Kathy Conn
Hydrologist and Water Quality Specialist for the Washington Water Science Center
My research focuses on the occurrence, fate, and transport of contaminants in the aquatic environment. Recent activities and interests include:
- Developing novel field methods to quantify fluvial sediment-bound chemical concentrations and fluxes from rivers to Puget Sound
- Entry and movement of urban contaminants in nearshore coastal environments
- Monitoring of legacy contaminants (e.g., PCBs and metals), emerging contaminants (e.g., microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals), and microbial contaminants (e.g., bacteria, viruses, and fecal indicators) in aquatic resources with implications for ecological and human health
- Providing technical guidance for water-quality projects, including study design, data quality, and dissemination
Professional Experience
Hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey's Washington Water Science Center since 2011 and the Center's Water-Quality Specialist since 2015.
Education and Certifications
B.S. in Chemistry from the College of William & Mary
M.S. and Ph.D. in Environmental Science & Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines
Post-doctoral research at the University of North Carolina's Institute of Marine Sciences.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 30
Tracking riverborne sediment and contaminants in Commencement Bay, Washington, using geochemical signatures Tracking riverborne sediment and contaminants in Commencement Bay, Washington, using geochemical signatures
Large rivers carry terrestrial sediment, contaminants, and other materials to the coastal zone where they can affect marine biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems. This U.S. Geological Survey study combined river and marine sediment geochemistry and organic contaminant analyses to identify riverborne sediment and associated contaminants at shoreline sites in Commencement Bay, Puget Sound...
Authors
Renee K. Takesue, Kathleen E. Conn, Richard S. Dinicola
Quality-assurance plan for water-quality activities in the U.S. Geological Survey Washington Water Science Center Quality-assurance plan for water-quality activities in the U.S. Geological Survey Washington Water Science Center
In accordance with guidelines set forth by the Office of Water Quality in the Water Mission Area of the U.S. Geological Survey, a quality-assurance plan has been created for use by the Washington Water Science Center (WAWSC) in conducting water-quality activities. This qualityassurance plan documents the standards, policies, and procedures used by the WAWSC for activities related to the...
Authors
Kathleen E. Conn, Raegan L. Huffman, Cynthia Barton
Continuous-flow centrifugation to collect suspended sediment for chemical analysis Continuous-flow centrifugation to collect suspended sediment for chemical analysis
Recent advances in suspended-sediment monitoring tools and surrogate technologies have greatly improved the ability to quantify suspended-sediment concentrations and to estimate daily, seasonal, and annual suspended-sediment fluxes from rivers to coastal waters. However, little is known about the chemical composition of suspended sediment, and how it may vary spatially between water...
Authors
Kathleen E. Conn, Richard S. Dinicola, Robert W. Black, Stephen E. Cox, Richard W. Sheibley, James R. Foreman, Craig A. Senter, Norman T. Peterson
Spatial and temporal variability of contaminants within estuarine sediments and native Olympia oysters: A contrast between a developed and an undeveloped estuary Spatial and temporal variability of contaminants within estuarine sediments and native Olympia oysters: A contrast between a developed and an undeveloped estuary
Chemical contaminants can be introduced into estuarine and marine ecosystems from a variety of sources including wastewater, agriculture and forestry practices, point and non-point discharges, runoff from industrial, municipal, and urban lands, accidental spills, and atmospheric deposition. The diversity of potential sources contributes to the likelihood of contaminated marine waters and...
Authors
Elise F. Granek, Kathleen E. Conn, Elena B. Nilsen, Lori Pillsbury, Angela L. Strecker, Steve Rumrill, William Fish
Chemical concentrations and instantaneous loads, Green River to the Lower Duwamish Waterway near Seattle, Washington, 2013–15 Chemical concentrations and instantaneous loads, Green River to the Lower Duwamish Waterway near Seattle, Washington, 2013–15
In November 2013, U.S. Geological Survey streamgaging equipment was installed at a historical water-quality station on the Duwamish River, Washington, within the tidal influence at river kilometer 16.7 (U.S. Geological Survey site 12113390; Duwamish River at Golf Course at Tukwila, WA). Publicly available, real-time continuous data includes river streamflow, stream velocity, and...
Authors
Kathleen E. Conn, Robert W. Black, Ann M. Vanderpool-Kimura, James R. Foreman, Norman T. Peterson, Craig A. Senter, Stephen K. Sissel
Treatment of trace organic compounds in common onsite wastewater systems Treatment of trace organic compounds in common onsite wastewater systems
Onsite wastewater systems (OWS) have historically been relied on to treat conventional pollutants and pathogens in a fashion similar to that expected from centralized wastewater systems. However, based on the occurrence of, and potential effects from, contaminants of emerging concern in wastewaters, OWS as well as centralized systems need to account for these compounds in system design...
Authors
Robert Siegrist, Kathleen E. Conn
Non-USGS Publications**
Habteselassie, M.Y., Kirs, M., Conn, K.E., Blackwood, A.D., Kelly, G. and Noble, R.T. (2011), Tracking microbial transport through four onsite wastewater treatment systems to receiving waters in eastern North Carolina. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 111: 835–847. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2672.2011.05105.x
Conn, K.E., Lowe, K.S., Drewes, J.E., Hoppe-Jones, C., Tucholke, M.B., 2010, Environmental Engineering Science, 27(4): 347-356, https://doi.org/10.1089/ees.2009.0364
Conn, K. E., Siegrist, R. L., Barber, L. B. and Meyer, M. T. (2010), Fate of trace organic compounds during vadose zone soil treatment in an onsite wastewater system. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 29: 285–293. doi:10.1002/etc.40
Lowe, K.S., Tucholke, M.B., Tomaras, J.M.B., Conn, K., Hoppe, C., Drewes, J.E., McCray, J.E., Munakata-Marr, J., 2009, Influent Constituent Characteristics of the Modern Waste Stream from Single Sources: Final Report. Water Environment Research Foundation. 04-DEC-1. 206 pg., www.ndwrcdp.org/publications.
Lowe, K.S., Rothe, N., Tomaras, J., Conn, K., Tucholke, M., Drewes, J., McCray, J., Munakata-Marr, J., 2007, Influent Constituent Characteristics of the Modern Waste Stream from Single Sources: Literature Review. Water Environment Research Foundation. 04-DEC-1a. 89 pg. PDF available at www.ndwrcdp.org/publications.
Conn, K.E., Siegrist, R.L., Barber, L.B., Brown, G.K. Organic contaminants in onsite wastewater treatment systems. In Proceedings of the 11th National Symposium on Individual and Small Community Sewage Systems. October 20-24, 2007. Warwick, RI: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers: St. Joseph, MI, 701P1107cd.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 30
Tracking riverborne sediment and contaminants in Commencement Bay, Washington, using geochemical signatures Tracking riverborne sediment and contaminants in Commencement Bay, Washington, using geochemical signatures
Large rivers carry terrestrial sediment, contaminants, and other materials to the coastal zone where they can affect marine biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems. This U.S. Geological Survey study combined river and marine sediment geochemistry and organic contaminant analyses to identify riverborne sediment and associated contaminants at shoreline sites in Commencement Bay, Puget Sound...
Authors
Renee K. Takesue, Kathleen E. Conn, Richard S. Dinicola
Quality-assurance plan for water-quality activities in the U.S. Geological Survey Washington Water Science Center Quality-assurance plan for water-quality activities in the U.S. Geological Survey Washington Water Science Center
In accordance with guidelines set forth by the Office of Water Quality in the Water Mission Area of the U.S. Geological Survey, a quality-assurance plan has been created for use by the Washington Water Science Center (WAWSC) in conducting water-quality activities. This qualityassurance plan documents the standards, policies, and procedures used by the WAWSC for activities related to the...
Authors
Kathleen E. Conn, Raegan L. Huffman, Cynthia Barton
Continuous-flow centrifugation to collect suspended sediment for chemical analysis Continuous-flow centrifugation to collect suspended sediment for chemical analysis
Recent advances in suspended-sediment monitoring tools and surrogate technologies have greatly improved the ability to quantify suspended-sediment concentrations and to estimate daily, seasonal, and annual suspended-sediment fluxes from rivers to coastal waters. However, little is known about the chemical composition of suspended sediment, and how it may vary spatially between water...
Authors
Kathleen E. Conn, Richard S. Dinicola, Robert W. Black, Stephen E. Cox, Richard W. Sheibley, James R. Foreman, Craig A. Senter, Norman T. Peterson
Spatial and temporal variability of contaminants within estuarine sediments and native Olympia oysters: A contrast between a developed and an undeveloped estuary Spatial and temporal variability of contaminants within estuarine sediments and native Olympia oysters: A contrast between a developed and an undeveloped estuary
Chemical contaminants can be introduced into estuarine and marine ecosystems from a variety of sources including wastewater, agriculture and forestry practices, point and non-point discharges, runoff from industrial, municipal, and urban lands, accidental spills, and atmospheric deposition. The diversity of potential sources contributes to the likelihood of contaminated marine waters and...
Authors
Elise F. Granek, Kathleen E. Conn, Elena B. Nilsen, Lori Pillsbury, Angela L. Strecker, Steve Rumrill, William Fish
Chemical concentrations and instantaneous loads, Green River to the Lower Duwamish Waterway near Seattle, Washington, 2013–15 Chemical concentrations and instantaneous loads, Green River to the Lower Duwamish Waterway near Seattle, Washington, 2013–15
In November 2013, U.S. Geological Survey streamgaging equipment was installed at a historical water-quality station on the Duwamish River, Washington, within the tidal influence at river kilometer 16.7 (U.S. Geological Survey site 12113390; Duwamish River at Golf Course at Tukwila, WA). Publicly available, real-time continuous data includes river streamflow, stream velocity, and...
Authors
Kathleen E. Conn, Robert W. Black, Ann M. Vanderpool-Kimura, James R. Foreman, Norman T. Peterson, Craig A. Senter, Stephen K. Sissel
Treatment of trace organic compounds in common onsite wastewater systems Treatment of trace organic compounds in common onsite wastewater systems
Onsite wastewater systems (OWS) have historically been relied on to treat conventional pollutants and pathogens in a fashion similar to that expected from centralized wastewater systems. However, based on the occurrence of, and potential effects from, contaminants of emerging concern in wastewaters, OWS as well as centralized systems need to account for these compounds in system design...
Authors
Robert Siegrist, Kathleen E. Conn
Non-USGS Publications**
Habteselassie, M.Y., Kirs, M., Conn, K.E., Blackwood, A.D., Kelly, G. and Noble, R.T. (2011), Tracking microbial transport through four onsite wastewater treatment systems to receiving waters in eastern North Carolina. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 111: 835–847. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2672.2011.05105.x
Conn, K.E., Lowe, K.S., Drewes, J.E., Hoppe-Jones, C., Tucholke, M.B., 2010, Environmental Engineering Science, 27(4): 347-356, https://doi.org/10.1089/ees.2009.0364
Conn, K. E., Siegrist, R. L., Barber, L. B. and Meyer, M. T. (2010), Fate of trace organic compounds during vadose zone soil treatment in an onsite wastewater system. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 29: 285–293. doi:10.1002/etc.40
Lowe, K.S., Tucholke, M.B., Tomaras, J.M.B., Conn, K., Hoppe, C., Drewes, J.E., McCray, J.E., Munakata-Marr, J., 2009, Influent Constituent Characteristics of the Modern Waste Stream from Single Sources: Final Report. Water Environment Research Foundation. 04-DEC-1. 206 pg., www.ndwrcdp.org/publications.
Lowe, K.S., Rothe, N., Tomaras, J., Conn, K., Tucholke, M., Drewes, J., McCray, J., Munakata-Marr, J., 2007, Influent Constituent Characteristics of the Modern Waste Stream from Single Sources: Literature Review. Water Environment Research Foundation. 04-DEC-1a. 89 pg. PDF available at www.ndwrcdp.org/publications.
Conn, K.E., Siegrist, R.L., Barber, L.B., Brown, G.K. Organic contaminants in onsite wastewater treatment systems. In Proceedings of the 11th National Symposium on Individual and Small Community Sewage Systems. October 20-24, 2007. Warwick, RI: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers: St. Joseph, MI, 701P1107cd.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.