Dr Heath Kelsey

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Dr Heath Kelsey

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Dr Heath Kelsey
Science Integrator
Cooperative Oxford Laboratory

904 S Morris St
Oxford, MD 21654
USA

Phone: (410) 226-5193 x186
Fax: (410) 226-5925
Email: Heath.Kelsey@noaa.gov

CV

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name	Heath Kelsey
Email	Heath.Kelsey@noaa.gov

EDUCATION

2006	PhD from the University of South Carolina
2000	MSPH from the University of South Carolina
1988	BA from St. Mary's College of Maryland

EMPLOYMENT

2009-	Science Integrator. UMCES EcoCheck Program, Oxford, Maryland
2008-	Adjunct Faculty. University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health
2006-2009	Ecological Modeler. JHT Incorporated. NOAA CCCEHBR
2002-2006	Laboratory Manager, GIS Manager. University of South Carolina Baruch Institute
2000-2002	Research Associate. University of South Carolina Center for Environmental Policy

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Environmental and Public Health Modeling, Science in Policy, Coastal Zone Management, Pollution Indicators, Bacterial Source Tracking, Land Use and Nonpoint Source Pollution, Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, Hydrology, International Development.

STUDENT SUPERVISION

Michelle Johnston. PhD. University of South Carolina. 2010. Bacterial communities in the American alligator in southeastern US estuaries. 4^th reader.

Darrel Dodgens. MS. University of South Carolina. 2009. Modeling development thresholds causing fecal bacteria use impairment. 3^rd reader.

Cameron Kerr. MS. University of South Carolina. 2010. Using lidar data for watershed delineation in coastal areas with low relief. 3^rd reader.

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS/CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

R. H. Kelsey, D. Porter, M. Fletcher. Beach advisory forecasts using integrated data from monitoring programs, remote sensing and observing systems. Coastal and Estuarine Research Foundation. Portland, OR, November 2009.

R. Langan, R. H. Kelsey, B. Henke, J. Carter, and M. Trice. 2007. Tools They Can Use: Focusing Science & Technology on the Needs of Coastal Resource Management. Extended Abstract: Coastal Zone 2007 Conference Proceedings.
R. H. Kelsey, D. E. Porter, G. I. Scott, C. E. Newell, and D. L. White. 2007. Shellfish Harvest Area Closure Decision Making using Predictive Models. Abstract: Coastal GeoTools 2007 Conference Proceedings.
Jacobs, J.M., R. H. Kelsey, A.K. Leight, J. Lewis, S. McLaughlin, G. Messick, and B.Wood. 2007. Bio-Indicators of Estuarine Health: A Multivariate Approach Linking Source to Resource. 32nd Eastern Fish Health Workshop, Gettysburg, PA, July 18-22, 2007.
Wood, R., J.M. Jacobs, R. H. Kelsey, X. Zhang, and L. Bahner. 2007. An integrated assessment in Chesapeake Bay: linking stressors, water quality, and ecosystem goods and services. Estuarine Research Federation Annual Conference, Providence RI, November 4-8, 2007.
R.H. Kelsey, C. Marsh, D. L. White, P. Richards, D. E. Porter, G. I. Scott, and D. Dodgens. 2005. Working With Developers to Evaluate and Reduce Bacteria and Nutrient Loading in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Abstract: Coastal GeoTools 2005 Conference Proceedings.
R.H. Kelsey, D. E. Porter, G. I. Scott, and C. Newell. 2004. Shellfish Harvest Area Closure Prediction Using Remotely Sensed Precipitation Data and Digital Forecasting Products. Abstract: Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2004 World Conference Proceedings.
R.H. Kelsey, D. E. Porter, G. I. Scott. 2001. Using GIS and Regression Modeling Techniques to Assess the Role of Land Use on Fecal Coliform Levels in Estuarine Receiving Waters. Abstract: Estuarine Research Foundation 2001 Biennial Conference Proceedings.

HONORS AND SERVICE

Session Co-Chair – Ecosystem Based Management of Human Pathogens in Chesapeake Bay. Chesapeake Research Consortium Ecosystem Based Management Conference, March 2009
Professional Achievement Award, JHT Incorporated - 2007
Doctoral Student Award, University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health – 2006
Walter B. Jones NOAA OCRM Award for Excellence in Graduate Study – 2005
University of South Carolina ENHS Department Outstanding Student Award – 2005
Best Graduate Poster – 2005 Southeast Estuarine Research Society Conference, Charleston, SC
Invited Speaker – 2005 Virgin Islands Water Resources Research Institute Conference
Invited Speaker – 2004 Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry World Conference
Invited Speaker – 2003 University of the Virgin Islands Research Seminar Series
Reviewer – Water Research, Environmental Management, Water Practice, Environmental Science and Technologya, International Journal of Environment and Pollution, National Estuarine Research Reserve Graduate Research Fellowship Program , USGS Water Resources Research Institutes Competitive Grants Program, Stormwater Utility for Beaufort County, SC
US Peace Corps Volunteer – Papua New Guinea. Rural Community Health and Sanitation 1995-1998.

DISSERTATION

Fecal Pollution Modeling, Source Identification, And Management In The Southeastern Coastal Zone Dissertation Committee: Dr. Geoffrey Scott, Dr. Dwayne Porter, Dr. Tom Siewicki, Dr. Don Edwards, Dr. Hank McKellar

Publications

This page provides a reference list in Word and PDF formats, an RSS feed for new publications, a link to browse/search through all Heath's publications in the literature database. You can also view the abstract and keywords and access a pemanent link to the article in our literature database by expanding the citation, or view the full details of each publication in the database, or view the article on the publisher's website, which may include access to fulltext and PDF versions.

Peer-reviewed Publications
2010
Kelsey RH, Scott GI, Porter DE, Siewicki TC, Edwards DG (2010) Improvements to Shellfish Harvest Area Closure Decision Making Using GIS, Remote Sensing, and Predictive Models. Estuaries Coasts 33(3):712–722 Abstract: Currently,many states use precipitation information to regulate periodic closures of shellfish harvest areas based on a presumptive relationship between rainfall and bacteria concentration. We evaluate this relationship in four South Carolina estuaries and suggest new predictive models that integrate remote sensing precipitation data with additional environmental and climatic data. Model comparisons using Akaike's information criterion, tenfold cross-validation, and model r2 values show substantial and consistent improvements using integrated precipitation, salinity, and water temperature data as predictors. These models may be useful for shellfish area closure regulation support. The model development approaches used here may also be useful in estimating bacteria concentration at beaches and can serve as the basis for developing near-real-time estimates and forecast predictions of bacteria levels for closure decision-making tools. Keywords: Remote sensing; Ecological forecasting; GIS; Fecal pollution modeling; Decision support tools Permanent link \| Save citation: RTF PDF LaTeX
2008
Kelsey RH, Webster LF, Kenny DJ, Stewart JR, Scott GI (2008) Spatial and temporal variability of ribotyping results at a small watershed in South Carolina. Water Res. 42(8-9):2220–2228 Abstract: The utility of library-based ribotyping methods for a very small study area was evaluated through comparison of local results to libraries with differing spatial and temporal scales. Ribotyping of Escherichia coli isolates was used to evaluate sources of fecal pollution at a coastal golf course in Beaufort County, South Carolina. Thirty-five E. coli isolates were obtained from water samples from a detention pond for testing against several local and regional libraries of known-source isolate patterns. A library of 92 E. coli ribotype patterns was created from wildlife feces obtained on the site. Additional libraries were available for comparison, including a library from Morgan Island, a small, geographically isolated area (including a monkey colony), and a library from ongoing statewide assessments. Seventeen (49%) of the unknown E. coli isolates matched isolates from raccoon and deer scat from the local library. Two isolates (6%) were matched with monkey sources from Morgan island, and 13 (37%) were matched to raccoon, deer, and cows from the statewide assessment. Evaluation of repeated ribotyping analyses at the study area revealed evidence of temporal variability of potential sources in the local library. Only one of the isolates from the second year of fecal samples successfully matched with a fecal isolate from the previous year. The results from this study suggest that source identification results were variable both spatially and temporally, and that local, temporally specific libraries are most appropriate for library-based MST studies in small watersheds. Results also suggest that it will be difficult to employ adequate sample sizes to satisfactorily address unknown pattern variability. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Keywords: microbial source tracking; Escherichia coli; ribotpying; variability Permanent link \| Save citation: RTF PDF LaTeX
2004
Kelsey RH, Porter DE, Scotta G, Neet M, White D (2004) Using geographic information systems and regression analysis to evaluate relationships between land use and fecal coliform bacterial pollution. JEMBE 298:197–209 Keywords: GIS;Regression analysis;Fecal pollution;Nonpoint source pollution;Land use Permanent link \| Save citation: RTF PDF LaTeX
Vo M, Porter DE, Chandler GT, Kelsey RH, Walker SP, Jones BE (2004) Assessing photoinduced toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in an urbanized estuary. Ecol. Soc. 9(5):22 pp Abstract: Increases in contaminants associated with urban sprawl are a particular concern in the rapidly developing coastal areas of the southeastern United States. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are contaminants associated with vehicle emissions and runofff from impervious surfaces. Increased vehicular traffic and more impervious surfaces lead to an increased loading of PAHs into coastal estuarine systems. The phototoxic effect of PAH-contaminated sediments on a sediment-dwelling meiobenthic copepod, Amphiascus tenuiremis, was estimated in Murrells Inlet, a small, high-salinity estuary with moderate urbanization located in Georgetown and Horry Counties, South Carolina, USA. Field-determined solar ultraviolet radiation (UV) and UV extinction coefficients were incorporated into laboratory toxicity experiments, and a model was developed to predict areas of specific hazard to A. tenuiremis in the estuary. The model incorporated laboratory toxicity data, UV extinction coefficients, and historical sediment chemistry and bathymetric data within a spatial model of sedimentary areas of the estuary. The model predicted that approximately 8-16% of the total creek habitat suitable for meiobenthic copepods is at risk to photoinduced PAH toxicity. This area is in the northern, more developed part of Murrells Inlet. Permanent link \| Save citation: RTF PDF LaTeX
2003
Kelsey RH, Scott GI, Porter DE, Thompson B, Webster L (2003) Using multiple antibiotic resistance and land use characteristics to determine sources of fecal coliform bacterial pollutiion. Environ. Monit. Assess. 81(1-3):337–348 Abstract: Multiple Antibiotic Resistance ( MAR) analysis and regression modeling techniques were used to identify surface water areas impacted by fecal pollution from human sources, and to determine the effects of land use on fecal pollution in Murrells Inlet, a small, urbanized, high-salinity estuary located between Myrtle Beach and Georgetown, South Carolina. MAR analysis was performed to identify areas in the estuary that are impacted by human-source fecal pollution. Additionally, regression analysis was performed to determine if an association exists between land use and fecal coliform densities over the ten-year period from 1989 to 1998. Land-use variables were derived using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques and were used in the regression analysis. MAR analyses were conducted by comparing the frequency and patterns of antibiotic resistance found in Escherichia coli isolates derived from surface water samples and from sewage sources in the Murrells Inlet sewage collection system. The MAR results suggest that the majority of the fecal pollution detected in the Murrells Inlet estuary may be from non-human sources, including fecal coliforms isolated from areas in close proximity to high densities of active septic tanks. A MAR Index, which measures the frequency of antibiotic resistance, was calculated for each of twenty-three water samples and nine sewage samples. The antibiotic resistance pattern comparisons were performed using cluster analysis. Although the MAR indices indicated that several surface water sites had potential human-source contamination, the cluster analysis suggests that only one sampling site had MAR patterns that were similar to those found in the sewage samples. This site was in close proximity to several large pleasure boats as well as a sewage collection system lift station, but was not near areas with active septic tanks. The results of the regression analysis also suggest that sewage sources and rainfall runoff from urbanized areas may contribute to fecal pollution in the estuary. Keywords: multiple antibiotic resistance; E. coli; fecal pollution; non-point source pollution; land use Permanent link \| Save citation: RTF PDF LaTeX
Book Contributions
2010
Kelsey RH, Longstaff BJ (2010) Chapter 10: Spatial analysis: Making maps and using spatial analyses. In: Longstaff BJ, Carruthers TJB, Dennison WC, Lookingbill TR, Hawkey JM, Thomas JE, Wicks EC, Woerner JL (eds) Integrating and Applying Science: A handbook for effective coastal ecosystem assessment. IAN Press, Cambridge, MD, p 151–164 Abstract: Although spatial analysis is technically a component of statistical analysis and environmental modeling, the important role it plays, or should play, in coastal assessment programs warrants specific attention in its own separate chapter. This chapter provides some of the basic principles for producing effective maps through to the process of undertaking complex spatial analyses. Permanent link \| Save citation: RTF PDF LaTeX