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
Filter Total Items: 16
Biomass and methylmercury concentrations in biweekly biological samples from Brownlee and Oxbow Reservoir outflows, Snake River Hells Canyon Complex (Idaho-Oregon), 2018-2019 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...
Pesticides and pesticide transformation product data from passive samplers deployed in 15 Great Lakes tributaries, 2016 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...
Chemical characterization of water and suspended sediment of the Snake River and Hells Canyon Complex (Idaho, Oregon) (ver. 3.0, November 2023) Chemical characterization of water and suspended sediment of the Snake River and Hells Canyon Complex (Idaho, Oregon) (ver. 3.0, November 2023)
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...
Microplastics in the Delaware River, 2018 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...
Microplastics in the water column and sediment in Milwaukee-Area streams, the Milwaukee Harbor, and Lake Michigan, 2016 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...
Regression models and associated data for describing variability of host specific bacteria fluxes in eight Great Lakes tributaries, 2011-2013 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...
Filter Total Items: 40
Wildfires influence mercury transport, methylation, and bioaccumulation in headwater streams of the Pacific Northwest Wildfires influence mercury transport, methylation, and bioaccumulation in headwater streams of the Pacific Northwest
The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires are among the most visible impacts of climate change. However, the effects of wildfires on mercury (Hg) transformations and bioaccumulation in stream ecosystems are poorly understood. We sampled soils, water, sediment, in-stream leaf litter, periphyton, and aquatic invertebrates in 36 burned (one-year post fire) and 21 reference...
Authors
Austin K. Baldwin, James Willacker, Branden L. Johnson, Sarah E. Janssen, Collin A. Eagles-Smith
Potential hazards of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Great Lakes tributaries using water column and porewater passive samplers and sediment wquilibrium partitioning Potential hazards of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Great Lakes tributaries using water column and porewater passive samplers and sediment wquilibrium partitioning
The potential for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-related effects in benthic organisms is commonly estimated from organic carbon-normalized sediment concentrations based on equilibrium partitioning (EqP). Although this approach is useful for screening purposes, it may overestimate PAH bioavailability by orders of magnitude in some sediments, leading to inflated exposure estimates...
Authors
Austin K. Baldwin, Steven R. Corsi, David A. Alvarez, David L. Villeneuve, Gerald T. Ankley, Brett R. Blackwell, Marc A. Mills, Peter L. Lenaker, Michelle A. Nott
Integrated science for the study of microplastics in the environment—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey Integrated science for the study of microplastics in the environment—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey
Executive Summary Evidence of the widespread occurrence of microplastics throughout our environment and exposure to humans and other organisms over the past decade has led to questions about the possibility of health hazards and mitigation of exposures. This document discusses nanoplastics as well as microplastics (referred to solely as microplastics); the microplastics have a range from...
Authors
Deborah D. Iwanowicz, Austin K. Baldwin, Larry B. Barber, Vicki S. Blazer, Steven R. Corsi, Joseph W. Duris, Shawn C. Fisher, Michael Focazio, Sarah E. Janssen, Jeramy Roland Jasmann, Dana W. Kolpin, Johanna M. Kraus, Rachael F. Lane, Mari E. Lee, Kristen B. McSwain, Timothy D. Oden, Timothy J. Reilly, Andrew R. Spanjer
Mercury sources and budget for the Snake River above a hydroelectric reservoir complex Mercury sources and budget for the Snake River above a hydroelectric reservoir complex
Understanding sources of mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) to a water body is critical for management but is often complicated by poorly characterized Hg inputs and in situ processes, such as inorganic Hg methylation. In this study, we determined inorganic Hg and MeHg concentrations and loads (filter-passing and particulate fractions) for a semi-arid 164-kilometer stretch of the...
Authors
Austin K. Baldwin, Sarah E. Janssen, Michael T. Tate, Brett Poulin, Alysa Muir Yoder, Jesse Naymik, Christopher F. Larsen, Charles Hoovestol, David P. Krabbenhoft
Metabolically diverse microorganisms mediate methylmercury formation under nitrate-reducing conditions in a dynamic hydroelectric reservoir Metabolically diverse microorganisms mediate methylmercury formation under nitrate-reducing conditions in a dynamic hydroelectric reservoir
Brownlee Reservoir is a mercury (Hg)-impaired hydroelectric reservoir that exhibits dynamic hydrological and geochemical conditions and is located within the Hells Canyon Complex in Idaho, USA. Methylmercury (MeHg) contamination in fish is a concern in the reservoir. While MeHg production has historically been attributed to sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogenic archaea...
Authors
Benjamin D. Peterson, Brett A. Poulin, David P. Krabbenhoft, Michael T. Tate, Austin K. Baldwin, Jesse Naymik, Nick Gastelecutto, Katherine D. McMahon
Biogeochemical and hydrologic synergy control mercury fate in an arid land river-reservoir system Biogeochemical and hydrologic synergy control mercury fate in an arid land river-reservoir system
Reservoirs in arid landscapes provide critical water storage and hydroelectric power but influence the transport and biogeochemical cycling of mercury (Hg). Improved management of reservoirs to mitigate the supply and uptake of bioavailable methylmercury (MeHg) in aquatic food webs will benefit from a mechanistic understanding of inorganic divalent Hg (Hg(II)) and MeHg fate within and...
Authors
Brett Poulin, Michael T. Tate, Jacob M. Ogorek, Sara E. Breitmeyer, Austin K. Baldwin, Alysa Muir Yoder, Reed C. Harris, Jesse Naymik, Nick Gastelecutto, Charles Hoovestol, Christopher F. Larsen, Ralph Myers, George R. Aiken, David P. Krabbenhoft
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 16
Biomass and methylmercury concentrations in biweekly biological samples from Brownlee and Oxbow Reservoir outflows, Snake River Hells Canyon Complex (Idaho-Oregon), 2018-2019 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...
Pesticides and pesticide transformation product data from passive samplers deployed in 15 Great Lakes tributaries, 2016 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...
Chemical characterization of water and suspended sediment of the Snake River and Hells Canyon Complex (Idaho, Oregon) (ver. 3.0, November 2023) Chemical characterization of water and suspended sediment of the Snake River and Hells Canyon Complex (Idaho, Oregon) (ver. 3.0, November 2023)
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...
Microplastics in the Delaware River, 2018 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...
Microplastics in the water column and sediment in Milwaukee-Area streams, the Milwaukee Harbor, and Lake Michigan, 2016 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...
Regression models and associated data for describing variability of host specific bacteria fluxes in eight Great Lakes tributaries, 2011-2013 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...
Filter Total Items: 40
Wildfires influence mercury transport, methylation, and bioaccumulation in headwater streams of the Pacific Northwest Wildfires influence mercury transport, methylation, and bioaccumulation in headwater streams of the Pacific Northwest
The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires are among the most visible impacts of climate change. However, the effects of wildfires on mercury (Hg) transformations and bioaccumulation in stream ecosystems are poorly understood. We sampled soils, water, sediment, in-stream leaf litter, periphyton, and aquatic invertebrates in 36 burned (one-year post fire) and 21 reference...
Authors
Austin K. Baldwin, James Willacker, Branden L. Johnson, Sarah E. Janssen, Collin A. Eagles-Smith
Potential hazards of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Great Lakes tributaries using water column and porewater passive samplers and sediment wquilibrium partitioning Potential hazards of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Great Lakes tributaries using water column and porewater passive samplers and sediment wquilibrium partitioning
The potential for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-related effects in benthic organisms is commonly estimated from organic carbon-normalized sediment concentrations based on equilibrium partitioning (EqP). Although this approach is useful for screening purposes, it may overestimate PAH bioavailability by orders of magnitude in some sediments, leading to inflated exposure estimates...
Authors
Austin K. Baldwin, Steven R. Corsi, David A. Alvarez, David L. Villeneuve, Gerald T. Ankley, Brett R. Blackwell, Marc A. Mills, Peter L. Lenaker, Michelle A. Nott
Integrated science for the study of microplastics in the environment—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey Integrated science for the study of microplastics in the environment—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey
Executive Summary Evidence of the widespread occurrence of microplastics throughout our environment and exposure to humans and other organisms over the past decade has led to questions about the possibility of health hazards and mitigation of exposures. This document discusses nanoplastics as well as microplastics (referred to solely as microplastics); the microplastics have a range from...
Authors
Deborah D. Iwanowicz, Austin K. Baldwin, Larry B. Barber, Vicki S. Blazer, Steven R. Corsi, Joseph W. Duris, Shawn C. Fisher, Michael Focazio, Sarah E. Janssen, Jeramy Roland Jasmann, Dana W. Kolpin, Johanna M. Kraus, Rachael F. Lane, Mari E. Lee, Kristen B. McSwain, Timothy D. Oden, Timothy J. Reilly, Andrew R. Spanjer
Mercury sources and budget for the Snake River above a hydroelectric reservoir complex Mercury sources and budget for the Snake River above a hydroelectric reservoir complex
Understanding sources of mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) to a water body is critical for management but is often complicated by poorly characterized Hg inputs and in situ processes, such as inorganic Hg methylation. In this study, we determined inorganic Hg and MeHg concentrations and loads (filter-passing and particulate fractions) for a semi-arid 164-kilometer stretch of the...
Authors
Austin K. Baldwin, Sarah E. Janssen, Michael T. Tate, Brett Poulin, Alysa Muir Yoder, Jesse Naymik, Christopher F. Larsen, Charles Hoovestol, David P. Krabbenhoft
Metabolically diverse microorganisms mediate methylmercury formation under nitrate-reducing conditions in a dynamic hydroelectric reservoir Metabolically diverse microorganisms mediate methylmercury formation under nitrate-reducing conditions in a dynamic hydroelectric reservoir
Brownlee Reservoir is a mercury (Hg)-impaired hydroelectric reservoir that exhibits dynamic hydrological and geochemical conditions and is located within the Hells Canyon Complex in Idaho, USA. Methylmercury (MeHg) contamination in fish is a concern in the reservoir. While MeHg production has historically been attributed to sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogenic archaea...
Authors
Benjamin D. Peterson, Brett A. Poulin, David P. Krabbenhoft, Michael T. Tate, Austin K. Baldwin, Jesse Naymik, Nick Gastelecutto, Katherine D. McMahon
Biogeochemical and hydrologic synergy control mercury fate in an arid land river-reservoir system Biogeochemical and hydrologic synergy control mercury fate in an arid land river-reservoir system
Reservoirs in arid landscapes provide critical water storage and hydroelectric power but influence the transport and biogeochemical cycling of mercury (Hg). Improved management of reservoirs to mitigate the supply and uptake of bioavailable methylmercury (MeHg) in aquatic food webs will benefit from a mechanistic understanding of inorganic divalent Hg (Hg(II)) and MeHg fate within and...
Authors
Brett Poulin, Michael T. Tate, Jacob M. Ogorek, Sara E. Breitmeyer, Austin K. Baldwin, Alysa Muir Yoder, Reed C. Harris, Jesse Naymik, Nick Gastelecutto, Charles Hoovestol, Christopher F. Larsen, Ralph Myers, George R. Aiken, David P. Krabbenhoft
*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