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
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
- Publications