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Shawn C. Fisher

Intro

Shawn began working at the USGS New York Water Science Center as a student in May, 2002 collecting and interpreting groundwater and surface water-quality data. Studies include contaminants of emerging concern in public supply wells, groundwater contamination in nearshore waters, assessing sediment and water for insecticide contamination in untargeted wetlands, and evaluating real-time water quality data. He has worked in a variety of land use settings, from urban to agricultural, and helped organize and develop environmental health studies following Hurricane Sandy. Shawn was the network coordinator for the Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response (SCoRR) study and leads the Northeast Region Urban Landscapes Capability Team (ULCT). Current research includes qualification and quantification of microplastics in the Northeast region and interest in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater and surface waters. 

Education:
- PhD in Chemistry--Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, N.Y.) from 2004-2012
- BS in Natural Science and Math--Dowling College (Oakdale, N.Y.) from 2000-2004 

 

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 14
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striped purple outline of South shore estuary reserve on map of Long Island, NY

Development of a Coordinated Water Resources Monitoring Strategy for the South Shore Estuary Reserve, Long Island NY

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is collaborating with the New York Department of State (NYDOS) Office of Planning and Development to prepare a new Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve (SSER) Coordinated Water Resources Monitoring Strategy (CWRMS). Since 2000, when the last CWRMS was published, numerous research projects and studies are demonstrating several new threats to the ecologic health
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New York Water Science Center
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Development of a Coordinated Water Resources Monitoring Strategy for the South Shore Estuary Reserve, Long Island NY

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is collaborating with the New York Department of State (NYDOS) Office of Planning and Development to prepare a new Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve (SSER) Coordinated Water Resources Monitoring Strategy (CWRMS). Since 2000, when the last CWRMS was published, numerous research projects and studies are demonstrating several new threats to the ecologic health
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buildings and landscape from an aerial view

Detection and Quantification of Oxygenated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (oxy-PAHs) in Groundwater Near the Former Manufactured Gas Plant in Bay Shore, N.Y.

Introduction As a result of storage and disposal practices at a former Manufactured Gas Plant, or MGP, in Bay Shore, NY, a variety of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been detected at high concentrations in the surficial, upper glacial aquifer of Long Island. Levels of PAHs initially detected over 10 years ago were in the parts-per-thousand range within a groundwater contaminant plume.
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New York Water Science Center
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Detection and Quantification of Oxygenated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (oxy-PAHs) in Groundwater Near the Former Manufactured Gas Plant in Bay Shore, N.Y.

Introduction As a result of storage and disposal practices at a former Manufactured Gas Plant, or MGP, in Bay Shore, NY, a variety of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been detected at high concentrations in the surficial, upper glacial aquifer of Long Island. Levels of PAHs initially detected over 10 years ago were in the parts-per-thousand range within a groundwater contaminant plume.
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Filter Total Items: 22

The impact of onsite wastewater disposal systems on groundwater in areas inundated by Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey

Coastal onsite wastewater disposal systems (OWDS) were inundated by Hurricane Sandy's storm tide. This study compares the shallow groundwater quality (nutrients, pharmaceuticals, and hormones) downgradient of OWDS before and after Hurricane Sandy, where available, and establishes a baseline for wastewater influence on groundwater in coastal communities inundated by Hurricane Sandy. Nutrients and c
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Irene Fisher, Patrick J. Phillips, Kaitlyn Colella, Shawn C. Fisher, Tristen N. Tagliaferri, William T. Foreman, Edward T. Furlong
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, New York Water Science Center, Hurricane Sandy

Comparison of wastewater-associated contaminants in the bed sediment of Hempstead Bay, New York, before and after Hurricane Sandy

Changes in bed sediment chemistry of Hempstead Bay (HB) have been evaluated in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, which resulted in the release of billions of liters of poorly-treated sewage into tributaries and channels throughout the bay. Surficial grab samples (top 5 cm) collected before and (or) after Hurricane Sandy from sixteen sites in HB were analyzed for 74 wastewater tracers and steroid hormon
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Shawn C. Fisher, Patrick J. Phillips, Bruce J. Brownawell, James Browne
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Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, New York Water Science Center, Hurricane Sandy

Regional variability in bed-sediment concentrations of wastewater compounds, hormones and PAHs for portions of coastal New York and New Jersey impacted by hurricane Sandy

Bed sediment samples from 79 coastal New York and New Jersey, USA sites were analyzed for 75 compounds including wastewater associated contaminants, PAHs, and other organic compounds to assess the post-Hurricane Sandy distribution of organic contaminants among six regions. These results provide the first assessment of wastewater compounds, hormones, and PAHs in bed sediment for this region. Concen
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Patrick J. Phillips, Cathy A Gibson, Shawn C. Fisher, Irene Fisher, Timothy J. Reilly, Kelly L. Smalling, Kristin M. Romanok, William T. Foreman, Rhiannon C. ReVello, Michael J. Focazio, Daniel Jones
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Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, New York Water Science Center, Hurricane Sandy

Urban infrastructure and water management—Science capabilities of the U.S. Geological Survey

Managing the urban-water cycle has increasingly become a challenge for water-resources planners and regulators faced with the problem of providing clean drinking water to urban residents. Sanitary and combined sanitary and storm sewer networks convey wastewater to centralized treatment plants. Impervious surfaces, which include roads, parking lots, and buildings, increase stormwater runoff and the
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Shawn C. Fisher, Rosemary M. Fanelli, William R. Selbig
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Water Resources Mission Area, Chesapeake Bay Activities, New York Water Science Center

Historical water-quality data from the Harlem River, New York

Data specific to the Harlem River, New York, have been summarized and are presented in this report. The data illustrate improvements in the quality of water for the past 65 years and emphasize the importance of a continuous water-quality record for establishing trends in environmental conditions. Although there is a paucity of sediment-quality data, the New York City Department of Environmental Pr
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Shawn C. Fisher
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Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Standard operating procedures for collection of soil and sediment samples for the Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response (SCoRR) strategy pilot study

An understanding of the effects on human and ecological health brought by major coastal storms or flooding events is typically limited because of a lack of regionally consistent baseline and trends data in locations proximal to potential contaminant sources and mitigation activities, sensitive ecosystems, and recreational facilities where exposures are probable. In an attempt to close this gap, th
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Shawn C. Fisher, Timothy J. Reilly, Daniel Jones, William Benzel, Dale W. Griffin, Keith A. Loftin, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Jonathan A. Cohl
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Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center

Strategy to evaluate persistent contaminant hazards resulting from sea-level rise and storm-derived disturbances—Study design and methodology for station prioritization

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 a strategy to define
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Timothy J. Reilly, Daniel Jones, Michael J. Focazio, Kimberly C. Aquino, Chelsea L. Carbo, Erika E. Kaufhold, Elizabeth K. Zinecker, William Benzel, Shawn C. Fisher, Dale W. Griffin, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Keith A. Loftin, William B. Schill
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Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center, Hurricane Sandy

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
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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
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Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Hurricane Sandy

Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals in Shallow Ground-Water of Suffolk County, New York, 2002-05

Seventy (70) water samples were collected from 61 wells in the upper glacial and Magothy aquifers (9 wells were sampled twice) during 2002-05 and analyzed for 24 pharmaceuticals. Wells were selected for their proximity to known wastewater-treatment facilities that discharge to the shallow upper glacial aquifer. Pharmaceuticals were detected in 28 of the 70 samples, 19 of which contained one compou
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Mark J. Benotti, Shawn Fisher, Stephen Terracciano
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Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Concentrations of Insecticides in Selected Surface Water Bodies in Suffolk County, New York, Before and After Mosquito Spraying, 2002-04

Concentrations of insecticides sprayed from truck or helicopter onto selected surface-water bodies in Suffolk County, N.Y., during the summers of 2002-04 decreased to below detection limits within 4 days after application. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS), sampled surface waters from selected wetlands for insecticides that
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Irene J. Abbene, Shawn C. Fisher, Stephen A. Terracciano
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Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Fisher, S.C.; Schoonen, M.A.A.; Brownawell, B.J., 2012, Phenylalanine as a hydroxyl radical-specific probe in pyrite slurries: Geochemical Transactions, vol. 13, 3
Cohn, C.A.; Fisher, S.C.; Brownawell, B.J.; Schoonen, M.A.A., 2010, Adenine oxidation by pyrite-generated hydroxyl radical: Geochemical Transactions, vol. 11, 2

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

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