Barbara Martin
My career has focused on two main areas of research 1) effects of contaminants on the aquatic environment and 2) habitat requirements of endangered species. Currently I am part of a team focused on identifying the causes of the declining Lost River and shortnose sucker populations in Upper Klamath Lake. My research is primarily composed of laboratory trials and combines my two areas of expertise.
Research Interests:
My long term research interests include examining the effects of contaminants and toxicants on imperiled species. My current research is focused on conducting laboratory experiments on Lost River suckers to try and determine what is preventing juvenile suckers from reaching maturity. It was hypothesized that age-0 juvenile sucker mortality increased due to the ingestion of prey items that had high levels of microcystin. Using laboratory experiments, I have been looking into the effects of ingested microcystin on Lost River suckers. Future laboratory experiments will focus on potential nutritional shortcomings, environmental effects on growth and condition of suckers, and effects of environmental contaminant on suckers. These laboratory experiments are fueled by observations in the field and provide supporting evidence for field and mesocosm studies.
Professional Experience
2011 to Present - Fishery Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Klamath Falls Field Station, Klamath Falls, OR
1999-2011 - Fishery Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Dixon Duty Station, Dixon, CA
1997-1999 - Biological Science Technician (Fisheries), U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Dixon Duty Station, Dixon, CA
1995-1997 - Graduate Research Assistant, Humboldt State University Foundation, Arcata, CA
1989-1995 - Biological Science Technician (Fisheries), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/ National Biological Survey, National Fisheries Contaminant Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA
Education and Certifications
M.S. Fishery Biology. Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
B.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Fisheries Society
Honors and Awards
Secretary Cal-Neva Chapter American Fishery Society 2011
Science and Products
Total mercury concentrations in fillets of bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, and other fishes from Lake Natoma, Sacramento County, California
Reproductive status of western mosquitofish inhabiting selenium- contaminated waters in the Grassland Water District, Merced County, California
Gut contents of juvenile chinook salmon from the upper sacramento river, California during spring 1998
Copper, cadmium, and zinc concentrations in juvenile Chinook salmon and selected fish-forage organisms (aquatic insects) in the upper Sacramento River, California
Effects of an agricultural drainwater bypass on fishes inhabiting the Grassland Water District and the lower San Joaquin River, California
Survey of fishes and environmental conditions in Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Effects of ambient water quality on the endangered Lost River sucker in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon
Vacuum hand pump apparatus for collecting water samples from a horizontal intragravel pipe
Copper, cadmium, and zinc concentrations in aquatic food chains from the Upper Sacramento River (California) and selected tributaries
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
- Science
- Data
- Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 33
Total mercury concentrations in fillets of bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, and other fishes from Lake Natoma, Sacramento County, California
This study was conducted during September-October 2002 to verify preliminary findings of elevated total mercury concentrations in skinless fillets of sportfishes inhabiting Lake Natoma. Although we measured total mercury concentrations, most mercury in fish flesh occurs in the methylated form. In August 2000, other investigators collected a small number of fish containing mercury concentrations thAuthorsM. K. Saiki, B.A. Martin, T.W. May, Charles N. AlpersReproductive status of western mosquitofish inhabiting selenium- contaminated waters in the Grassland Water District, Merced County, California
This study was implemented to determine if western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) populations in the Grassland Water District suffer from impaired reproduction because of seleniferous inflows of agricultural drainwater from the Grassland Bypass Project. During June to July 2001, laboratory trials with pregnant female fish collected from two seleniferous treatment sites exposed to selenium-laden dAuthorsM. K. Saiki, B.A. Martin, T.W. MayGut contents of juvenile chinook salmon from the upper sacramento river, California during spring 1998
[No abstract available]AuthorsB.A. Martin, M. K. SaikiCopper, cadmium, and zinc concentrations in juvenile Chinook salmon and selected fish-forage organisms (aquatic insects) in the upper Sacramento River, California
This study assessed the downstream extent andseverity of copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn)contamination from acid mine drainage on juvenile chinook salmon(Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and aquatic insects over aroughly 270-km reach of the Sacramento River below KeswickReservoir. During April–May 1998, salmon were collected fromfour sites in the river and from a fish hatchery that receiveswaterAuthorsMichael K. Saiki, Barbara A. Martin, Larry D. Thompson, Daniel WalshEffects of an agricultural drainwater bypass on fishes inhabiting the Grassland Water District and the lower San Joaquin River, California
The Grassland Bypass Project, which began operation in September 1996, was conceived as a means of diverting brackish selenium-contaminated agricultural drainwater away from canals and sloughs needed for transporting irrigation water to wetlands within the Grassland Water District (the Grasslands), Merced County, California. The seleniferous drainwater is now routed into the San Luis Drain for conAuthorsM. K. Saiki, B.A. Martin, S.E. Schwarzbach, T.W. MaySurvey of fishes and environmental conditions in Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
This study was conducted to gain a better understanding of fishery resources in Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore. During February/March, May, August, and November 1999, fish were sampled with floating variable-mesh gill nets and small minnow traps from as many as 14 sites in the lagoon. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, total ammonia(NH3 + NH4+), salinity, turbidity, water deptAuthorsM. K. Saiki, B.A. MartinEffects of ambient water quality on the endangered Lost River sucker in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon
Populations of the Lost River sucker Deltistes luxatus have declined so precipitously in the Upper Klamath Basin of Oregon and California that this fish was recently listed for federal protection as an endangered species. Although Upper Klamath Lake is a major refuge for this species, fish in the lake occasionally experience mass mortalities during summer and early fall. This field study was impleAuthorsB.A. Martin, M. K. SaikiVacuum hand pump apparatus for collecting water samples from a horizontal intragravel pipe
We describe a lightweight, portable vacuum hand pump apparatus for use in collecting water samples from horizontal intragravel pipe samplers buried in the stream bottom. The apparatus is easily fabricated from relatively inexpensive materials available at many laboratory supply houses.AuthorsMichael K. Saiki, Barbara A. MartinCopper, cadmium, and zinc concentrations in aquatic food chains from the Upper Sacramento River (California) and selected tributaries
Metals enter the Upper Sacramento River above Redding, California, primarily through Spring Creek, a tributary that receives acid-mine drainage from a US EPA Superfund site known locally as Iron Mountain Mine. Waterweed (Elodea canadensis) and aquatic insects (midge larvae, Chironomidae; and mayfly nymphs, Ephemeroptera) from the Sacramento River downstream from Spring Creek contained much higherAuthorsM. K. Saiki, D. T. Castleberry, T. W. May, B.A. Martin, F. N. BullardNon-USGS Publications**
Martin, B.A. 1997. Effects of ambient water quality on the endangered Lost River sucker (Deltistes luxatus) in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. M.S. thesis, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA. 55 pp.**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
*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