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
Survey of chemical contaminants in the Hanalei River, Kaua'i, Hawai'i, 2001
Chemical contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarker responses in fish from the Colorado River and its tributaries
Basic alumina flash chromatographic separation of bulk ortho-PCBs from on-ortho-PCBs, PBDEs, PCDFs, PCDDs, PCDTs, OCPs, and PCTs
Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends (BEST) Program: Environmental contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarkers in fish from the Colorado River basin
Environmental contaminants in fish and their associated risk to piscivorous wildlife in the Yukon River Basin, Alaska
Accumulation of PCB congeners in nestling tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) on the Hudson River, New York
Bioenergetics-based modeling of individual PCB congeners in nestling tree swallows from two contaminated sites on the Upper Hudson River, New York
A national pilot study of mercury contamination of aquatic ecosystems along multiple gradients" Bioaccumulation in fish
Considerations involved with the use of semipermeable membrane devices for monitoring environmental contaminants
Comparing polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations and patterns in the Saginaw River using sediment, caged fish, and semipermeable membrane devices
Polychlorinated biphenyls and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents in tree swallows from the upper Hudson River, New York State, USA
Determination of uptake kinetics (sampling rates) by lipid-containing semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 41
Survey of chemical contaminants in the Hanalei River, Kaua'i, Hawai'i, 2001
The Hanalei River on the island of Kaua'i in Hawai'i was designated an American Heritage River in 1998, providing special attention to natural resource protection, economic revitalization, and historic and cultural preservation. Agricultural, urban, and tourism-related activities are potential sources of contamination within the Hanalei River watershed. The objective of this study was to measure cAuthorsCarl E. Orazio, Thomas W. May, Robert W. Gale, John C. Meadows, William G. Brumbaugh, Kathy R. Echols, William W.M. Steiner, Carl J. BergChemical contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarker responses in fish from the Colorado River and its tributaries
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio), black bass (Micropterus spp.), and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were collected from 14 sites in the Colorado River Basin (CRB) to document spatial trends in accumulative contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarkers. Organochlorine residues, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-like activity (TCDD-EQ), and elemental contaminants were measured iAuthorsJ.E. Hinck, V. S. Blazer, N. D. Denslow, K. R. Echols, T. S. Gross, T.W. May, P.J. Anderson, J.J. Coyle, D. E. TillittBasic alumina flash chromatographic separation of bulk ortho-PCBs from on-ortho-PCBs, PBDEs, PCDFs, PCDDs, PCDTs, OCPs, and PCTs
Comprising nearly 100 congeners in environmental samples, PCBs are often still prevalent in concentrations exceeding 1 μg/g. To effectively measure PCBs, they are isolated as a group from other persistent organic pollutants using silica gel, Florisil, or alumina column chromatography for analysis by GC/MS or dual capillary column GC/ECD. When organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated dipAuthorsPaul H. Peterman, Carl E. Orazio, Kathy R. EcholsBiomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends (BEST) Program: Environmental contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarkers in fish from the Colorado River basin
Seven fish species were collected from 14 sites on rivers in the Colorado River Basin (CDRB) from August to October 2003. Spatial trends in the concentrations of accumulative contaminants were documented and contaminant effects on the fish were assessed. Sites were located on the mainstem of the Colorado River and on the Yampa, Green, Gunnison, San Juan, and Gila Rivers. Common carp (Cyprinus carpAuthorsJo Ellen Hinck, Vicki Blazer, Nancy D. Denslow, Timothy S. Gross, Kathy R. Echols, Anne P. Davis, Tom W. May, Carl E. Orazio, James J. Coyle, Donald E. TillittEnvironmental contaminants in fish and their associated risk to piscivorous wildlife in the Yukon River Basin, Alaska
Organochlorine chemical residues and elemental contaminants were measured in northern pike (Esox lucius), longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus), and burbot (Lota lota) from 10 sites in the Yukon River Basin (YRB) during 2002. Contaminant concentrations were compared to historical YRB data and to toxicity thresholds for fish and piscivorous wildlife from the scientific literature. A risk analysisAuthorsJ.E. Hinck, C. J. Schmitt, K. R. Echols, T.W. May, C.E. Orazio, D. E. TillittAccumulation of PCB congeners in nestling tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) on the Hudson River, New York
Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) were used as a sentinel species to monitor the contamination and bioavailability of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Hudson River watershed. Several tree swallow nest box colonies around and downstream from Hudson Falls, NY, were studied. Tree swallow eggs, adults, and 5-, 10-, and 15-day-old nestlings were collected and analyzed for 103 PCB congeners. EmAuthorsKathy R. Echols, Donald E. Tillitt, John W. Nichols, Anne L. Secord, John P. McCartyBioenergetics-based modeling of individual PCB congeners in nestling tree swallows from two contaminated sites on the Upper Hudson River, New York
A bioenergetics-based model was used to simulate the accumulation of total PCBs and 20 PCB congeners by nestling tree swallows at two contaminated sites on the Upper Hudson River, New York. PCB concentrations in birds were calculated as the sum of inherited residues and those acquired through consumption of contaminated insects. Close agreement between simulations and measured residues in 5-, 10-,AuthorsJohn W. Nichols, Kathy R. Echols, Donald E. Tillitt, Anne L. Secord, John P. McCartyA 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 (positivelyAuthorsWilliam G. Brumbaugh, David P. Krabbenhoft, Dennis R. Helsel, James G. Wiener, Kathy R. EcholsConsiderations involved with the use of semipermeable membrane devices for monitoring environmental contaminants
Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) are used with increasing frequency, and throughout the world as samplers of organic contaminants. The devices can be used to detect a variety of lipophilic chemicals in water, sediment/soil, and air. SPMDs are designed to sample nonpolar, hydrophobic chemicals. The maximum concentration factor achievable for a particular chemical is proportional to its octanoAuthorsJ. D. Petty, C.E. Orazio, J.N. Huckins, R.W. Gale, J.A. Lebo, J.C. Meadows, K. R. Echols, W.L. CranorComparing polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations and patterns in the Saginaw River using sediment, caged fish, and semipermeable membrane devices
Three techniques of assessing bioavailable polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Saginaw River, MI, were compared: sediments, caged fish, and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs). SPMDs and caged fish were placed in the river for 28 days at five sites where sediments were also sampled. The samples were analyzed for PCB congeners to determine concentrations and patterns. Total PCB concentrationAuthorsK. R. Echols, R.W. Gale, T.R. Schwartz, J.N. Huckins, L.L. Williams, J.C. Meadows, D. Morse, J. D. Petty, C.E. Orazio, D. E. TillittPolychlorinated biphenyls and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents in tree swallows from the upper Hudson River, New York State, USA
The upper Hudson River of New York State, USA, is contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as a result of industrial discharges throughout the latter half of this century. In 1994 and 1995, we monitored the transfer of PCBs from aquatic sediments to a terrestrial wildlife community using the tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) as a model organism. Tree swallow eggs and nestlings were collAuthorsAnne L. Secord, John P. McCarty, Kathy R. Echols, John C. Meadows, Robert W. Gale, Donald E. TillittDetermination of uptake kinetics (sampling rates) by lipid-containing semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water
The use of lipid-containing semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) is becoming commonplace, but very little sampling rate data are available for the estimation of ambient contaminant concentrations from analyte levels in exposed SPMDs. We determined the aqueous sampling rates (R(s)s; expressed as effective volumes of water extracted daily) of the standard (commercially available design) 1-g trioleAuthorsJ.N. Huckins, J. D. Petty, C.E. Orazio, J.A. Lebo, R.C. Clark, V.L. Gibson, W.R. Gala, K. R. Echols