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Kathy Echols, PhD

Dr. Kathy Echols is a Research Chemist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center. 

She leads the Environmental Forensics Group in the Environmental Chemistry Branch at the center. Her expertise includes persistent organic pollutant analysis, especially in tissue matrices; also does research in algal toxin analysis and emerging contaminant analysis.

Professional Experience

  • 2004-present Research Chemist, Group Leader, Environmental Forensics, Environmental Chemistry Branch, CERC, USGS, Columbia, Missouri.

  • 2000-2004  Research Chemist, Organic Section, Environmental Chemistry Branch, CERC, USGS.  

  • 1996-2000 Research Chemist, Organic/Biochemistry Section, USGS, MSC and CERC.

  • 1997-1998  Adjunct Professor, Chemistry Department, University of Missouri-Columbia.  

  • 1997-1998  Adjunct Professor, Chemistry Department, University of Missouri-Columbia.  

  • 1993-1996  Research Chemist, Leader of Chromatography Section, National Biological Service, CERC 

  • 1992-1993  Research Chemist, Leader of Chromatography Section, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fisheries Contaminant Research Center, Columbia, MO.  

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. Analytical Chemistry, University of Missouri, 1992

  • B.S. Chemistry, College of William and Mary, 1987

Science and Products

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Microplastics sampling on Lake Mead

How are Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds Moving Through the Food Web in Lake Mead National Recreation Area?

Water quality in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LAKE), particularly Las Vegas Bay, is affected by water coming from the Las Vegas Wash, an urban perennial stream whose water is comprised of treated wastewater and urban runoff coming from the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Common carp collected from Las Vegas Wash and Las Vegas Bay and largemouth bass collected from Las Vegas Bay have...
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Nevada Water Science Center
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How are Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds Moving Through the Food Web in Lake Mead National Recreation Area?

Water quality in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LAKE), particularly Las Vegas Bay, is affected by water coming from the Las Vegas Wash, an urban perennial stream whose water is comprised of treated wastewater and urban runoff coming from the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Common carp collected from Las Vegas Wash and Las Vegas Bay and largemouth bass collected from Las Vegas Bay have...
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Organochlorine chemicals in northern cardinal eggs from suburban Washington, DC USA

Analysis of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in northern cardinal eggs from six neighborhoods near Washington, DC
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Sperm quality biomarkers complement reproductive and endocrine parameters in investigating environmental contaminants in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) from the Lake Mead National Recreation Area (1999-2006)

Lake Mead National Recreational Area (LMNRA) serves as critical habitat for several federally listed species and supplies water for municipal, domestic, and agricultural use in the Southwestern U.S. Contaminant sources and concentrations vary among sub-basins within LMNRA. To investigate whether environmental contaminant exposure is associated with alterations in male common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Baseline aquatic contamination and endocrine status in a resident fish of Biscayne National Park

Surface water, sediment, and fish from Biscayne Bay, coastal wetlands adjacent to Biscayne Bay, and canals discharging into Biscayne Bay were sampled for determination of baseline contamination in Biscayne National Park. The number of contaminants detected in canal waters was greater during the wet season relative to the dry season, a relation not evident in Biscayne Bay or wetland waters. Estroge
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Filter Total Items: 41

A national pilot study of mercury contamination of aquatic ecosystems along multiple gradients" Bioaccumulation in fish

Water, sediment, and fish were sampled in the summer and fall of 1998 at 106 sites from 20 U.S. watershed basins to examine relations of mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in aquatic ecosystems. Bioaccumulation of Hg in fish from these basins was evaluated in relation to species, Hg and MeHg in surficial sediment and water, and watershed characteristics. Bioaccumulation was strongly (positively
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Ecosystems, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Mercury Research Laboratory

Movement of synthetic organic compounds in the food web after the introduction of invasive quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) in Lake Mead, Nevada and Arizona, USA

Introductions of dreissenid mussels in North America have been a significant concern over the last few decades. This study assessed the distribution of synthetic organic compounds (SOCs) in the food web of Lake Mead, Nevada/Arizona, USA and how this distribution was influenced by the introduction of invasive quagga mussels. A clear spatial gradient of SOC concentrations in water was observed betwe
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Water Resources, Ecosystems, Cooperative Research Units, California Water Science Center, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Effects of microcystin-LR on juvenile Lost River suckers (Deltistes luxatus) during feeding trials, Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, 2014−16

Executive SummaryHistorically, populations of Lost River suckers (Deltistes luxatus) of the Upper Klamath Basin were so numerous that they were commercially harvested; however, declining numbers throughout the 20th century led to the listing of the species under the United States Endangered Species Act in 1988. Habitat destruction, poor water quality, competition with (and predation by) nonnative
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Ecosystems, Fisheries Program, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Western Fisheries Research Center, Fish Health Program (FHP), Klamath Falls Field Station (KFFS)

Organochlorine chemical residues in Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) eggs from Greater Washington, DC USA

Northern Cardinal eggs from six neighborhoods near Washington DC were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides and PCBs. All compounds were detected more frequently and at higher concentrations in more heavily urbanized neighborhoods. DDT (mostly as p,pʹ-DDE) was detected in all neighborhoods. p,pʹ-DDT was typically 0.5‒16 ng/g (ww) in most suburban neighborhoods but was not detected (
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Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Sperm quality biomarkers complement reproductive and endocrine parameters in investigating environmental contaminants in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) from the Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lake Mead National Recreational Area (LMNRA) serves as critical habitat for several federally listed species and supplies water for municipal, domestic, and agricultural use in the Southwestern U.S. Contaminant sources and concentrations vary among the sub-basins within LMNRA. To investigate whether exposure to environmental contaminants is associated with alterations in male common carp (Cyprinus
By
Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Baseline aquatic contamination and endocrine status in a resident fish of Biscayne National Park

Surface water, sediment, and fish from Biscayne Bay, coastal wetlands adjacent to the Bay, and canals discharging into the Bay were sampled for determination of baseline contamination in Biscayne National Park. While the number of contaminants detected in canal waters was greater during the wet season than the dry season, no seasonal difference was evident for Biscayne Bay or coastal wetland water
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Ecosystems, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Columbia Environmental Research Center

Use of the semipermeable membrane device as an in situ sampler of waterborne bioavailable PCDD and PCDF residues at sub-parts-per-quadrillion concentrations

Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) were used to passively sample aqueous polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in Bayou Meto, AR. The two sites were upstream and downstream from the confluence with a tributary that delivers PCDDs and PCDFs to the Bayou. Following dialysis, cleanup, and fractionation, four replicate 17-9 SPMD samples from each site
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Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Health and condition of endangered juvenile Lost River and shortnose suckers relative to water quality and fish assemblages in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir, California

Executive Summary Most mortality of endangered Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose (Chasmistes brevirostris) suckers in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, appears to occur within the first year of life. However, juvenile suckers in Clear Lake Reservoir, California, appear to survive longer and may even recruit to the spawning populations. Our goal in this study was to develop productive lines of
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Ecosystems, Fisheries Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Fish Health Program (FHP), Klamath Falls Field Station (KFFS)

Evaluation of environmental contaminants and elements in bigheaded carps of the Missouri River at Easley, Missouri, USA

No abstract available.
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Ecosystems, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Novel associations between contaminant body burdens and biomarkers of reproductive condition in male Common Carp along multiple gradients of contaminant exposure in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, USA

Adult male Common Carp were sampled in 2007/08 over a full reproductive cycle at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Sites sampled included a stream dominated by treated wastewater effluent, a lake basin receiving the streamflow, an upstream lake basin (reference), and a site below Hoover Dam. Individual body burdens for 252 contaminants were measured, and biological variables assessed included ph
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Cooperative Research Units

An evaluation of the residual toxicity and chemistry of a sodium hydroxide-based ballast water treatment system for freshwater ships

Nonnative organisms in the ballast water of freshwater ships must be killed to prevent the spread of invasive species. The ideal ballast water treatment system (BWTS) would kill 100% of ballast water organisms with minimal residual toxicity to organisms in receiving waters. In the present study, the residual toxicity and chemistry of a BWTS was evaluated. Sodium hydroxide was added to elevate pH t
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Ecosystems, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Are endocrine and reproductive biomarkers altered in contaminant-exposed wild male Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) of Lake Mead, Nevada/Arizona, USA?

Male Largemouth Bass were sampled from two locations in Lake Mead (USA), a site influenced by treated municipal wastewater effluent and urban runoff (Las Vegas Bay), and a reference site (Overton Arm). Samples were collected in summer (July '07) and spring (March '08) to assess general health, endocrine and reproductive biomarkers, and compare contaminant body burdens by analyzing 252 organic chem
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Cooperative Research Units, Columbia Environmental Research Center

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