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Lisa Carper

Lisa Carper is a Physical Scientist in the New England Water Science Center.

Interests

  • Geeking out with gadgets
  • Field testing and exploring various sensor technologies to discern environmental patterns
  • Surrogate modeling
  • Passive samplers

Skills and Experience

  • Reconnoitering, engineering, and installation of real-time water-quality monitoring stations
  • Operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of data loggers and water-quality sensors
  • Routine use of multi-parameter sondes and fluorometric and spectrometric sensors for NO3+NO2 as N, Dissolved Organic Carbon, Chlorophyll-a and Phycocyanin
  • Surface and ground water-quality discrete sample collection and processing for chemical analyses including nutrients, trace metals, pesticides, low-level mercury, volatile organic compounds, endocrine disrupting compounds and legacy and emerging contaminants
  • Records processing according to USGS standards and protocol
  • Quality assure water-quality data by performing statistical and technical analyses using R

Recent Projects

  • NJ continuous water-quality monitoring network (45 stations)
  • Downstream Fate and Transport of Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins in the Raritan Basin Water Supply Commission, New Jersey
  • Next Generation Water Observing Systems, Delaware River Basin – White Clay Creek Piedmont Basin Sediment Study

Professional Experience

  • Physical Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, New England Water Science Center, 2021 to Present

  • Physical Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, 2008 to 2021

  • Intern, Master Well Owner Network, Penn State University Extension Office, 2007

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. Terrestrial Ecology and Biodiversity Management, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 2014

  • B.S. Environmental Resource Management, Minor in Watersheds and Water Resources, Pennsylvania State University

Science and Products

Calibration data and model archive summaries for suspended-sediment, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus concentration surrogate models in York County, Pennsylvania, 2019-2023

Total Nitrogen models are still in development and are not yet available. Anticipated availability is early April 2024. Information on this page will be edited as needed.   The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the York County Planning Commission and York County Conservation District, has collected discrete stream samples for analysis of suspended-sediment, total nitrogen, and tot
By
Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Location, sampling methods and field conditions of response-mode soil and sediment sampling stations sampled, Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015

Coastal communities are uniquely vulnerable to sea-level rise (SLR) and severe storms such as hurricanes. These events enhance the dispersion and concentration of natural and anthropogenic chemicals and pathogenic microorganisms that could adversely affect the health and resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems in coming years. The U.S. Geological Survey has developed the Sediment-Bound Co
By
New Jersey Water Science Center
Female scientist digging sand from a bucket while on a boat in the water.
USGS Employee Sediment Sampling On Barnegat Bay, NJ After Super Storm
USGS Employee Sediment Sampling On Barnegat Bay, NJ After Super Storm
Female scientist digging sand from a bucket while on a boat in the water.

USGS Employee Sediment Sampling On Barnegat Bay, NJ After Super Storm

USGS Employee Sediment Sampling On Barnegat Bay, NJ After Super Storm

A USGS employee, is performing a sediment sampling on Barnegat Bay, NJ after Super Storm Sandy.

By
Water Resources Mission Area
Female scientist digging sand from a bucket while on a boat in the water.

USGS Employee Sediment Sampling On Barnegat Bay, NJ After Super Storm

USGS Employee Sediment Sampling On Barnegat Bay, NJ After Super Storm

A USGS employee, is performing a sediment sampling on Barnegat Bay, NJ after Super Storm Sandy.

By
Water Resources Mission Area

Estuarine bed-sediment-quality data collected in New Jersey and New York after Hurricane Sandy, 2013

This report describes a reconnaissance study of estuarine bed-sediment quality conducted June–October 2013 in New Jersey and New York after Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 to assess the extent of contamination and the potential long-term human and ecological impacts of the storm. The study, funded through the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 (PL 113-2), was conducted by the U.S. Geologic
Authors
Jeffrey M. Fischer, Patrick J. Phillips, Timothy J. Reilly, Michael J. Focazio, Keith A. Loftin, William Benzel, Daniel Jones, Kelly L. Smalling, Shawn C. Fisher, Irene J. Fisher, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Kristin M. Romanok, Darkus E. Jenkins, Luke Bowers, Adam Boehlke, William T. Foreman, Anna C. Deetz, Lisa G. Carper, Thomas E. Imbrigiotta, Justin E. Birdwell
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Hurricane Sandy

Science and Products