Dr. Christensen is a research hydrologist who studies HABs, algal toxins, and cyanobacteria. She is a member of the Environmental Health Program's Algal Toxin Team and serves as the acting Communications Coordinator for the Water Mission Area.
Victoria Christensen studies cyanotoxins, with a focus on the neurotoxins, anatoxin-a and saxitoxin. Cyanotoxins are produced by cyanobacterial harmful alglal blooms (HABs), which are sometimes called blue-green algae. Her master’s research examined the occurrence and fate of dissolved solids, nutrients, atrazine, and bacteria in an agricultural watershed. Her dissertation research focused on cyanotoxin mixtures with an emphasis neurotoxins—looking at the environmental variables like wind and temperature that may trigger cyanobacteria to produce or release toxins. In addition to the study of harmful algae and their toxins, Victoria's interests and project work include real-time water-quality monitoring, effects of land use on water quality, the fate of nutrients in agricultural and reservoir systems. She also has an interest in writing and communicating science topics to broad audiences and is a trainer and USGS Subject Matter Expert on Scientific Project Management.
Professional Experience
Dr. Christensen has been working for the USGS for over twenty years and has experience in water quality, water-level management, and has done extensive research on cyanotoxins, harmful algal blooms, and nutrients. Prior to working for the USGS, she held positions with University of Kansas, Twin Cities Testing, and 3M Corporation.
Education and Certifications
PhD, Environmental and Conservation Science, North Dakota State University
MS, Water Resources Science, Dept. of Engineering, University of Kansas
BS, Geology, University of Kansas
BA, Management, Hamline University
Science and Products
Toxin Producing Algae Across U.S. Landscapes—Are They Gaining a Foothold?
Review of Cyanobacterial Neurotoxins—Information for Prioritizing Future Science Directions
Mixtures of Algal Toxins Present Prior to and After Formation of Visible Algal Blooms—Science to Inform the Timing of Algal Toxin Exposure
Water Quality in Voyageurs National Park
Environmental Effects of Agricultural Practices
National Water-Quality Project Sampling Methods
Algal toxins and Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis measured in surface-water, quarry-water, and sediment samples collected at Pipestone National Monument, Pipestone, Minnesota, 2018-19
Data and model archive for multiple linear regression models for prediction of weighted cyanotoxin mixture concentrations and microcystin concentrations at three recurring bloom sites in Kabetogama Lake in Minnesota
Chemical and physical data for sediment source fingerprinting of suspended and bottom sediment in the West Fork of Beaver Creek, Minnesota
Rapid assessment test strip data for determining cyanotoxin presence in algal blooms, Kabetogama Lake, northern Minnesota, 2017-2018
Phytoplankton enumeration and identification from a recurring algal bloom location in Sullivan Bay, Kabetogama Lake, northern Minnesota, 2016
Toxic algae in inland waters of the conterminous United States—A review and synthesis
Creek and quarry water quality at Pipestone National Monument and pilot study of pathogen detection methods in waterfall mist at Winnewissa Falls, Pipestone, Minnesota, 2018–19
Phytoplankton community interactions and cyanotoxin mixtures in three recurring surface blooms within one lake
A review of algal toxin exposures on reserved federal lands and among trust species in the United States
Riparian forest cover modulates phosphorus storage and nitrogen cycling in agricultural stream sediments
Freshwater cyanotoxin mixtures in recurring cyanobacterial blooms in Voyageurs National Park
Mercury and water level management in lakes of northern Minnesota
Cyanotoxin mixture models: Relating environmental variables and toxin co-occurrence to human exposure risk
Toxic cyanobacterial blooms, often containing multiple toxins, are a serious public health issue. However, there are no known models that predict a cyanotoxin mixture (anatoxin-a, microcystin, saxitoxin). This paper presents two cyanotoxin mixture models (MIX) and compares them to two microcystin (MC) models from data collected in 2016–2017 from three recurring cyanobacterial bloom locations in Ka
Rapid-assessment test strips: Effectiveness forcyanotoxin monitoring in a northern temperate lake
Land use effects on sediment nutrient processes in a heavily modified watershed using structural equation models
Freshwater neurotoxins and concerns for human, animal, and ecosystemhealth: A review of anatoxin-a and saxitoxin
Phytoplankton community and algal toxicity at a recurring bloom in Sullivan Bay, Kabetogama Lake, Minnesota, USA
Kabetogama Lake in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, USA suffers from recurring late summer algal blooms that often contain toxin-producing cyanobacteria. Previous research identified the toxin microcystin in blooms, but we wanted to better understand how the algal and cyanobacterial community changed throughout an open water season and how changes in community structure were related to toxin pr
Science and Products
- Science
Toxin Producing Algae Across U.S. Landscapes—Are They Gaining a Foothold?
There are still many unknowns related to the occurrence and potential range of various types of algae in inland waters. To fill some of these gaps, scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently published a review and synthesis of toxic algae in inland waters of the conterminous United States.Review of Cyanobacterial Neurotoxins—Information for Prioritizing Future Science Directions
The current state of knowledge on the modes of action, production, fate, and occurrence of the freshwater cyanobacterial neurotoxins, anatoxin-a and saxitoxin, was reviewed and synthesized to identify gaps and critical research needs to better understand the health effects of algal toxins.Mixtures of Algal Toxins Present Prior to and After Formation of Visible Algal Blooms—Science to Inform the Timing of Algal Toxin Exposure
Cyanobacteria with toxin-producing potential, genes indicating an ability for toxin synthesis, or cyanotoxins were present before and after formation of a visible algal bloom in Kabetogama Lake, a popular recreation area in Voyageurs National Park that lies along the border of Minnesota and Canada. The temporal patterns observed in this study indicate that sampling only when there is a visible...Water Quality in Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park was established in 1975 to preserve the scenery and remote system of interconnected waterways along a portion of the US-Canada border. The complexity of the waterways increased with the installation of dams in the early 1900s. Subsequently, the International Joint Commission set rules governing dam operation (rule curves) for this system of lakes, with the most recent...Environmental Effects of Agricultural Practices
As agricultural land in the Minnesota River Basin is retired, tile drains are removed or broken and riparian corridors are planted to reduce runoff. Early studies saw decreased sediment and nitrogen and improved biological indicators but no significant changes in phosphorus. This project continues to investigate the linkages between riparian buffer extent, age, and continuity; stream water; and...National Water-Quality Project Sampling Methods
USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) studies require analyses of stream and bed-sediment samples for major ions, nutrients, sediments, and organic contaminants that are consistent across time and space. Procedures have been designed specifically to produce information that is comparable among studies in different parts of the Nation. - Data
Algal toxins and Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis measured in surface-water, quarry-water, and sediment samples collected at Pipestone National Monument, Pipestone, Minnesota, 2018-19
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. National Park Service, conducted a study to determine the presence of algal toxins and Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) within Pipestone National Monument located in Pipestone County in southwestern Minnesota. Three algal toxins (microcystins, saxitoxin, and anatoxin-a) were analyzed in 12 water-quality samples collected fromData and model archive for multiple linear regression models for prediction of weighted cyanotoxin mixture concentrations and microcystin concentrations at three recurring bloom sites in Kabetogama Lake in Minnesota
Multiple linear regression models were developed using data collected in 2016 and 2017 from three recurring bloom sites in Kabetogama Lake in northern Minnesota. These models were developed to predict concentrations of cyanotoxins (anatoxin-a, microcystin, and saxitoxin) that occur within the blooms. Virtual Beach software (version 3.0.6) was used to develop four models: two cyanotoxin mixture (MIChemical and physical data for sediment source fingerprinting of suspended and bottom sediment in the West Fork of Beaver Creek, Minnesota
This data release includes physical and chemical data for samples from suspended and bottom sediments of streams in Minnesota. Data were collected in September 2011 and April 2012. These data include total nitrogen and carbon, organic carbon, concentrations for 39 metals, and particle-size analysis. Source samples were grouped into one of three land-use categories: channel (Mid-bank,Low-bank), croRapid assessment test strip data for determining cyanotoxin presence in algal blooms, Kabetogama Lake, northern Minnesota, 2017-2018
Algal toxins are a growing concern worldwide. Rapid assessment test strips are a newer technology and their accuracy in detecting toxins in different lakes with different phytoplankton and toxins present is unknown. This data release is supported by our testing of toxin test strips. This research took place in Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota. The research will indicate whether thesePhytoplankton enumeration and identification from a recurring algal bloom location in Sullivan Bay, Kabetogama Lake, northern Minnesota, 2016
This data release provides phytoplankton identification, phytoplankton enumeration, chlorophyll concentration, phaeophytin concentration, phycocyanin data, and nutrient quality assurance data from three recurring algal bloom sites in Kabetogama Lake, Voyaguers National Park, Minnesota in 2016 and 2017. The goal of this research is to better understand the drivers of algal bloom toxicity in the lar - Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 49
Toxic algae in inland waters of the conterminous United States—A review and synthesis
Cyanobacteria are the most common toxigenic algae in inland waters. Their toxins can affect the health of aquatic and terrestrial organisms, including humans. Other algal groups, such as haptophytes (e.g., Prymnesium parvum) and euglenoids (e.g., Euglena sanguinea), can also form harmful algal blooms (HABs) whose toxins cause injury to aquatic biota but currently have no known effects on human heaAuthorsReynaldo Patiño, Victoria Christensen, Jennifer L. Graham, Jane Rogosch, Barry H. RosenCreek and quarry water quality at Pipestone National Monument and pilot study of pathogen detection methods in waterfall mist at Winnewissa Falls, Pipestone, Minnesota, 2018–19
Pipestone National Monument is a 301-acre site sacred to many Native American Tribes, providing cultural exhibits and walking trails to Pipestone Creek, Winnewissa Falls, and historical pipestone quarries for numerous visitors each year. However, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has determined turbidity and fecal coliform bacteria occur in Pipestone Creek in high enough numbers to be a potenAuthorsAliesha L. Krall, Kerensa A. King, Victoria G. Christensen, Joel P. Stokdyk, Barbara C. Scudder Eikenberry, S. A. StevensonPhytoplankton community interactions and cyanotoxin mixtures in three recurring surface blooms within one lake
Cyanobacteria can produce numerous secondary metabolites (cyanotoxins) with various toxicities, yet data on cyanotoxins in many lakes are limited. Moreover, little research is available on complex relations among cyanobacteria that produce toxins. Therefore, we studied cyanobacteria and 19 cyanotoxins at three sites with recurring blooms in Kabetogama Lake (USA). Seven of 19 toxins were detected iAuthorsVictoria Christensen, Hayley T. Olds, Jack E. Norland, Eakalak KhanA review of algal toxin exposures on reserved federal lands and among trust species in the United States
Associated health effects from algal toxin exposure are a growing concern for human and animal health. Algal toxin poisonings may occur from contact with or consumption of water supplies or from ingestion of contaminated animals. The U.S. Federal Government owns or holds in trust about 259 million hectares of land, in addition to the Trust species obligations. We completed the first comprehensiveAuthorsZachary Laughrey, Victoria Christensen, Robert J. Dusek, Sarena Senegal, Julia S. Lankton, Tracy Ziegler, Lee C. Jones, Daniel Jones, Brianna Williams, Stephanie Gordon, Gerald A. Clyde, Erich B Emery, Keith LoftinRiparian forest cover modulates phosphorus storage and nitrogen cycling in agricultural stream sediments
Watershed land cover affects in-stream water quality and sediment nutrient dynamics. The presence of natural land cover in the riparian zone can reduce the negative effects of agricultural land use on water quality; however, literature evaluating the effects of natural riparian land cover on stream sediment nutrient dynamics is scarce. The objective of this study was to assess if stream sediment pAuthorsRebecca Kreiling, Lynn A. Bartsch, Patrik Mathis Perner, Enrika Hlavacek, Victoria ChristensenFreshwater cyanotoxin mixtures in recurring cyanobacterial blooms in Voyageurs National Park
Algal and cyanobacterial blooms can foul water systems, inhibit recreation, and produce cyanotoxins, which can be toxic to humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Blooms that recur yearly present a special challenge, in that chronic effects of most cyanotoxins are unknown. To better understand cyanotoxin timing, possible environmental triggers, and inter-relations among taxa and toxins in bloom coAuthorsVictoria ChristensenMercury and water level management in lakes of northern Minnesota
Water level (WL) fluctuations substantially alter the fauna, flora, and microbial community of nearshore aquatic ecosystems. Water level management therefore has the potential to strongly influence a wide variety of ecosystem processes. Many northern temperate lake food webs experience substantial methylmercury contamination, which is partially mediated by the action of sulfate-reducing bacteria oAuthorsJames H. Larson, Ryan P. Maki, Victoria Christensen, Enrika Hlavacek, Mark B. Sandheinrich, Jaime F. LeDuc, Claire Kissane, Brent C. KnightsCyanotoxin mixture models: Relating environmental variables and toxin co-occurrence to human exposure risk
Toxic cyanobacterial blooms, often containing multiple toxins, are a serious public health issue. However, there are no known models that predict a cyanotoxin mixture (anatoxin-a, microcystin, saxitoxin). This paper presents two cyanotoxin mixture models (MIX) and compares them to two microcystin (MC) models from data collected in 2016–2017 from three recurring cyanobacterial bloom locations in Ka
AuthorsVictoria Christensen, Erin Stelzer, Barbara C. Scudder Eikenberry, Hayley T. Olds, Jaime F. LeDuc, Ryan P. Maki, Jack E. Norland, Eakalak KhanRapid-assessment test strips: Effectiveness forcyanotoxin monitoring in a northern temperate lake
Precise and rapid methods of determining toxin levels are needed in lakes used for recreation and drinking water to facilitate a quick risk assessment during cyanobacteria blooms. Therefore, we evaluated rapid-assessment test strips, a newer technology for estimating the toxicity of cyanobacterial blooms, in Kabetogama Lake, a popular recreational area of Voyageurs National Park in northern MinnesAuthorsJaime F. LeDuc, Victoria Christensen, Ryan P. MakiLand use effects on sediment nutrient processes in a heavily modified watershed using structural equation models
Contemporary land use can affect sediment nutrient processes in rivers draining heavily modified watersheds; however, studies linking land use to sediment nutrient processes in large river networks are limited. In this study, we developed and evaluated structural equation models (SE models) for denitrification and phosphorus retention capacity to determine direct and indirect linkages between currAuthorsRebecca Kreiling, Martin C. Thoms, Lynn A. Bartsch, James H. Larson, Victoria ChristensenFreshwater neurotoxins and concerns for human, animal, and ecosystemhealth: A review of anatoxin-a and saxitoxin
Toxic cyanobacteria are a concern worldwide because they can adversely affect humans, animals, and ecosystems. However, neurotoxins produced by freshwater cyanobacteria are understudied relative to microcystin. Thus, the objective of this critical review was to provide a comprehensive examination of the modes of action, production, fate, and occurrence of the freshwater neurotoxins anatoxin-a andAuthorsVictoria Christensen, Eakalak KhanPhytoplankton community and algal toxicity at a recurring bloom in Sullivan Bay, Kabetogama Lake, Minnesota, USA
Kabetogama Lake in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, USA suffers from recurring late summer algal blooms that often contain toxin-producing cyanobacteria. Previous research identified the toxin microcystin in blooms, but we wanted to better understand how the algal and cyanobacterial community changed throughout an open water season and how changes in community structure were related to toxin pr
AuthorsVictoria Christensen, Ryan P. Maki, Erin Stelzer, Jack E. Norland, Eakalak Khan - News