Jo Ellen Hinck
Jo Ellen is the Disaster Supplemental Science Coordinator and Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) Coordinator for the USGS.
Biography
Jo Ellen serves as the science coordinator of the Disaster Supplemental Oversight Team (SOT), under the Natural Hazards Mission Area. The SOT oversees USGS activities related to supplemental appropriations for disaster recovery, which includes hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Jo Ellen ensures accountability of supplemental activities and provides scientific knowledge, information, and tools to decision makers to increase USGS capability and capacity to respond to future disaster events.
Jo Ellen has also served as the USGS science coordinator for the DOI Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) Program since 2014. She assists natural resource managers from federal, state, and tribal agencies in scientific problem formulation related to contamination from mining sites, industrial areas, and oil spills. Every NRDAR case is unique in terms of geographic setting, type of release, and natural resource injured; therefore, the science required is also unique. Jo Ellen helps to design experiments, recruit USGS expertise to conduct research studies, and interpret the results for the natural resource managers. Jo Ellen's also has active projects evaluating effective science communication strategies and incorporating indigenous knowledge with western science for decision makers.
Professional Experience
2018-present Supplemental Oversight Team Science Coordinator, U.S. Geological Survey, Natural Hazards Mission Area
2014-present USGS NRDAR Coordinator, U.S. Geological Survey Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO
2002-2014 Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO
2001-2002 Ecological Risk Assessor, Tetra Tech NUS, Pittsburgh, PA
1999-2001 Research and Teaching Assistant, Miami University, Department of Zoology, Oxford, OH
1998-1999 Research Assistant, University of Central Missouri, Department of Biology and Department of Earth Sciences, Warrensburg, MO
Education and Certifications
M.S. Zoology, Department of Zoology, Miami University, 2001
B.S. Biology, Department of Biology and Department of Earth Sciences, University of Central Missouri, 1999
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 15
eDNA sampling sites in the Grand Canyon region near breccia pipe uranium mines_2015_2016
Geospatial locations of eDNA sampling sites in the Grand Canyon region near breccia pipe uranium mines
Amphibian acoustic data from the Arizona 1, Pinenut, and Canyon breccia pipe uranium mines in Arizona.
USGS is currently conducting biological surveys associated with uranium mines on federal lands in Arizona. These surveys include determining the composition of the local amphibian community at Canyon, Arizona 1, and Pinenut mines near the Grand Canyon. To aid in determining the amphibian species present at each mine site, we used acoustic monitoring recorded with a SM3Song Meter (Wildlife Acoustic
Chemistry, radiation and histopathology data in support of manuscript "Pre-mining trace element and radiation exposture to biota from a breccia pipe uranium mine in the Grand Canyon (Arizona, USA) watershed"
The risks to wildlife and humans from uranium (U) mining to the Grand Canyon watershed are largely unknown. In addition to U, other co-occurring ore constituents contribute to risks to biological receptors depending on their toxicological profiles. This data was collected to characterize the pre-mining concentrations of total arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), nicke
Filter Total Items: 46
Elemental and radionuclide exposures and uptakes by small rodents, invertebrates, and vegetation at active and post-production uranium mines in the Grand Canyon watershed
The effects of breccia pipe uranium mining in the Grand Canyon watershed (Arizona) on ecological and cultural resources are largely unknown. We characterized the exposure of biota to uranium and co-occurring ore body elements during active ore production and at a site where ore production had recently concluded. Our results indicate that biota have taken up uranium and other elements (e.g., arseni
Authors
Danielle M. Cleveland, Jo Ellen Hinck, Julia S. Lankton
2019 Disaster Relief Act: USGS recovery activities
The Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 2157) was signed by the President on June 6, 2019. The U.S. Geological Survey received $98.5 million for repair and replacement of facilities and equipment, collection of high-resolution elevation data in affected areas, and scientific assessments to support recovery and rebuilding decisions for declared disasters in
Authors
Jo Ellen Hinck, Joseph Stachyra
Biota dose assessment of small rodents sampled near breccia pipe uranium mines in the Grand Canyon watershed
The biotic exposure and uptake of radionuclides and potential health effects due to breccia pipe uranium mining in the Grand Canyon watershed are largely unknown. This paper describes the use of the RESRAD-BIOTA dose model to assess exposure of small rodents (n = 11) sampled at three uranium mine sites in different stages of ore production (active and postproduction). Rodent tissue and soil concen
Authors
Kelsey M. Minter, Timothy Jannik, Jo Ellen Hinck, Danielle M. Cleveland, Walter P. Kubilius, Wendy W. Kuhne
Assessment of chronic low‐dose elemental and radiological exposures of biota at the Kanab North uranium mine site in the Grand Canyon watershed
High‐grade U ore deposits are in various stages of exploitation across the Grand Canyon watershed, yet the effects of U mining on ecological and cultural resources are largely unknown. We characterized the concentrations of Al, As, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Hg, Mo, Ni, Se, Ag, Tl, Th, U, and Zn, gross alpha and beta activities, and U and Th radioisotopes in soil, vegetation (Hesperostipa comata, Art
Authors
Danielle M. Cleveland, Jo Ellen Hinck, Julia S. Lankton
2018 hurricane and wildfire supplemental funding: USGS recovery activities
The Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-123), was signed by the President on February 9, 2018. This funding provided $42.2 million to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for equipment repair and replacement, high-resolution elevation data collection in both hurricane- and wildfire-impacted areas, and scientific studies and assessments that will
Authors
Jo Ellen Hinck, Joseph Stachyra
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Recovery Activities, Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria, Wildland Fire Science
Science support for evaluating natural recovery of polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations in fish from Crab Orchard Lake, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Illinois
IntroductionCrab Orchard Lake in southern Illinois is one of the largest and most popular recreational lakes in the state. Construction of the nearly 7,000-acre reservoir in the late 1930s created employment opportunities through the Works Progress Administration, and the lake itself was intended to supply water, control flooding, and provide recreational opportunities for local communities (Stall
Authors
Bethany K. Kunz, Jo Ellen Hinck, Robin Calfee, Greg L. Linder, Edward E. Little
Metabarcoding of environmental DNA samples to explore the use of uranium mine containment ponds as a water source for wildlife
Understanding how anthropogenic impacts on the landscape affect wildlife requires a knowledge of community assemblages. Species surveys are the first step in assessing community structure, and recent molecular applications such as metabarcoding and environmental DNA analyses have been proposed as an additional and complementary wildlife survey method. Here, we test eDNA metabarcoding as a survey t
Authors
Katy E. Klymus, Catherine A. Richter, Nathan Thompson, Jo Ellen Hinck
Pre-mining trace element and radiation exposure to biota from a breccia pipe uranium mine in the Grand Canyon (Arizona, USA) watershed
The risks to wildlife and humans from uranium (U) mining in the Grand Canyon watershed are largely unknown. In addition to U, other co-occurring ore constituents contribute to risks to biological receptors depending on their toxicological profiles. This study characterizes the pre-mining concentrations of total arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), selenium
Authors
Jo Ellen Hinck, Danielle M. Cleveland, William G. Brumbaugh, Greg Linder, Julia S. Lankton
Exposure pathways and biological receptors: baseline data for the canyon uranium mine, Coconino County, Arizona
Recent restrictions on uranium mining within the Grand Canyon watershed have drawn attention to scientific data gaps in evaluating the possible effects of ore extraction to human populations as well as wildlife communities in the area. Tissue contaminant concentrations, one of the most basic data requirements to determine exposure, are not available for biota from any historical or active uranium
Authors
Jo Ellen Hinck, Greg L. Linder, Abigail J. Darrah, Charles A. Drost, Michael C. Duniway, Matthew J. Johnson, Francisca M. Méndez-Harclerode, Erika M. Nowak, Ernest W. Valdez, Charles van Riper, S.W. Wolff
Derivation of soil screening thresholds to protect chisel-toothed kangaroo rat from uranium mine waste in northern Arizona
Chemical data from soil and weathered waste material samples collected from five uranium mines north of the Grand Canyon (three reclaimed, one mined but not reclaimed, and one never mined) were used in a screening-level risk analysis for the Arizona chisel-toothed kangaroo rat (Dipodomys microps leucotis); risks from radiation exposure were not evaluated. Dietary toxicity reference values were use
Authors
Jo Ellen Hinck, Greg L. Linder, James K. Otton, Susan E. Finger, Edward E. Little, Donald E. Tillitt
User’s manual to update the National Wildlife Refuge System Water Quality Information System (WQIS)
National Wildlife Refuges may have impaired water quality resulting from historic and current land uses, upstream sources, and aerial pollutant deposition. National Wildlife Refuge staff have limited time available to identify and evaluate potential water quality issues. As a result, water quality–related issues may not be resolved until a problem has already arisen. The National Wildlife Refuge S
Authors
Kimberly A. Chojnacki, Chad J. Vishy, Jo Ellen Hinck, Susan E. Finger, Michael J. Higgins, Kevin Kilbride
Spatial and temporal trends of freshwater mussel assemblages in the Meramec River Basin, Missouri, USA
The Meramec River basin in east-central Missouri has one of the most diverse unionoid mussel faunas in the central United States with >40 species identified. Data were analyzed from historical surveys to test whether diversity and abundance of mussels in the Meramec River basin (Big, Bourbeuse, and Meramec rivers, representing >400 river miles) decreased between 1978 and 1997. We found that over 2
Authors
Jo Ellen Hinck, Stephen E. McMurray, Andrew D. Roberts, M. Christopher Barnhart, Christopher G. Ingersoll, Ning Wang, Tom Augspurger
Science and Products
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eDNA sampling sites in the Grand Canyon region near breccia pipe uranium mines_2015_2016
Geospatial locations of eDNA sampling sites in the Grand Canyon region near breccia pipe uranium minesAmphibian acoustic data from the Arizona 1, Pinenut, and Canyon breccia pipe uranium mines in Arizona.
USGS is currently conducting biological surveys associated with uranium mines on federal lands in Arizona. These surveys include determining the composition of the local amphibian community at Canyon, Arizona 1, and Pinenut mines near the Grand Canyon. To aid in determining the amphibian species present at each mine site, we used acoustic monitoring recorded with a SM3Song Meter (Wildlife AcousticChemistry, radiation and histopathology data in support of manuscript "Pre-mining trace element and radiation exposture to biota from a breccia pipe uranium mine in the Grand Canyon (Arizona, USA) watershed"
The risks to wildlife and humans from uranium (U) mining to the Grand Canyon watershed are largely unknown. In addition to U, other co-occurring ore constituents contribute to risks to biological receptors depending on their toxicological profiles. This data was collected to characterize the pre-mining concentrations of total arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), nicke - Multimedia
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Filter Total Items: 46
Elemental and radionuclide exposures and uptakes by small rodents, invertebrates, and vegetation at active and post-production uranium mines in the Grand Canyon watershed
The effects of breccia pipe uranium mining in the Grand Canyon watershed (Arizona) on ecological and cultural resources are largely unknown. We characterized the exposure of biota to uranium and co-occurring ore body elements during active ore production and at a site where ore production had recently concluded. Our results indicate that biota have taken up uranium and other elements (e.g., arseniAuthorsDanielle M. Cleveland, Jo Ellen Hinck, Julia S. Lankton2019 Disaster Relief Act: USGS recovery activities
The Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 2157) was signed by the President on June 6, 2019. The U.S. Geological Survey received $98.5 million for repair and replacement of facilities and equipment, collection of high-resolution elevation data in affected areas, and scientific assessments to support recovery and rebuilding decisions for declared disasters inAuthorsJo Ellen Hinck, Joseph StachyraBiota dose assessment of small rodents sampled near breccia pipe uranium mines in the Grand Canyon watershed
The biotic exposure and uptake of radionuclides and potential health effects due to breccia pipe uranium mining in the Grand Canyon watershed are largely unknown. This paper describes the use of the RESRAD-BIOTA dose model to assess exposure of small rodents (n = 11) sampled at three uranium mine sites in different stages of ore production (active and postproduction). Rodent tissue and soil concenAuthorsKelsey M. Minter, Timothy Jannik, Jo Ellen Hinck, Danielle M. Cleveland, Walter P. Kubilius, Wendy W. KuhneAssessment of chronic low‐dose elemental and radiological exposures of biota at the Kanab North uranium mine site in the Grand Canyon watershed
High‐grade U ore deposits are in various stages of exploitation across the Grand Canyon watershed, yet the effects of U mining on ecological and cultural resources are largely unknown. We characterized the concentrations of Al, As, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Hg, Mo, Ni, Se, Ag, Tl, Th, U, and Zn, gross alpha and beta activities, and U and Th radioisotopes in soil, vegetation (Hesperostipa comata, ArtAuthorsDanielle M. Cleveland, Jo Ellen Hinck, Julia S. Lankton2018 hurricane and wildfire supplemental funding: USGS recovery activities
The Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-123), was signed by the President on February 9, 2018. This funding provided $42.2 million to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for equipment repair and replacement, high-resolution elevation data collection in both hurricane- and wildfire-impacted areas, and scientific studies and assessments that will
AuthorsJo Ellen Hinck, Joseph StachyraByEcosystems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Recovery Activities, Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria, Wildland Fire ScienceScience support for evaluating natural recovery of polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations in fish from Crab Orchard Lake, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Illinois
IntroductionCrab Orchard Lake in southern Illinois is one of the largest and most popular recreational lakes in the state. Construction of the nearly 7,000-acre reservoir in the late 1930s created employment opportunities through the Works Progress Administration, and the lake itself was intended to supply water, control flooding, and provide recreational opportunities for local communities (StallAuthorsBethany K. Kunz, Jo Ellen Hinck, Robin Calfee, Greg L. Linder, Edward E. LittleMetabarcoding of environmental DNA samples to explore the use of uranium mine containment ponds as a water source for wildlife
Understanding how anthropogenic impacts on the landscape affect wildlife requires a knowledge of community assemblages. Species surveys are the first step in assessing community structure, and recent molecular applications such as metabarcoding and environmental DNA analyses have been proposed as an additional and complementary wildlife survey method. Here, we test eDNA metabarcoding as a survey tAuthorsKaty E. Klymus, Catherine A. Richter, Nathan Thompson, Jo Ellen HinckPre-mining trace element and radiation exposure to biota from a breccia pipe uranium mine in the Grand Canyon (Arizona, USA) watershed
The risks to wildlife and humans from uranium (U) mining in the Grand Canyon watershed are largely unknown. In addition to U, other co-occurring ore constituents contribute to risks to biological receptors depending on their toxicological profiles. This study characterizes the pre-mining concentrations of total arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), seleniumAuthorsJo Ellen Hinck, Danielle M. Cleveland, William G. Brumbaugh, Greg Linder, Julia S. LanktonExposure pathways and biological receptors: baseline data for the canyon uranium mine, Coconino County, Arizona
Recent restrictions on uranium mining within the Grand Canyon watershed have drawn attention to scientific data gaps in evaluating the possible effects of ore extraction to human populations as well as wildlife communities in the area. Tissue contaminant concentrations, one of the most basic data requirements to determine exposure, are not available for biota from any historical or active uraniumAuthorsJo Ellen Hinck, Greg L. Linder, Abigail J. Darrah, Charles A. Drost, Michael C. Duniway, Matthew J. Johnson, Francisca M. Méndez-Harclerode, Erika M. Nowak, Ernest W. Valdez, Charles van Riper, S.W. WolffDerivation of soil screening thresholds to protect chisel-toothed kangaroo rat from uranium mine waste in northern Arizona
Chemical data from soil and weathered waste material samples collected from five uranium mines north of the Grand Canyon (three reclaimed, one mined but not reclaimed, and one never mined) were used in a screening-level risk analysis for the Arizona chisel-toothed kangaroo rat (Dipodomys microps leucotis); risks from radiation exposure were not evaluated. Dietary toxicity reference values were useAuthorsJo Ellen Hinck, Greg L. Linder, James K. Otton, Susan E. Finger, Edward E. Little, Donald E. TillittUser’s manual to update the National Wildlife Refuge System Water Quality Information System (WQIS)
National Wildlife Refuges may have impaired water quality resulting from historic and current land uses, upstream sources, and aerial pollutant deposition. National Wildlife Refuge staff have limited time available to identify and evaluate potential water quality issues. As a result, water quality–related issues may not be resolved until a problem has already arisen. The National Wildlife Refuge SAuthorsKimberly A. Chojnacki, Chad J. Vishy, Jo Ellen Hinck, Susan E. Finger, Michael J. Higgins, Kevin KilbrideSpatial and temporal trends of freshwater mussel assemblages in the Meramec River Basin, Missouri, USA
The Meramec River basin in east-central Missouri has one of the most diverse unionoid mussel faunas in the central United States with >40 species identified. Data were analyzed from historical surveys to test whether diversity and abundance of mussels in the Meramec River basin (Big, Bourbeuse, and Meramec rivers, representing >400 river miles) decreased between 1978 and 1997. We found that over 2AuthorsJo Ellen Hinck, Stephen E. McMurray, Andrew D. Roberts, M. Christopher Barnhart, Christopher G. Ingersoll, Ning Wang, Tom Augspurger - News