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
Assessing the ecological risks of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances: Current state‐of‐the science and a proposed path forward
Per‐ and poly‐fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) encompass a large, heterogenous group of chemicals of potential concern to human health and the environment. Based on information for a few relatively well‐understood PFAS such as perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate, there is ample basis to suspect that at least a subset can be considered persistent, bioaccumulative, and/or toxic. However, d
Evaluation of acute and chronic toxicity of nickel and zinc to 2 sensitive freshwater benthic invertebrates using refined testing methods
Acute and chronic toxicity of sodium nitrate and sodium sulfate to several freshwater organisms in water-only exposures
Sensitivity of warm water fishes and rainbow trout to selected contaminants
Influence of remediation on sediment toxicity within the Grand Calumet River, Indiana, USA
Influence of dissolved organic carbon on the acute toxicity of copper and zinc to White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) and a Cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia)
Toward sustainable environmental quality: Priority research questions for North America
Biological effects of elevated major ions in surface water contaminated by a produced water from oil production
Characterizing toxicity of metal‐contaminated sediments from the Upper Columbia River, Washington, USA, to benthic invertebrates
Evaluation of chronic toxicity of sodium chloride or potassium chloride to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) in water exposures using standard and refined toxicity testing methods
Acute toxicity of sodium chloride and potassium chloride to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) in water exposures
In some places, in some cases, and at some times, harmful algal blooms are the greatest threat to inland water quality
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
Assessing the ecological risks of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances: Current state‐of‐the science and a proposed path forward
Per‐ and poly‐fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) encompass a large, heterogenous group of chemicals of potential concern to human health and the environment. Based on information for a few relatively well‐understood PFAS such as perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate, there is ample basis to suspect that at least a subset can be considered persistent, bioaccumulative, and/or toxic. However, d
Evaluation of acute and chronic toxicity of nickel and zinc to 2 sensitive freshwater benthic invertebrates using refined testing methods
Acute and chronic toxicity of sodium nitrate and sodium sulfate to several freshwater organisms in water-only exposures
Sensitivity of warm water fishes and rainbow trout to selected contaminants
Influence of remediation on sediment toxicity within the Grand Calumet River, Indiana, USA
Influence of dissolved organic carbon on the acute toxicity of copper and zinc to White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) and a Cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia)
Toward sustainable environmental quality: Priority research questions for North America
Biological effects of elevated major ions in surface water contaminated by a produced water from oil production
Characterizing toxicity of metal‐contaminated sediments from the Upper Columbia River, Washington, USA, to benthic invertebrates
Evaluation of chronic toxicity of sodium chloride or potassium chloride to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) in water exposures using standard and refined toxicity testing methods
Acute toxicity of sodium chloride and potassium chloride to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) in water exposures
In some places, in some cases, and at some times, harmful algal blooms are the greatest threat to inland water quality
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