Joseph Ayotte
Joe Ayotte is a Supervisory Hydrologist in the New England Water Science Center
As the Hydrologic Interpretive Branch Chief, Joe leads a team of scientists that conduct multidisciplinary studies involving groundwater, surface water, and water quality at the USGS New England Water Science Center. The work is conducted with the support of Section Chiefs in the Hydrologic Interpretive Branch. He also serves on the New England Water Science Center’s Senior Management Team, assisting with the planning, direction, and administration of the Center. His areas of science expertise include hydrologic investigations of groundwater and surface water, water quality, and interdisciplinary studies involving human exposure to contaminants.
Professional Experience
Supervisory Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, New England Water Science Center, 2011 to Present
Education and Certifications
B.S. Hydrology, University of New Hampshire
Affiliations and Memberships*
Licensed Professional Geologist, State of New Hampshire, Lic. 0071
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 17
Filter Total Items: 81
At the crossroads: Hazard assessment and reduction of health risks from arsenic in private well waters of the northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada At the crossroads: Hazard assessment and reduction of health risks from arsenic in private well waters of the northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada
This special issue contains 12 papers that report on new understanding of arsenic (As) hydrogeochemistry, performance of household well water treatment systems, and testing and treatment behaviors of well users in several states of the northeastern region of the United States and Nova Scotia, Canada. The responsibility to ensure water safety of private wells falls on well owners. In the...
Authors
Yan Zheng, Joseph D. Ayotte
The quality of our Nation's waters: water quality in the glacial aquifer system, northern United States, 1993-2009 The quality of our Nation's waters: water quality in the glacial aquifer system, northern United States, 1993-2009
The glacial aquifer system underlies much of the northern United States. About one-sixth (41 million people) of the United States population relies on the glacial aquifer system for drinking water. The primary importance of the glacial aquifer system is as a source of water for public supply to the population centers in the region, but the aquifer system also provides drinking water for...
Authors
Kelly L. Warner, Joseph D. Ayotte
Arsenic, iron, lead, manganese, and uranium concentrations in private bedrock wells in southeastern New Hampshire, 2012-2013 Arsenic, iron, lead, manganese, and uranium concentrations in private bedrock wells in southeastern New Hampshire, 2012-2013
Trace metals, such as arsenic, iron, lead, manganese, and uranium, in groundwater used for drinking have long been a concern because of the potential adverse effects on human health and the aesthetic or nuisance problems that some present. Moderate to high concentrations of the trace metal arsenic have been identified in drinking water from groundwater sources in southeastern New...
Authors
Sarah M. Flanagan, Marcel Belaval, Joseph D. Ayotte
Factors affecting temporal variability of arsenic in groundwater used for drinking water supply in the United States Factors affecting temporal variability of arsenic in groundwater used for drinking water supply in the United States
The occurrence of arsenic in groundwater is a recognized environmental hazard with worldwide importance and much effort has been focused on surveying and predicting where arsenic occurs. Temporal variability is one aspect of this environmental hazard that has until recently received less attention than other aspects. For this study, we analyzed 1245 wells with two samples per well. We...
Authors
Joseph D. Ayotte, Marcel Belaval, Scott A. Olson, Karen R. Burow, Sarah M. Flanagan, Stephen R. Hinkle, Bruce D. Lindsey
Estimated probability of arsenic in groundwater from bedrock aquifers in New Hampshire, 2011 Estimated probability of arsenic in groundwater from bedrock aquifers in New Hampshire, 2011
Probabilities of arsenic occurrence in groundwater from bedrock aquifers at concentrations of 1, 5, and 10 micrograms per liter (µg/L) were estimated during 2011 using multivariate logistic regression. These estimates were developed for use by the New Hampshire Environmental Public Health Tracking Program. About 39 percent of New Hampshire bedrock groundwater was identified as having at...
Authors
Joseph D. Ayotte, Matthew Cahillane, Laura Hayes, Keith W. Robinson
Heterogeneous redox conditions, arsenic mobility, and groundwater flow in a fractured-rock aquifer near a waste repository site in New Hampshire, USA Heterogeneous redox conditions, arsenic mobility, and groundwater flow in a fractured-rock aquifer near a waste repository site in New Hampshire, USA
Anthropogenic sources of carbon from landfill or waste leachate can promote reductive dissolution of in situ arsenic (As) and enhance the mobility of As in groundwater. Groundwater from residential-supply wells in a fractured crystalline-rock aquifer adjacent to a Superfund site in Raymond, New Hampshire, USA, showed evidence of locally enhanced As mobilization in relatively reducing...
Authors
Philip T. Harte, Joseph D. Ayotte, Andrew Hoffman, Kinga M. Revesz, Marcel Belaval, Steven Lamb, J.K. Böhlke
Trace elements and radon in groundwater across the United States, 1992-2003 Trace elements and radon in groundwater across the United States, 1992-2003
Trace-element concentrations in groundwater were evaluated for samples collected between 1992 and 2003 from aquifers across the United States as part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment Program. This study describes the first comprehensive analysis of those data by assessing occurrence (concentrations above analytical reporting levels) and by comparing...
Authors
Joseph D. Ayotte, Jo Ann M. Gronberg, Lori E. Apodaca
Geophysical and flow-weighted natural-contaminant characterization of three water-supply wells in New Hampshire Geophysical and flow-weighted natural-contaminant characterization of three water-supply wells in New Hampshire
Three bedrock water-supply systems in New Hampshire were studied, using borehole geophysics and flow-weighted sampling techniques, to determine the sources and distribution of natural contaminants in water entering the boreholes and to assess whether borehole modifications might be used to reduce contaminant levels. Well water in more than 100 community water-supply systems in New...
Authors
Thomas J. Mack, Marcel Belaval, James R. Degnan, Stephen J. Roy, Joseph D. Ayotte
Estimating water supply arsenic levels in the New England bladder cancer study Estimating water supply arsenic levels in the New England bladder cancer study
Background: Ingestion of inorganic arsenic in drinking water is recognized as a cause of bladder cancer when levels are relatively high (≥ 150 µg/L). The epidemiologic evidence is less clear at the low-to-moderate concentrations typically observed in the United States. Accurate retrospective exposure assessment over a long time period is a major challenge in conducting epidemiologic...
Authors
J.R. Nuckols, Freeman L.E. Beane, J.H. Lubin, M.S. Airola, D. Baris, J. D. Ayotte, A. Taylor, C. Paulu, M.R. Karagas, J. Colt, M.H. Ward, A.-T. Huang, W. Bress, S. Cherala, D.T. Silverman, K.P. Cantor
Effects of human-induced alteration of groundwater flow on concentrations of naturally-occurring trace elements at water-supply wells Effects of human-induced alteration of groundwater flow on concentrations of naturally-occurring trace elements at water-supply wells
The effects of human-induced alteration of groundwater flow patterns on concentrations of naturally-occurring trace elements were examined in five hydrologically distinct aquifer systems in the USA. Although naturally occurring, these trace elements can exceed concentrations that are considered harmful to human health. The results show that pumping-induced hydraulic gradient changes and...
Authors
J. D. Ayotte, Z. Szabo, M. J. Focazio, S. M. Eberts
Estimating water supply arsenic levels in the New England bladder cancer study Estimating water supply arsenic levels in the New England bladder cancer study
Background: Ingestion of inorganic arsenic in drinking water is recognized as a cause of bladder cancer when levels are relatively high (≥ 150 μg/L). The epidemiologic evidence is less clear at the low-to-moderate concentrations typically observed in the United States. Accurate retrospective exposure assessment over a long time period is a major challenge in conducting epidemiologic...
Authors
John R. Nuckols, Laura E. Beane Freeman, Jay H. Lubin, Matthew S. Airola, Dalsu Baris, Joseph D. Ayotte, Anne Taylor, Chris Paulu, Margaret R. Karagas, Joanne Colt, Mary H. Ward, An-Tsun Huang, William Bress, Sai Cherala, Debra T. Silverman, Kenneth P. Cantor
Preliminary assessment of trends in static water levels in bedrock wells in New Hampshire, 1984 to 2007 Preliminary assessment of trends in static water levels in bedrock wells in New Hampshire, 1984 to 2007
Analysis of nearly 60,000 reported values of static water level (SWL, as depth below land surface) in bedrock wells in New Hampshire, aggregated on a yearly basis, showed an apparent deepening of SWL of about 13 ft (4 m) over the period 1984–2007. Water-level data were one-time measurements at each well and were analyzed, in part, to determine if they were suitable for analysis of trends...
Authors
Joseph D. Ayotte, Brandon M. Kernen, David R. Wunsch, Denise M. Argue, Derek S. Bennett, Thomas J. Mack
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 17
Filter Total Items: 81
At the crossroads: Hazard assessment and reduction of health risks from arsenic in private well waters of the northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada At the crossroads: Hazard assessment and reduction of health risks from arsenic in private well waters of the northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada
This special issue contains 12 papers that report on new understanding of arsenic (As) hydrogeochemistry, performance of household well water treatment systems, and testing and treatment behaviors of well users in several states of the northeastern region of the United States and Nova Scotia, Canada. The responsibility to ensure water safety of private wells falls on well owners. In the...
Authors
Yan Zheng, Joseph D. Ayotte
The quality of our Nation's waters: water quality in the glacial aquifer system, northern United States, 1993-2009 The quality of our Nation's waters: water quality in the glacial aquifer system, northern United States, 1993-2009
The glacial aquifer system underlies much of the northern United States. About one-sixth (41 million people) of the United States population relies on the glacial aquifer system for drinking water. The primary importance of the glacial aquifer system is as a source of water for public supply to the population centers in the region, but the aquifer system also provides drinking water for...
Authors
Kelly L. Warner, Joseph D. Ayotte
Arsenic, iron, lead, manganese, and uranium concentrations in private bedrock wells in southeastern New Hampshire, 2012-2013 Arsenic, iron, lead, manganese, and uranium concentrations in private bedrock wells in southeastern New Hampshire, 2012-2013
Trace metals, such as arsenic, iron, lead, manganese, and uranium, in groundwater used for drinking have long been a concern because of the potential adverse effects on human health and the aesthetic or nuisance problems that some present. Moderate to high concentrations of the trace metal arsenic have been identified in drinking water from groundwater sources in southeastern New...
Authors
Sarah M. Flanagan, Marcel Belaval, Joseph D. Ayotte
Factors affecting temporal variability of arsenic in groundwater used for drinking water supply in the United States Factors affecting temporal variability of arsenic in groundwater used for drinking water supply in the United States
The occurrence of arsenic in groundwater is a recognized environmental hazard with worldwide importance and much effort has been focused on surveying and predicting where arsenic occurs. Temporal variability is one aspect of this environmental hazard that has until recently received less attention than other aspects. For this study, we analyzed 1245 wells with two samples per well. We...
Authors
Joseph D. Ayotte, Marcel Belaval, Scott A. Olson, Karen R. Burow, Sarah M. Flanagan, Stephen R. Hinkle, Bruce D. Lindsey
Estimated probability of arsenic in groundwater from bedrock aquifers in New Hampshire, 2011 Estimated probability of arsenic in groundwater from bedrock aquifers in New Hampshire, 2011
Probabilities of arsenic occurrence in groundwater from bedrock aquifers at concentrations of 1, 5, and 10 micrograms per liter (µg/L) were estimated during 2011 using multivariate logistic regression. These estimates were developed for use by the New Hampshire Environmental Public Health Tracking Program. About 39 percent of New Hampshire bedrock groundwater was identified as having at...
Authors
Joseph D. Ayotte, Matthew Cahillane, Laura Hayes, Keith W. Robinson
Heterogeneous redox conditions, arsenic mobility, and groundwater flow in a fractured-rock aquifer near a waste repository site in New Hampshire, USA Heterogeneous redox conditions, arsenic mobility, and groundwater flow in a fractured-rock aquifer near a waste repository site in New Hampshire, USA
Anthropogenic sources of carbon from landfill or waste leachate can promote reductive dissolution of in situ arsenic (As) and enhance the mobility of As in groundwater. Groundwater from residential-supply wells in a fractured crystalline-rock aquifer adjacent to a Superfund site in Raymond, New Hampshire, USA, showed evidence of locally enhanced As mobilization in relatively reducing...
Authors
Philip T. Harte, Joseph D. Ayotte, Andrew Hoffman, Kinga M. Revesz, Marcel Belaval, Steven Lamb, J.K. Böhlke
Trace elements and radon in groundwater across the United States, 1992-2003 Trace elements and radon in groundwater across the United States, 1992-2003
Trace-element concentrations in groundwater were evaluated for samples collected between 1992 and 2003 from aquifers across the United States as part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment Program. This study describes the first comprehensive analysis of those data by assessing occurrence (concentrations above analytical reporting levels) and by comparing...
Authors
Joseph D. Ayotte, Jo Ann M. Gronberg, Lori E. Apodaca
Geophysical and flow-weighted natural-contaminant characterization of three water-supply wells in New Hampshire Geophysical and flow-weighted natural-contaminant characterization of three water-supply wells in New Hampshire
Three bedrock water-supply systems in New Hampshire were studied, using borehole geophysics and flow-weighted sampling techniques, to determine the sources and distribution of natural contaminants in water entering the boreholes and to assess whether borehole modifications might be used to reduce contaminant levels. Well water in more than 100 community water-supply systems in New...
Authors
Thomas J. Mack, Marcel Belaval, James R. Degnan, Stephen J. Roy, Joseph D. Ayotte
Estimating water supply arsenic levels in the New England bladder cancer study Estimating water supply arsenic levels in the New England bladder cancer study
Background: Ingestion of inorganic arsenic in drinking water is recognized as a cause of bladder cancer when levels are relatively high (≥ 150 µg/L). The epidemiologic evidence is less clear at the low-to-moderate concentrations typically observed in the United States. Accurate retrospective exposure assessment over a long time period is a major challenge in conducting epidemiologic...
Authors
J.R. Nuckols, Freeman L.E. Beane, J.H. Lubin, M.S. Airola, D. Baris, J. D. Ayotte, A. Taylor, C. Paulu, M.R. Karagas, J. Colt, M.H. Ward, A.-T. Huang, W. Bress, S. Cherala, D.T. Silverman, K.P. Cantor
Effects of human-induced alteration of groundwater flow on concentrations of naturally-occurring trace elements at water-supply wells Effects of human-induced alteration of groundwater flow on concentrations of naturally-occurring trace elements at water-supply wells
The effects of human-induced alteration of groundwater flow patterns on concentrations of naturally-occurring trace elements were examined in five hydrologically distinct aquifer systems in the USA. Although naturally occurring, these trace elements can exceed concentrations that are considered harmful to human health. The results show that pumping-induced hydraulic gradient changes and...
Authors
J. D. Ayotte, Z. Szabo, M. J. Focazio, S. M. Eberts
Estimating water supply arsenic levels in the New England bladder cancer study Estimating water supply arsenic levels in the New England bladder cancer study
Background: Ingestion of inorganic arsenic in drinking water is recognized as a cause of bladder cancer when levels are relatively high (≥ 150 μg/L). The epidemiologic evidence is less clear at the low-to-moderate concentrations typically observed in the United States. Accurate retrospective exposure assessment over a long time period is a major challenge in conducting epidemiologic...
Authors
John R. Nuckols, Laura E. Beane Freeman, Jay H. Lubin, Matthew S. Airola, Dalsu Baris, Joseph D. Ayotte, Anne Taylor, Chris Paulu, Margaret R. Karagas, Joanne Colt, Mary H. Ward, An-Tsun Huang, William Bress, Sai Cherala, Debra T. Silverman, Kenneth P. Cantor
Preliminary assessment of trends in static water levels in bedrock wells in New Hampshire, 1984 to 2007 Preliminary assessment of trends in static water levels in bedrock wells in New Hampshire, 1984 to 2007
Analysis of nearly 60,000 reported values of static water level (SWL, as depth below land surface) in bedrock wells in New Hampshire, aggregated on a yearly basis, showed an apparent deepening of SWL of about 13 ft (4 m) over the period 1984–2007. Water-level data were one-time measurements at each well and were analyzed, in part, to determine if they were suitable for analysis of trends...
Authors
Joseph D. Ayotte, Brandon M. Kernen, David R. Wunsch, Denise M. Argue, Derek S. Bennett, Thomas J. Mack
*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