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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.

Professional Experience

  • Research Hydrologist, USGS Idaho Water Science Center, Boise, ID, October 2021 – Present

  • Hydrologist, USGS Idaho Water Science Center, Boise, ID, May 2016 – October 2021

  • Hydrologist, USGS Wisconsin Water Science Center, Middleton, WI, January 2007 – May 2016

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. Structural Geology, 2005, University of Texas at Austin

  • B.S. Geological Sciences, 2001, University of Texas at Austin

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • American Water Resources Association (AWRA)

  • Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)

Science and Products

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Collecting sediment samples from Brownlee Reservoir, Idaho and Oregon

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...
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Idaho Water Science Center
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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...
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Microplastics sampling on Lake Mead

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...
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Idaho Water Science Center
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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...
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Image: Water-Quality Study in Historical Idaho Mining District

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...
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Idaho Water Science Center
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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...
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Biomass and methylmercury concentrations in biweekly biological samples from Brownlee and Oxbow Reservoir outflows, Snake River Hells Canyon Complex (Idaho-Oregon), 2018-2019

This dataset describes biomass and methylmercury concentrations in zooplankton, other invertebrates, fish, and coarse and fine detritus samples collected at the outflow locations of Brownlee and Oxbow Reservoirs in the Snake River Hells Canyon Complex. Based on the sampling locations, the sampled materials were presumed to have flowed through the dam turbines or over the spillway, thereby represen
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Idaho Water Science Center

Pesticides and pesticide transformation product data from passive samplers deployed in 15 Great Lakes tributaries, 2016

This dataset includes pesticides and pesticide transformation products in 15 tributaries of the Great Lakes. Pesticides were monitored using polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) to estimate concentrations in water following standard protocols (Alvarez, 2010) in June and July 2016. POCIS extracts were analyzed for 225 chemicals (USGS National Water Quality Laboratory schedule 5437, S
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Chemical characterization of water and suspended sediment of the Snake River and Hells Canyon Complex (Idaho, Oregon) (ver. 2.0, November 2022)

This dataset includes laboratory analyses of surface water samples and sediment trap material collected from (1) locations upstream, downstream, and within the Hells Canyon Complex (Idaho, Oregon) of the Snake River, (2) tributaries of the Snake River, and (3) two reservoirs near Boise, Idaho, from 2014 to 2021. The study area spans approximately 232 river miles of the Snake River and includes: tw
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Idaho Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Mercury Research Laboratory

Microplastics in the Delaware River, 2018

This dataset describes the quantity and morphology of microplastics in water, sediment, fish, and mussel samples from the Delaware River and select tributaries, including portions of the Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, Middle Delaware National Scenic River, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and Lower Delaware Scenic & Recreational River. Water and sediment samples we
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Idaho Water Science Center

Microplastics in the water column and sediment in Milwaukee-Area streams, the Milwaukee Harbor, and Lake Michigan, 2016

This dataset describes the quantity, morphology, and polymer identity of microplastics in the water column and surficial sediments of Milwaukee-Area streams, the Milwaukee Harbor, and Lake Michigan (Wisconsin). Water samples were collected at 10 locations, 2-4 times each, from May to September, 2016. At the 4 shallowest locations, water was collected only at the water surface. At the remaining 6 l
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Idaho Water Science Center

Regression models and associated data for describing variability of host specific bacteria fluxes in eight Great Lakes tributaries, 2011-2013

Three regression models were developed for describing variability of host-specific flux data in eight Great Lakes tributaries. Models include one for Lachnospiraceae flux, one for human bacteroides flux, and one for ruminant bacteroides flux. Models were developed using the R project for statistical computing with core functionality and the survival, smwrBase, and smwrQW packages. Predictor variab
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Water, Soil, Rock, and Sediment Geochemistry Data from the Vicinity of Yellow Pine, Idaho, 2015-2017

Water and sediment samples were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at or near baseflow conditions from 2015-2017 in the East Fork South Fork Salmon River watershed near Yellow Pine, Valley County, Idaho. Soil, rock and tailings samples were collected in June 2015. Sampling focused on Cinnabar Creek, which flows through the Cinnabar
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Human-associated indicator bacteria and human specific virus loads, sample volumes, and drainage areas for six Menomonee River Watershed sampling locations

Human-associated indicator bacteria and human specific viruses in the Menomonee River watershed in Milwaukee, WI were investigated from April 2009 to March 2011 at six sampling locations within the watershed. We used concentration and water volume data from runoff-event and low-flow periods to compute loads for each sample collected, and subsequently used those loads, and drainage area from each
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Data release for microplastics in water, sediment, fish, and mussels in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Wisconsin and Minnesota, 2015

This dataset describes the concentration and morphology of microplastics in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Samples were collected during baseflow conditions at eight locations during the week of August 3-7, 2015. Four types of samples were collected: water surface, streambed sediment, smallmouth bass (Micropterus
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Idaho Water Science Center
Microplastics in Jar
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Collecting microplastic samples
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Neuston net
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Biofilms
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Filter Total Items: 28

Pesticide prioritization by potential biological effects in tributaries of the Laurentian Great Lakes

Watersheds of the Great Lakes Basin (USA/Canada) are highly modified and impacted by human activities including pesticide use. Despite labeling restrictions intended to minimize risks to nontarget organisms, concerns remain that environmental exposures to pesticides may be occurring at levels negatively impacting nontarget organisms. We used a combination of organismal-level toxicity estimates (in
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Water Resources Mission Area, Kansas Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Prioritizing pesticides of potential concern and identifying potential mixture effects in Great Lakes tributaries using passive samplers

To help meet the objectives of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative with regard to increasing knowledge about toxic substances, 223 pesticides and pesticide transformation products were monitored in 15 Great Lakes tributaries using polar organic chemical integrative samplers. A screening-level assessment of their potential for biological effects was conducted by computing toxicity quotients (TQs
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

In-reservoir physical processes modulate aqueous and biological methylmercury export from a seasonally anoxic reservoir

Anoxic conditions within reservoirs related to thermal stratification and oxygen depletion lead to methylmercury (MeHg) production, a key process governing the uptake of mercury in aquatic food webs. Once formed within a reservoir, the timing and magnitude of the biological uptake of MeHg and the relative importance of MeHg export in water versus biological compartments remain poorly understood. W
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Idaho Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Mercury Research Laboratory

Risk-based prioritization of organic chemicals and locations of ecological concern in sediment from Great Lakes tributaries

With improved analytical techniques, environmental monitoring studies are increasingly able to report the occurrence of tens or hundreds of chemicals per site, making it difficult to identify the most relevant chemicals from a biological standpoint. For this study, organic chemical occurrence was examined, individually and as mixtures, in the context of potential biological effects. Sediment was c
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Idaho Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Identifying chemicals and mixtures of potential biological concern detected in passive samplers from Great Lakes tributaries using high-throughput data and biological pathways

Waterborne contaminants were monitored in 69 tributaries of the Laurentian Great Lakes in 2010 and 2014 using semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS). A risk-based screening approach was used to prioritize chemicals and chemical mixtures, identify sites at greatest risk for biological impacts, and identify potential hazards to monitor at those
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Idaho Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Microplastics in the Delaware River, northeastern United States

Microplastics are a contaminant of increasing concern in aquatic environments. Our understanding of microplastics in freshwater environments has increased dramatically over the past decade, but we still lack information on microplastic occurrence and biological uptake in National Park Service (NPS) waters. During 2015–19, the U.S. Geological Survey and the NPS conducted a three-phase study of micr
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Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Washington Water Science Center

Effect of organic matter concentration and characteristics on mercury mobilization and methylmercury production at an abandoned mine site

Thousands of abandoned mines throughout the western region of North America contain elevated total-mercury (THg) concentrations. Mercury is mobilized from these sites primarily due to erosion of particulate-bound Hg (THg-P). Organic matter-based soil amendments can promote vegetation growth on mine tailings, reducing erosion and subsequent loading of THg-P into downstream waterbodies. However, the
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Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Seasonal dynamics and interannual variability in mercury concentrations and loads through a three-reservoir complex

The Hells Canyon Complex (HCC) along the Snake River (Idaho-Oregon border, USA) encompasses three successive reservoirs that seasonally stratify, creating anoxic conditions in the hypolimnion that promote methylmercury (MeHg) production. This study quantified seasonal dynamics and interannual variability in mercury concentrations (inorganic divalent mercury (IHg) and MeHg) and loads at four reserv
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Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Mercury Research Laboratory

Primary sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to streambed sediment in Great Lakes tributaries using multiple lines of evidence

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most widespread and potentially toxic contaminants in Great Lakes (USA/Canada) tributaries. The sources of PAHs are numerous and diverse, and identifying the primary source(s) can be difficult. The present study used multiple lines of evidence to determine the likely sources of PAHs to surficial streambed sediments at 71 locations across 26 Gre
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Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Microplastics in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, USA: Occurrence and biological uptake

Microplastics are an environmental contaminant of growing concern, but there is a lack of information about microplastic distribution, persistence, availability, and biological uptake in freshwater systems. This is especially true for large river systems like the Colorado River that spans multiple states through mostly rural and agricultural land use. This study characterized the quantity and morp
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Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center, Idaho Water Science Center, Washington Water Science Center

Vertical distribution of microplastics in the water column and surficial sediment from the Milwaukee River basin to Lake Michigan

Microplastic contamination was studied along a freshwater continuum from inland streams to the Milwaukee River estuary to Lake Michigan, and vertically from the water surface, water subsurface and sediment. Microplastics were detected in all 96 water samples and nine sediment samples collected. Results indicated a gradient of polymer presence with depth: low-density particles decreased from water
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Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Idaho Water Science Center

Prioritizing chemicals of ecological concern in Great Lakes tributaries using high-throughput screening data and adverse outcome pathways

Chemical monitoring data were collected in surface waters from 57 Great Lakes tributaries from 2010-13 to identify chemicals of potential biological relevance and sites at which these chemicals occur. Traditional water-quality benchmarks for aquatic life based on in vivo toxicity data were available for 34 of 67 evaluated chemicals. To expand evaluation of potential biological effects, measured ch
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Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Idaho Water Science Center
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Coal-Tar-Sealant a Major Source of PAH Contamination in Milwaukee Streams

  

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Widespread Plastic Pollution Found in Great Lakes Tributaries

  

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Presenting preliminary microplastics results to the White House

On Feb. 18, 2016, WI WSC scientist Austin Baldwin presented preliminary findings on microplastics in Great Lakes tributaries to the White House Office...

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Science and Products

*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