Jeff Steevens, PhD
Dr. Jeff Steevens is a Research Toxicologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
His broad research interests include the bioavailability and toxicity of environmental contaminants in water and sediments. One of his current responsibilities is leading a multi-disciplinary team to determine the toxicity of contaminants of interest to the Department of Interior including algal toxins, metals, major ions, and emerging contaminants.
Current Projects
- Bioaccumulation and Toxicity of PFAS within Aquatic Systems. Jeff co-leads the USGS PFAS Integrated Science Team. He is actively doing research on the bioaccumulation and effects of PFAS in underrepresented aquatic taxa. Studies include the fate of PFAS within lower levels of aquatic food webs (biofilms and invertebrates). He is currently determining the toxicity of PFAS in freshwater mussels and mayflies.
- Development of Toxicity Bioassay Methods. His research is currently focusing on the effects of contaminants on freshwater mussels, mayflies, and other invertebrates. These methods include acute and chronic bioassays as well as field methods to determine in situ effects from nutrients and contaminants.
- Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Expertise. Jeff provides technical expertise for injury assessment at several sites including the Upper Columbia River, Tri-State Mining District, Little Calumet, IN and Sauget Creek, IL.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi, Oxford, 1999
B.S. in Biochemistry (Minor in Geology), University of Missouri, Columbia, 1994
Affiliations and Memberships*
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 1993 – present
Mid-South Chapter, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 1996 – present
Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society, 2020-present
American Chemical Society, 2013-present
Editorial Board Member, Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Adjunct Professor, Arkansas State University, Biology Department, 2020-present
Associate Editor, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Editorial Board Member, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Adjunct Professor, University of Missouri, College of Engineering, 2019-present
Adjunct Professor, University of Mississippi, Environmental Toxicology Research Program, School of Pharmacy and National Center for Natural Pharmaceutical Research, 2007-present
Science and Products
Influences of water hardness on chronic toxicity of potassium chloride to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea)
Evaluation of Ziram as an oral toxic bait chemical for control of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella
Guide for benthic invertebrate studies in support of Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration
Ingested toxicity of antimycin A to grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella and black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus in two carriers
Interlaboratory comparison of three sediment bioaccumulation tests
Integrated science for the study of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey
Method development for a short-term 7-day toxicity test with unionid mussels
The sensitivity of a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) to a permitted effluent and elevated potassium in the effluent
Modeling the bioavailability of nickel and zinc to Ceriodaphnia dubia and Neocloeon triangulifer in toxicity tests with Natural Waters
Direct and delayed mortality of Ceriodaphnia dubia and rainbow trout following time-varying acute exposures to zinc
The role of behavioral ecotoxicology in environmental protection
Assessment of burrowing behavior of freshwater juvenile mussels in sediment
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.
Science and Products
Influences of water hardness on chronic toxicity of potassium chloride to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea)
Evaluation of Ziram as an oral toxic bait chemical for control of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella
Guide for benthic invertebrate studies in support of Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration
Ingested toxicity of antimycin A to grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella and black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus in two carriers
Interlaboratory comparison of three sediment bioaccumulation tests
Integrated science for the study of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey
Method development for a short-term 7-day toxicity test with unionid mussels
The sensitivity of a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) to a permitted effluent and elevated potassium in the effluent
Modeling the bioavailability of nickel and zinc to Ceriodaphnia dubia and Neocloeon triangulifer in toxicity tests with Natural Waters
Direct and delayed mortality of Ceriodaphnia dubia and rainbow trout following time-varying acute exposures to zinc
The role of behavioral ecotoxicology in environmental protection
Assessment of burrowing behavior of freshwater juvenile mussels in sediment
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government