Filtration system used for processing samples using a technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or quantitative PCR (qPCR).
Dana W Kolpin
Dana Kolpin is a Research Hydrologist, with the Central Midwest Water Science Center in Iowa City, Iowa. Dana started his career with the USGS in 1984. His research interests include the fate, transport, and effects of environmental contaminants (e.g. pesticides, human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, hormones, etc.) in the environment.
Dana was the project lead of the USGS Toxic Program’s CECs in the Environment Project for its entire history (1998 – 2017). He is now project lead of the USGS Toxic Program’s newly formed Food Project (i.e. understanding the potential for health risks from contaminant exposures associated with production, manufacturing, use, and consumption of food, beverage, and feedstock products). He has published over 200 papers and reports on environmental contaminants. His paper "Pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants in U.S. streams, 1999-2000: A national reconnaissance" was a seminal paper on the occurrence of CECs in water resources, and was the first national-scale study of such compounds conducted in the United States. This paper has become the most heavily cited paper in Environmental Science & Technology history. He has published a diverse array of papers on the topic of environmental contaminants including research on CECs in landfills, changes in stream water chemistry and hydrology related to the closure of a wastewater treatment plant, detection of swine hepatitis E virus in streams, the transport of neonicotinoid insecticides in streams, the uptake of CECs into earthworms and into fish neural tissue, the occurrence of natural toxins (i.e. phytoestrogens and mycotoxins) in streams, and the first ever documentation of the off-field transport on nitrapyrin and herbicide safeners to streams. His most recent research interests include linking tap water quality to human health end points, investigating PFAS exposures in rural settings, determining the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment, and understanding chemical and microbial contaminants being discharged into the environment by food and feedstock processing plants.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 30
From Stream to Spider: How PFAS Move Through Aquatic and Terrestrial Food Webs
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent synthetic chemicals that accumulate in the environment and living organisms. A USGS study examined how different PFAS compounds move through a stream ecosystem and are transferred from aquatic to terrestrial food webs. The findings documented that not all PFAS behave the same once they enter the environment, leading to differences in...
Bioenergy and Pesticides: Lessons from the AltEn Bioenergy Plant
Ethanol production from seed corn, while reducing waste and promoting renewable energy, can have environmental and health implications. A USGS study on a former bioenergy plant that received pesticide-coated seeds used for ethanol production, revealed that the process led to contaminated wastewater and solid residue, resulting in elevated pesticide levels in nearby surface waters even after the...
Helping Secure Our Nation’s Food Supply: The Intersection of Agriculture, Health, and Environment
Agriculture is vital to the U.S. economy, supplying food, fibers, fuels, and jobs. Ensuring the quality of our natural resources is essential for keeping our food safe and plentiful. The USGS studies environmental factors affecting food security and offers valuable insights to reduce health risks, ensuring a safer food supply and a healthier environment.
Beyond the Usual Suspects: A Comprehensive Look at Agricultural Stream Contaminants
Clean water is essential for both environmental health and human safety, but many everyday products and activities can contribute to water pollution including contaminants such as microplastics, harmful chemicals such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides, and antibiotic resistance genes. A recent USGS study in Iowa investigated pollutants in streams, including stream sediment and biota, to determine...
Wings of Change: The Environment's Influence on Bird Flu
Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses naturally occur in wild birds and are rarely fatal. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses are highly contagious, spread rapidly, are often fatal to poultry, and have been responsible for worldwide outbreaks. Together, LPAI and HPAI are generally referred to as either avian influenza viruses (AIVs) or "the bird flu."
Food Resources Lifecycle Integrated Science Team
The team studies the movement of toxicants and pathogens that could originate from the growing, raising, and processing/manufacturing of plant and animal products through the environment where exposure can occur. This information is used to understand if there are adverse effects upon exposure and to develop decision tools to protect health.
Statewide Assessment of Iowa Streams Links Landscape Characteristics to Antibiotic Resistance Signatures
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists conducted the first statewide assessment of antibiotics, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in streams (water column and bed sediment samples) across Iowa. Results indicated that ARB and ARGs were prevalent, and a combination of watershed characteristics (such as land use, livestock population, and human population)...
A National Assessment of Pesticide, PFAS, Microplastic, and Antibiotic Resistance Gene Exposures in White-Tailed Deer
Research has documented exposures and consequential environmental health effects of pesticides, PFAS, microplastics, and antibiotic resistance genes in environmental biota. Little is known, however, regarding such effects in white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus).
Organic Contaminants in Reuse Waters and Transport Following Land Application
Potential reuse waters contained unique mixtures of organic contaminants with the greatest number detected in treated municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent, followed by urban stormwater, and agricultural runoff. This study provided information for decisions on reuse strategies to support freshwater supplies.
Study Provides a Data Resource for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Streams Within Iowa Agricultural Watersheds
Per- and poly fl uoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were detected in streams within agricultural areas (an often-unmeasured landscape) across Iowa. The data from this study provide one resource to understand the extent of PFAS concentrations in water resources from diverse landscapes throughout the United States.
Costs and Benefits of Nitrapyrin
In December 2020, our research group (as part of the Food Integrated Science Team) published a review of nitrapyrin costs and benefits in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
U.S. Geological Survey Research Scientist Recognized for Advancing Exposure Science
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Scientist Dana Kolpin was presented the International Environmental Award by Reciphram celebrating his research on the occurrence, sources, fate, and effects of environmental contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides.
Filtration system used for processing samples
Filtration system used for processing samples using a technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or quantitative PCR (qPCR).
Team of scientists studied changes in nitrapyrin
A team of scientists studied changes in nitrapyrin — a nitrification inhibitor applied with fertilizers as a bactericide to kill natural soil bacteria for the purpose of increasing crop yields — occurrence associated with land use changes from March to June 2016.
A team of scientists studied changes in nitrapyrin — a nitrification inhibitor applied with fertilizers as a bactericide to kill natural soil bacteria for the purpose of increasing crop yields — occurrence associated with land use changes from March to June 2016.
USGS scientist getting ready to measure discharge (flow)
USGS scientist getting ready to measure discharge (flow)In this photo the USGS scientist is getting ready to measure discharge (flow) in the same stream as above (from New York Branch, Iowa), but after a rainfall event.
USGS scientist getting ready to measure discharge (flow)
USGS scientist getting ready to measure discharge (flow)In this photo the USGS scientist is getting ready to measure discharge (flow) in the same stream as above (from New York Branch, Iowa), but after a rainfall event.
View of Old Mans Creek near Iowa City, Iowa
View of Old Mans Creek near Iowa City, Iowa upstream from a bridge used for collecting water-quality samples (USGS Site ID: 05455100).
View of Old Mans Creek near Iowa City, Iowa upstream from a bridge used for collecting water-quality samples (USGS Site ID: 05455100).
USGS scientist collecting sample from the stream prior to manure spill
USGS scientist collecting sample from the stream prior to manure spillUSGS scientist collecting a water sample from the stream prior to the swine manure spill.
USGS scientist collecting sample from the stream prior to manure spill
USGS scientist collecting sample from the stream prior to manure spillUSGS scientist collecting a water sample from the stream prior to the swine manure spill.
Aerial Spraying of Fungicides on Row Crops in Iowa
Aerial Spraying of Fungicides on Row Crops in IowaAerial spraying of fungicides on row crops in Iowa. A soybean field is in the foreground, and a cornfield is in the background. The soybean crop is the target of the aerial application. Fungicides are used to combat soybean rust, a fungal disease.
Aerial Spraying of Fungicides on Row Crops in Iowa
Aerial Spraying of Fungicides on Row Crops in IowaAerial spraying of fungicides on row crops in Iowa. A soybean field is in the foreground, and a cornfield is in the background. The soybean crop is the target of the aerial application. Fungicides are used to combat soybean rust, a fungal disease.
New section of a landfill under construction
New section of a landfill under construction
New section of a landfill under construction
Baseflow measurements of field parameters
The team of USGS scientists collected stream water samples before and after rainfall events for this study. In this photo a USGS scientist is taking measurements of field parameters (dissolved oxygen, water temperature, specific conductance, and pH) from New York Branch, Iowa, at low flow (baseflow) conditions.
The team of USGS scientists collected stream water samples before and after rainfall events for this study. In this photo a USGS scientist is taking measurements of field parameters (dissolved oxygen, water temperature, specific conductance, and pH) from New York Branch, Iowa, at low flow (baseflow) conditions.
Strongly discolored stream water following a manure spill
Strongly discolored stream water following a manure spillView of stream water following a manure spill, which has strongly discolored the water.
Strongly discolored stream water following a manure spill
Strongly discolored stream water following a manure spillView of stream water following a manure spill, which has strongly discolored the water.
Biosolids from a wastewater treatment plant were loaded onto trucks
Biosolids from a wastewater treatment plant were loaded onto trucksBiosolids from a wastewater treatment plant were loaded onto trucks for transport to the field. A team of USGS scientists and their colleagues collected samples of biosolids for analysis from freshly exposed surfaces created by the machinery used to load the biosolids onto trucks.
Biosolids from a wastewater treatment plant were loaded onto trucks
Biosolids from a wastewater treatment plant were loaded onto trucksBiosolids from a wastewater treatment plant were loaded onto trucks for transport to the field. A team of USGS scientists and their colleagues collected samples of biosolids for analysis from freshly exposed surfaces created by the machinery used to load the biosolids onto trucks.
Municipal biosolids being loaded onto a spreader for land application
Municipal biosolids being loaded onto a spreader for land applicationMunicipal biosolids being loaded onto spreader for land application
Municipal biosolids being loaded onto a spreader for land application
Municipal biosolids being loaded onto a spreader for land applicationMunicipal biosolids being loaded onto spreader for land application
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 30
From Stream to Spider: How PFAS Move Through Aquatic and Terrestrial Food Webs
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent synthetic chemicals that accumulate in the environment and living organisms. A USGS study examined how different PFAS compounds move through a stream ecosystem and are transferred from aquatic to terrestrial food webs. The findings documented that not all PFAS behave the same once they enter the environment, leading to differences in...
Bioenergy and Pesticides: Lessons from the AltEn Bioenergy Plant
Ethanol production from seed corn, while reducing waste and promoting renewable energy, can have environmental and health implications. A USGS study on a former bioenergy plant that received pesticide-coated seeds used for ethanol production, revealed that the process led to contaminated wastewater and solid residue, resulting in elevated pesticide levels in nearby surface waters even after the...
Helping Secure Our Nation’s Food Supply: The Intersection of Agriculture, Health, and Environment
Agriculture is vital to the U.S. economy, supplying food, fibers, fuels, and jobs. Ensuring the quality of our natural resources is essential for keeping our food safe and plentiful. The USGS studies environmental factors affecting food security and offers valuable insights to reduce health risks, ensuring a safer food supply and a healthier environment.
Beyond the Usual Suspects: A Comprehensive Look at Agricultural Stream Contaminants
Clean water is essential for both environmental health and human safety, but many everyday products and activities can contribute to water pollution including contaminants such as microplastics, harmful chemicals such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides, and antibiotic resistance genes. A recent USGS study in Iowa investigated pollutants in streams, including stream sediment and biota, to determine...
Wings of Change: The Environment's Influence on Bird Flu
Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses naturally occur in wild birds and are rarely fatal. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses are highly contagious, spread rapidly, are often fatal to poultry, and have been responsible for worldwide outbreaks. Together, LPAI and HPAI are generally referred to as either avian influenza viruses (AIVs) or "the bird flu."
Food Resources Lifecycle Integrated Science Team
The team studies the movement of toxicants and pathogens that could originate from the growing, raising, and processing/manufacturing of plant and animal products through the environment where exposure can occur. This information is used to understand if there are adverse effects upon exposure and to develop decision tools to protect health.
Statewide Assessment of Iowa Streams Links Landscape Characteristics to Antibiotic Resistance Signatures
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists conducted the first statewide assessment of antibiotics, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in streams (water column and bed sediment samples) across Iowa. Results indicated that ARB and ARGs were prevalent, and a combination of watershed characteristics (such as land use, livestock population, and human population)...
A National Assessment of Pesticide, PFAS, Microplastic, and Antibiotic Resistance Gene Exposures in White-Tailed Deer
Research has documented exposures and consequential environmental health effects of pesticides, PFAS, microplastics, and antibiotic resistance genes in environmental biota. Little is known, however, regarding such effects in white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus).
Organic Contaminants in Reuse Waters and Transport Following Land Application
Potential reuse waters contained unique mixtures of organic contaminants with the greatest number detected in treated municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent, followed by urban stormwater, and agricultural runoff. This study provided information for decisions on reuse strategies to support freshwater supplies.
Study Provides a Data Resource for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Streams Within Iowa Agricultural Watersheds
Per- and poly fl uoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were detected in streams within agricultural areas (an often-unmeasured landscape) across Iowa. The data from this study provide one resource to understand the extent of PFAS concentrations in water resources from diverse landscapes throughout the United States.
Costs and Benefits of Nitrapyrin
In December 2020, our research group (as part of the Food Integrated Science Team) published a review of nitrapyrin costs and benefits in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
U.S. Geological Survey Research Scientist Recognized for Advancing Exposure Science
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Scientist Dana Kolpin was presented the International Environmental Award by Reciphram celebrating his research on the occurrence, sources, fate, and effects of environmental contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides.
Filtration system used for processing samples
Filtration system used for processing samples using a technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or quantitative PCR (qPCR).
Filtration system used for processing samples using a technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or quantitative PCR (qPCR).
Team of scientists studied changes in nitrapyrin
A team of scientists studied changes in nitrapyrin — a nitrification inhibitor applied with fertilizers as a bactericide to kill natural soil bacteria for the purpose of increasing crop yields — occurrence associated with land use changes from March to June 2016.
A team of scientists studied changes in nitrapyrin — a nitrification inhibitor applied with fertilizers as a bactericide to kill natural soil bacteria for the purpose of increasing crop yields — occurrence associated with land use changes from March to June 2016.
USGS scientist getting ready to measure discharge (flow)
USGS scientist getting ready to measure discharge (flow)In this photo the USGS scientist is getting ready to measure discharge (flow) in the same stream as above (from New York Branch, Iowa), but after a rainfall event.
USGS scientist getting ready to measure discharge (flow)
USGS scientist getting ready to measure discharge (flow)In this photo the USGS scientist is getting ready to measure discharge (flow) in the same stream as above (from New York Branch, Iowa), but after a rainfall event.
View of Old Mans Creek near Iowa City, Iowa
View of Old Mans Creek near Iowa City, Iowa upstream from a bridge used for collecting water-quality samples (USGS Site ID: 05455100).
View of Old Mans Creek near Iowa City, Iowa upstream from a bridge used for collecting water-quality samples (USGS Site ID: 05455100).
USGS scientist collecting sample from the stream prior to manure spill
USGS scientist collecting sample from the stream prior to manure spillUSGS scientist collecting a water sample from the stream prior to the swine manure spill.
USGS scientist collecting sample from the stream prior to manure spill
USGS scientist collecting sample from the stream prior to manure spillUSGS scientist collecting a water sample from the stream prior to the swine manure spill.
Aerial Spraying of Fungicides on Row Crops in Iowa
Aerial Spraying of Fungicides on Row Crops in IowaAerial spraying of fungicides on row crops in Iowa. A soybean field is in the foreground, and a cornfield is in the background. The soybean crop is the target of the aerial application. Fungicides are used to combat soybean rust, a fungal disease.
Aerial Spraying of Fungicides on Row Crops in Iowa
Aerial Spraying of Fungicides on Row Crops in IowaAerial spraying of fungicides on row crops in Iowa. A soybean field is in the foreground, and a cornfield is in the background. The soybean crop is the target of the aerial application. Fungicides are used to combat soybean rust, a fungal disease.
New section of a landfill under construction
New section of a landfill under construction
New section of a landfill under construction
Baseflow measurements of field parameters
The team of USGS scientists collected stream water samples before and after rainfall events for this study. In this photo a USGS scientist is taking measurements of field parameters (dissolved oxygen, water temperature, specific conductance, and pH) from New York Branch, Iowa, at low flow (baseflow) conditions.
The team of USGS scientists collected stream water samples before and after rainfall events for this study. In this photo a USGS scientist is taking measurements of field parameters (dissolved oxygen, water temperature, specific conductance, and pH) from New York Branch, Iowa, at low flow (baseflow) conditions.
Strongly discolored stream water following a manure spill
Strongly discolored stream water following a manure spillView of stream water following a manure spill, which has strongly discolored the water.
Strongly discolored stream water following a manure spill
Strongly discolored stream water following a manure spillView of stream water following a manure spill, which has strongly discolored the water.
Biosolids from a wastewater treatment plant were loaded onto trucks
Biosolids from a wastewater treatment plant were loaded onto trucksBiosolids from a wastewater treatment plant were loaded onto trucks for transport to the field. A team of USGS scientists and their colleagues collected samples of biosolids for analysis from freshly exposed surfaces created by the machinery used to load the biosolids onto trucks.
Biosolids from a wastewater treatment plant were loaded onto trucks
Biosolids from a wastewater treatment plant were loaded onto trucksBiosolids from a wastewater treatment plant were loaded onto trucks for transport to the field. A team of USGS scientists and their colleagues collected samples of biosolids for analysis from freshly exposed surfaces created by the machinery used to load the biosolids onto trucks.
Municipal biosolids being loaded onto a spreader for land application
Municipal biosolids being loaded onto a spreader for land applicationMunicipal biosolids being loaded onto spreader for land application
Municipal biosolids being loaded onto a spreader for land application
Municipal biosolids being loaded onto a spreader for land applicationMunicipal biosolids being loaded onto spreader for land application