Jacob M Ogorek
Jacob Ogorek is a Biologist with the Upper Midwest Water Science Center.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
- Methyl and Total Mercury Analysis in Solid and Aqueous Matrices
CURRENT PROJECTS
- Mercury Cycling and Bioaccumulation in the Great Lakes
- Sediment Methylmercury Concentrations and Production Rates in Chequamegon Bay (WI), Lake Superior
Education and Certifications
M.S., Biology-Aquatic Science, UW-LaCrosse, 2009
B.S., Biology-Aquatic Science, Minor in Chemistry, UW-LaCrosse 2004
Science and Products
Isolation of Methylmercury Using Distillation and Anion-Exchange Chromatography for Isotopic Analyses in Natural Matrices Data Release Isolation of Methylmercury Using Distillation and Anion-Exchange Chromatography for Isotopic Analyses in Natural Matrices Data Release
This dataset consists of concentration and isotopic data for a method designed to isolate and analyze methylmercury. Several matrices (lab-based, and natural) were tested to ensure that the method was capable of recovering methylmercury amendments. Additionally, natural matrices (plankton and sediment) with ambient methylmercury were also analyzed to ensure that the method could be...
Fox River walleye mercury isotope data Fox River walleye mercury isotope data
Adult walleye were caught in Fox River (Wisconsin) during April 2014. Age-0 walleye were caught in Fox River during October 2014. Total length, weight, age, and proportion of weight represented by water were determined for each of the walleye. Whole-fish homogenates were prepared during 2014-2015 and during 2017. Total mercury (HgT) concentration, methylmercury (MeHg) concentration, and...
Analytical inorganic chemistry results for samples collected for the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015 Analytical inorganic chemistry results for samples collected for the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Coastal communities are uniquely vulnerable to sea-level rise (SLR) and severe storms such as hurricanes. These events enhance the dispersion and concentration of natural and anthropogenic chemicals and pathogenic microorganisms that could adversely affect the health and resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems in coming years. The U.S. Geological Survey has developed the...
Data for Biogeochemical and Physical Processes Controlling Mercury Methylation and Bioaccumulation in Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah and Arizona Data for Biogeochemical and Physical Processes Controlling Mercury Methylation and Bioaccumulation in Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah and Arizona
This dataset includes the field measurements and laboratory analyses of surface water, seston, and sediment collected from Lake Powell, within Glen Canyon National Recreation area (GLCA), during high flow (May-June 2014) and low flow (August 2015) conditions. The study area includes 12-13 sampling sites that follow a transect spanning the entire length of the reservoir from the Colorado...
Filter Total Items: 26
Understanding drivers of mercury in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), a top-predator fish in southwest Alaska's parklands Understanding drivers of mercury in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), a top-predator fish in southwest Alaska's parklands
Mercury (Hg) is a widespread element and persistent pollutant, harmful to fish, wildlife, and humans in its organic, methylated form. The risk of Hg contamination is driven by factors that regulate Hg loading, methylation, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification. In remote locations, with infrequent access and limited data, understanding the relative importance of these factors can pose a...
Authors
Krista K. Bartz, Michael P. Hannam, Tammy L. Wilson, Ryan F. Lepak, Jacob M. Ogorek, Daniel B. Young, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, David P. Krabbenhoft
Biogeochemical and hydrologic synergy control mercury fate in an arid land river-reservoir system Biogeochemical and hydrologic synergy control mercury fate in an arid land river-reservoir system
Reservoirs in arid landscapes provide critical water storage and hydroelectric power but influence the transport and biogeochemical cycling of mercury (Hg). Improved management of reservoirs to mitigate the supply and uptake of bioavailable methylmercury (MeHg) in aquatic food webs will benefit from a mechanistic understanding of inorganic divalent Hg (Hg(II)) and MeHg fate within and...
Authors
Brett Poulin, Michael T. Tate, Jacob M. Ogorek, Sara E. Breitmeyer, Austin K. Baldwin, Alysa Muir Yoder, Reed C. Harris, Jesse Naymik, Nick Gastelecutto, Charles Hoovestol, Christopher F. Larsen, Ralph Myers, George R. Aiken, David P. Krabbenhoft
Assessment of mercury in sediments and waters of Grubers Grove Bay, Wisconsin Assessment of mercury in sediments and waters of Grubers Grove Bay, Wisconsin
Mercury is a global contaminant that can be detrimental to wildlife and human health. Anthropogenic emissions and point sources are primarily responsible for elevated mercury concentrations in sediments and waters. Mercury can physically move and chemically transform in the environment, resulting in biomagnification of mercury, in the form of methylmercury, in the food web and causing...
Authors
Evan J. Routhier, Sarah E. Janssen, Michael T. Tate, Jacob M. Ogorek, John F. DeWild, David P. Krabbenhoft
Decadal trends of mercury cycling and bioaccumulation within Everglades National Park Decadal trends of mercury cycling and bioaccumulation within Everglades National Park
Mercury (Hg) contamination has been a persistent concern in the Florida Everglades for over three decades due to elevated atmospheric deposition and the system's propensity for methylation and rapid bioaccumulation. Given declines in atmospheric Hg concentrations in the conterminous United States and efforts to mitigate nutrient release to the greater Everglades ecosystem, it was vital...
Authors
Sarah E. Janssen, Michael T. Tate, Brett Poulin, David P. Krabbenhoft, John F DeWild, Jacob M. Ogorek, Matthew S. Varonka, William H. Orem, Jeffrey D Kline
Methylmercury stable isotopes: New insights on assessing aquatic food web bioaccumulation in legacy impacted regions Methylmercury stable isotopes: New insights on assessing aquatic food web bioaccumulation in legacy impacted regions
Through stable isotope measurements of total mercury (HgT), identification of crucial processes and transformations affecting different sources of mercury (Hg) has become possible. However, attempting to use HgT stable isotopes to track bioaccumulation of Hg sources among different food web compartments can be challenging, if not impossible, when tissues have varying methylmercury (MeHg)...
Authors
Tylor Rosera, Sarah E. Janssen, Michael T. Tate, Ryan F. Lepak, Jacob M. Ogorek, John F. DeWild, David P. Krabbenhoft, James P. Hurley
Using carbon, nitrogen, and mercury isotope values to distinguish mercury sources to Alaskan lake trout Using carbon, nitrogen, and mercury isotope values to distinguish mercury sources to Alaskan lake trout
Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), collected from 13 remote lakes located in southwestern Alaska, were analyzed for carbon, nitrogen, and mercury (Hg) stable isotope values to assess the importance of migrating oceanic salmon, volcanic activity, and atmospheric deposition to fish Hg burden. Methylmercury (MeHg) bioaccumulation in phytoplankton (5.0–6.9 kg L–1) was also measured to...
Authors
Ryan F. Lepak, Jacob M. Ogorek, Krista K. Bartz, Sarah E. Janssen, Michael T. Tate, Yin Runsheng, James P. Hurley, Daniel B. Young, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, David P. Krabbenhoft
Science and Products
Isolation of Methylmercury Using Distillation and Anion-Exchange Chromatography for Isotopic Analyses in Natural Matrices Data Release Isolation of Methylmercury Using Distillation and Anion-Exchange Chromatography for Isotopic Analyses in Natural Matrices Data Release
This dataset consists of concentration and isotopic data for a method designed to isolate and analyze methylmercury. Several matrices (lab-based, and natural) were tested to ensure that the method was capable of recovering methylmercury amendments. Additionally, natural matrices (plankton and sediment) with ambient methylmercury were also analyzed to ensure that the method could be...
Fox River walleye mercury isotope data Fox River walleye mercury isotope data
Adult walleye were caught in Fox River (Wisconsin) during April 2014. Age-0 walleye were caught in Fox River during October 2014. Total length, weight, age, and proportion of weight represented by water were determined for each of the walleye. Whole-fish homogenates were prepared during 2014-2015 and during 2017. Total mercury (HgT) concentration, methylmercury (MeHg) concentration, and...
Analytical inorganic chemistry results for samples collected for the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015 Analytical inorganic chemistry results for samples collected for the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Coastal communities are uniquely vulnerable to sea-level rise (SLR) and severe storms such as hurricanes. These events enhance the dispersion and concentration of natural and anthropogenic chemicals and pathogenic microorganisms that could adversely affect the health and resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems in coming years. The U.S. Geological Survey has developed the...
Data for Biogeochemical and Physical Processes Controlling Mercury Methylation and Bioaccumulation in Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah and Arizona Data for Biogeochemical and Physical Processes Controlling Mercury Methylation and Bioaccumulation in Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah and Arizona
This dataset includes the field measurements and laboratory analyses of surface water, seston, and sediment collected from Lake Powell, within Glen Canyon National Recreation area (GLCA), during high flow (May-June 2014) and low flow (August 2015) conditions. The study area includes 12-13 sampling sites that follow a transect spanning the entire length of the reservoir from the Colorado...
Filter Total Items: 26
Understanding drivers of mercury in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), a top-predator fish in southwest Alaska's parklands Understanding drivers of mercury in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), a top-predator fish in southwest Alaska's parklands
Mercury (Hg) is a widespread element and persistent pollutant, harmful to fish, wildlife, and humans in its organic, methylated form. The risk of Hg contamination is driven by factors that regulate Hg loading, methylation, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification. In remote locations, with infrequent access and limited data, understanding the relative importance of these factors can pose a...
Authors
Krista K. Bartz, Michael P. Hannam, Tammy L. Wilson, Ryan F. Lepak, Jacob M. Ogorek, Daniel B. Young, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, David P. Krabbenhoft
Biogeochemical and hydrologic synergy control mercury fate in an arid land river-reservoir system Biogeochemical and hydrologic synergy control mercury fate in an arid land river-reservoir system
Reservoirs in arid landscapes provide critical water storage and hydroelectric power but influence the transport and biogeochemical cycling of mercury (Hg). Improved management of reservoirs to mitigate the supply and uptake of bioavailable methylmercury (MeHg) in aquatic food webs will benefit from a mechanistic understanding of inorganic divalent Hg (Hg(II)) and MeHg fate within and...
Authors
Brett Poulin, Michael T. Tate, Jacob M. Ogorek, Sara E. Breitmeyer, Austin K. Baldwin, Alysa Muir Yoder, Reed C. Harris, Jesse Naymik, Nick Gastelecutto, Charles Hoovestol, Christopher F. Larsen, Ralph Myers, George R. Aiken, David P. Krabbenhoft
Assessment of mercury in sediments and waters of Grubers Grove Bay, Wisconsin Assessment of mercury in sediments and waters of Grubers Grove Bay, Wisconsin
Mercury is a global contaminant that can be detrimental to wildlife and human health. Anthropogenic emissions and point sources are primarily responsible for elevated mercury concentrations in sediments and waters. Mercury can physically move and chemically transform in the environment, resulting in biomagnification of mercury, in the form of methylmercury, in the food web and causing...
Authors
Evan J. Routhier, Sarah E. Janssen, Michael T. Tate, Jacob M. Ogorek, John F. DeWild, David P. Krabbenhoft
Decadal trends of mercury cycling and bioaccumulation within Everglades National Park Decadal trends of mercury cycling and bioaccumulation within Everglades National Park
Mercury (Hg) contamination has been a persistent concern in the Florida Everglades for over three decades due to elevated atmospheric deposition and the system's propensity for methylation and rapid bioaccumulation. Given declines in atmospheric Hg concentrations in the conterminous United States and efforts to mitigate nutrient release to the greater Everglades ecosystem, it was vital...
Authors
Sarah E. Janssen, Michael T. Tate, Brett Poulin, David P. Krabbenhoft, John F DeWild, Jacob M. Ogorek, Matthew S. Varonka, William H. Orem, Jeffrey D Kline
Methylmercury stable isotopes: New insights on assessing aquatic food web bioaccumulation in legacy impacted regions Methylmercury stable isotopes: New insights on assessing aquatic food web bioaccumulation in legacy impacted regions
Through stable isotope measurements of total mercury (HgT), identification of crucial processes and transformations affecting different sources of mercury (Hg) has become possible. However, attempting to use HgT stable isotopes to track bioaccumulation of Hg sources among different food web compartments can be challenging, if not impossible, when tissues have varying methylmercury (MeHg)...
Authors
Tylor Rosera, Sarah E. Janssen, Michael T. Tate, Ryan F. Lepak, Jacob M. Ogorek, John F. DeWild, David P. Krabbenhoft, James P. Hurley
Using carbon, nitrogen, and mercury isotope values to distinguish mercury sources to Alaskan lake trout Using carbon, nitrogen, and mercury isotope values to distinguish mercury sources to Alaskan lake trout
Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), collected from 13 remote lakes located in southwestern Alaska, were analyzed for carbon, nitrogen, and mercury (Hg) stable isotope values to assess the importance of migrating oceanic salmon, volcanic activity, and atmospheric deposition to fish Hg burden. Methylmercury (MeHg) bioaccumulation in phytoplankton (5.0–6.9 kg L–1) was also measured to...
Authors
Ryan F. Lepak, Jacob M. Ogorek, Krista K. Bartz, Sarah E. Janssen, Michael T. Tate, Yin Runsheng, James P. Hurley, Daniel B. Young, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, David P. Krabbenhoft