Paul M Bradley
Introduction: Research Hydrologist/Ecologist with the South Atlantic Water Science Center focused on understanding environmental contaminant mixture exposures and real versus perceived effects to human and environmental health.
Paul is project lead, along with Kelly Smalling, of the Drinking-Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Integrated Science Team of the Ecosystems Mission, Environmental Health Program. His research focuses on human exposures to and potential effects of inorganic, organic, and microbial contaminant mixtures in drinking water at the point of use and on anthropogenic contaminant mixtures as ecosystem stressors.
Professional Experience
1988–present: Research Ecologist/Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey
Expertise:
• Contaminant mixtures
• Drinking water
• Water quality
• Environmental health
Education and Certifications
B.S., Applied Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
M.S., Applied Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
Ph.D., Physiological Ecology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
Science and Products
Pesticides and Pharmaceutical Exposure Data for Select Protected Streams of the US National Park Service Southeast Region 2015-2017
Chemical-Gene and Chemical-Pathway Interactions Predicted for Chemicals Detected in the USGS-USEPA National Streams Pilot Study Based on Effects Data in the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD)
Mixed Organic and Inorganic Tapwater Results in the Greater Chicago Area, USA, 2017-2019
Water Quality Data for Bushy Park Reservoir, South Carolina 2013-2015
Concentrations of Pesticides, Pharmaceuticals, Organic Waste Indicators, and Volatile Organic Chemical Contaminants and Their Predicted Effects Potential in Wadeable Southeastern USA Streams
Nutrient concentrations, streamflow, and geospatial data for 76 wadeable streams in the Piedmont Ecoregion of the Southeastern United States
Occurrence and Concentrations of Trace Elements in Discrete Tapwater Samples Collected in Chicago, Illinois and East Chicago, Indiana, 2017
Target-Chemical Concentrations, Exposure Activity Ratios, and Bioassay Results for Assessment of Mixed-Organic/Inorganic-Chemical Exposure in USA Tapwater, 2016
Occurrence data for organic compounds and bioactive chemicals in water, sediment and tissue from Rocky Mountain National Park, 2012-13
Bioactive Contaminants of Emerging Concern in National Park Waters of the Northern Colorado Plateau, USA, 2012-2016
Concentrations of Bioactive Organic Contaminants in Water and Sediment and Rates of Contaminant Biodegradation in Sediment at Congaree National Park, USA 2013-15
Targeted-Organic-Chemical Analysis Concentration Data for Surface-Water Samples Collected from 38 Stream Sites across the USA during 2012-2014
Public and private tapwater: Comparative analysis of contaminant exposure and potential risk, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA
Machine learning models of arsenic in private wells throughout the conterminous United States as a tool for exposure assessment in human health studies
Inclusion of pesticide transformation products is key to estimating pesticide exposures and effects in small U.S. streams
Feral swine as sources of fecal contamination in recreational waters
Multi-region assessment of chemical mixture exposures and predicted cumulative effects in USA wadeable urban/agriculture-gradient streams
Chemical-contaminant mixtures are widely reported in large stream reaches in urban/agriculture-developed watersheds, but mixture compositions and aggregate biological effects are less well understood in corresponding smaller headwaters, which comprise most of stream length, riparian connectivity, and spatial biodiversity. During 2014–2017, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measured 389 unique orga
In vitro effects-based method and water quality screening model for use in pre- and post-distribution treated waters
Effects-based monitoring of bioactive chemicals discharged to the Colorado River before and after a municipal wastewater treatment plant replacement
Effects of stormwater runoff from selected bridge decks on conditions of water, sediment, and biological quality in receiving waters in South Carolina, 2013 to 2018
Evaluating the potential role of bioactive chemicals on the distribution of invasive Asian carp upstream and downstream from river mile 278 in the Illinois waterway
Methylmercury-Total mercury ratios in predator and primary consumer insects from Adirondack streams (New York, USA)
Landfill leachate contributes per-/poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and pharmaceuticals to municipal wastewater
Multi-region assessment of pharmaceutical exposures and predicted effects in USA wadeable urban-gradient streams
Science and Products
- Science
Filter Total Items: 21
- Data
Filter Total Items: 44
Pesticides and Pharmaceutical Exposure Data for Select Protected Streams of the US National Park Service Southeast Region 2015-2017
This dataset contains pesticide and pharmaceutical results (including maximum and median summaries) collected in the Southeast Region of the United States, 2015-17. Water-quality and bed-sediment results are reported. Samples were analyzed at the National Water Quality Laboratory, Denver, Colorado and the Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory, Sacramento, California. Method and site information isChemical-Gene and Chemical-Pathway Interactions Predicted for Chemicals Detected in the USGS-USEPA National Streams Pilot Study Based on Effects Data in the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD)
Data from study assessing the utility of knowledgebase-leveraging of comprehensive environmental-contaminant-exposure datasets by comparing biological effects predicted on the basis of target chemical analyses with measured biological effects in corresponding split water samples.Mixed Organic and Inorganic Tapwater Results in the Greater Chicago Area, USA, 2017-2019
This data set contains the result for inorganic constituents and organic compounds collected from tapwater locations, as well as water filtration plants, in East Chicago, Indiana, and Chicago, Illinois in 2017. Additionally quality assurance data collected was summarized. Residential samples collected were done so directly from residential kitchen taps (faucets) as is, it was noted if a point-of-uWater Quality Data for Bushy Park Reservoir, South Carolina 2013-2015
Water-quality data for the Bushy Park Reservoir near Goose Creek, South Carolina, from September 2013 to May 2015. Data includes the chemical, physical, and biological properties that influence (1) geosmin and 2-methyisobornel (MIB) occurrence in this source-water reservoir, (2) cyanobacterial biovolumes, and (3) geosmin-producing and toxin-producing genera of cyanobacteria. Data Release for USGSConcentrations of Pesticides, Pharmaceuticals, Organic Waste Indicators, and Volatile Organic Chemical Contaminants and Their Predicted Effects Potential in Wadeable Southeastern USA Streams
This dataset presents the results of 475 unique organic compounds collected from 54 wadeable streams within the Southeastern, USA, collected within 10 weeks during 2014. Maximum and median exposure conditions were evaluated in relation to watershed characteristics and for potential biological effects. This dataset contains the summary statistics (maximum and median concentrations)of detected compoNutrient concentrations, streamflow, and geospatial data for 76 wadeable streams in the Piedmont Ecoregion of the Southeastern United States
Water samples were collected by the USGS National Water Quality Program (NWQP) Southeastern Stream Quality Assessment (SESQA) from 76 perennial, wadeable (less than 10 m width and 1 m depth at base-flow) headwater stream sites in watersheds with varying degrees of urban land use in four states. Dataset includes sample site locations and information, water sample nutrient concentrations and statistOccurrence and Concentrations of Trace Elements in Discrete Tapwater Samples Collected in Chicago, Illinois and East Chicago, Indiana, 2017
This dataset contains the trace element concentration results for samples collected from tapwater sites in East Chicago, Indiana, August-September, 2017, and Chicago, Illinois, July-December, 2017. Samples were collected one time, from 45 private residences and associated drinking water plants and source water locations. Water-quality samples were analyzed at two U.S. Geological Survey laboratorieTarget-Chemical Concentrations, Exposure Activity Ratios, and Bioassay Results for Assessment of Mixed-Organic/Inorganic-Chemical Exposure in USA Tapwater, 2016
Chemical and biological concentration results, quality assurance and quality control and statistical summaries from 26 tapwater samples, collected from paired residential and work place sites in 11 states in 2016. Samples were analylzed at U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency laboratories.Occurrence data for organic compounds and bioactive chemicals in water, sediment and tissue from Rocky Mountain National Park, 2012-13
This data set contains the concentration results for water- and sediment-quality and tissue samples, as well as associated quality-assurance data, collected at sampling locations located in the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Samples were collected between 2012 and 2013. Samples were analyzed for nutrients, hormones, pharmaceutical, wastewater indicator compounds and pesticides, at the U.SBioactive Contaminants of Emerging Concern in National Park Waters of the Northern Colorado Plateau, USA, 2012-2016
This dataset describes site location information for samples collected within the western National Parks, USA, (Arches National Park (NP), Bryce Canyon NP, Canyonlands NP, Capitol Reef NP, Dinosaur National Monument (NM), Hovenweep NM, Timpanogos Cave NM, and Zion NP) for water chemistry analyses. Water-quality and bed-sediment samples were analyzed for contaminants of emerging concern at the NatiConcentrations of Bioactive Organic Contaminants in Water and Sediment and Rates of Contaminant Biodegradation in Sediment at Congaree National Park, USA 2013-15
Data release including concentrations of bioactive organic contaminants in water and sediment and biodegradation rates of select model contaminants in sediment from Congaree National Park during 2013-15. Chemical analyses for targeted organic analytes include, human-use pharmaceuticals, degradates and metabolites and hormones and organic wastewater indicator compounds. Samples were collected betweTargeted-Organic-Chemical Analysis Concentration Data for Surface-Water Samples Collected from 38 Stream Sites across the USA during 2012-2014
Surface-water organic contaminant concentration data for targeted chemical analysis of over 800 organic analytes in surface water from 38 stream site representing national gradients in urban and agricultural land use in the USA during 2012-14. ScienceBase Data Release for journal article entitled, "Targeted-Chemical Analysis Reveals Extensive Mixed-Organic-Contamination in USA Streams". - Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 207
Public and private tapwater: Comparative analysis of contaminant exposure and potential risk, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA
BackgroundHumans are primary drivers of environmental contamination worldwide, including in drinking-water resources. In the United States (US), federal and state agencies regulate and monitor public-supply drinking water while private-supply monitoring is rare; the current lack of directly comparable information on contaminant-mixture exposures and risks between private- and public-supplies underAuthorsPaul M. Bradley, Denis R. LeBlanc, Kristin M. Romanok, Kelly Smalling, Michael J. Focazio, Mary C. Cardon, Jimmy Clark, Justin M. Conley, Nicola Evans, Carrie E Givens, James L. Gray, L. Earl Gray, Phillip C. Hartig, Christopher P. Higgins, Michelle Hladik, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Keith Loftin, R. Blaine McCleskey, Carrie A. McDonough, Elizabeth Medlock-Kakaley, Christopher P. Weis, Vickie S. WilsonByEcosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, California Water Science Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center, New England Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Water Science Center, National Water Quality LaboratoryMachine learning models of arsenic in private wells throughout the conterminous United States as a tool for exposure assessment in human health studies
Arsenic from geologic sources is widespread in groundwater within the United States (U.S.). In several areas, groundwater arsenic concentrations exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maximum contaminant level of 10 μg per liter (μg/L). However, this standard applies only to public-supply drinking water and not to private-supply, which is not federally regulated and is rarely monitored. AAuthorsMelissa Lombard, Molly Scannell Bryan, Daniel Jones, Catherine Bulka, Paul M. Bradley, Lorraine C. Backer, Michael J. Focazio, Debra T. Silverman, Patricia Toccalino, Maria Argos, Matthew O. Gribble, Joseph D. AyotteInclusion of pesticide transformation products is key to estimating pesticide exposures and effects in small U.S. streams
Improved analytical methods can quantify hundreds of pesticide transformation products (TPs), but understanding of TP occurrence and potential toxicity in aquatic ecosystems remains limited. We quantified 108 parent pesticides and 116 TPs in more than 3 700 samples from 442 small streams in mostly urban basins across five major regions of the United States. TPs were detected nearly as frequently aAuthorsBarbara Mahler, Lisa H. Nowell, Mark W. Sandstrom, Paul M. Bradley, Kristin M. Romanok, Christopher Konrad, Peter Van MetreByEcosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, California Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Washington Water Science Center, National Water Quality LaboratoryFeral swine as sources of fecal contamination in recreational waters
Recreational waters are primary attractions at many national and state parks where feral swine populations are established, and thus are possible hotspots for visitor exposure to feral swine contaminants. Microbial source tracking (MST) was used to determine spatial and temporal patterns of fecal contamination in Congaree National Park (CONG) in South Carolina, U.S.A., which has an established popAuthorsAnna M. McKee, Paul M. Bradley, David Shelley, Shea McCarthy, Marirosa MolinaMulti-region assessment of chemical mixture exposures and predicted cumulative effects in USA wadeable urban/agriculture-gradient streams
Chemical-contaminant mixtures are widely reported in large stream reaches in urban/agriculture-developed watersheds, but mixture compositions and aggregate biological effects are less well understood in corresponding smaller headwaters, which comprise most of stream length, riparian connectivity, and spatial biodiversity. During 2014–2017, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measured 389 unique orga
AuthorsPaul M. Bradley, Celeste A. Journey, Kristin M. Romanok, Sara E. Breitmeyer, Daniel T. Button, Daren M. Carlisle, Bradley Huffman, Barbara Mahler, Lisa H. Nowell, Sharon L. Qi, Kelly L. Smalling, Ian R. Waite, Peter C. Van MetreByEcosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)In vitro effects-based method and water quality screening model for use in pre- and post-distribution treated waters
Recent urban public water supply contamination events emphasize the importance of screening treated drinking water quality after distribution. In vitro bioassays, when run concurrently with analytical chemistry methods, are effective tools to evaluating the efficacy of water treatment processes and water quality. We tested 49 water samples representing the Chicago Department of Water Management seAuthorsElizabeth Medlock-Kakaley, Mary C. Cardon, Nicola Evans, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Joshua M. Allen, Elizabeth Wagner, Katherine Bokenkamp, Susan D Richardson, Michael J Plewa, Paul M. Bradley, Kristin M. Romanok, Dana W. Kolpin, Justin M. Conley, L. Earl Jr. Gray, Phillip C. Hartig, Vickie S. WilsonEffects-based monitoring of bioactive chemicals discharged to the Colorado River before and after a municipal wastewater treatment plant replacement
Monitoring of the Colorado River near the Moab, Utah, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) outflow has detected pharmaceuticals, hormones, and estrogen-receptor (ER)-, glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ)-mediated biological activities. The aim of the present multi-year study was to assess effects of a WWTP replacement on bioactive chemical (BC)AuthorsJ.E. Cavallin, William A. Battaglin, Jon Beihoffer, Bradley D. Blackwell, Paul M. Bradley, AR Cole, Drew R. Ekman, R Hofer, J Kinsey, Kristen Keteles, R Weissinger, Dana L. Winkelman, Daniel L. VilleneuveEffects of stormwater runoff from selected bridge decks on conditions of water, sediment, and biological quality in receiving waters in South Carolina, 2013 to 2018
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Transportation, investigated the effects of stormwater runoff from bridge decks on stream water quality conditions in South Carolina. The investigation assessed 5 bridges in 3 physiographic provinces in South Carolina (Piedmont, Upper Coastal Plain, and Lower Coast Plain) that had a range of bridge, traffic, and hydroAuthorsCeleste A. Journey, Matthew D. Petkewich, Kevin J. Conlon, Andral W. Caldwell, Jimmy M. Clark, Jeffrey W. Riley, Paul M. BradleyEvaluating the potential role of bioactive chemicals on the distribution of invasive Asian carp upstream and downstream from river mile 278 in the Illinois waterway
Two non-native carp species have invaded the Illinois Waterway and are a threat to Great Lakes ecosystems. Poor water quality in the upper Illinois Waterway, may be a factor contributing to the stalling of the carp population front near river mile 278. In 2015, the U.S. Geological Survey collected 4 sets of water samples from two sites upstream and 4 sites downstream from river mile 278, and one tAuthorsWilliam A. Battaglin, James J. Duncker, Paul J. Terrio, Paul M. Bradley, Larry Barber, Laura A. DeCiccoMethylmercury-Total mercury ratios in predator and primary consumer insects from Adirondack streams (New York, USA)
Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant that affects biota in remote settings due to atmospheric deposition of inorganic Hg, and its conversion to methylmercury (MeHg), the bioaccumulating and toxic form. Characterizing biotic MeHg is important for evaluating aquatic ecosystem responses to changes in Hg inputs. Aquatic insects possess many qualities desired for MeHg biomonitoring, but are not widely usAuthorsKaren Riva-Murray, Paul M. Bradley, Mark E. BrighamLandfill leachate contributes per-/poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and pharmaceuticals to municipal wastewater
Widespread disposal of landfill leachate to municipal sewer infrastructure in the United States calls for an improved understanding of the relative organic-chemical contributions to the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) waste stream and associated surface-water discharge to receptors in the environment. Landfill leachate, WWTP influent, and WWTP effluent samples were collected from three landfill-AuthorsJason R. Masoner, Dana W. Kolpin, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Kelly L. Smalling, Stephanie Bolyard, Jennifer Field, Edward T. Furlong, James L. Gray, Duncan Lozinski, Debra Reinhart, Alix Rodowa, Paul M. BradleyMulti-region assessment of pharmaceutical exposures and predicted effects in USA wadeable urban-gradient streams
Human-use pharmaceuticals in urban streams link aquatic-ecosystem health to human health. Pharmaceutical mixtures have been widely reported in larger streams due to historical emphasis on wastewater-treatment plant (WWTP) sources, with limited investigation of pharmaceutical exposures and potential effects in smaller headwater streams. In 2014–2017, the United States Geological Survey measured 111AuthorsPaul M. Bradley, Celeste A. Journey, Daniel T. Button, Daren Carlisle, B. J. Huffman, Sharon L. Qi, Kristin M. Romanok, Peter C. Van MetreByWater Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Kansas Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC) - Web Tools
- Software
- News