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[Scientist] Samuel N Luoma [Research Area] Mechanisms of Biological and Ecological Response in Disturbed Aquatic Ecosystems show details View Publications [Science Topics] Aquatic Habitat; Contaminants; Ecology; Estuaries and Near-Shore Environments; Metals; Rivers and Streams [Last Name] Luoma [Details] 
Human activities from climate change to waste discharges to water management are modifying ecosystems across the earth, often in ways that are not well understood. This project addresses the problem of better understanding changes in aquatic ecosystems as driven by human disturbances interacting with natural processes. More specifically, the project studies a) the mechanisms of biological and ecological response to stressors such as metal contamination, nutrient enrichment, physical habitat alteration, climate change, and introduced species, and b) the influence of species, communities, and ecosystem processes on the distribution, transport, and fate of chemical contaminants (e.g., metals, nutrients). Most studies on the project ultimately consider physical, chemical and biological processes that interact in ecosystem change, as well as mechanisms of stressor-specific responses in species, populations, and communities, with an emphasis on invertebrate organisms/communities. Both intensive laboratory and field experimentation as well as long term field observation are typical of project work. An important goal is development of models to improve understanding of biological and ecological responses to stressors. For example, biodynamic models are an important focus of metal contamination studies (and studies of the implications of developing nanotechnologies) because they provide a mechanistic explanation of many biological and ecological responses to metals. These models are based upon laboratory-based experimental studies of contaminant uptake, loss and detoxification in different species linked to field observations of contaminant concentrations. Understanding differences in contaminant biodynamics, when linked with carefully designed studies of benthic communities, for example, can lead to process-based predictions of ecological change. Ongoing or past project includes studies in streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries. Historically, the project has introduced many new methodologies. Continued refinement of those and the development of novel new methods is another important ongoing and future goal of this project. Perpetuation of long-term (multi-decadal) ecological, metal and geochemical data sets, in collaboration with non-USGS partners, is also an ongoing goal in ecosystems from South San Francisco Bay, North San Francisco Bay, Santa Clara Valley streams, and the Clark Fork River Montana. The unique capacity to integrate laboratory and field studies across levels of biological organization in diverse aquatic ecosystems establishes our ability to identify, tackle, and inform managers and scientists of newly emerging issues which is a critical need of the USGS and an important part of our work into the future. For additional information, see Ecology and Contaminants site.
USGS National Research Program: NRP Scientists
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