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Heather Heckathorn

Heather Heckathorn is a Hydrologist within the Observing Systems Division, Hydrologic Networks Branch. 

Heather ensures the collection of high-quality, unbiased data for water-quality investigations. Additionally, she guides hydrographers and promotes best practices for data collection, review, and publication. Since joining the USGS in 2000, she has dedicated her career to understanding and characterizing the water quality of New Jersey's surface water and groundwater. 

Heather's interests span a range of water-quality topics, including emerging contaminants such as harmful algal blooms, PFAS, and microplastics. She leads and participates in workgroups on emerging contaminants and employs innovative monitoring techniques to assess the impact of these constituents on water quality. Additionally, her work includes studying sediment oxygen demand, nutrient loading, and trace elements.

Heather attended the University of Pittsburgh and Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

*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

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