Microbiologist Erin Stelzer samples a wetland for infectious avian influenza virus at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Iowa.
Erin A Stelzer
Erin received her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from The Ohio State University. She started her career at the USGS in 2006 at the Ohio Water Science Center. Currently, Erin is working on a variety of molecular microbiological topics including: cyanobacterial toxin genes, taste and odor genes, enteric viruses, and eDNA.
Science and Products
Environmental detection of avian influenza virus
USGS Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory - Cyanobacteria and toxin gene molecular assays
Using models to estimate microcystin concentrations in Ohio recreational and source waters
Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs)
Ohio Microbiology Program - Home
Biodegradation Of Microcystins In Lake Erie Source Waters And Filters From Drinking-Water Plants
Phytoplankton data for samples collected at twelve large river sites throughout the United States, June through October 2019
Response of natural phytoplankton communities from Green Bay (Lake Michigan) and Maumee Bay (Lake Erie) to laboratory manipulations of nutrient and trace metal availability during late summer 2018
Sampling information and water-quality data collected during viable avian influenza virus sampling in Iowa wetlands, 2022
Cyanotoxin, chlorophyll-a, and cyanobacterial toxin genetic data for samples collected at twelve large river sites throughout the United States, June through October 2019
SARS-CoV-2 Data from National Wastewater Surveillance System Surge Capacity Sampling, September 2021
Phytoplankton data for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through October 2018
Cyanotoxin, chlorophyll-a, and cyanobacterial toxin genetic data for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through October 2018
Data and model archive for multiple linear regression models for prediction of weighted cyanotoxin mixture concentrations and microcystin concentrations at three recurring bloom sites in Kabetogama Lake in Minnesota
Laboratory quality-control data associated with samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the USGS Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory
Data for multiple linear regression models for predicting microcystin concentration action-level exceedances in selected lakes in Ohio
Phytoplankton tally sheet, including photomicrographs, for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through September 2017
Phytoplankton data for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through September 2017
Microbiologist Erin Stelzer samples a wetland for infectious avian influenza virus at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Iowa.
USGS Microbiologist Erin Stelzer filters wetland water from a park in Iowa on a gray spring day.
USGS Microbiologist Erin Stelzer filters wetland water from a park in Iowa on a gray spring day.
Erin Stelzer arriving to MI-BaRL lab with truck carrying over 1100 liters of wetland water prepped for avian influenza study
linkErin Stelzer collected and transported over 1100 liters of wetland water to the Michigan Bacteriological Research Laboratory (MI-BaRL; Lansing, MI) as part of work to finalize laboratory methods to detect infectious avian influenza virus (AIV) in freshwater. The methods will test how biotic factors and water chemistry influenced the recovery of a known con
Erin Stelzer arriving to MI-BaRL lab with truck carrying over 1100 liters of wetland water prepped for avian influenza study
linkErin Stelzer collected and transported over 1100 liters of wetland water to the Michigan Bacteriological Research Laboratory (MI-BaRL; Lansing, MI) as part of work to finalize laboratory methods to detect infectious avian influenza virus (AIV) in freshwater. The methods will test how biotic factors and water chemistry influenced the recovery of a known con
(L to R) Research Hydrologist Laura Hubbard, Supervisory Hydrologist Carrie Givens, and Microbiologist Erin Stelzer pose with filtration spike experiment equipment at the Michigan Bacteriological Research Laboratory (MI-BaRL) in Lansing, Michigan.
(L to R) Research Hydrologist Laura Hubbard, Supervisory Hydrologist Carrie Givens, and Microbiologist Erin Stelzer pose with filtration spike experiment equipment at the Michigan Bacteriological Research Laboratory (MI-BaRL) in Lansing, Michigan.
Isolation and identification of microcystin-degrading bacteria in Lake Erie source waters and drinking-water plant sand filters
Environmental surveillance and detection of infectious highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in Iowa wetlands
Role of trace metal co-limitation in cyanobacterial blooms of Maumee Bay (Lake Erie) and Green Bay (Lake Michigan)
Metagenomic mapping of cyanobacteria and potential cyanotoxin producing taxa in large rivers of the United States
Using cyanobacteria and other phytoplankton to assess trophic conditions: A qPCR-based, multi-year study in twelve large rivers across the United States
Cyanobacteria, cyanotoxin synthetase gene, and cyanotoxin occurrence among selected large river sites of the conterminous United States, 2017–18
Cyanotoxin mixture models: Relating environmental variables and toxin co-occurrence to human exposure risk
Toxic cyanobacterial blooms, often containing multiple toxins, are a serious public health issue. However, there are no known models that predict a cyanotoxin mixture (anatoxin-a, microcystin, saxitoxin). This paper presents two cyanotoxin mixture models (MIX) and compares them to two microcystin (MC) models from data collected in 2016–2017 from three recurring cyanobacterial bloom locations in Ka
Predicting microcystin concentration action-level exceedances resulting from cyanobacterial blooms in selected lake sites in Ohio
Nowcasting methods for determining microbiological water quality at recreational beaches and drinking-water source waters
Phytoplankton community and algal toxicity at a recurring bloom in Sullivan Bay, Kabetogama Lake, Minnesota, USA
Kabetogama Lake in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, USA suffers from recurring late summer algal blooms that often contain toxin-producing cyanobacteria. Previous research identified the toxin microcystin in blooms, but we wanted to better understand how the algal and cyanobacterial community changed throughout an open water season and how changes in community structure were related to toxin pr
Selected water-quality data from the Cedar River and Cedar Rapids well fields, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2008–17
The Cedar River alluvial aquifer is the primary source of municipal water in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Municipal wells are completed in the alluvial aquifer about 40 to 80 feet below land surface. The City of Cedar Rapids and the U.S. Geological Survey have led a cooperative study of the groundwater-flow system and water quality of the aquifer since 1992. Cooperative reports between the City of Cedar Ra
Multi-year microbial source tracking study characterizing fecal contamination in an urban watershed
Microbiological and hydrological data were used to rank tributary stream contributions of bacteria to the Little Blue River in Independence, Missouri. Concentrations, loadings and yields of E. coli and microbial source tracking (MST) markers, were characterized during base flow and storm events in five subbasins within Independence, as well as sources entering and leaving the city through the rive
Science and Products
- Science
Environmental detection of avian influenza virus
A collaborative project with Federal and university partners working toward the goal of understanding avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in the environment: early detection, enhancing biosurveillance, and mitigation to reduce spread into domestic poultry and potential occupational or recreational exposure to humans.USGS Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory - Cyanobacteria and toxin gene molecular assays
Harmful cyanobacterial “algal” blooms and associated toxins are of concern in many parts of the world because of their effects on drinking water, water-based recreation, and watershed ecology. Cyanotoxins are a diverse group of compounds that include hepatotoxins, neurotoxins, cytotoxins, dermatotoxins, and irritant toxins (Wiegand and Pflugmacher, 2005). Numerous incidents of animal and human...Using models to estimate microcystin concentrations in Ohio recreational and source waters
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) and associated toxins, such as microcystin, are a major global water-quality issue. In Lake Erie and inland lakes in Ohio, elevated microcystin concentrations have caused water-resource managers to issue recreational water-quality advisories, and detections of microcystin in source waters have caused drinking-water plant managers to increase...Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs)
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (HABs) are increasingly a global concern because HABs pose a threat to human and aquatic ecosystem health and cause economic damages. Toxins produced by some species of cyanobacteria (called cyanotoxins) can cause acute and chronic illnesses in humans and pets. Aquatic ecosystem health also is affected by cyanotoxins, as well as low dissolved oxygen...Ohio Microbiology Program - Home
The U.S. Geological Survey MI-OH Water Science Center Microbiology Laboratories in Lansing, Michigan and Columbus, Ohio address water-related public-health concerns across the Nation using traditional and cutting-edge analytical approaches. The laboratories work with government agencies, academic institution, and regional and local partners to study the processes and anthropogenic influences that...Biodegradation Of Microcystins In Lake Erie Source Waters And Filters From Drinking-Water Plants
Harmful cyanobacterial “algal” blooms (cyanoHABs) and associated toxins, such as microcystin, are a major global water-quality issue. In Lake Erie, researchers and local health officials have identified the presence of cyanobacterial blooms during the summer and early fall seasons. This is especially pronounced in the Lake Erie Western Basin, where the City of Toledo was forced to issue a do-not... - Data
Filter Total Items: 14
Phytoplankton data for samples collected at twelve large river sites throughout the United States, June through October 2019
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data Release provides phytoplankton data for samples collected from twelve large river sites throughout the United States, from June through October 2019. All data are reported as raw calculated values and are not rounded to USGS significant figures. The dataset includes all routine and quality assurance/quality control samples collected as part of a National WatResponse of natural phytoplankton communities from Green Bay (Lake Michigan) and Maumee Bay (Lake Erie) to laboratory manipulations of nutrient and trace metal availability during late summer 2018
Microcystins (MC) are a class of cyanotoxins produced by many cyanobacteria taxa. Although toxic to metazoans, the evolution of microcystin pre-dates the appearance of metazoans, and so MC did not originate as a toxin to potential metazoan grazers. One hypothesized functional role of microcystin is the management and acquisition of metals, several of which form complexes with MC intracellularly. MSampling information and water-quality data collected during viable avian influenza virus sampling in Iowa wetlands, 2022
Data sets containing: (1) sampling information and equipment, (2) precipitation and air temperature data from Iowa counties containing wetlands sampled, (3) water quality measurements from Iowa wetlands sampled, (4) quality assurance quality control sample result information, and (4) similarities between the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus water sequence and other highly pathogenic avian influenza H5Cyanotoxin, chlorophyll-a, and cyanobacterial toxin genetic data for samples collected at twelve large river sites throughout the United States, June through October 2019
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release provides discretely measured cyanotoxin, chlorophyll-a, and cyanobacterial toxin genetic data for samples collected from twelve large river sites throughout the United States, from June through October 2019. Discrete water-quality samples were analyzed for cyanotoxins (anatoxin, cylindrospermopsin, microcystin, and saxitoxin), chlorophyll-a, and cyanSARS-CoV-2 Data from National Wastewater Surveillance System Surge Capacity Sampling, September 2021
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is used to determine the consumption of, or exposure to, chemicals or pathogens in human populations, and is conducted by collecting representative samples of untreated wastewater (influent) to quantify pathogens shed in the population served by the sampled wastewater system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Department of Health anPhytoplankton data for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through October 2018
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data Release provides phytoplankton data for samples collected from eleven large river sites throughout the United States, from June through October 2018. All data are reported as raw calculated values and are not rounded to USGS significant figures. The dataset includes all routine and quality assurance/quality control samples collected as part of a National WatCyanotoxin, chlorophyll-a, and cyanobacterial toxin genetic data for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through October 2018
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release provides discretely measured cyanotoxin, chlorophyll-a, and cyanobacterial toxin genetic data for samples collected from eleven large river sites throughout the United States, from June through October 2018. Discrete water-quality samples were analyzed for cyanotoxins (anatoxin, cylindrospermopsin, microcystin, and saxitoxin), chlorophyll-a, and cyanData and model archive for multiple linear regression models for prediction of weighted cyanotoxin mixture concentrations and microcystin concentrations at three recurring bloom sites in Kabetogama Lake in Minnesota
Multiple linear regression models were developed using data collected in 2016 and 2017 from three recurring bloom sites in Kabetogama Lake in northern Minnesota. These models were developed to predict concentrations of cyanotoxins (anatoxin-a, microcystin, and saxitoxin) that occur within the blooms. Virtual Beach software (version 3.0.6) was used to develop four models: two cyanotoxin mixture (MILaboratory quality-control data associated with samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the USGS Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory
This dataset contains data tables of laboratory quality-control data associated with environmental samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The environmental samples were collected across the United States by USGS National Projects and projects in Water Science Centers. These quality-control data can be used tData for multiple linear regression models for predicting microcystin concentration action-level exceedances in selected lakes in Ohio
Site-specific multiple linear regression models were developed for eight sites in Ohio-six in the Western Lake Erie Basin and two in northeast Ohio on inland reservoirs--to quickly predict action-level exceedances for a cyanotoxin, microcystin, in recreational and drinking waters used by the public. Real-time models include easily- or continuously-measured factors that do not require that a samplePhytoplankton tally sheet, including photomicrographs, for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through September 2017
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data Release provides the phytoplankton tally sheet, including photomicrographs, for samples collected from eleven large river sites throughout the United States, from June through September 2017. All data are raw tallies, not calculated abundances or concentrations. The dataset includes all routine and quality assurance/quality control samples collected as partPhytoplankton data for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through September 2017
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data Release provides phytoplankton data for samples collected from eleven large river sites throughout the United States, from June through September 2017. All data are reported as raw calculated values and are not rounded to USGS significant figures. The dataset includes all routine and quality assurance/quality control samples collected as part of a National W - Multimedia
Water sampling at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge
Microbiologist Erin Stelzer samples a wetland for infectious avian influenza virus at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Iowa.
Microbiologist Erin Stelzer samples a wetland for infectious avian influenza virus at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Iowa.
Microbiologist filters wetland water from a park in IowaMicrobiologist filters wetland water from a park in IowaUSGS Microbiologist Erin Stelzer filters wetland water from a park in Iowa on a gray spring day.
USGS Microbiologist Erin Stelzer filters wetland water from a park in Iowa on a gray spring day.
Erin Stelzer arriving to MI-BaRL lab with truck carrying over 1100 liters of wetland water prepped for avian influenza studyErin Stelzer arriving to MI-BaRL lab with truck carrying over 1100 liters of wetland water prepped for avian influenza studyErin Stelzer arriving to MI-BaRL lab with truck carrying over 1100 liters of wetland water prepped for avian influenza study
linkErin Stelzer collected and transported over 1100 liters of wetland water to the Michigan Bacteriological Research Laboratory (MI-BaRL; Lansing, MI) as part of work to finalize laboratory methods to detect infectious avian influenza virus (AIV) in freshwater. The methods will test how biotic factors and water chemistry influenced the recovery of a known con
Erin Stelzer arriving to MI-BaRL lab with truck carrying over 1100 liters of wetland water prepped for avian influenza study
linkErin Stelzer collected and transported over 1100 liters of wetland water to the Michigan Bacteriological Research Laboratory (MI-BaRL; Lansing, MI) as part of work to finalize laboratory methods to detect infectious avian influenza virus (AIV) in freshwater. The methods will test how biotic factors and water chemistry influenced the recovery of a known con
Scientists pose with filtration spike experiment(L to R) Research Hydrologist Laura Hubbard, Supervisory Hydrologist Carrie Givens, and Microbiologist Erin Stelzer pose with filtration spike experiment equipment at the Michigan Bacteriological Research Laboratory (MI-BaRL) in Lansing, Michigan.
(L to R) Research Hydrologist Laura Hubbard, Supervisory Hydrologist Carrie Givens, and Microbiologist Erin Stelzer pose with filtration spike experiment equipment at the Michigan Bacteriological Research Laboratory (MI-BaRL) in Lansing, Michigan.
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Filter Total Items: 27
Isolation and identification of microcystin-degrading bacteria in Lake Erie source waters and drinking-water plant sand filters
The increasing prevalence of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms and the toxins they produce is a global water-quality issue. In the Western Basin of Lake Erie, high microcystin concentrations have led to water-quality advisories, process adjustments for treating drinking water, and increased water-quality monitoring. Biodegradation is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to reduce cAuthorsDonna S. Francy, Jessica R. Cicale, Erin A. Stelzer, Dane C. Reano, Christopher D. EckerEnvironmental surveillance and detection of infectious highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in Iowa wetlands
Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) infect both wild birds and domestic poultry, resulting in economically costly outbreaks that have the potential to impact public health. Currently, a knowledge gap exists regarding the detection of infectious AIVs in the aquatic environment. In response to the 2021–2022 Eurasian strain highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996 clade 2.3.4.4 liAuthorsLaura E. Hubbard, Carrie E Givens, Erin A. Stelzer, Mary L. Killian, Dana W. Kolpin, Christine M. Szablewski, Rebecca L. PoulsonRole of trace metal co-limitation in cyanobacterial blooms of Maumee Bay (Lake Erie) and Green Bay (Lake Michigan)
The open waters of large lakes can sometimes become so depleted in important metals that phytoplankton communities become either growth limited or limited in some metabolic function. Metals such as Fe, Ni, Mo, and Zn are used as co-factors for enzymes by phytoplankton in core metabolic functions, as well as metabolic pathways that allow phytoplankton to use less preferred forms of N and P (e.g. niAuthorsJames H. Larson, Keith Loftin, Erin A. Stelzer, David M. Costello, Sean Bailey, Mary Anne Evans, Carrie E Givens, Lisa R. FogartyMetagenomic mapping of cyanobacteria and potential cyanotoxin producing taxa in large rivers of the United States
Cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin producing cyanobacterial blooms are a trending focus of current research. Many studies focus on bloom events in lentic environments such as lakes or ponds. Comparatively few studies have explored lotic environments and fewer still have examined the cyanobacterial communities and potential cyanotoxin producers during ambient, non-bloom conditions. Here we used a metagenAuthorsD.M. Linz, N. Sienkiewicz, I. Struewing, Erin A. Stelzer, Jennifer L. Graham, Jingrang LuUsing cyanobacteria and other phytoplankton to assess trophic conditions: A qPCR-based, multi-year study in twelve large rivers across the United States
Phytoplankton is the essential primary producer in fresh surface water ecosystems. However, excessive phytoplankton growth due to eutrophication significantly threatens ecologic, economic, and public health. Therefore, phytoplankton identification and quantification are essential to understanding the productivity and health of freshwater ecosystems as well as the impacts of phytoplankton overgrowtAuthorsChiqian Zhang, Kyle D. McIntosh, Nathan Sienkiewicz, Erin A. Stelzer, Jennifer L. Graham, Jingrang LuCyanobacteria, cyanotoxin synthetase gene, and cyanotoxin occurrence among selected large river sites of the conterminous United States, 2017–18
The U.S. Geological Survey measured cyanobacteria, cyanotoxin synthetase genes, and cyanotoxins at 11 river sites throughout the conterminous United States in a multiyear pilot study during 2017–19 through the National Water Quality Assessment Project to better understand the occurrence of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in large inland and coastal rivers. This report focuses on the first 2 years ofAuthorsRobert E. Zuellig, Jennifer L. Graham, Erin A. Stelzer, Keith A. Loftin, Barry H. RosenCyanotoxin mixture models: Relating environmental variables and toxin co-occurrence to human exposure risk
Toxic cyanobacterial blooms, often containing multiple toxins, are a serious public health issue. However, there are no known models that predict a cyanotoxin mixture (anatoxin-a, microcystin, saxitoxin). This paper presents two cyanotoxin mixture models (MIX) and compares them to two microcystin (MC) models from data collected in 2016–2017 from three recurring cyanobacterial bloom locations in Ka
AuthorsVictoria Christensen, Erin A. Stelzer, Barbara C. Scudder Eikenberry, Hayley T. Olds, Jaime F. LeDuc, Ryan P. Maki, Jack E. Norland, Eakalak KhanPredicting microcystin concentration action-level exceedances resulting from cyanobacterial blooms in selected lake sites in Ohio
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms and the toxins they produce are a global water-quality problem. Monitoring and prediction tools are needed to quickly predict cyanotoxin action-level exceedances in recreational and drinking waters used by the public. To address this need, data were collected at eight locations in Ohio, USA, to identify factors significantly related to observed concentrations ofAuthorsDonna S. Francy, Amie M.G. Brady, Erin A. Stelzer, Jessica R. Cicale, Courtney Paige Hackney, Harrison D Dalby, Pamela Struffolino, Daryl F. DwyerNowcasting methods for determining microbiological water quality at recreational beaches and drinking-water source waters
Nowcasts are tools used to provide timely and accurate water-quality assessments of threats to drinking-water and recreational resources from fecal contamination or cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms. They use mathematical models and techniques to provide near-real-time estimates of fecal-indicator bacteria (FIB) and cyanotoxin concentrations. Techniques include logic-based thresholds, decision tAuthorsDonna S. Francy, Amie M.G. Brady, Jessica R. Cicale, Harrison D Dalby, Erin A. StelzerPhytoplankton community and algal toxicity at a recurring bloom in Sullivan Bay, Kabetogama Lake, Minnesota, USA
Kabetogama Lake in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, USA suffers from recurring late summer algal blooms that often contain toxin-producing cyanobacteria. Previous research identified the toxin microcystin in blooms, but we wanted to better understand how the algal and cyanobacterial community changed throughout an open water season and how changes in community structure were related to toxin pr
AuthorsVictoria Christensen, Ryan P. Maki, Erin A. Stelzer, Jack E. Norland, Eakalak KhanSelected water-quality data from the Cedar River and Cedar Rapids well fields, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2008–17
The Cedar River alluvial aquifer is the primary source of municipal water in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Municipal wells are completed in the alluvial aquifer about 40 to 80 feet below land surface. The City of Cedar Rapids and the U.S. Geological Survey have led a cooperative study of the groundwater-flow system and water quality of the aquifer since 1992. Cooperative reports between the City of Cedar Ra
AuthorsShannon M. Meppelink, Erin A. Stelzer, Emilia L. Bristow, Gregory R. LittinMulti-year microbial source tracking study characterizing fecal contamination in an urban watershed
Microbiological and hydrological data were used to rank tributary stream contributions of bacteria to the Little Blue River in Independence, Missouri. Concentrations, loadings and yields of E. coli and microbial source tracking (MST) markers, were characterized during base flow and storm events in five subbasins within Independence, as well as sources entering and leaving the city through the rive
AuthorsRebecca N. Bushon, Amie M.G. Brady, Eric D. Christensen, Erin A. Stelzer