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Laura E Hubbard

Laura Hubbard is a Research Hydrologist with the Upper Midwest Water Science Center and the co-lead of the Food Resources Integrated Science Team within the Ecosystems Mission Area Environmental Health Program.

Laura Hubbard earned a B.S. in Geological Sciences from the University of Wisconsin and an M.S. in Earth Sciences (Hydrology) from Indiana University. She began her career at the USGS as a student trainee assisting urban non-point and rural edge-of-field runoff projects. Beginning in 2007, she led projects examining nutrient retention in restored and native oxbow wetlands. Shortly after she began working on projects focused on contaminants of emerging concern, including characterizing chemical and microbial contaminants from animal feeding operations and the hydrological, chemical, and biological effects of eliminating a wastewater treatment facility discharge from an urban stream ecosystem. As a co-lead of the Food Resources Integrated Science Team within the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area, she has led and coordinated national studies investigating agricultural and urban contaminants in groundwater, surface water, and plant and animal tissue including viruses, bacteria, pathogens, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, disinfection by-products, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals.

 

Professional Experience

  • Research Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Madison, WI, 2022 to present

  • Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Madison, WI, 2013 to 2022

  • Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Iowa City, IA, 2007 to 2013

  • Student Trainee (Hydrology), U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Water Science Center, Middleton, WI, 2002 to 2007

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. 2007, Indiana University, Earth Sciences (Hydrology); research emphasis: hydrology, geochemistry, nutrient export, and event-driven sampling

  • B.S. 2004, University of Wisconsin, Major: Geological Sciences, Minor: Environmental Science

Science and Products

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Small stream traversing a field

Study Provides a Data Resource for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Streams Within Iowa Agricultural Watersheds

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were detected in streams within agricultural areas (an often-unmeasured landscape) across Iowa. The data from this study provide one resource to understand the extent of PFAS concentrations in water resources from diverse landscapes throughout the United States.
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Ecosystems, Environmental Health, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
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Study Provides a Data Resource for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Streams Within Iowa Agricultural Watersheds

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were detected in streams within agricultural areas (an often-unmeasured landscape) across Iowa. The data from this study provide one resource to understand the extent of PFAS concentrations in water resources from diverse landscapes throughout the United States.
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Commercial poultry

Food Resources Lifecycle Integrated Science Team

The team studies the movement of toxicants and pathogens that could originate from the growing, raising, and processing/manufacturing of plant and animal products through the environment where exposure can occur. This information is used to understand if there are adverse effects upon exposure and to develop decision tools to protect health.
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Ecosystems, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
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Food Resources Lifecycle Integrated Science Team

The team studies the movement of toxicants and pathogens that could originate from the growing, raising, and processing/manufacturing of plant and animal products through the environment where exposure can occur. This information is used to understand if there are adverse effects upon exposure and to develop decision tools to protect health.
Learn More
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Photo of Laboratory for Infectious Diseases and the Environment (LIDE) lab space

Occurrence of Avian Influenza Virus in Groundwater—Study Provides Baseline Data and Informs Future Studies

This pilot study provided baseline data on avian influenza virus (AIV) occurrence in groundwater underlying poultry farms and documented the challenges for conducting a pathogen transport study during a disease outbreak.
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Ecosystems, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
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Occurrence of Avian Influenza Virus in Groundwater—Study Provides Baseline Data and Informs Future Studies

This pilot study provided baseline data on avian influenza virus (AIV) occurrence in groundwater underlying poultry farms and documented the challenges for conducting a pathogen transport study during a disease outbreak.
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A map of Fourmile Creek study area in Ankeny, Iowa

Recovery of Stream and Adjacent Groundwater After Wastewater Treatment Facility Closure

The hydrology and chemistry of a wastewater-impacted stream and adjacent groundwater responded rapidly (had fewer chemicals at lower concentrations) following wastewater treatment facility shutdown. However, the adjacent shallow groundwater remained a continuing source of some wastewater-derived contaminants to the stream at least 1 year post-shutdown.
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Ecosystems, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
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Recovery of Stream and Adjacent Groundwater After Wastewater Treatment Facility Closure

The hydrology and chemistry of a wastewater-impacted stream and adjacent groundwater responded rapidly (had fewer chemicals at lower concentrations) following wastewater treatment facility shutdown. However, the adjacent shallow groundwater remained a continuing source of some wastewater-derived contaminants to the stream at least 1 year post-shutdown.
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Regression and load estimates for the tributary nutrient and sediment monitoring program on the Great Lakes, 2011-2013

Nutrient and sediment regression information (diagnostics and coefficients) and estimated load data from 30 tributaries to the Great Lakes, beginning of the program (water year 2011) to water year 2013.
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Concentrations of inorganic, organic, and microbial analytes from a national reconnaissance of wastewater from food, beverage, and feedstock facilities across the United States

This dataset contains results for treated wastewater samples collected at food processing facilities across the United States to characterize the potential contaminant profile of this type of wastewater. The associated report (Hubbard and others, 2021) can be found at https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c06821. Samples were analyzed by USGS laboratories using 10 target organic (576 unique analytes),
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Ecosystems, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Water-quality data for a statewide assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) study in Iowa, 2019-2020

Data were collected at 60 surface water and two effluent sites across Iowa in 2019-2020 by staff from the U.S. Geological Survey Central Midwest Water Science Center. Samples were submitted to the National Water Quality Laboratory in Denver, Colorado, and were analyzed for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
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Ecosystems, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Temporal Viral Viability Data from Avian Influenza A Viruses Maintained in Alaska Wetlands Under Experimental and Environmental Conditions

Data sets containing: (1) sample collection and influenza A virus (IAV) screening information for wild ducks, (2) water temperature data from four wetlands within the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, USA (3) water quality measurement from four wetlands within the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, USA, (4) genetic sequence data for IAVs recovered from replicate samples of wild
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Environmental Health Program, Alaska Science Center

Microbial and chemical contaminant occurrence and concentration in groundwater and surface water proximal to large-scale poultry facilities and poultry litter, 2016

Chemical and biological results, quality assurance and quality control, and method information from groundwater, surface water, and litter samples, collected from nine locations in Iowa and one in Wisconsin in 2016. Thirteen groundwater, nine surface water, four poultry litter, and four QA/QC samples were collected. Samples were analyzed at U.S. Geological Survey laboratories; bacteria, pathogens,
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Environmental Health Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Concentrations and associated method information for trace and major elements in Fourmile Creek near Ankeny, Iowa, USA during the 2011-2014 wastewater treatment facility pre/post-closure assessment

Dataset includes trace and rare earth element concentration data as well as water level elevation data in select groundwater piezometers recorded in 10 minute intervals during the period October 2011 to October 2014. Latitude and longitude data are provided for groundwater piezometer locations. This data release supports the following publication: Keefe, S.H., L.E. Hubbard, L.B. Barber, P
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Water Resources
Researchers walk between hundreds of spawning sockeye salmon in shallow lake at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska link
Brown bear sow and cubs walk along shoreline of lake in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
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Two scientists wade with an orange inflatable boat in shallow Alaskan wetland
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Researchers walk between hundreds of spawning sockeye salmon in shallow lake at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
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Scientist standing it hip deep water in Alaska lake with inflatable raft carrying water sampling equipment
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Scientists scout for brown bears on shore of Alaskan lake at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
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Scientist wading in river with an orange inflatable boat
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Five scientists in protective lab gear and masks holding equipment used in laboratory experiments
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Scientist posing next to truck with bed filled with large sample water bottles
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Eight cultured agar plates with colorful bacteria growing, arranged over black background
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Smiling woman pictured against large fossil imprinted wall
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Woman in full protective gear holding a bag with sample bottles.
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Woman in mask holding a bag with sample bottles.
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Puffin flying against snow covered mountain background
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Six puffins standing on dock railing on an overcast day
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Harbor seals in shallow bay near grassy shore.
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Before and after photos of Fourmile Creek near Ankeny, Iowa, showing a wastewater outfall from a wastewater treatment facility
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Spigot sticking out of a pipe in a drinking-water treatment plant
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Water quality sampling in snow
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Filter Total Items: 23

Contaminant exposure and transport from three potential reuse waters within a single watershed

Global demand for safe and sustainable water supplies necessitates a better understanding of contaminant exposures in potential reuse waters. In this study, we compared exposures and load contributions to surface water from the discharge of three reuse waters (wastewater effluent, urban stormwater, and agricultural runoff). Results document substantial and varying organic-chemical contribution to
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Water Resources, Environmental Health Program, California Water Science Center, Oklahoma Water Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory

Food, beverage, and feedstock processing facility wastewater: A unique and underappreciated source of contaminants to U.S. streams

Process wastewaters from food, beverage, and feedstock facilities, although regulated, are an under-investigated environmental contaminant source. Food process wastewaters (FPWWs) from 23 facilities in 17 U.S. states were sampled and documented for a plethora of chemical and microbial contaminants. Of the 576 analyzed organics, 184 (32%) were detected at least once, with concentrations as large as
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Ecosystems, Water Resources, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Water Science Center, National Water Quality Laboratory

A comprehensive statewide spatiotemporal stream assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in an agricultural region of the United States

Public concern regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has grown substantially in recent years. In addition, research has documented multiple potential agriculture-related release pathways for PFAS (e.g., biosolids and livestock manure). Nevertheless, little research on the environmental prevalence of PFAS has been conducted in agricultural regions of the United States. To fill this g

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Ecosystems, Water Resources, Contaminant Biology, Energy Resources Program, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Evidence for interannual persistence of infectious influenza A viruses in Alaska wetlands

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) deposited by wild birds into the environment may lead to sporadic mortality events and economically costly outbreaks among domestic birds. There is a paucity of information, however, regarding the persistence of infectious IAVs within the environment following deposition. In this investigation, we assessed the persistence of 12 IAVs that were present in the cloaca and/or
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Ecosystems, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Alaska Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Exposure and transport of alkaloids and phytoestrogens from soybeans to agricultural soils and streams in the Midwestern United States

Phytotoxins are naturally produced toxins with potencies similar/higher than many anthropogenic micropollutants. Nevertheless, little is known regarding their environmental fate and off-field transport to streams. To fill this research gap, a network of six basins in the Midwestern United States with substantial soybean production was selected for the study. Stream water (n = 110), soybean plant t
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Ecosystems, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Poultry litter as potential source of pathogens and other contaminants in groundwater and surface water proximal to large-scale confined poultry feeding operations

Manure from livestock production has been associated with the contamination of water resources. To date, research has primarily focused on runoff of these contaminants from animal operations into surface water, and the introduction of poultry-derived pathogenic zoonoses and other contaminants into groundwater is under-investigated. We characterized pathogens and other microbial and chemical contam
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Upper Midwest Water Science Center

A surrogate regression approach for computing continuous loads for the tributary nutrient and sediment monitoring program on the Great Lakes

Water quality (WQ) in many Great Lake tributaries has been degraded (increased nutrient and sediment concentrations) due to changes in their watersheds, resulting in downstream eutrophication. As part of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, specific goals were established for loading of specific constituents (e.g., phosphorus). In 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was launched to id
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Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Highlighting the complexities of a groundwater pilot study during an avian influenza outbreak: Methods, lessons learned, and select contaminant results

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N2) outbreak in the Midwestern United States (US) in 2015 was historic due to the number of birds and poultry operations impacted and the corresponding economic loss to the poultry industry and was the largest animal health emergency in US history. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), with the assistance of several state and federal agencies, aided the respon
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Water Resources, California Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Avian influenza virus RNA in groundwater wells supplying poultry farms affected by the 2015 influenza outbreak

During the 2015 outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) on poultry farms in the midwestern United States, concern was raised about the potential for HPAI to contaminate groundwater. Our study objective was to evaluate the occurrence of HPAI in the groundwater supply wells on 13 outbreak-affected poultry farms in Iowa and Wisconsin. We sampled 20 wells, six waste-storage lagoons,
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Water Resources, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Laboratory for Infectious Disease and the Environment

Flood-frequency characteristics of Wisconsin streams

Flood-frequency characteristics for 360 gaged sites on unregulated rural streams in Wisconsin are presented for percent annual exceedance probabilities ranging from 0.2 to 50 using a statewide skewness map developed for this report. Equations of the relations between flood-frequency and drainage-basin characteristics were developed by multiple-regression analyses. Flood-frequency characteristics f
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Water Resources, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

The effect of restored and native oxbows on hydraulic loads of nutrients and stream water quality

The use of oxbow wetlands has been identified as a potential strategy to reduce nutrient transport from agricultural drainage tiles to streams in Iowa. In 2013 and 2014, a study was conducted in north-central Iowa in a native oxbow in the Lyons Creek watershed and two restored oxbow wetlands in the Prairie Creek watershed (Smeltzer west and Smeltzer east) to assess their effectiveness at reducing
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Water Resources, Central Midwest Water Science Center

U.S. Geological Survey science strategy for highly pathogenic avian influenza in wildlife and the environment (2016–2020)

IntroductionThrough the Science Strategy for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Wildlife and the Environment, the USGS will assess avian influenza (AI) dynamics in an ecological context to inform decisions made by resource managers and policymakers from the local to national level. Through collection of unbiased scientific information on the ecology of AI viruses and wildlife hosts in a c
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Ecosystems, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS), Alaska Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Laboratory for Infectious Disease and the Environment

Science and Products