAWQA efforts working with the Regional Surface-Water Quality Assessment program. More recently, she has been working with various national efforts responsible for prioritizing watersheds for USGS research, determining post wildfire water-quality changes, and assisting in streamlining USGS workflows with respect to integrated science.
Professional Experience
Physical Scientist/Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, 1992 to present.
GIS Analyst, Illinois State Geological Survey, 1989 to 1991.
Education and Certifications
Master of Science, 1993, University of Illinois, Department of Geology; research emphasis structural geology and tectonics
Bachelor of Science, 1989, University of Illinois, Department of Geology
Associates of Science, 1987, Harper College, Illinois
Science and Products
NAWQA High Plains Regional Groundwater Study
As part of the National Water Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA), the USGS has evaluated ground-water quality in the High Plains aquifer system. Beginning in 1999 and continuing for a period of 6 years, the High Plains Regional Groundwater Study intensively investigated the quality of groundwater resources within the study area. Water quality impairment coupled with water-level declines focus...
Filter Total Items: 33
Data used to prioritize the selection of river basins for intensive monitoring and assessment by the U.S. Geological Survey
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed a systematic, quantitative approach to prioritize candidate basins that can support the assessment and forecasting objectives of the major USGS water science programs. Candidate basins were the level-4 hydrologic units (HUC4) with some of the smaller HUC4s being combined (hereafter referred to as modified HUC4 basins). Candidate basins for the contiguous
Geospatially derived environmental characteristics to prioritize watersheds for research and monitoring needs within 18 hydrologic regions across the United States
Water availability for human and ecosystem needs is a function of both water quantity and water quality, as described in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Science Strategy (Evenson and others, 2013). Recently, a quantitative approach to prioritize candidate watersheds for monitoring investment was developed to understand changes in water availability and advance the objectives of new USGS pr
Oil well annular cement and casing damage data in mature oil fields undergoing hydraulic fracturing, South Belridge and Lost Hills Oil Fields, California
This data release contains oil well annular cement and casing damage data from parts of the South Belridge and Lost Hills Oil Fields in western Kern County, California. The study area coincides with where groundwater with less than 10,000 milligrams per liter total dissolved solids and outside an exempt aquifer are located overlying oil-producing zones in these fields. In the study areas, hydrauli
Geochemical and fallout radionuclide data for sediment source fingerprinting studies of the Loutsenhizer Arroyo and Sunflower Drain watersheds in western Colorado
This data release includes geochemical and fallout radionuclide data for suspended sediments and potential sediment source types for the Loutsenhizer Arroyo and Sunflower Drain watersheds in western Colorado. Suspended sediments were collected by passive samplers deployed in the stream channel of the watershed outlets during four study periods between August 2018 and August 2019. Potential sedimen
Water chemistry data for samples collected at groundwater sites near the Orcutt Oil Field, September 2017?March 2018, Santa Barbara County, California
In cooperation with the California State Water Resources Control Board Oil and Gas Regional Groundwater Monitoring Program the U.S. Geological Survey collected and analyzed groundwater and associated quality control (QC) samples to assess regional groundwater quality overlying and adjacent to the Orcutt Oil Field during September 2017 through March 2018. Groundwater samples were collected from 15
Produced water disposal at percolation and evaporation ponds in and near oil fields in the southwestern San Joaquin Valley, California
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the California State Water Resources Control Board compiled and analyzed data on water production and produced water disposal on land at oil and gas fields in the southwestern San Joaquin Vallley, Kern County, California. Data were compiled from information in state and local agencies’ databases and cover a period of record ranging from the ear
Produced water chemistry data collected from the Orcutt oil field, 2018, Santa Barbara County, California
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the California State Water Resources Control Board collected produced water and casing gas samples from oil wells and injectate stored in surficial tanks planned for underground injection in the Orcutt oil field in Santa Barbara County in 2018. Samples were collected from the Orcutt oil field on February 6th and February 7th, 2018. This digital
Water chemistry data for samples collected at groundwater sites in the Montebello Oil Field study area, September 2014–October 2018, Los Angeles County, California
The California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) initiated the Regional Groundwater Monitoring Program (RMP) to assess effects of oil and gas development on groundwater designated for any beneficial use. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the technical lead in conducting the RMP through the California Oil, Gas, and Groundwater (COGG) Program, working in cooperation with the
Diel and synoptic sampling data from Boulder Creek and South Boulder Creek, near Boulder, Colorado, September–October 2019
Multiple sampling campaigns were conducted near Boulder, Colorado, to quantify constituent concentrations and loads in Boulder Creek and its tributary, South Boulder Creek. Diel sampling was initiated at approximately 1100 hours on September 17, 2019, and continued until approximately 2300 hours on September 18, 2019. During this time period, samples were collected at two locations on Boulder Cree
Synoptic sampling data from upper Cement Creek near Gladstone, Colorado, October 2012, September 2019, and September 2020
Three synoptic sampling campaigns were conducted on upper Cement Creek, near Gladstone, Colorado, under low-flow conditions. The first campaign, conducted October 2012, was part of a larger campaign to characterize low-flow water quality in the entire Cement Creek watershed. The second campaign, conducted in September 2019, was designed to quantify metal loading and identify sources of contaminati
Continuous water-quality data for selected streams in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, water years 2011-19 (ver. 2.0, January 2022)
This data release contains water-quality and discharge data collected at seven stream sites and one groundwater spring in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), Colorado by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) from 10/1/2010 to 9/30/2019 using in-situ sensors and field meters. Data were collected for the purpose of quantifying downstream transport of aquatic carbon and exchange fluxes of dissolved carb
Data Compiled on historical water use, spatial land disturbance, aquifer disturbance and uranium produced by In Situ Recovery of Uranium from Sandstone Hosted Uranium Deposits in the South Texas Coastal Plain, USA
This data release contains data on historical water use, spatial land disturbance, and spatial aquifer disturbances related to in situ recovery (ISR) uranium extraction per unit of uranium produced. These data were compiled from published and publicly available references including journal articles, government reports, industry reports and company reporting documents for regulatory compliance and
Filter Total Items: 42
Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST) pilot project progress toward an information management and technology plan
Executive SummaryThe U.S. Geological Survey carries out a wide variety of multidisciplinary science projects through the Bureau’s regions, mission areas, programs, and science centers. However, this structure can limit interactions among individual scientists, segregate data holdings, and make it difficult to apply holistic, interdisciplinary science. In addition, technological advances in sensors
Authors
Eric D. Anderson, Jennifer R. Erxleben, Sharon L. Qi, Adrian P. Monroe, Katharine G. Dahm
Rebuttal to correspondence on “sediment sources and sealed-pavement area drive polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and metal occurrence in urban streams
No abstract available.
Authors
Travis S. Schmidt, Christopher C. Fuller, Sharon L. Qi, Allen Gellis
Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology Project—Science strategy
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts a wide variety of science that improves understanding of droughts and their effects on ecosystems and society. This work includes data collection and monitoring of aquatic and terrestrial systems; assessment and analysis of patterns, trends, drivers, and impacts of drought; development and application of predictive models; and delivery of information and
Authors
Katharine G. Dahm, Todd Hawbaker, Rebecca J. Frus, Adrian P. Monroe, John B. Bradford, William J. Andrews, Alicia Torregrosa, Eric D. Anderson, David Dean, Sharon L. Qi
U.S. Geological Survey Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST)—Information Management Technology Plan
IntroductionMore than 840 publications, 575 data releases, and 330 project web pages from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) pertain to the Colorado River Basin. Limited interconnections between Colorado River Basin publications, data, and web pages restrict the ability to synthesize and interpret scientific resources. Currently, these pieces are spread across multiple isolated locations, internal
Authors
Eric D. Anderson, Jennifer R. Erxleben, Sharon L. Qi, Adrian P. Monroe, Katharine G. Dahm
Addressing stakeholder science needs for integrated drought science in the Colorado River Basin
Stakeholders need scientific data, analysis, and predictions of how drought the will impact the Colorado River Basin in a format that is continuously updated, intuitive, and easily accessible. The Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology Pilot Project was formed to demonstrate the effectiveness of addressing complex problems through stakeholder involvement an
Authors
Anne C. Tillery, Sally House, Rebecca J. Frus, Sharon L. Qi, Daniel Jones, William J. Andrews
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Arizona Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Washington Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Colorado River Basin: Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology
Sediment sources and sealed-pavement area drive polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and metal occurrence in urban streams
Metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common pollutants in urban streambed sediment, yet their occurrence is highly variable and difficult to predict. To investigate sources of PAHs and metals to streambed sediment, we sampled pavement dust, soil, and streambed sediment in 10 urban watersheds in three regions of the United States and applied a fallout-radionuclide-based sediment-s
Authors
Peter C. Van Metre, Barbara Mahler, Sharon L. Qi, Allen Gellis, Christopher C. Fuller, Travis S. Schmidt
Is there an urban pesticide signature? Urban streams in five U.S. regions share common dissolved-phase pesticides but differ in predicted aquatic toxicity
Pesticides occur in urban streams globally, but the relation of occurrence to urbanization can be obscured by regional differences. In studies of five regions of the United States, we investigated the effect of region and urbanization on the occurrence and potential toxicity of dissolved pesticide mixtures. We analyzed 225 pesticide compounds in weekly discrete water samples collected during 6–12
Authors
Lisa H. Nowell, Patrick W. Moran, Laura M. Bexfield, Barbara Mahler, Peter C. Van Metre, Paul Bradley, Travis S. Schmidt, Daniel T. Button, Sharon L. Qi
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, California Water Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Washington Water Science Center
Multi-region assessment of chemical mixture exposures and predicted cumulative effects in USA wadeable urban/agriculture-gradient streams
Chemical-contaminant mixtures are widely reported in large stream reaches in urban/agriculture-developed watersheds, but mixture compositions and aggregate biological effects are less well understood in corresponding smaller headwaters, which comprise most of stream length, riparian connectivity, and spatial biodiversity. During 2014–2017, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measured 389 unique orga
Authors
Paul Bradley, Celeste A. Journey, Kristin Romanok, Sara Breitmeyer, Daniel T. Button, Daren M. Carlisle, Bradley Huffman, Barbara Mahler, Lisa H. Nowell, Sharon L. Qi, Kelly Smalling, Ian R. Waite, Peter C. Van Metre
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
Prioritizing river basins for intensive monitoring and assessment by the US Geological Survey
The US Geological Survey (USGS) is currently (2020) integrating its water science programs to better address the nation’s greatest water resource challenges now and into the future. This integration will rely, in part, on data from 10 or more intensively monitored river basins from across the USA. A team of USGS scientists was convened to develop a systematic, quantitative approach to prioritize c
Authors
Peter C. Van Metre, Sharon L. Qi, Jeffrey R. Deacon, Cheryl A. Dieter, Jessica M. Driscoll, Michael N. Fienen, Terry A. Kenney, Patrick M. Lambert, David P. Lesmes, Christopher Allen Mason, Anke Mueller-Solger, MaryLynn Musgrove, Jaime A. Painter, Donald O. Rosenberry, Lori A. Sprague, Anthony J. Tesoriero, Lisamarie Windham-Myers, David M. Wolock
Design and methods of the California stream quality assessment (CSQA), 2017
During 2017, as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Project, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted the California Stream Quality Assessment to investigate the quality of streams in the Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains ecoregion, United States. The goal of the California Stream Quality Assessment study was to assess the health of wadeable streams in the region by characte
Authors
Jason T. May, Lisa H. Nowell, James F. Coles, Daniel T. Button, Amanda H. Bell, Sharon L. Qi, Peter C. Van Metre
Biofilms provide new insight into pesticide occurrence in streams and links to aquatic ecological communities
Streambed sediment is commonly analyzed to assess occurrence of hydrophobic pesticides and risks to aquatic communities. However, stream biofilms also have the potential to accumulate pesticides and may be consumed by aquatic organisms. To better characterize risks to aquatic life, the U.S. Geological Survey Regional Stream Quality Assessment measured 93 current-use and 3 legacy pesticides in bed
Authors
Barbara Mahler, Travis S. Schmidt, Lisa H. Nowell, Sharon L. Qi, Peter C. Van Metre, Michelle Hladik, Daren M. Carlisle, Mark D. Munn, Jason May
Multi-region assessment of pharmaceutical exposures and predicted effects in USA wadeable urban-gradient streams
Human-use pharmaceuticals in urban streams link aquatic-ecosystem health to human health. Pharmaceutical mixtures have been widely reported in larger streams due to historical emphasis on wastewater-treatment plant (WWTP) sources, with limited investigation of pharmaceutical exposures and potential effects in smaller headwater streams. In 2014–2017, the United States Geological Survey measured 111
Authors
Paul Bradley, Celeste A. Journey, Daniel T. Button, Daren Carlisle, B. J. Huffman, Sharon L. Qi, Kristin Romanok, Peter C. Van Metre
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Kansas Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
Science and Products
- Science
NAWQA High Plains Regional Groundwater Study
As part of the National Water Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA), the USGS has evaluated ground-water quality in the High Plains aquifer system. Beginning in 1999 and continuing for a period of 6 years, the High Plains Regional Groundwater Study intensively investigated the quality of groundwater resources within the study area. Water quality impairment coupled with water-level declines focus... - Data
Filter Total Items: 33
Data used to prioritize the selection of river basins for intensive monitoring and assessment by the U.S. Geological Survey
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed a systematic, quantitative approach to prioritize candidate basins that can support the assessment and forecasting objectives of the major USGS water science programs. Candidate basins were the level-4 hydrologic units (HUC4) with some of the smaller HUC4s being combined (hereafter referred to as modified HUC4 basins). Candidate basins for the contiguousGeospatially derived environmental characteristics to prioritize watersheds for research and monitoring needs within 18 hydrologic regions across the United States
Water availability for human and ecosystem needs is a function of both water quantity and water quality, as described in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Science Strategy (Evenson and others, 2013). Recently, a quantitative approach to prioritize candidate watersheds for monitoring investment was developed to understand changes in water availability and advance the objectives of new USGS prOil well annular cement and casing damage data in mature oil fields undergoing hydraulic fracturing, South Belridge and Lost Hills Oil Fields, California
This data release contains oil well annular cement and casing damage data from parts of the South Belridge and Lost Hills Oil Fields in western Kern County, California. The study area coincides with where groundwater with less than 10,000 milligrams per liter total dissolved solids and outside an exempt aquifer are located overlying oil-producing zones in these fields. In the study areas, hydrauliGeochemical and fallout radionuclide data for sediment source fingerprinting studies of the Loutsenhizer Arroyo and Sunflower Drain watersheds in western Colorado
This data release includes geochemical and fallout radionuclide data for suspended sediments and potential sediment source types for the Loutsenhizer Arroyo and Sunflower Drain watersheds in western Colorado. Suspended sediments were collected by passive samplers deployed in the stream channel of the watershed outlets during four study periods between August 2018 and August 2019. Potential sedimenWater chemistry data for samples collected at groundwater sites near the Orcutt Oil Field, September 2017?March 2018, Santa Barbara County, California
In cooperation with the California State Water Resources Control Board Oil and Gas Regional Groundwater Monitoring Program the U.S. Geological Survey collected and analyzed groundwater and associated quality control (QC) samples to assess regional groundwater quality overlying and adjacent to the Orcutt Oil Field during September 2017 through March 2018. Groundwater samples were collected from 15Produced water disposal at percolation and evaporation ponds in and near oil fields in the southwestern San Joaquin Valley, California
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the California State Water Resources Control Board compiled and analyzed data on water production and produced water disposal on land at oil and gas fields in the southwestern San Joaquin Vallley, Kern County, California. Data were compiled from information in state and local agencies’ databases and cover a period of record ranging from the earProduced water chemistry data collected from the Orcutt oil field, 2018, Santa Barbara County, California
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the California State Water Resources Control Board collected produced water and casing gas samples from oil wells and injectate stored in surficial tanks planned for underground injection in the Orcutt oil field in Santa Barbara County in 2018. Samples were collected from the Orcutt oil field on February 6th and February 7th, 2018. This digitalWater chemistry data for samples collected at groundwater sites in the Montebello Oil Field study area, September 2014–October 2018, Los Angeles County, California
The California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) initiated the Regional Groundwater Monitoring Program (RMP) to assess effects of oil and gas development on groundwater designated for any beneficial use. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the technical lead in conducting the RMP through the California Oil, Gas, and Groundwater (COGG) Program, working in cooperation with theDiel and synoptic sampling data from Boulder Creek and South Boulder Creek, near Boulder, Colorado, September–October 2019
Multiple sampling campaigns were conducted near Boulder, Colorado, to quantify constituent concentrations and loads in Boulder Creek and its tributary, South Boulder Creek. Diel sampling was initiated at approximately 1100 hours on September 17, 2019, and continued until approximately 2300 hours on September 18, 2019. During this time period, samples were collected at two locations on Boulder CreeSynoptic sampling data from upper Cement Creek near Gladstone, Colorado, October 2012, September 2019, and September 2020
Three synoptic sampling campaigns were conducted on upper Cement Creek, near Gladstone, Colorado, under low-flow conditions. The first campaign, conducted October 2012, was part of a larger campaign to characterize low-flow water quality in the entire Cement Creek watershed. The second campaign, conducted in September 2019, was designed to quantify metal loading and identify sources of contaminatiContinuous water-quality data for selected streams in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, water years 2011-19 (ver. 2.0, January 2022)
This data release contains water-quality and discharge data collected at seven stream sites and one groundwater spring in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), Colorado by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) from 10/1/2010 to 9/30/2019 using in-situ sensors and field meters. Data were collected for the purpose of quantifying downstream transport of aquatic carbon and exchange fluxes of dissolved carbData Compiled on historical water use, spatial land disturbance, aquifer disturbance and uranium produced by In Situ Recovery of Uranium from Sandstone Hosted Uranium Deposits in the South Texas Coastal Plain, USA
This data release contains data on historical water use, spatial land disturbance, and spatial aquifer disturbances related to in situ recovery (ISR) uranium extraction per unit of uranium produced. These data were compiled from published and publicly available references including journal articles, government reports, industry reports and company reporting documents for regulatory compliance and - Publications
Filter Total Items: 42
Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST) pilot project progress toward an information management and technology plan
Executive SummaryThe U.S. Geological Survey carries out a wide variety of multidisciplinary science projects through the Bureau’s regions, mission areas, programs, and science centers. However, this structure can limit interactions among individual scientists, segregate data holdings, and make it difficult to apply holistic, interdisciplinary science. In addition, technological advances in sensorsAuthorsEric D. Anderson, Jennifer R. Erxleben, Sharon L. Qi, Adrian P. Monroe, Katharine G. DahmRebuttal to correspondence on “sediment sources and sealed-pavement area drive polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and metal occurrence in urban streams
No abstract available.AuthorsTravis S. Schmidt, Christopher C. Fuller, Sharon L. Qi, Allen GellisColorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology Project—Science strategy
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts a wide variety of science that improves understanding of droughts and their effects on ecosystems and society. This work includes data collection and monitoring of aquatic and terrestrial systems; assessment and analysis of patterns, trends, drivers, and impacts of drought; development and application of predictive models; and delivery of information andAuthorsKatharine G. Dahm, Todd Hawbaker, Rebecca J. Frus, Adrian P. Monroe, John B. Bradford, William J. Andrews, Alicia Torregrosa, Eric D. Anderson, David Dean, Sharon L. QiU.S. Geological Survey Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST)—Information Management Technology Plan
IntroductionMore than 840 publications, 575 data releases, and 330 project web pages from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) pertain to the Colorado River Basin. Limited interconnections between Colorado River Basin publications, data, and web pages restrict the ability to synthesize and interpret scientific resources. Currently, these pieces are spread across multiple isolated locations, internalAuthorsEric D. Anderson, Jennifer R. Erxleben, Sharon L. Qi, Adrian P. Monroe, Katharine G. DahmAddressing stakeholder science needs for integrated drought science in the Colorado River Basin
Stakeholders need scientific data, analysis, and predictions of how drought the will impact the Colorado River Basin in a format that is continuously updated, intuitive, and easily accessible. The Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology Pilot Project was formed to demonstrate the effectiveness of addressing complex problems through stakeholder involvement anAuthorsAnne C. Tillery, Sally House, Rebecca J. Frus, Sharon L. Qi, Daniel Jones, William J. AndrewsByEcosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Arizona Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Washington Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Colorado River Basin: Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and TechnologySediment sources and sealed-pavement area drive polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and metal occurrence in urban streams
Metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common pollutants in urban streambed sediment, yet their occurrence is highly variable and difficult to predict. To investigate sources of PAHs and metals to streambed sediment, we sampled pavement dust, soil, and streambed sediment in 10 urban watersheds in three regions of the United States and applied a fallout-radionuclide-based sediment-sAuthorsPeter C. Van Metre, Barbara Mahler, Sharon L. Qi, Allen Gellis, Christopher C. Fuller, Travis S. SchmidtIs there an urban pesticide signature? Urban streams in five U.S. regions share common dissolved-phase pesticides but differ in predicted aquatic toxicity
Pesticides occur in urban streams globally, but the relation of occurrence to urbanization can be obscured by regional differences. In studies of five regions of the United States, we investigated the effect of region and urbanization on the occurrence and potential toxicity of dissolved pesticide mixtures. We analyzed 225 pesticide compounds in weekly discrete water samples collected during 6–12AuthorsLisa H. Nowell, Patrick W. Moran, Laura M. Bexfield, Barbara Mahler, Peter C. Van Metre, Paul Bradley, Travis S. Schmidt, Daniel T. Button, Sharon L. QiByEcosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, California Water Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Washington Water Science CenterMulti-region assessment of chemical mixture exposures and predicted cumulative effects in USA wadeable urban/agriculture-gradient streams
Chemical-contaminant mixtures are widely reported in large stream reaches in urban/agriculture-developed watersheds, but mixture compositions and aggregate biological effects are less well understood in corresponding smaller headwaters, which comprise most of stream length, riparian connectivity, and spatial biodiversity. During 2014–2017, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measured 389 unique orga
AuthorsPaul Bradley, Celeste A. Journey, Kristin Romanok, Sara Breitmeyer, Daniel T. Button, Daren M. Carlisle, Bradley Huffman, Barbara Mahler, Lisa H. Nowell, Sharon L. Qi, Kelly Smalling, Ian R. Waite, Peter C. Van MetreByEcosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)Prioritizing river basins for intensive monitoring and assessment by the US Geological Survey
The US Geological Survey (USGS) is currently (2020) integrating its water science programs to better address the nation’s greatest water resource challenges now and into the future. This integration will rely, in part, on data from 10 or more intensively monitored river basins from across the USA. A team of USGS scientists was convened to develop a systematic, quantitative approach to prioritize cAuthorsPeter C. Van Metre, Sharon L. Qi, Jeffrey R. Deacon, Cheryl A. Dieter, Jessica M. Driscoll, Michael N. Fienen, Terry A. Kenney, Patrick M. Lambert, David P. Lesmes, Christopher Allen Mason, Anke Mueller-Solger, MaryLynn Musgrove, Jaime A. Painter, Donald O. Rosenberry, Lori A. Sprague, Anthony J. Tesoriero, Lisamarie Windham-Myers, David M. WolockDesign and methods of the California stream quality assessment (CSQA), 2017
During 2017, as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Project, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted the California Stream Quality Assessment to investigate the quality of streams in the Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains ecoregion, United States. The goal of the California Stream Quality Assessment study was to assess the health of wadeable streams in the region by characteAuthorsJason T. May, Lisa H. Nowell, James F. Coles, Daniel T. Button, Amanda H. Bell, Sharon L. Qi, Peter C. Van MetreBiofilms provide new insight into pesticide occurrence in streams and links to aquatic ecological communities
Streambed sediment is commonly analyzed to assess occurrence of hydrophobic pesticides and risks to aquatic communities. However, stream biofilms also have the potential to accumulate pesticides and may be consumed by aquatic organisms. To better characterize risks to aquatic life, the U.S. Geological Survey Regional Stream Quality Assessment measured 93 current-use and 3 legacy pesticides in bedAuthorsBarbara Mahler, Travis S. Schmidt, Lisa H. Nowell, Sharon L. Qi, Peter C. Van Metre, Michelle Hladik, Daren M. Carlisle, Mark D. Munn, Jason MayMulti-region assessment of pharmaceutical exposures and predicted effects in USA wadeable urban-gradient streams
Human-use pharmaceuticals in urban streams link aquatic-ecosystem health to human health. Pharmaceutical mixtures have been widely reported in larger streams due to historical emphasis on wastewater-treatment plant (WWTP) sources, with limited investigation of pharmaceutical exposures and potential effects in smaller headwater streams. In 2014–2017, the United States Geological Survey measured 111AuthorsPaul Bradley, Celeste A. Journey, Daniel T. Button, Daren Carlisle, B. J. Huffman, Sharon L. Qi, Kristin Romanok, Peter C. Van MetreByWater Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Kansas Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)