Overhead view of technician collecting a water sample of a tributary of Oak Creek, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Owen M Stefaniak
Owen Stefaniak is a Physical Scientist with the Upper Midwest Water Science Center.
Owen Stefaniak is a Physical Scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Wisconsin office. His current research interests focus broadly on investigating anthropogenic impacts on surface water quality. He has been involved in a range of projects including assessment of organic contaminants in sediment and porewater of Great Lakes tributaries, monitoring aircraft and pavement deicer runoff in airport adjacent waterways, extent of waterborne pathogens and pharmaceutical compounds in rivers and streams, and monitoring concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban stormwater runoff. He has also participated in field efforts that support investigations of harmful algal toxins in the Fox River/Lake Winnebago watershed, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Clinton River Area of Concern. Prior to joining the Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Owen worked as a marine science technician on the U.S. EPA research vessel Lake Guardian (2014-2018), and a science educator on the educational tall ship S/V Denis Sullivan (2011-2014). In addition to the EPA's biannual long-term monitoring cruises, his time on Lake Guardian included field work on a diverse range of projects including the Great Lakes Sediment Surveillance Program, CSMI benthic monitoring in Lakes Erie, Michigan, Superior, and Huron, and the National Coastal Condition Assessment survey of the Huron-Erie connecting corridor. He has broad experience in pelagic monitoring and sampling methodologies as well as the planning and logistics of offshore scientific operations. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton near coastal master's license.
Education and Certifications
M.S. in Freshwater Science and Technology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2019
B.S. 2010, Environmental Science, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Science and Products
PCB source assessment in the lower Clinton River, Clinton River Area of Concern, Mount Clemens, Michigan
Risk-based prioritization of organic chemicals and locations of ecological concern in sediment from Great Lakes tributaries
Application amount and total phosphorus content for ice control products applied at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 2015 - 2021
Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) data from instream water and sediment passive samplers, stream bank sediment, and catch basin sediment in the Clinton River Area of Concern, Michigan, USA, 2019
Overhead view of technician collecting a water sample of a tributary of Oak Creek, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Physical Scientist Owen Stefaniak collects a surface water grab sample for chloride analysis while a multiparameter sonde takes a water quality measurement near the upstream Infall site near the Air Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing base in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Physical Scientist Owen Stefaniak collects a surface water grab sample for chloride analysis while a multiparameter sonde takes a water quality measurement near the upstream Infall site near the Air Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing base in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
One of four streamgaging stations with autosamplers used in study to detect phosphorus in receiving waters from airport deicer runuff.
One of four streamgaging stations with autosamplers used in study to detect phosphorus in receiving waters from airport deicer runuff.
Owen Stefaniak collects a water sample of a tributary of Oak Creek, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The tributary is locoated at the southeast corner of General Mitchell International Airport property, just outside the perimeter fence. The airport runway is visible beyond the fence.
Owen Stefaniak collects a water sample of a tributary of Oak Creek, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The tributary is locoated at the southeast corner of General Mitchell International Airport property, just outside the perimeter fence. The airport runway is visible beyond the fence.
Two scientists collecting water samples at a tributary of Oak Creek in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in winter
linkOwen Stefaniak and Kathryn Johncock collect water samples of a tributary of Oak Creek, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The tributary is locoated at the southeast corner of General Mitchell International Airport property, just outside the perimeter fence.
Two scientists collecting water samples at a tributary of Oak Creek in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in winter
linkOwen Stefaniak and Kathryn Johncock collect water samples of a tributary of Oak Creek, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The tributary is locoated at the southeast corner of General Mitchell International Airport property, just outside the perimeter fence.
Two technicians deicing a plane at Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport in winter. They are applying Type I aircraft deicer (which is orange) to the plane. Type I deicer is typically applied hot (hence the steam) and it is used to remove existing ice and snow. This will then usually be followed with Type IV (which is green) to prevent new ice.
Two technicians deicing a plane at Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport in winter. They are applying Type I aircraft deicer (which is orange) to the plane. Type I deicer is typically applied hot (hence the steam) and it is used to remove existing ice and snow. This will then usually be followed with Type IV (which is green) to prevent new ice.
Owen Stefaniak inspects equipment at streamgage 040871473, Wilson Park Creek @ GMIA Infall at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wilson Park Creek at Gmia Infall at Milwaukee, WI - USGS Water Data for the Nation.
Owen Stefaniak inspects equipment at streamgage 040871473, Wilson Park Creek @ GMIA Infall at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wilson Park Creek at Gmia Infall at Milwaukee, WI - USGS Water Data for the Nation.
A technician has just finished applying Type IV aircraft anti-icing fluid (which is green) to an airplane parked at a hangar. Anti-icing fluid is applied after the plane has already been deiced and it is used to prevent new ice from forming. Type IV fluid typically shears off the fuselage during takeoff and can be deposited along runways.
A technician has just finished applying Type IV aircraft anti-icing fluid (which is green) to an airplane parked at a hangar. Anti-icing fluid is applied after the plane has already been deiced and it is used to prevent new ice from forming. Type IV fluid typically shears off the fuselage during takeoff and can be deposited along runways.
Upstream Infall gaging station near the Air Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing base in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
linkUpstream Infall gaging station near the Air Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing base in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Upstream Infall gaging station near the Air Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing base in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
linkUpstream Infall gaging station near the Air Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing base in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Hydrologic Imagery Visualization and Information System (HIVIS) webcam at Jones' Island Milwaukee, Wisconsin with Hoan Memorial Bridge in background.
Hydrologic Imagery Visualization and Information System (HIVIS) webcam at Jones' Island Milwaukee, Wisconsin with Hoan Memorial Bridge in background.
Integrated Ecosystems Studies Team
Science and Products
- Publications
PCB source assessment in the lower Clinton River, Clinton River Area of Concern, Mount Clemens, Michigan
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), some of the earliest “forever chemicals,” were used for decades in the United States before 1979 when PCB manufacturing was banned. High PCB concentrations were found recently in the lower Clinton River in the Great Lakes drainage. To determine the possible existence, location, and significance of a current source of PCBs, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) deployeAuthorsBarbara C. Scudder Eikenberry, Hayley Olds, Owen M. Stefaniak, David A. AlvarezRisk-based prioritization of organic chemicals and locations of ecological concern in sediment from Great Lakes tributaries
With improved analytical techniques, environmental monitoring studies are increasingly able to report the occurrence of tens or hundreds of chemicals per site, making it difficult to identify the most relevant chemicals from a biological standpoint. For this study, organic chemical occurrence was examined, individually and as mixtures, in the context of potential biological effects. Sediment was cAuthorsAustin K. Baldwin, Steven R. Corsi, Owen M. Stefaniak, Luke C. Loken, Daniel L. Villeneuve, Gerald T. Ankley, Brett R. Blackwell, Peter L. Lenaker, Michelle A. Nott, Marc A. Mills - Data
Application amount and total phosphorus content for ice control products applied at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 2015 - 2021
A record of aircraft and pavement ice control products applied at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, WI during water years 2015 - 2021, with an accompanying chemical analysis of the phosphorus content and chemical oxygen demand of those products.Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) data from instream water and sediment passive samplers, stream bank sediment, and catch basin sediment in the Clinton River Area of Concern, Michigan, USA, 2019
Two types of passive samplers for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) analysis were deployed in the Clinton River Area of Concern in 2019: semipermeable membrane devices for water and in-stream sediment samplers. Samplers were deployed in July 2019 and retrieved in August 2019. Additionally, bank sediment samples for PCB analysis were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in August 2019 and ca - Multimedia
Overhead view of technician collecting a water sample in winterOverhead view of technician collecting a water sample in winter
Overhead view of technician collecting a water sample of a tributary of Oak Creek, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Overhead view of technician collecting a water sample of a tributary of Oak Creek, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Collecting a surface water grab sample for chloride analysis in winter in Milwaukee, WisconsinCollecting a surface water grab sample for chloride analysis in winter in Milwaukee, WisconsinPhysical Scientist Owen Stefaniak collects a surface water grab sample for chloride analysis while a multiparameter sonde takes a water quality measurement near the upstream Infall site near the Air Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing base in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Physical Scientist Owen Stefaniak collects a surface water grab sample for chloride analysis while a multiparameter sonde takes a water quality measurement near the upstream Infall site near the Air Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing base in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Streamgage station in winter in Milwaukee, WisconsinStreamgage station in winter in Milwaukee, WisconsinOne of four streamgaging stations with autosamplers used in study to detect phosphorus in receiving waters from airport deicer runuff.
One of four streamgaging stations with autosamplers used in study to detect phosphorus in receiving waters from airport deicer runuff.
Collecting water sample of a tributary of Oak Creek in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in winterCollecting water sample of a tributary of Oak Creek in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in winterOwen Stefaniak collects a water sample of a tributary of Oak Creek, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The tributary is locoated at the southeast corner of General Mitchell International Airport property, just outside the perimeter fence. The airport runway is visible beyond the fence.
Owen Stefaniak collects a water sample of a tributary of Oak Creek, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The tributary is locoated at the southeast corner of General Mitchell International Airport property, just outside the perimeter fence. The airport runway is visible beyond the fence.
Two scientists collecting water samples at a tributary of Oak Creek in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in winterTwo scientists collecting water samples at a tributary of Oak Creek in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in winterTwo scientists collecting water samples at a tributary of Oak Creek in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in winter
linkOwen Stefaniak and Kathryn Johncock collect water samples of a tributary of Oak Creek, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The tributary is locoated at the southeast corner of General Mitchell International Airport property, just outside the perimeter fence.
Two scientists collecting water samples at a tributary of Oak Creek in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in winter
linkOwen Stefaniak and Kathryn Johncock collect water samples of a tributary of Oak Creek, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The tributary is locoated at the southeast corner of General Mitchell International Airport property, just outside the perimeter fence.
Deicing an airplane at Milwaukee airportTwo technicians deicing a plane at Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport in winter. They are applying Type I aircraft deicer (which is orange) to the plane. Type I deicer is typically applied hot (hence the steam) and it is used to remove existing ice and snow. This will then usually be followed with Type IV (which is green) to prevent new ice.
Two technicians deicing a plane at Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport in winter. They are applying Type I aircraft deicer (which is orange) to the plane. Type I deicer is typically applied hot (hence the steam) and it is used to remove existing ice and snow. This will then usually be followed with Type IV (which is green) to prevent new ice.
Inspecting equipment at streamgage 040871473 at Wilson Park Creek in Milwaukee, WisconsinInspecting equipment at streamgage 040871473 at Wilson Park Creek in Milwaukee, WisconsinOwen Stefaniak inspects equipment at streamgage 040871473, Wilson Park Creek @ GMIA Infall at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wilson Park Creek at Gmia Infall at Milwaukee, WI - USGS Water Data for the Nation.
Owen Stefaniak inspects equipment at streamgage 040871473, Wilson Park Creek @ GMIA Infall at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wilson Park Creek at Gmia Infall at Milwaukee, WI - USGS Water Data for the Nation.
Airplane parked at hangar after deicingA technician has just finished applying Type IV aircraft anti-icing fluid (which is green) to an airplane parked at a hangar. Anti-icing fluid is applied after the plane has already been deiced and it is used to prevent new ice from forming. Type IV fluid typically shears off the fuselage during takeoff and can be deposited along runways.
A technician has just finished applying Type IV aircraft anti-icing fluid (which is green) to an airplane parked at a hangar. Anti-icing fluid is applied after the plane has already been deiced and it is used to prevent new ice from forming. Type IV fluid typically shears off the fuselage during takeoff and can be deposited along runways.
Upstream Infall gaging station near the Air Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing base in Milwaukee, WisconsinUpstream Infall gaging station near the Air Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing base in Milwaukee, WisconsinUpstream Infall gaging station near the Air Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing base in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
linkUpstream Infall gaging station near the Air Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing base in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Upstream Infall gaging station near the Air Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing base in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
linkUpstream Infall gaging station near the Air Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing base in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
HIVIS webcam at Jones Island Milwaukee with Hoan Memorial Bridge in backgroundHIVIS webcam at Jones Island Milwaukee with Hoan Memorial Bridge in backgroundHydrologic Imagery Visualization and Information System (HIVIS) webcam at Jones' Island Milwaukee, Wisconsin with Hoan Memorial Bridge in background.
Hydrologic Imagery Visualization and Information System (HIVIS) webcam at Jones' Island Milwaukee, Wisconsin with Hoan Memorial Bridge in background.
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Integrated Ecosystems Studies Team
The Integrated Ecosystem Studies Team (IES) at the Upper Midwest Water Science Center uses interdisciplinary approaches to investigate characteristics and drivers of water quality and aquatic biology in rivers, lakes, and wetlands.