Jeff Steevens, PhD
Dr. Jeff Steevens is the acting Center Director and a Research Toxicologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
His broad research interests include the bioavailability and toxicity of environmental contaminants in water and sediments. One of his current responsibilities is leading a multi-disciplinary team to determine the toxicity of contaminants of interest to the Department of Interior including algal toxins, metals, major ions, and emerging contaminants.
Current Projects
- Bioaccumulation and Toxicity of PFAS within Aquatic Systems. Jeff co-leads the USGS PFAS Integrated Science Team. He is actively doing research on the bioaccumulation and effects of PFAS in underrepresented aquatic taxa. Studies include the fate of PFAS within lower levels of aquatic food webs (biofilms and invertebrates). He is currently determining the toxicity of PFAS in freshwater mussels and mayflies.
- Development of Toxicity Bioassay Methods. His research is currently focusing on the effects of contaminants on freshwater mussels, mayflies, and other invertebrates. These methods include acute and chronic bioassays as well as field methods to determine in situ effects from nutrients and contaminants.
- Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Expertise. Jeff provides technical expertise for injury assessment at several sites including the Upper Columbia River, Tri-State Mining District, Little Calumet, IN and Sauget Creek, IL.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi, Oxford, 1999
B.S. in Biochemistry (Minor in Geology), University of Missouri, Columbia, 1994
Affiliations and Memberships*
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 1993 – present
Mid-South Chapter, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 1996 – present
Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society, 2020-present
American Chemical Society, 2013-present
Editorial Board Member, Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Adjunct Professor, Arkansas State University, Biology Department, 2020-present
Associate Editor, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Editorial Board Member, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Adjunct Professor, University of Missouri, College of Engineering, 2019-present
Adjunct Professor, University of Mississippi, Environmental Toxicology Research Program, School of Pharmacy and National Center for Natural Pharmaceutical Research, 2007-present
Science and Products
Understanding the Dynamics of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Insights from USGS Research
Minerals Resources Life Cycle Integrated Science Team
USGS Research on 6PPD-quinone: Where the Rubber Meets the Road
Bringing Back Mussels: CERC's Restoration Efforts in the Clinton Watershed
6PPDQ
6PPD Research at Columbia Environmental Research Center
Survival and bioaccumulation data for sensitive salmonids exposed to 6PPDQ with additional survival data for two bass species Survival and bioaccumulation data for sensitive salmonids exposed to 6PPDQ with additional survival data for two bass species
Images of two standard crude oils collected using a fluorescent camera device to train and optimize a machine learning model for real-time oil spill concentration assessment collected from November 7, 2023, to July 8, 2024 Images of two standard crude oils collected using a fluorescent camera device to train and optimize a machine learning model for real-time oil spill concentration assessment collected from November 7, 2023, to July 8, 2024
Survival of juvenile mussels (Lampsilis siliquoidea) exposed to 6PPD and transformation products Survival of juvenile mussels (Lampsilis siliquoidea) exposed to 6PPD and transformation products
Water Quality Data from the Clinton River watershed near Detroit, MI Water Quality Data from the Clinton River watershed near Detroit, MI
Concentration of PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) in water and freshwater diatoms (Mayamaea atomus) in a bioaccumulation study conducted at U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center in July 2021 Concentration of PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) in water and freshwater diatoms (Mayamaea atomus) in a bioaccumulation study conducted at U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center in July 2021
Stormwater concentrations of tire wear particle leachate compounds and survival of early instar mayflies (Neocloeon triangulifer) exposed to 6PPD and transformation products Stormwater concentrations of tire wear particle leachate compounds and survival of early instar mayflies (Neocloeon triangulifer) exposed to 6PPD and transformation products
Are behavioural ecotoxicity endpoints relevant at the population level? Evidence-based insights for environmental protection Are behavioural ecotoxicity endpoints relevant at the population level? Evidence-based insights for environmental protection
Insights and strategic opportunities from the USGS 2024 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Interagency Workshop Insights and strategic opportunities from the USGS 2024 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Interagency Workshop
Evaluation of the effects of sediments contaminated by industrial discharges to a unionid mussel (Fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea) and a common test benthic organism (Amphipod, Hyalella azteca) Evaluation of the effects of sediments contaminated by industrial discharges to a unionid mussel (Fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea) and a common test benthic organism (Amphipod, Hyalella azteca)
Real-time oil spill concentration assessment through fluorescence imaging and deep learning Real-time oil spill concentration assessment through fluorescence imaging and deep learning
Concentration dependency of PFOS bioaccumulation by freshwater benthic algae Concentration dependency of PFOS bioaccumulation by freshwater benthic algae
Evaluating episodic sediment deposition zones in freshwater mussel habitats across Missouri, USA Evaluating episodic sediment deposition zones in freshwater mussel habitats across Missouri, USA
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Understanding the Dynamics of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Insights from USGS Research
Minerals Resources Life Cycle Integrated Science Team
USGS Research on 6PPD-quinone: Where the Rubber Meets the Road
Bringing Back Mussels: CERC's Restoration Efforts in the Clinton Watershed
6PPDQ
6PPD Research at Columbia Environmental Research Center
Survival and bioaccumulation data for sensitive salmonids exposed to 6PPDQ with additional survival data for two bass species Survival and bioaccumulation data for sensitive salmonids exposed to 6PPDQ with additional survival data for two bass species
Images of two standard crude oils collected using a fluorescent camera device to train and optimize a machine learning model for real-time oil spill concentration assessment collected from November 7, 2023, to July 8, 2024 Images of two standard crude oils collected using a fluorescent camera device to train and optimize a machine learning model for real-time oil spill concentration assessment collected from November 7, 2023, to July 8, 2024
Survival of juvenile mussels (Lampsilis siliquoidea) exposed to 6PPD and transformation products Survival of juvenile mussels (Lampsilis siliquoidea) exposed to 6PPD and transformation products
Water Quality Data from the Clinton River watershed near Detroit, MI Water Quality Data from the Clinton River watershed near Detroit, MI
Concentration of PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) in water and freshwater diatoms (Mayamaea atomus) in a bioaccumulation study conducted at U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center in July 2021 Concentration of PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) in water and freshwater diatoms (Mayamaea atomus) in a bioaccumulation study conducted at U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center in July 2021
Stormwater concentrations of tire wear particle leachate compounds and survival of early instar mayflies (Neocloeon triangulifer) exposed to 6PPD and transformation products Stormwater concentrations of tire wear particle leachate compounds and survival of early instar mayflies (Neocloeon triangulifer) exposed to 6PPD and transformation products
Are behavioural ecotoxicity endpoints relevant at the population level? Evidence-based insights for environmental protection Are behavioural ecotoxicity endpoints relevant at the population level? Evidence-based insights for environmental protection
Insights and strategic opportunities from the USGS 2024 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Interagency Workshop Insights and strategic opportunities from the USGS 2024 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Interagency Workshop
Evaluation of the effects of sediments contaminated by industrial discharges to a unionid mussel (Fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea) and a common test benthic organism (Amphipod, Hyalella azteca) Evaluation of the effects of sediments contaminated by industrial discharges to a unionid mussel (Fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea) and a common test benthic organism (Amphipod, Hyalella azteca)
Real-time oil spill concentration assessment through fluorescence imaging and deep learning Real-time oil spill concentration assessment through fluorescence imaging and deep learning
Concentration dependency of PFOS bioaccumulation by freshwater benthic algae Concentration dependency of PFOS bioaccumulation by freshwater benthic algae
Evaluating episodic sediment deposition zones in freshwater mussel habitats across Missouri, USA Evaluating episodic sediment deposition zones in freshwater mussel habitats across Missouri, USA
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
*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