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
Framework for Evaluating Water Quality of the New England Crystalline Rock Aquifers Framework for Evaluating Water Quality of the New England Crystalline Rock Aquifers
Little information exists on regional ground-water-quality patterns for the New England crystalline rock aquifers (NECRA). A systematic approach to facilitate regional evaluation is needed for several reasons. First, the NECRA are vulnerable to anthropogenic and natural contaminants such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), arsenic, and radon gas. Second, the physical characteristics of...
Authors
Philip Harte, Gilpin Robinson, Joseph D. Ayotte, Sarah M. Flanagan
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in public and private wells in New Hampshire: Occurrence, factors, and possible implications Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in public and private wells in New Hampshire: Occurrence, factors, and possible implications
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) concentrations ???0.2 ??g/L were found in samples of untreated water in 18% of public-supply wells (n = 284) and 9.1% of private domestic wells (n = 264) sampled in 2005 and 2006 in New Hampshire. In counties that used reformulated gasoline (RFG), MTBE occurred at or above 0.2 ??g/L in 30% of public- and 17% of private-supply wells. Additionally, 52% of...
Authors
J. D. Ayotte, D.M. Argue, F.J. McGarry, J.R. Degnan, L. Hayes, S. Flanagan, D.R. Helsel
Occurrence of Uranium and 222Radon in Glacial and Bedrock Aquifers in the Northern United States, 1993-2003 Occurrence of Uranium and 222Radon in Glacial and Bedrock Aquifers in the Northern United States, 1993-2003
Water-quality data collected from 1,426 wells during 1993-2003 as part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program were evaluated to characterize the water quality in glacial and bedrock aquifers of the northern United States. One of the goals of the NAWQA program is to synthesize data from individual studies across the United States to gain regional-...
Authors
Joseph D. Ayotte, Sarah M. Flanagan, William Morrow
Rock-Bound Arsenic Influences Ground Water and Sediment Chemistry Throughout New England Rock-Bound Arsenic Influences Ground Water and Sediment Chemistry Throughout New England
The information in this report was presented at the Northeastern Region Geological Society of America meeting held March 11-14, 2007, in Durham, New Hampshire. In the New England crystalline bedrock aquifer, concentrations of arsenic that exceed the drinking water standard of 10 ?g/L occur most frequently in ground water from wells sited in specific metamorphic and igneous rock units...
Authors
Gilpin Robinson, Joseph D. Ayotte
Geological assessment of cores from the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge, New Hampshire Geological assessment of cores from the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge, New Hampshire
Geological sources of metals (especially arsenic and zinc) in aquifer bedrock were evaluated for their potential to contribute elevated values of metals to ground and surface waters in and around Rockingham County, New Hampshire. Ayotte and others (1999, 2003) had proposed that arsenic concentrations in ground water flowing through bedrock aquifers in eastern New England were elevated as...
Authors
Nora Foley, Robert Ayuso, Joseph D. Ayotte, Denise Montgomery, Gilpin Robinson
The influence of geology and land use on arsenic in stream sediments and ground waters in New England, USA The influence of geology and land use on arsenic in stream sediments and ground waters in New England, USA
Population statistics for As concentrations in rocks, sediments and ground water differ by geology and land use features in the New England region, USA. Significant sources of As in the surficial environment include both natural weathering of rocks and anthropogenic sources such as arsenical pesticides that were commonly applied to apple, blueberry and potato crops during the first half...
Authors
G.R. Robinson, J. D. Ayotte
Modeling the probability of arsenic in groundwater in New England as a tool for exposure assessment Modeling the probability of arsenic in groundwater in New England as a tool for exposure assessment
We developed a process-based model to predict the probability of arsenic exceeding 5 ??g/L in drinking water wells in New England bedrock aquifers. The model is being used for exposure assessment in an epidemiologic study of bladder cancer. One important study hypothesis that may explain increased bladder cancer risk is elevated concentrations of inorganic arsenic in drinking water. In...
Authors
J. D. Ayotte, B. Nolan, J.R. Nuckols, K.P. Cantor, G.R. Robinson, D. Baris, L. Hayes, M. Karagas, W. Bress, D.T. Silverman, J.H. Lubin
Bladder cancer mortality and private well use in New England: An ecological study Bladder cancer mortality and private well use in New England: An ecological study
Study objective: To investigate the possible relation between bladder cancer mortality among white men and women and private water use in New England, USA, where rates have been persistently raised and use of private water supplies (wells) common. Design: Ecological study relating age adjusted cancer mortality rates for white men and women during 1985-1999 and proportion of persons using...
Authors
J. D. Ayotte, D. Baris, K.P. Cantor, J. Colt, G.R. Robinson, J.H. Lubin, M. Karagas, R.N. Hoover, J.F. Fraumeni, D.T. Silverman
Methyl tert-butyl ether occurrence and related factors in public and private wells in southeast New Hampshire Methyl tert-butyl ether occurrence and related factors in public and private wells in southeast New Hampshire
The occurrence of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in water from public wells in New Hampshire has increased steadily over the past several years. Using a laboratory reporting level of 0.2 μg/L, 40% of samples from public wells and 21% from private wells in southeast New Hampshire have measurable concentrations of MTBE. The rate of occurrence of MTBE varied significantly for public wells...
Authors
Joseph Ayotte, Denise Argue, Frederick McGarry
Water quality in the New England coastal basins, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, 1999-2001 Water quality in the New England coastal basins, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, 1999-2001
This report contains the major findings of a 1999-2001 assessment of water quality in the New England Coastal Basins. It is one of a series of reports by the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program that present major findings in 51 major river basins and aquifer systems across the Nation. In these reports, water quality is discussed in terms of local, State, and regional issues...
Authors
Keith Robinson, Sarah M. Flanagan, Joseph D. Ayotte, Kimberly Campo, Ann Chalmers, James Coles, Thomas Cuffney
Occurrence of Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) in public and private wells, Rockingham County, New Hampshire Occurrence of Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) in public and private wells, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
No abstract available.
Authors
Joseph D. Ayotte, Brian Mrazik, Denise Argue, Frederick McGarry
Arsenic concentrations in private bedrock wells in southeastern New Hampshire Arsenic concentrations in private bedrock wells in southeastern New Hampshire
No abstract available.
Authors
Denise Montgomery, Joseph D. Ayotte, Paul Carroll, Patricia Hamlin
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 17
Filter Total Items: 81
Framework for Evaluating Water Quality of the New England Crystalline Rock Aquifers Framework for Evaluating Water Quality of the New England Crystalline Rock Aquifers
Little information exists on regional ground-water-quality patterns for the New England crystalline rock aquifers (NECRA). A systematic approach to facilitate regional evaluation is needed for several reasons. First, the NECRA are vulnerable to anthropogenic and natural contaminants such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), arsenic, and radon gas. Second, the physical characteristics of...
Authors
Philip Harte, Gilpin Robinson, Joseph D. Ayotte, Sarah M. Flanagan
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in public and private wells in New Hampshire: Occurrence, factors, and possible implications Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in public and private wells in New Hampshire: Occurrence, factors, and possible implications
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) concentrations ???0.2 ??g/L were found in samples of untreated water in 18% of public-supply wells (n = 284) and 9.1% of private domestic wells (n = 264) sampled in 2005 and 2006 in New Hampshire. In counties that used reformulated gasoline (RFG), MTBE occurred at or above 0.2 ??g/L in 30% of public- and 17% of private-supply wells. Additionally, 52% of...
Authors
J. D. Ayotte, D.M. Argue, F.J. McGarry, J.R. Degnan, L. Hayes, S. Flanagan, D.R. Helsel
Occurrence of Uranium and 222Radon in Glacial and Bedrock Aquifers in the Northern United States, 1993-2003 Occurrence of Uranium and 222Radon in Glacial and Bedrock Aquifers in the Northern United States, 1993-2003
Water-quality data collected from 1,426 wells during 1993-2003 as part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program were evaluated to characterize the water quality in glacial and bedrock aquifers of the northern United States. One of the goals of the NAWQA program is to synthesize data from individual studies across the United States to gain regional-...
Authors
Joseph D. Ayotte, Sarah M. Flanagan, William Morrow
Rock-Bound Arsenic Influences Ground Water and Sediment Chemistry Throughout New England Rock-Bound Arsenic Influences Ground Water and Sediment Chemistry Throughout New England
The information in this report was presented at the Northeastern Region Geological Society of America meeting held March 11-14, 2007, in Durham, New Hampshire. In the New England crystalline bedrock aquifer, concentrations of arsenic that exceed the drinking water standard of 10 ?g/L occur most frequently in ground water from wells sited in specific metamorphic and igneous rock units...
Authors
Gilpin Robinson, Joseph D. Ayotte
Geological assessment of cores from the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge, New Hampshire Geological assessment of cores from the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge, New Hampshire
Geological sources of metals (especially arsenic and zinc) in aquifer bedrock were evaluated for their potential to contribute elevated values of metals to ground and surface waters in and around Rockingham County, New Hampshire. Ayotte and others (1999, 2003) had proposed that arsenic concentrations in ground water flowing through bedrock aquifers in eastern New England were elevated as...
Authors
Nora Foley, Robert Ayuso, Joseph D. Ayotte, Denise Montgomery, Gilpin Robinson
The influence of geology and land use on arsenic in stream sediments and ground waters in New England, USA The influence of geology and land use on arsenic in stream sediments and ground waters in New England, USA
Population statistics for As concentrations in rocks, sediments and ground water differ by geology and land use features in the New England region, USA. Significant sources of As in the surficial environment include both natural weathering of rocks and anthropogenic sources such as arsenical pesticides that were commonly applied to apple, blueberry and potato crops during the first half...
Authors
G.R. Robinson, J. D. Ayotte
Modeling the probability of arsenic in groundwater in New England as a tool for exposure assessment Modeling the probability of arsenic in groundwater in New England as a tool for exposure assessment
We developed a process-based model to predict the probability of arsenic exceeding 5 ??g/L in drinking water wells in New England bedrock aquifers. The model is being used for exposure assessment in an epidemiologic study of bladder cancer. One important study hypothesis that may explain increased bladder cancer risk is elevated concentrations of inorganic arsenic in drinking water. In...
Authors
J. D. Ayotte, B. Nolan, J.R. Nuckols, K.P. Cantor, G.R. Robinson, D. Baris, L. Hayes, M. Karagas, W. Bress, D.T. Silverman, J.H. Lubin
Bladder cancer mortality and private well use in New England: An ecological study Bladder cancer mortality and private well use in New England: An ecological study
Study objective: To investigate the possible relation between bladder cancer mortality among white men and women and private water use in New England, USA, where rates have been persistently raised and use of private water supplies (wells) common. Design: Ecological study relating age adjusted cancer mortality rates for white men and women during 1985-1999 and proportion of persons using...
Authors
J. D. Ayotte, D. Baris, K.P. Cantor, J. Colt, G.R. Robinson, J.H. Lubin, M. Karagas, R.N. Hoover, J.F. Fraumeni, D.T. Silverman
Methyl tert-butyl ether occurrence and related factors in public and private wells in southeast New Hampshire Methyl tert-butyl ether occurrence and related factors in public and private wells in southeast New Hampshire
The occurrence of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in water from public wells in New Hampshire has increased steadily over the past several years. Using a laboratory reporting level of 0.2 μg/L, 40% of samples from public wells and 21% from private wells in southeast New Hampshire have measurable concentrations of MTBE. The rate of occurrence of MTBE varied significantly for public wells...
Authors
Joseph Ayotte, Denise Argue, Frederick McGarry
Water quality in the New England coastal basins, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, 1999-2001 Water quality in the New England coastal basins, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, 1999-2001
This report contains the major findings of a 1999-2001 assessment of water quality in the New England Coastal Basins. It is one of a series of reports by the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program that present major findings in 51 major river basins and aquifer systems across the Nation. In these reports, water quality is discussed in terms of local, State, and regional issues...
Authors
Keith Robinson, Sarah M. Flanagan, Joseph D. Ayotte, Kimberly Campo, Ann Chalmers, James Coles, Thomas Cuffney
Occurrence of Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) in public and private wells, Rockingham County, New Hampshire Occurrence of Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) in public and private wells, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
No abstract available.
Authors
Joseph D. Ayotte, Brian Mrazik, Denise Argue, Frederick McGarry
Arsenic concentrations in private bedrock wells in southeastern New Hampshire Arsenic concentrations in private bedrock wells in southeastern New Hampshire
No abstract available.
Authors
Denise Montgomery, Joseph D. Ayotte, Paul Carroll, Patricia Hamlin
*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