Dr. John Besser is a Research Scientist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
Dr. John M. Besser is a research scientist in the Toxicology branch at the Columbia Environmental Research Center in Columbia Missouri, where he has been employed by USGS (and formerly by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) since 1985. He received his Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology from Michigan State University in 1995 and holds degrees from the University of Missouri and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. John has over 20 years of research experience in in sediment toxicology, with an emphasis on metal bioavailability in sediments. Other research interests include food-web transfer and dietary toxicity of trace elements, and relationships between laboratory toxicity and responses of aquatic communities. John has acted as member and leader of multidisciplinary research teams investigating mining impacts on aquatic biota throughout the United States, including efforts supported by the USGS Abandoned Minelands Initiative, the Superfund program, and the National Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) program. He is author or co-author of over 75 peer-reviewed scientific publications and over 90 technical presentation. His current research focuses on the effects of hard-rock mining and smelting on freshwater mussels and other benthic organisms and on the influence of water quality on toxicity of metals to aquatic biota.
Professional Experience
1995-present Research Fish Biologist, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO.
1990-95 Student Trainee (Biology), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/National Biological Service, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
1985-1990 Fisheries Biologist (Research), National Fisheries Contaminant Research Center, Ecotoxicology Section, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Columbia, MO.
1982-1985 Research Assistant/Research Associate, University of Missouri-Columbia, Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife, Columbia, MO.
1980-1982 Biological Aide, National Fisheries Contaminant Research Center, Field Research Laboratory, LaCrosse, WI.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Fisheries and Wildlife-Environmental Toxicology, Michigan State University, 1995
M.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1985
B.S. Environmental Science/Biology, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, 1979
Science and Products
Validation of Zinc and Nickel Biotic Ligand Models Based on Toxicity Testing in Natural Waters with Ceriodaphina dubia
An Evaluation the Chronic Toxicity of Metals in Water and Sediment to the Unionid Mussel, Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea), in Exposures Representing Conditions in the Tri-States Mining District
Response of juvenile mussels and amphipods to metal concentrations in water and sediment of streams draining the Tri-State Mining District, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, USA
Survival, growth and reproduction of C. dubia and N. triangulifer to nickel and zinc exposure in natural waters
Bottom sediment chemical data at rivermouths and harbors along western Lake Michigan, USA, 2016
Chemical and biological exposure bioassay data from sediment collected within the Grand Calumet River, Indiana, USA
Burrowing behavior of freshwater mussels
Survival and growth of rainbow trout and warm water fishes exposed to selected contaminants
Influence of dissolved organic carbon on the acute toxicity of copper and zinc to white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) and the cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia)
Toxicity and chemistry data from an evaluation of metal-contaminated sediments from the Upper Columbia River, Washington, 2013-2014
Acute sensitivity of the vernal pool fairy shrimp, Branchinecta lynchi (Anostraca; Branchinectidae), and surrogate species to ten chemicals-Data
Responses of juvenile mussels to metals in sediment and water of the Tri-State Mining District
Guide for benthic invertebrate studies in support of Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration
Modeling the bioavailability of nickel and zinc to Ceriodaphnia dubia and Neocloeon triangulifer in toxicity tests with Natural Waters
Assessment of burrowing behavior of freshwater juvenile mussels in sediment
Sensitivity of warm water fishes and rainbow trout to selected contaminants
Influence of remediation on sediment toxicity within the Grand Calumet River, Indiana, USA
Influence of dissolved organic carbon on the acute toxicity of copper and zinc to White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) and a Cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia)
Toxicity of aluminum to Ceriodaphnia dubia in low-hardness waters as affected by natural dissolved organic matter
Characterizing toxicity of metal‐contaminated sediments from the Upper Columbia River, Washington, USA, to benthic invertebrates
Acute sensitivity of the vernal pool fairy shrimp, Branchinecta lynchi (Anostraca; Branchinectidae), and surrogate species to 10 chemicals
Effect of diet quality on chronic toxicity of aqueous lead to the amphipod Hyalella azteca
Survival and growth of freshwater pulmonate and nonpulmonate snails in 28-day exposures to copper, ammonia, and pentachlorophenol
Science and Products
- Science
Validation of Zinc and Nickel Biotic Ligand Models Based on Toxicity Testing in Natural Waters with Ceriodaphina dubia
Most states use outdated hardness-based criteria to regulate metals in surface waters. The slow adoption of new criteria based on biotic ligand models (BLMs) reflects uncertainty about whether these models can reliably predict toxic effects of metals on aquatic biota across the wide range of water quality conditions affecting bioavailability.An Evaluation the Chronic Toxicity of Metals in Water and Sediment to the Unionid Mussel, Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea), in Exposures Representing Conditions in the Tri-States Mining District
The Tri-State Mining District (TSMD) is a large (about 500 sq. mi.) historical lead and zinc mining area that includes portions of Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. The TSMD yielded about 460 million tons of ore between 1885 and 1970, resulting in contamination of surface water, groundwater, sediments, and soils in the Spring River and Neosho River basins by lead, zinc, and other heavy metals. - Data
Response of juvenile mussels and amphipods to metal concentrations in water and sediment of streams draining the Tri-State Mining District, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, USA
This data release includes physical and chemical characteristics of field collected samples from streams and rivers within the Tri-State Mining District (TSMD) as well as toxicity endpoints from chronic water-only and sediment laboratory exposures including survival and growth of the mussel Lampsilis siliquoidea; survival, growth, and reproduction of the amphipod Hyalella azteca; metal concentratiSurvival, growth and reproduction of C. dubia and N. triangulifer to nickel and zinc exposure in natural waters
Survival, growth and reproduction of Ceriodaphnia dubia and Neocloeon triangulifer, metal concentrations and water quality parameters from nickel and zinc exposures in natural watersBottom sediment chemical data at rivermouths and harbors along western Lake Michigan, USA, 2016
Streambed sediment samples were collected in October 2016 from streams tributary to Wisconsin?s western Lake Michigan shoreline. Streams included two Areas of Concern (AOCs), two non-AOC comparisons, and two additional non-AOC study areas. Within the Milwaukee Estuary AOC, samples were collected from the Milwaukee River (three subsites), the Menomonee River (two subsites), the Kinnickinnic River (Chemical and biological exposure bioassay data from sediment collected within the Grand Calumet River, Indiana, USA
The Grand Calumet River (GCR), located in northern Indiana, is contaminated due to a wide range of historical industrial activities. Short-term and long-term sediment exposure bioassays with the amphipod Hyalella azteca, the midge Chironomus dilutus, and the mussel Lampsilis siliquoidea were conducted with samples collected in 2013, 2015, and 2017, from up to 26 sites, including both remediated, nBurrowing behavior of freshwater mussels
Data include burrowing behavior of juvenile freshwater mussels (Lampsilis siliquoidea); Villosa constricta; Megalonaias nervosa; Villosa iris; Lampsilis powellii; and Anodonta oregonensis) in three types of sediment [a sand/silt/clay mixture (49 percent sand) with a total organic carbon (TOC) content of about 3 percent obtained from northeastern Minnesota, a predominantly fine sand (82 percent sanSurvival and growth of rainbow trout and warm water fishes exposed to selected contaminants
Results of acute and chronic exposure of rainbow trout and warm water fish to metals and other toxicants.Influence of dissolved organic carbon on the acute toxicity of copper and zinc to white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) and the cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia)
This dataset characterizes the acute toxicity of copper and zinc to white sturgeon (~30 days post hatch) and cladocerans (Toxicity and chemistry data from an evaluation of metal-contaminated sediments from the Upper Columbia River, Washington, 2013-2014
This resource contains chemistry and toxicity data from sediment toxicity tests conducted by the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center with 66 sediment samples collected from in and around the Upper Columbia River in the fall of 2013. Toxicity testing was conducted from fall 2013 through summer 2014 with the amphipod, Hyalella azteca, the midge Chironomus dilutus, and the mussel Lampsilis siAcute sensitivity of the vernal pool fairy shrimp, Branchinecta lynchi (Anostraca; Branchinectidae), and surrogate species to ten chemicals-Data
The vernal pool fairy shrimp, Branchinecta lynchi, (Branchiopoda; Anostraca) and other fairy shrimp species have been listed as threatened or endangered under the United States Endangered Species Act (ESA). There is little information about the sensitivity of Branchinecta spp. to toxic effects of contaminants, making it difficult to determine whether they are adequately protected by water quality - Publications
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Responses of juvenile mussels to metals in sediment and water of the Tri-State Mining District
The U.S. Geological Survey and collaborators from EcoAnalysts, Inc., completed field and laboratory studies during 2016–19 to evaluate the toxicity of metals to freshwater mussels in streams draining the Tri-State Mining District. This project consisted of (1) sampling and analysis of metals in water and sediment, (2) surveys of mussel assemblages at sites with suitable mussel habitat, (3) toxicitAuthorsJohn M. Besser, Chris D. Ivey, James L. Kunz, Nile E. Kemble, Danielle M. Cleveland, Jeffery A. Steevens, Heidi Dunn, Ryan FoleyGuide for benthic invertebrate studies in support of Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration
This guide is intended to assist with characterizing injury to freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates (BMIs) in Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) cases. The contents are narrowly focused on insects, crustaceans, snails, and other invertebrate fauna that are typically considered part of BMI communities and are not intended to address studies of injury to larger benthic taxaAuthorsDavid J. Soucek, Aïda M. Farag, John M. Besser, Jeffery A. SteevensModeling the bioavailability of nickel and zinc to Ceriodaphnia dubia and Neocloeon triangulifer in toxicity tests with Natural Waters
We studied biotic ligand model (BLM) predictions of toxicity of nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) in natural waters from Illinois and Minnesota USA which had combinations of pH, hardness, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) more extreme than 99.7% of waters in a nationwide database. We conducted 7-d chronic tests with Ceriodaphnia dubia, and 96-hr acute test and 14-d chronic tests with Neocloeon triangulifAuthorsJohn M. Besser, Chris D. Ivey, Jeffery A. Steevens, Danielle M. Cleveland, David J. Soucek, Amy Dickinson, Eric J. Van Genderen, Adam C. Ryan, Chris E. Schlekat, Emily R. Garman, Elizabeth Middleton, Robert C. SantoreAssessment of burrowing behavior of freshwater juvenile mussels in sediment
Standard laboratory sediment toxicity methods have been adapted for conducting toxicity tests with juvenile freshwater mussels. However, studies looking at juvenile mussel burrowing behavior at the water-sediment interface are limited. Juvenile mussels burrow in sediment for the first 0 to 4 yr of life but also may inhabit the sediment-water interface. The objective of this study was to evaluate bAuthorsNile E. Kemble, John M. Besser, Jeffery A. Steevens, Jamie P. HughesSensitivity of warm water fishes and rainbow trout to selected contaminants
Guidelines for developing water quality standards allow U.S. states to exclude toxicity data for the family Salmonidae (trout and salmon) when deriving guidelines for warm-water habitats. This practice reflects the belief that standards based on salmonid data may be overprotective of toxic effects on other fish taxa. In acute tests with six chemicals and eight fish species, the salmonid, Rainbow TAuthorsJohn M. Besser, Rebecca A. Dorman, Chris D. Ivey, Danielle M. Cleveland, Jeffery A. SteevensInfluence of remediation on sediment toxicity within the Grand Calumet River, Indiana, USA
The Grand Calumet River (GCR), located in northern Indiana, is contaminated due to a wide range of historical industrial activities. This study was conducted to determine the influence of sediment remediation within the GCR on concentrations of chemical contaminants and toxicity to sediment-dwelling organisms. Between 2005 and 2016, sediments with high concentrations of metals and toxic organic coAuthorsJeffery A. Steevens, John M. Besser, Rebecca A. Dorman, Daniel W. SparksInfluence of dissolved organic carbon on the acute toxicity of copper and zinc to White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) and a Cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia)
We conducted acute lethality tests with white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) and Ceriodaphnia dubia exposed to copper and zinc at dissolved organic carbon concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5.5 mg/L. Dissolved organic carbon had minimal effects on zinc toxicity but did have a protective effect on acute copper toxicity, which was equal to that predicted by the copper biotic ligand model (BLM).AuthorsChris D. Ivey, John M. Besser, Jeffery A. Steevens, Michael Walther, Vanessa MeltonToxicity of aluminum to Ceriodaphnia dubia in low-hardness waters as affected by natural dissolved organic matter
We conducted a series of 7‐d toxicity tests with Ceriodaphnia dubia in dilutions of low‐hardness natural waters, which contained dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations up to 10 mg/L. Stream waters were mixed with well water to achieve 2 target hardness levels (20 and 35 mg/L) and 4 DOC concentrations. Tests with aluminum (Al)‐spiked waters were conducted in a controlled CO2 atmosphere to maAuthorsJohn M. Besser, Danielle M. Cleveland, Chris D. Ivey, Laura BlakeCharacterizing toxicity of metal‐contaminated sediments from the Upper Columbia River, Washington, USA, to benthic invertebrates
Sediments from the Upper Columbia River, Washington, USA, are contaminated with metals from smelting operations. We conducted short‐term and long‐term tests with the midge Chironomus dilutus and the amphipod Hyalella azteca and short‐term tests with the freshwater mussel Lampsilis siliquoidea with 54 sediments from the Upper Columbia River to characterize thresholds for toxicity of metals to benthAuthorsJohn M. Besser, Jeffery A. Steevens, James L. Kunz, William G. Brumbaugh, Christopher G. Ingersoll, Stephen E. Cox, Christopher A. Mebane, Laurie S. Balistrieri, Jesse A. Sinclair, Donald D. MacDonaldAcute sensitivity of the vernal pool fairy shrimp, Branchinecta lynchi (Anostraca; Branchinectidae), and surrogate species to 10 chemicals
Vernal pool fairy shrimp, Branchinecta lynchi, (Branchiopoda; Anostraca) and other fairy shrimp species have been listed as threatened or endangered under the US Endangered Species Act. Because few data exist about the sensitivity of Branchinecta spp. to toxic effects of contaminants, it is difficult to determine whether they are adequately protected by water quality criteria. A series of acute (2AuthorsChris D. Ivey, John M. Besser, Christopher G. Ingersoll, Ning Wang, D. Christopher Rogers, Sandy Raimondo, Candice R. Bauer, Edward J. HammerEffect of diet quality on chronic toxicity of aqueous lead to the amphipod Hyalella azteca
The authors investigated the chronic toxicity of aqueous Pb to the amphipod Hyalella azteca (Hyalella) in 42-d tests using 2 different diets: 1) the yeastþcereal leafþtrout pellet (YCT) diet, fed at the uniform low ration used in standard methods for sediment toxicity tests; and 2) a new diet of diatomsþTetraMin flakes (DT), fed at increasing rations over time, that has been optimized for use in HAuthorsJohn M. Besser, Chris D. Ivey, William G. Brumbaugh, Christopher G. IngersollSurvival and growth of freshwater pulmonate and nonpulmonate snails in 28-day exposures to copper, ammonia, and pentachlorophenol
We performed toxicity tests with two species of pulmonate snails (Lymnaea stagnalis and Physa gyrina) and four taxa of nonpulmonate snails in the family Hydrobiidae (Pyrgulopsis robusta,Taylorconcha serpenticola, Fluminicola sp., and Fontigens aldrichi). Snails were maintained in static-renewal or recirculating culture systems with adults removed periodically to isolate cohorts of offspring for toAuthorsJohn M. Besser, Rebecca A. Dorman, Douglas K. Hardesty, Christopher G. Ingersoll