Sharon L Qi
Sharon is a Physical Scientist with the USGS Colorado Water Science Center (COWSC), duty station Beaverton, Oregon.
Sharon received her masters from the University of Illinois in 1993 and has been both a Hydrologist and Physical Scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey since 1992. She has been a Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial analyst and database manager for multiple National and small programs and projects. She began her career in the Illinois Water Science Center with the Upper Illinois River Basin Pilot as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA). From there, she moved to the COWSC in 1993 to begin working with the South Platte NAWQA as a GIS analyst and database manager. She continued working with NAWQA in the COWSC on the High Plains NAWQA until 2010. After NAWQA, she worked with various National programs on water availability in the High Plains and Glacial aquifers and a national assessment of brackish water in aquifers of the United States. From 2018 to 2021, she again joined the NAWQA efforts working with the Regional Surface-Water Quality Assessment program. More recently, she has been working with various national efforts responsible for prioritizing watersheds for USGS research, determining post wildfire water-quality changes, and assisting in streamlining USGS workflows with respect to integrated science.
Professional Experience
Physical Scientist/Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, 1992 to present.
GIS Analyst, Illinois State Geological Survey, 1989 to 1991.
Education and Certifications
Master of Science, 1993, University of Illinois, Department of Geology; research emphasis structural geology and tectonics
Bachelor of Science, 1989, University of Illinois, Department of Geology
Associates of Science, 1987, Harper College, Illinois
Science and Products
Data Compiled on historical water use, spatial land disturbance, aquifer disturbance and uranium produced by In Situ Recovery of Uranium from Sandstone Hosted Uranium Deposits in the South Texas Coastal Plain, USA
Mapped sealed and unsealed pavement and concentrations of metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and radionuclides for soils, pavement dust, and stream sediment for 10 urban watersheds
Continuous water-quality data for selected streams in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, water years 2011-19
Historical Produced Water Chemistry Data Compiled for the North Coles Levee Oilfield, Kern County, California
A snapshot of stakeholder science needs related to drought in the Colorado River Basin
Water chemistry data for samples collected at groundwater sites near the Oxnard oil field, June 2017-August 2017, Ventura County, California
Geospatial Database of the Study Boundaries, Sampled Sites, Watersheds, and Riparian Zones for the U.S. Geological Survey Regional Stream Quality Assessment
Concentrations of pesticides associated with streambed sediment and biofilm in California streams, 2017
Concentrations of pesticides associated with streambed sediment and biofilm in California streams, 2017
Hydrophobic (sediment-associated) pesticides were measured in sediment samples collected from 82 wadeable streams and in biofilm in 54 of those streams in the Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains ecoregion.115 current-use and 3 legacy pesticides were measured in stream sediment; 93 of the current-use pesticides and the same 3 legacy pesticides were measured in biofilm. On average 4 t
Selected environmental characteristics of sampled sites, watersheds, and riparian zones for the U.S. Geological Survey Regional Stream Quality Assessment, 2013 to 2017
Historical Produced Water Chemistry Data Compiled for the Elk Hills Oilfield, Kern County, California
Geochemical and geophysical data for selected wells in and surrounding the South Cuyama oil and gas field
Design and methods of the California stream quality assessment (CSQA), 2017
Biofilms provide new insight into pesticide occurrence in streams and links to aquatic ecological communities
Multi-region assessment of pharmaceutical exposures and predicted effects in USA wadeable urban-gradient streams
Projected urban growth in the Southeastern USA puts small streams at risk
Design and methods of the U.S. Geological Survey Northeast Stream Quality Assessment (NESQA), 2016
Mixed-chemical exposure and predicted effects potential in wadeable southeastern USA streams
Nutrient enrichment in wadeable urban streams in the piedmont ecoregion of the southeastern United States
Generalized hydrogeologic framework and groundwater budget for a groundwater availability study for the glacial aquifer system of the United States
Estimating the high-arsenic domestic-well population in the conterminous United States
Groundwater-level trends in the U.S. glacial aquifer system, 1964-2013
Design and methods of the Pacific Northwest Stream Quality Assessment (PNSQA), 2015
Brackish groundwater in the United States
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 35
Data Compiled on historical water use, spatial land disturbance, aquifer disturbance and uranium produced by In Situ Recovery of Uranium from Sandstone Hosted Uranium Deposits in the South Texas Coastal Plain, USA
This data release contains data on historical water use, spatial land disturbance, and spatial aquifer disturbances related to in situ recovery (ISR) uranium extraction per unit of uranium produced. These data were compiled from published and publicly available references including journal articles, government reports, industry reports and company reporting documents for regulatory compliance andMapped sealed and unsealed pavement and concentrations of metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and radionuclides for soils, pavement dust, and stream sediment for 10 urban watersheds
These data represent a one-time synoptic survey of sampled soils, pavement dust, and stream sediment in 10 urban watersheds in three regions of the United States (Pacific Northwest, northeast, and southeast) to evaluate sources of sediment and two groups of common urban contaminants: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals. Analyses of samples from six of the watersheds included falloutContinuous water-quality data for selected streams in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, water years 2011-19
This data release contains water-quality and discharge data collected in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), Colorado by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) from 10/1/2010 through 9/30/2019 using in-situ sensors and field meters. Data were collected for the purpose of quantifying exchange fluxes of dissolved carbon dioxide (CO₂) from streams. Parameters include daily mean dissolved CO₂, water tempeHistorical Produced Water Chemistry Data Compiled for the North Coles Levee Oilfield, Kern County, California
This dataset contains geochemical and other information for 40 historical samples of produced water from the North Coles Levee Oil Field. Three of these samples are from commingled tanks containing produced water from multiple wells as noted in the Remarks column. Water that is produced as a byproduct of oil production is called produced water. The numerical water chemistry data were compiled by tA snapshot of stakeholder science needs related to drought in the Colorado River Basin
Stakeholder science needs were determined by reviewing more than 200 recently published literature items and web pages from Colorado River Basin (CRB) stakeholders. These stakeholder communications were used to characterize over 400 stakeholder science needs by reviewing their priorities, strategies, issues, missions, and concerns related to drought in the CRB. Members of the CRB Integrated SciencByArizona Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Colorado River Basin: Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and TechnologyWater chemistry data for samples collected at groundwater sites near the Oxnard oil field, June 2017-August 2017, Ventura County, California
In cooperation with the California State Water Resources Control Board's oil and gas Regional Monitoring Program, the U.S. Geological Survey collected and analyzed groundwater and associated quality control (QC) samples during June 2017 - August 2017. Groundwater samples were collected from one public supply well, four monitoring wells, and nine irrigation wells located within a three- mile bufferGeospatial Database of the Study Boundaries, Sampled Sites, Watersheds, and Riparian Zones for the U.S. Geological Survey Regional Stream Quality Assessment
In 2013, the Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA) study was started as part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) project. One of the objectives of the RSQA is to characterize the relationships between water-quality stressors and stream ecology and subsequently determine the relative effects of these stressors on aquatic biota within the streams (GarreConcentrations of pesticides associated with streambed sediment and biofilm in California streams, 2017
Hydrophobic (sediment-associated) pesticides were measured in sediment samples collected from 82 wadeable streams and in biofilm in 54 of those streams in the Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains ecoregion.115 current-use and 3 legacy pesticides were measured in stream sediment; 93 of the current-use pesticides and the same 3 legacy pesticides were measured in biofilm. On average 4 tConcentrations of pesticides associated with streambed sediment and biofilm in California streams, 2017
Hydrophobic (sediment-associated) pesticides were measured in sediment samples collected from 82 wadeable streams and in biofilm in 54 of those streams in the Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains ecoregion.115 current-use and 3 legacy pesticides were measured in stream sediment; 93 of the current-use pesticides and the same 3 legacy pesticides were measured in biofilm. On average 4 t
Selected environmental characteristics of sampled sites, watersheds, and riparian zones for the U.S. Geological Survey Regional Stream Quality Assessment, 2013 to 2017
In 2013, the Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA) study was started as part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) project. One of the objectives of the RSQA is to characterize the relationships between water-quality stressors and stream ecology and subsequently determine the relative effects of these stressors on aquatic biota within the streams (GarreHistorical Produced Water Chemistry Data Compiled for the Elk Hills Oilfield, Kern County, California
This dataset contains geochemical and other information for 340 samples of produced water from the Elk Hills Oil Field. Water that is produced as a byproduct of oil production is called produced water. The publicly available produced water chemistry data was compiled by USGS staff using historical DOGGR datasets and scanned images. The data were transferred manually into a numerical dataset and orGeochemical and geophysical data for selected wells in and surrounding the South Cuyama oil and gas field
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the California State Water Resources Control Board and Bureau of Land Management compiled and analyzed data for mapping groundwater salinity in selected oil and gas fields in California. The data for the South Cuyama oil field includes well construction data, digitized borehole geophysical data, geochemical analyses of water samples from oil an - Publications
Filter Total Items: 45
Design and methods of the California stream quality assessment (CSQA), 2017
During 2017, as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Project, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted the California Stream Quality Assessment to investigate the quality of streams in the Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains ecoregion, United States. The goal of the California Stream Quality Assessment study was to assess the health of wadeable streams in the region by characteAuthorsJason T. May, Lisa H. Nowell, James F. Coles, Daniel T. Button, Amanda H. Bell, Sharon L. Qi, Peter C. Van MetreBiofilms provide new insight into pesticide occurrence in streams and links to aquatic ecological communities
Streambed sediment is commonly analyzed to assess occurrence of hydrophobic pesticides and risks to aquatic communities. However, stream biofilms also have the potential to accumulate pesticides and may be consumed by aquatic organisms. To better characterize risks to aquatic life, the U.S. Geological Survey Regional Stream Quality Assessment measured 93 current-use and 3 legacy pesticides in bedAuthorsBarbara Mahler, Travis S. Schmidt, Lisa H. Nowell, Sharon L. Qi, Peter C. Van Metre, Michelle Hladik, Daren M. Carlisle, Mark D. Munn, Jason MayMulti-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)Projected urban growth in the Southeastern USA puts small streams at risk
Future land-use development has the potential to profoundly affect the health of aquatic ecosystems in the coming decades. We developed regression models predicting the loss of sensitive fish (R2=0.39) and macroinvertebrate (R2=0.64) taxa as a function of urban and agricultural land uses and applied them to projected urbanization of the rapidly urbanizing Piedmont ecoregion of the southeastern USAuthorsPeter C. Van Metre, Ian R. Waite, Sharon L. Qi, Barbara Mahler, Adam Terando, Michael Wieczorek, Michael R. Meador, Paul M. Bradley, Celeste A. Journey, Travis S. Schmidt, Daren CarlisleDesign and methods of the U.S. Geological Survey Northeast Stream Quality Assessment (NESQA), 2016
During 2016, as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Project (NAWQA), the U.S. Geological Survey conducted the Northeast Stream Quality Assessment (NESQA) to investigate stream quality in the northeastern United States. The goal of the NESQA was to assess the health of wadeable streams in the region by characterizing multiple water-quality factors that are stressors to aquatic life and byAuthorsJames F. Coles, Karen Riva-Murray, Peter C. Van Metre, Daniel T. Button, Amanda H. Bell, Sharon L. Qi, Celeste A. Journey, Rich W. SheibleyMixed-chemical exposure and predicted effects potential in wadeable southeastern USA streams
Complex chemical mixtures have been widely reported in larger streams but relatively little work has been done to characterize them and assess their potential effects in headwaterstreams. In 2014, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) sampled 54 Piedmont streams over ten weeks and measured 475 unique organic compounds using five analytical methods. Maximum and median exposure conditions wereAuthorsPaul M. Bradley, Celeste A. Journey, Jason P. Berninger, Daniel T. Button, Jimmy M. Clark, Steven R. Corsi, Laura A. DeCicco, Kristina G. Hopkins, Bradley J. Huffman, Naomi Nakagaki, Julia E. Norman, Lisa H. Nowell, Sharon L. Qi, Peter C. Van Metre, Ian R. WaiteNutrient enrichment in wadeable urban streams in the piedmont ecoregion of the southeastern United States
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Southeastern Stream Quality Assessment (SESQA) collected weekly samples for nitrogen and phosphorus in 76 wadeable streams in the urbanized Piedmont ecoregion of the Southeastern United States, during April–June 2014. Total nitrogen (TN) concentrations in excess of EPA guidelines and statistically greater than at reference locations indicated nitrogen-nutrient enrAuthorsCeleste A. Journey, Peter C. Van Metre, Daniel T. Button, Jimmy M. Clark, Mark D. Munn, Naomi Nakagaki, Sharon L. Qi, Ian R. Waite, Paul M. BradleyGeneralized hydrogeologic framework and groundwater budget for a groundwater availability study for the glacial aquifer system of the United States
The glacial aquifer system groundwater availability study seeks to quantify (1) the status of groundwater resources in the glacial aquifer system, (2) how these resources have changed over time, and (3) likely system response to future changes in anthropogenic and environmental conditions. The glacial aquifer system extends from Maine to Alaska, although the focus of this report is the part of theAuthorsHoward W. Reeves, Randall E. Bayless, Robert W. Dudley, Daniel T. Feinstein, Michael N. Fienen, Christopher J. Hoard, Glenn A. Hodgkins, Sharon L. Qi, Jason L. Roth, Jared J. TrostEstimating the high-arsenic domestic-well population in the conterminous United States
Arsenic concentrations from 20 450 domestic wells in the U.S. were used to develop a logistic regression model of the probability of having arsenic >10 μg/L (“high arsenic”), which is presented at the county, state, and national scales. Variables representing geologic sources, geochemical, hydrologic, and physical features were among the significant predictors of high arsenic. For U.S. Census blocAuthorsJoseph D. Ayotte, Laura Medalie, Sharon L. Qi, Lorraine C. Backer, Bernard T. NolanGroundwater-level trends in the U.S. glacial aquifer system, 1964-2013
The glacial aquifer system in the United States is a major source of water supply but previous work on historical groundwater trends across the system is lacking. Trends in annual minimum, mean, and maximum groundwater levels for 205 monitoring wells were analyzed across three regions of the system (East, Central, West Central) for four time periods: 1964-2013, 1974-2013, 1984-2013, and 1994-2013.AuthorsGlenn A. Hodgkins, Robert W. Dudley, Martha G. Nielsen, Benjamin Renard, Sharon L. QiDesign and methods of the Pacific Northwest Stream Quality Assessment (PNSQA), 2015
In 2015, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) project conducted the Pacific Northwest Stream Quality Assessment (PNSQA) to investigate stream quality across the western part of the Pacific Northwest. The goal of the PNSQA was to assess the health of streams in the region by characterizing multiple water-quality factors that are stressors to in-stream aquaticAuthorsRich W. Sheibley, Jennifer L. Morace, Celeste A. Journey, Peter C. Van Metre, Amanda H. Bell, Naomi Nakagaki, Daniel T. Button, Sharon L. QiBrackish groundwater in the United States
For some parts of the Nation, large-scale development of groundwater has caused decreases in the amount of groundwater that is present in aquifer storage and that discharges to surface-water bodies. Water supply in some areas, particularly in arid and semiarid regions, is not adequate to meet demand, and severe drought is affecting large parts of the United States. Future water demand is projectedAuthorsJennifer S. Stanton, David W. Anning, Craig J. Brown, Richard B. Moore, Virginia L. McGuire, Sharon L. Qi, Alta C. Harris, Kevin F. Dennehy, Peter B. McMahon, James R. Degnan, John Karl Böhlke