Allison Lorenzi

Biologist

B.Sc.
M.Sc. Marine Biology (San Francisco State University)

ahlorenz@usgs.gov

Research Interests
I came to USGS in 2005 after completing my graduate work at San Francisco State University. I had previously worked with phytoplankton productivity modeling and using novel primers to track rbcL (the major subunit for RubisCO) gene expression in diatoms in San Francisco Bay using real time quantitative PCR. Upon transitioning to a metal contaminants lab, I've been able to incorporate my phytoplankton background by culturing several types of phytoplankton that are used in metal trophic transfer experiments. In addition to this, I've participated in several mercury food web studies with fellow members of our project. For over 30 years, our project has been monitoring the metal bioaccumulation trends in the clam, Macoma petalum (formerly Macoma balthica) on a mudflat in Palo Alto, CA. For over 20 years this data has been supported by the City of Palo Alto on behalf of the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant (PARWQCP) and has documented the reduction in sediment and clam metal concentrations in parallel with the advancement of the plant's technology. I currently plan, manage, and author the annual report for this monitoring study.

Selected publications

Lorenzi, A.H., Cain, D. J., Parchaso, F. Thompson, J.K., Luoma, S.N., Hornberger, M.I., Dyke, J.L. 2008. Near-Field Receiving Water Monitoring of Trace Metals and a Benthic Community Near the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant in South San Francisco Bay, California: 2007. U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 2008-1180. Menlo Park, California. 127pp.

Lorenzi, A.H., Cain, D. J., Parchaso, F. Thompson, J.K., Luoma, S.N., Hornberger, M.I., Dyke, J.L, Cervantes, R., and Shouse, M. K. 2007. Near-Field Receiving Water Monitoring of Trace Metals and a Benthic Community Near the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant in South San Francisco Bay, California: 2006. U.S.G.S. Open File Report 2007-1199. Menlo Park, CA, 128pp.

Cain, D. J., Parchaso, F. Thompson, J.K., Luoma, S.N., Lorenzi, A.H., Moon, E., Shouse, M. K., Hornberger, M.I., and J.L. Dyke. 2006. Near-Field Receiving Water Monitoring of Trace Metals and a Benthic Community Near the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant in South San Francisco Bay, California: 2005. U.S.G.S. Open File Report 2006-1152. Menlo Park, California. 128pp.