David Alvarez, Ph.D.
Biography
Dave is a supervisory research chemist. His focus is on the development of innovative methodologies for passive sampler design and complex mixture analysis of various environmental matrices. Research is conducted on emerging and historic contaminants; assessment of the exposure of aquatic and terrestrial organisms and humans to anthropogenic chemicals; and identification of chemicals and their potential sources. The link between chemical occurrence and biological effects are investigated using passive samplers as surrogate biological organisms and screening sampler extracts with in vitro and in vivo tests for estrogenicity, acute toxicity, reproductive and developmental abnormalities. The research is designed to expand the understanding of the roles of physicochemical parameters and environmental factors on the uptake mechanisms of passive samplers. Through our experience and expertise, this research group is recognized as an international leader in the field of passive sampling technologies.
Education
Ph.D. Environmental/Analytical Chemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999
B.S. Chemistry, Missouri Western State College, 1995
Affiliations
2005-present Member, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
1993-present Member, American Chemical Society Environmental Division
1992-present Member, American Chemical Society
Science and Products
Advanced PFAS Measurement Methods
Environmental Health Program scientists, in collaboration with other USGS scientists, are developing complementary field and laboratory methods and capabilities to detect and quantify a range of target and nontarget per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) compounds and indicator compounds at low levels (parts per trillion) in a variety of environmental matrices. The PFAS Integrated...
Framework Developed to Evaluate the Practicality of Effects-Directed Analyses to Identify Endocrine Active Chemicals in Complex Environmental Sample Mixtures
An effects-directed analyses (EDA) framework for endocrine active chemicals was developed to help decision makers quickly evaluate the efficacy and practicality of an EDA approach in waste and surface waters and how adjustments could be made to increase its success.
Areas of Concern: Niagara River
USGS scientists participated in several projects supporting work in the Niagara River Area of Concern including: 1) Evaluating toxicity in Benthos Sediment, 2) Tracking PCB Sources in the AOC, and Identifying Source Areas Contributing to Contaminants Found in Fish Tissue.
Track down survey of PCBs in three tributaries to the Niagara River Area of Concern (AOC)
Background Industrial discharges of toxic and bio-accumulating compounds to the Niagara River and its tributaries have occurred over many decades. High concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been found in samples of fish tissue from many locations, including three tributaries to the Niagara River: Tonawanda Creek, Two mile Creek, and Rattlesnake Creek (study reaches listed in...
Facilities and Equipment
Laboratories
The Environmental Chemistry Branch has a modern laboratory facility with dedicated spaces for sample preparation, inorganic and organic analyses. Steps to minimize background contamination and to protect sample integrity have been incorporated into the laboratory design.
Passive Sampling Using SPMDs and POCIS
The application of passive sampling technologies for the monitoring of legacy and emerging organic chemicals in the environment is becoming widely accepted worldwide.
Passive and Field Sampling
CERC scientists in the Environmental Chemistry Branch are pioneers in the development of passive sampling techniques. Samplers available include: SPMDs (hydrophobic organics in water and air), POCIS (hydrophilic organics in water), stabilized liquid membrane devices (SLMDs), peepers, and diffusion gradients in thin films (DGT). We also have experience modifying existing technologies for...
Environmental Chemistry Branch Structure
The Environmental Chemistry Branch is made up of four research sections working collectively towards the common goal of providing information on the role of chemicals in the environment.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
The Environmental Chemistry Branch uses a robust set of Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) approaches to ensure that data are of known and documented quality. Standard criteria can be adjusted to meet individual project requirements and quality assurance project plans (QAPPs).
Analytical Capabilities
The Environmental Chemistry Branch has a modern laboratory facility with dedicated spaces for sample preparation, inorganic and organic analyses.
Project Involvement
The Environmental Chemistry Branch has the expertise to contribute to all levels of the project from study design to reporting. As a research lab, we maintain the flexibility needed to adapt to the changing needs of a study, while providing sufficient Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) to insure confidence in the results.
Passive Sampling Research — Columbia, Missouri
About the Laboratory
The scientists at the Environmental Chemistry Laboratory at the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), Missouri, are pioneers in the development and application of passive sampling techniques for environmental monitoring. The goal of passive sampling is to provide a link between chemical occurrence and biological exposure.
PCBs measured in three tributaries of the Niagara River Area of Concern (AOC), 2018-2019
Water-borne polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were sampled in three tributaries of the Niagara River Area of Concern (AOC) in 2018 and 2019 using semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs). This data set is a compilation of data from two sampling efforts, focused on determining the presence and distribution of total and congener PCBs in these tributaries.
Legacy and emerging contaminants in the Chesapeake Bay watershed as measured using passive samplers – 2005 to 2013
Legacy and emerging contaminants were measured in streams and rivers in the District of Columbia and the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia of the Chesapeake Bay watershed between 2005 and 2013. Passive sampling devices, SPMDs and POCIS, were used to sample these waterbodies, providing a time-integrated concentration of contaminants that are potentially bio
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...
Alvarez, David; Corsi, Steven R.; DeCicco, Laura A.; Villeneuve, Daniel L.; Baldwin, Austin K. Movement of synthetic organic compounds in the food web after the introduction of invasive quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) in Lake Mead, Nevada and Arizona, USA
Introductions of dreissenid mussels in North America have been a significant concern over the last few decades. This study assessed the distribution of synthetic organic compounds (SOCs) in the food web of Lake Mead, Nevada/Arizona, USA and how this distribution was influenced by the introduction of invasive quagga mussels. A clear spatial...
Goodbred, Steven L.; Rosen, Michael R.; Patino, Reynaldo; Alvarez, David; Echols, Kathy R.; King, Kerensa; Umek, John
Physical and chemical stressors on algal, invertebrate, and fish communities in 14 Milwaukee area streams, 2004–2013
In 2004, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began sampling 14 wadable streams in urban or urbanizing watersheds near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The overall goal of the study is to assess the health of the aquatic communities in the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District planning area to inform current and future watershed management. In addition to...
Eikenberry, Barbara C. Scudder; Nott, Michelle A.; Stewart, Jana S.; Sullivan, Daniel J.; Alvarez, David A.; Bell, Amanda H.; Fitzpatrick, Faith A. Wastewater-based epidemiology pilot study to examine drug use in the Western United States
The extent of prescription and illicit drug abuse in geographically isolated rural and micropolitan communities in the intermountain western United States (US) has not been well tracked. The goal of this pilot study was to accurately measure drug dose consumption rates (DCR) between two select populations, normalize the data and compare the DCRs...
Bishop, Nicholas; Jones-Lepp, Tammy; Margetts, Miranda; Sykes, Jordan; Alvarez, David; Keil, Deborah Urban stream syndrome and contaminant uptake in salamanders of Central Texas
We studied the ecological health of springs experiencing varying levels of urban development to assess impacts to rare endemic salamanders (Eurycea spp.) of Central Texas. We evaluated measures of invertebrate species richness, water quality, and contaminant uptake by salamanders to determine how springs and their inhabitants were being...
Diaz, Peter H.; Orsak, Erik L.; Weckerly, Floyd W.; Montagne, Mike A.; Alvarez, David
Ecological status of aquatic communities in selected streams in the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District planning area of Wisconsin, 2004–13
A total of 14 wadable streams in urban or urbanizing watersheds near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, were sampled in 2004, 2007, 2010, and 2013 to assess the ecological status of aquatic communities (biota), including benthic algae and invertebrates, and fish. To assess temporal variation, additional community sampling was also done at a subset of three...
Eikenberry, Barbara C. Scudder; Nott, Michelle A.; Stewart, Jana S.; Sullivan, Daniel J.; Alvarez, David A.; Bell, Amanda H.; Fitzpatrick, Faith A. Factors affecting sampling strategies for design of an effects‐directed analysis for endocrine‐active chemicals
Effects‐directed analysis (EDA) is an important tool for identifying unknown bioactive components in a complex mixture. Such an analysis of endocrine‐active chemicals (EACs) from water sources has promising regulatory implications but also unique logistical challenges. We propose a conceptual EDA (framework) based on a critical review of EDA...
Brennan, Jennifer; Gale, Robert W.; Alvarez, David; Berninger, Jason P.; Leet, Jessica Kristin; Li, Yan; Wagner, Tyler; Tillitt, Donald E.
Evaluation of legacy and emerging organic chemicals using passive sampling devices on the North Branch Au Sable River near Lovells, Michigan, June 2018
The North Branch Au Sable River, located in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan near Lovells, Michigan, has historically been known for its brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and its status as a blue ribbon trout stream; however, within the past few decades, there has been a decline in fish population. The objectives of this study were to...
Brennan, Angela K.; Alvarez, David A. Petroleum hydrocarbons in semipermeable membrane devices deployed in the Northern Gulf of Mexico and Florida keys following the Deepwater Horizon incident
The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill from April to July of 2010 contaminated Gulf of Mexico waters through release of an estimated 4.1 × 106 barrels of oil. Beginning in June of 2010, semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) were deployed near areas with sensitive marine habitats (Alabama Alps and Western Shelf) potentially exposed...
Bargar, Timothy; Alvarez, David; Stout, Scott A.
Assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in southern Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona and Utah, 2016–17
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination related to boat use is one of the most important water-quality issues affecting Lake Powell. High concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water are common around marinas and other areas with extensive motorboat activity because of releases of uncombusted or partially combusted oil and...
Coes, Alissa L.; Paretti, Nicholas V.; Alvarez, David A.; Macy, Jamie P. Multiple approaches to surface water quality assessment provide insight for small streams experiencing oil and natural gas development
Historic, current, and future oil and natural gas development can affect water quality in streams flowing through developed areas. We compared small stream drainages in a semi-arid landscape with varying amounts of disturbance from oil and natural gas development to examine potential effects of this development on surface water quality. We used...
Walters, Annika W.; Girard, Carlin E.; Walker, Richard H.; Farag, Aida; Alvarez, David Chronic toxicity of 4-nonylphenol to two unionid mussels in water-only exposures
Limited studies indicate that mussels are generally insensitive to organic chemicals; however, these studies were conducted in acute or short-term exposures, and little is known about the chronic sensitivity of mussels to organic chemicals. We evaluated the chronic (28 days) toxicity of 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) to two commonly tested species of...
Ivey, Chris D.; Wang, Ning; Alvarez, David; Hammer, Edward J.; Bauer, Candice R.