Kelly Smalling
I am interested in the exposure and effects of contaminants including current-use pesticides and other endocrine active compounds on fish and wildlife with a focus on amphibian populations.
I am an environmental organic chemist who has been working with the USGS since 2004. My current research focuses on the occurrence, fate and effects of emerging contaminants including current-use pesticides in the environment. I am the lead for the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative's Contaminants Project, the project coordinator of the "EDC effects on fish and wildlife in the Cheseapeake Bay Watershed" project through the Contaminants Biology Program, and a member of the Toxic Substances Hydrology Program's Pesticide Fate Research Team.
Education and Certifications
BS in Chemistry from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 1999
MSPH in Environmental Health Science from the University of South Carolina in 2003
Science and Products
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Science Team
USGS Scientists Develop an Interactive Mapping Tool to Visualize PFAS in Tap Water
Improving Understanding and Coordination of Science Activities for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Collaborative Science Provides Understanding of Contaminants in Bottled Water-an Increasingly Common Alternate Drinking Water Source
USGS Integrates Findings about Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds in the Chesapeake Watershed
Inorganic and Organic Chemical Mixtures Detected in both Public and Private Tap Water in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Chemical concentration results for assessment of mixed-organic/inorganic chemical exposures in the southeast United States, beginning 2022 Chemical concentration results for assessment of mixed-organic/inorganic chemical exposures in the southeast United States, beginning 2022
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) results in tapwater samples, in select areas within the United States, beginning 2023 (ver. 2.0, June 2025) Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) results in tapwater samples, in select areas within the United States, beginning 2023 (ver. 2.0, June 2025)
Mercury concentrations in amphibian tissues and egg masses, fish tissues and sediment in subarctic, freshwater systems near Churchill, Manitoba, 2015-2019 Mercury concentrations in amphibian tissues and egg masses, fish tissues and sediment in subarctic, freshwater systems near Churchill, Manitoba, 2015-2019
Predictions of PFAS in groundwater used as a source of drinking water and related data in the conterminous United States Predictions of PFAS in groundwater used as a source of drinking water and related data in the conterminous United States
Concentrations of 6PPD and 6PPD-Quinone in a United States reconnaissance of stormwater, surface water, and groundwater, 2018-24 Concentrations of 6PPD and 6PPD-Quinone in a United States reconnaissance of stormwater, surface water, and groundwater, 2018-24
Nutrient and trace element results for the U.S. Geological Survey vernal ponds study, Pleasant Grove, New Jersey, 2022-23 Nutrient and trace element results for the U.S. Geological Survey vernal ponds study, Pleasant Grove, New Jersey, 2022-23
Decoupling the roles of corticosterone in mediating effects of methylmercury and chytrid fungus on amphibian survival Decoupling the roles of corticosterone in mediating effects of methylmercury and chytrid fungus on amphibian survival
Deformity, erosion, lesion, tumor, and parasite (DELT) anomalies in fish communities of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, USA: A regional assessment and potential landscape drivers Deformity, erosion, lesion, tumor, and parasite (DELT) anomalies in fish communities of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, USA: A regional assessment and potential landscape drivers
Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plant effluent contributions to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the Potomac River: A basin-scale measuring and modeling approach Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plant effluent contributions to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the Potomac River: A basin-scale measuring and modeling approach
Independent and interactive effects of disease and methylmercury on demographic rates across multiple amphibian populations Independent and interactive effects of disease and methylmercury on demographic rates across multiple amphibian populations
Tapwater exposures, residential risk, and mitigation in a PFAS-impacted-groundwater community Tapwater exposures, residential risk, and mitigation in a PFAS-impacted-groundwater community
Statewide cumulative human health risk assessment of inorganics-contaminated groundwater wells, Montana, USA Statewide cumulative human health risk assessment of inorganics-contaminated groundwater wells, Montana, USA
Non-USGS Publications**
**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
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Science Team
USGS Scientists Develop an Interactive Mapping Tool to Visualize PFAS in Tap Water
Improving Understanding and Coordination of Science Activities for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Collaborative Science Provides Understanding of Contaminants in Bottled Water-an Increasingly Common Alternate Drinking Water Source
USGS Integrates Findings about Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds in the Chesapeake Watershed
Inorganic and Organic Chemical Mixtures Detected in both Public and Private Tap Water in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Chemical concentration results for assessment of mixed-organic/inorganic chemical exposures in the southeast United States, beginning 2022 Chemical concentration results for assessment of mixed-organic/inorganic chemical exposures in the southeast United States, beginning 2022
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) results in tapwater samples, in select areas within the United States, beginning 2023 (ver. 2.0, June 2025) Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) results in tapwater samples, in select areas within the United States, beginning 2023 (ver. 2.0, June 2025)
Mercury concentrations in amphibian tissues and egg masses, fish tissues and sediment in subarctic, freshwater systems near Churchill, Manitoba, 2015-2019 Mercury concentrations in amphibian tissues and egg masses, fish tissues and sediment in subarctic, freshwater systems near Churchill, Manitoba, 2015-2019
Predictions of PFAS in groundwater used as a source of drinking water and related data in the conterminous United States Predictions of PFAS in groundwater used as a source of drinking water and related data in the conterminous United States
Concentrations of 6PPD and 6PPD-Quinone in a United States reconnaissance of stormwater, surface water, and groundwater, 2018-24 Concentrations of 6PPD and 6PPD-Quinone in a United States reconnaissance of stormwater, surface water, and groundwater, 2018-24
Nutrient and trace element results for the U.S. Geological Survey vernal ponds study, Pleasant Grove, New Jersey, 2022-23 Nutrient and trace element results for the U.S. Geological Survey vernal ponds study, Pleasant Grove, New Jersey, 2022-23
Decoupling the roles of corticosterone in mediating effects of methylmercury and chytrid fungus on amphibian survival Decoupling the roles of corticosterone in mediating effects of methylmercury and chytrid fungus on amphibian survival
Deformity, erosion, lesion, tumor, and parasite (DELT) anomalies in fish communities of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, USA: A regional assessment and potential landscape drivers Deformity, erosion, lesion, tumor, and parasite (DELT) anomalies in fish communities of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, USA: A regional assessment and potential landscape drivers
Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plant effluent contributions to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the Potomac River: A basin-scale measuring and modeling approach Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plant effluent contributions to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the Potomac River: A basin-scale measuring and modeling approach
Independent and interactive effects of disease and methylmercury on demographic rates across multiple amphibian populations Independent and interactive effects of disease and methylmercury on demographic rates across multiple amphibian populations
Tapwater exposures, residential risk, and mitigation in a PFAS-impacted-groundwater community Tapwater exposures, residential risk, and mitigation in a PFAS-impacted-groundwater community
Statewide cumulative human health risk assessment of inorganics-contaminated groundwater wells, Montana, USA Statewide cumulative human health risk assessment of inorganics-contaminated groundwater wells, Montana, USA
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.