Karen R Murray, Ph.D.
Intro
I am currently a Research Scientist Emeritus with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). I began working with USGS as an aquatic ecologist in 1991 and retired as a research ecologist in May 2020. As a Scientist Emeritus, I continue my work on selected projects in a volunteer capacity. My major research focus has been on mercury cycling and bioaccumulation in aquatic ecosystems, especially streams and rivers. I have also investigated the effects of urbanization, forest fragmentation, and hydrologic alteration on stream ecosystems. Much of my work has involved the integration of biological aspects (e.g. food web dynamics, community ecology) into multi-disciplinary studies. I have a Ph.D. in environmental biology from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, and a B.A. in environmental studies from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. In addition to my volunteer work with USGS, I volunteer as the Water Quality Monitoring Coordinator for the Lake Onota Preservation Association (LOPA), and am a member of LOPA's Board of Directors.
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Science and Products
Composition, distribution, and potential toxicity of organochlorine mixtures in bed sediments of streams
Changes in stream chemistry and biology in response to reduced levels of acid deposition during 1987-2003 in the Neversink River Basin, Catskill Mountains
Organic Compounds and Trace Elements in Fish Tissue and Bed Sediment in the Delaware River Basin, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware, 1998-2000
A checklist of the aquatic invertebrates of the Delaware River Basin, 1990-2000
Water Quality in the Delaware River Basin, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware, 1998-2001
Total mercury and methylmercury in fish fillets, water, and bed sediments from selected streams in the Delaware River basin, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, 1998-2001
Trends in concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls in fish tissue from selected sites in the Delaware River basin in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, 1969-98
An index of biological integrity for northern Mid-Atlantic Slope drainages
Mussel community composition in relation to macrohabitat, water quality, and impoundments in the Neversink River, New York
Water quality in the Hudson River basin, New York and adjacent states, 1992-95
Seasonal and spatial patterns of nitrate and silica concentrations in Canajoharie Creek, New York
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Composition, distribution, and potential toxicity of organochlorine mixtures in bed sediments of streams
Mixtures of organochlorine compounds have the potential for additive or interactive toxicity to organisms exposed in the stream. This study uses a variety of methods to identify mixtures and a modified concentration-addition approach to estimate their potential toxicity at 845 stream sites across the United States sampled between 1992 and 2001 for organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphAuthorsPatrick J. Phillips, Lisa H. Nowell, Robert J. Gilliom, Naomi Nakagaki, Karen Riva-Murray, Carolyn VanAlstyneChanges in stream chemistry and biology in response to reduced levels of acid deposition during 1987-2003 in the Neversink River Basin, Catskill Mountains
Atmospheric acid deposition has decreased in the northeastern United States since the 1970s, resulting in modest increases in pH, acid-neutralizing capacity (ANC), and decreases in inorganic monomeric aluminum (AlIM) concentrations since stream chemistry monitoring began in the 1980s in the acid-sensitive upper Neversink River basin in the Catskill Mountains of New York. Stream pH has increased byAuthorsDouglas A. Burns, K. Riva-Murray, R.W. Bode, S. PassyOrganic Compounds and Trace Elements in Fish Tissue and Bed Sediment in the Delaware River Basin, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware, 1998-2000
As part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program activities in the Delaware River Basin (DELR), samples of fish tissue from 21 sites and samples of bed sediment from 35 sites were analyzed for a suite of organic compounds and trace elements. The sampling sites, within subbasins ranging in size from 11 to 600 square miles, were selected to represent 5 main land-use categories in theAuthorsKristin M. Romanok, Jeffrey M. Fischer, Karen Riva-Murray, Robin Brightbill, Michael BilgerA checklist of the aquatic invertebrates of the Delaware River Basin, 1990-2000
This paper details a compilation of aquatic-invertebrate taxa collected at 1,080 sites as part of 13 surface-water-quality studies completed by selected Federal, state, and local environmental agencies during 1990-2000, within the 32,893-km2 area of the Delaware River Basin. This checklist is intended to be a 'working list' of aquatic invertebrates that can be applied successfully to the calculatiAuthorsMichael D. Bilger, Karen Riva-Murray, Gretchen L. WallWater Quality in the Delaware River Basin, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware, 1998-2001
This report contains the major findings of a 1998-2001 assessment of water quality in the Delaware River Basin. 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. Conditions in aAuthorsJeffrey M. Fischer, Karen Riva-Murray, R. Edward Hickman, Douglas C. Chichester, Robin A. Brightbill, Kristin M. Romanok, Michael D. BilgerTotal mercury and methylmercury in fish fillets, water, and bed sediments from selected streams in the Delaware River basin, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, 1998-2001
Within the Delaware River Basin, fish-tissue samples were analyzed for total mercury (tHg). Water and bed-sediment samples were analyzed for tHg and methylmercury (MeHg), and methylation efficiencies were calculated. This study was part of a National Mercury Pilot Program conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The Delaware River Basin was chosen because it is part of the USGS National WatAuthorsRobin A. Brightbill, Karen Riva-Murray, Michael D. Bilger, John D. ByrnesTrends in concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls in fish tissue from selected sites in the Delaware River basin in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, 1969-98
Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations in fish tissue collected during the 1990's from selected sites in the Delaware River Basin were compared with concentrations in fish tissue collected during 1969-88. Data collected by State and Federal agencies on concentrations in whole-body common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), and edible portions of American eel (AAuthorsKaren Riva-Murray, Robin A. Brightbill, Michael D. BilgerAn index of biological integrity for northern Mid-Atlantic Slope drainages
An index of biological integrity (IBI) was developed for streams in the Hudson, Delaware, and Susquehanna River drainages in the northeastern United States based on fish assemblage data from the Mohawk River drainage of New York. The original IBI, developed for streams in the U.S. Midwest, was modified to reflect the assemblage composition and structure present in Mid-Atlantic Slope drainages. WeAuthorsR.A. Daniels, K. Riva-Murray, D.B. Halliwell, D. L. Vana-Miller, Michael D. BilgerMussel community composition in relation to macrohabitat, water quality, and impoundments in the Neversink River, New York
No abstract available.AuthorsBarry P. Baldigo, George E. Schuler, Karen Riva-MurrayWater quality in the Hudson River basin, New York and adjacent states, 1992-95
No abstract available.AuthorsGary R. Wall, Karen Murray-Riva, Patrick J. PhillipsSeasonal and spatial patterns of nitrate and silica concentrations in Canajoharie Creek, New York
The impact of nonpoint-source pollution on surface waters in agricultural watersheds is an emerging environmental issue. As part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Assessment program in the Hudson River Basin, Canajoharie Creek was monitored for seasonal and spatial patterns of nutrient chemistry from March 1993 to January 1996. Nitrate and silica concentrations in Canajoharie CrAuthorsG. R. Wall, P. J. Phillips, K. Riva-Murray