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Alicia Gilbreath
Managing Senior Scientist
Clean Water Program
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Areas of Expertise

Clean Water Program
Bay Regional Monitoring Program
Sources, Pathways, & Loadings Workgroup
Emerging Contaminants
Microplastics & Other Plastics Contamination
PCBs Workgroup
Project monitoring

Education & Credentials

MLA, Environmental Planning
BS, Psychology
BA, Philosophy

Contact Info

[email protected]
phone
510-746-7308

Background

Alicia Gilbreath is a managing senior scientist at the San Francisco Estuary Institute, where she splits her time between field-based monitoring and investigations and office-based data analysis, research and writing. Alicia earned a BA in Philosophy and BS in Psychology from UC Davis, and an MLA with an emphasis in Environmental Planning from UC Berkeley. She joined SFEI in 2006 and her work for the Institute has primarily focused on monitoring pollutant concentrations and loads in stormwater. Alicia co-leads the RMP's Sources, Pathways and Loadings Workgroup as well as projects integrating green stormwater infrastructure and environmental justice. Whether it's for SFEI field work or taking her kids out on special wet and muddy adventures in the Oakland hills, Alicia loves getting outside for big storms.

Highlighted Work at SFEI

PUBLICATIONS

PROJECTS

NEWS & EVENTS

 

Publications

 

Trinh, M; Dougherty, J; Kleckner, A; Sutton, R; Méndez, M; Yee, D; Gilbreath, A. 2026. Water Year 2026 RMP Status and Trends Water Sampling and Analysis Plan. SFEI Contribution No. 1296. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Dougherty, J; Paterson, K; Gonzalez, M; Kolodziej, EP; Lin, D; Gilbreath, A; Rødland, E; Cowger, W; Vaquero, H; Amend, A; Sutton, R. 2026. Load and concentration based performance outcomes for emerging organic contaminants in bioretention stormwater treatment systems. Environmental Science Water Research & Technology.
Moran, KD; McKee, LJ; Gilbreath, A; Yee, D; Avellaneda, PM; Paterson, K; Sutton, R. 2026. Stormwater Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) Monitoring Approach. SFEI Contribution No. 1269. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ; Heberger, M; Moran, KD. 2024. RMP Sources, Pathways, and Loadings Strategy: 2024 Update. SFEI Contribution No. 1189. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Stark, K; Peterson, D; Gilbreath, A; Sevier, E; Dusterhoff, SD. 2024. Pescadero Creek High-Flow Conditions Report. SFEI Contribution No. 1211. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Peterson, D; Stark, K; Gilbreath, A; Dusterhoff, SD. 2024. Pescadero Creek Low-Flow Conditions Report. SFEI Contribution No. 1210. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Dougherty, J; Kleckner, A; Sutton, R; Yee, D; Gilbreath, A; Trinh, M. 2024. Water Year 2024 RMP Near-Field Water Sampling and Analysis Plan. SFEI Contribution No. 1154.
Peter, KT et al. 2024. Storms mobilize organophosphate esters, bisphenols, PFASs, and vehicle-derived contaminants to San Francisco Bay watersheds. SFEI Contribution No. 1213. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Sutton, R; Avellaneda, PM; Méndez, M; Dougherty, J; Gilbreath, A. 2024. Screening Bay Area Stormwater for Emerging Contaminants: Summary for Managers. SFEI Contribution No. 1214. San Francisco Estuary Institute: RIchmond.
Pearce, SA; Lowe, S; Gilbreath, A; Kauhanen, P; Vaughn, LS; Symonds, J; McKee, LJ. 2023. McCosker Creek Restoration and Public Access Project: Alder Creek Daylighting Additional Monitoring Elements - Final Report. SFEI Contribution No. 1157. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Gilbreath, A; Stark, K; Pearce, SA; McKee, LJ. 2023. Suspended Sediment Loads Analysis of Four Creeks in the San Francisco Bay Area. SFEI Contribution No. 1134.
Kleckner, A; Sutton, R; Yee, D; Gilbreath, A; Trinh, M. 2023. Water Year 2023 RMP Near-Field Water Sampling and Analysis Plan. SFEI Contribution No. 1142. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Moran, KD; Gilbreath, A; Méndez, M; Lin, D; Sutton, R. 2023. Tire Wear: Emissions Estimates and Market Insights to Inform Monitoring Design. SFEI Contribution No. 1109. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
McKee, LJ; Gilbreath, A; Sabin, L. 2022. Small Tributaries Pollutants of Concern Reconnaissance Monitoring: Application of Storm-event Loads and Yields-Based and Congener-Based PCB Site Prioritization Methodologies. SFEI Contribution No. 1067.
Gilbreath, A; Davis, JA. 2022. Priority margin unit stormwater monitoring to support load estimates of PCBs into San Leandro Bay and the Emeryville Crescent. SFEI Contribution No. 1088. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Tian, Z et al. 2021. A ubiquitous tire rubber-derived chemical induces acute mortality in coho salmon. Science, 371, 185-189.
Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ; Hunt, JA. 2021. Pollutants of Concern Reconnaissance Monitoring Progress Report, Water Years 2015-2020. SFEI Contribution No. 1061. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Davis, JA; Foley, MM; Askevold, RA; Chelsky, A; Dusterhoff, SD; Gilbreath, A; Lin, D; Yee, D; Senn, DB; Sutton, R. 2021. RMP Update 2021. SFEI Contribution No. 1057.
Moran, KD; Miller, E; Mendez, M; Moore, S; Gilbreath, A; Sutton, R; Lin, D. 2021. A Synthesis of Microplastic Sources and Pathways to Urban Runoff. SFEI Contribution No. 1049. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Zhu, X et al. 2021. Holistic Assessment of Microplastics and Other Anthropogenic Microdebris in an Urban Bay Sheds Light on Their Sources and Fate. Environmental Science and Technology Water .
Yee, D; Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ; Davis, JA. 2021. Conceptual Model to Support PCB Management and Monitoring in the Steinberger Slough/Redwood Creek Priority Margin Unit. SFEI Contribution No. 1009. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Werbowski, L; Gilbreath, A; Munno, K; Zhu, X; Grbic, J; Wu, T; Sutton, R; Sedlak, M; Deshpande, A; Rochman, CM. 2021. Urban Stormwater Runoff: A Major Pathway for Anthropogenic Particles, Black Rubbery Fragments, and Other Types of Microplastics to Urban Receiving Waters. Environmental Science and Technology Water .
Davis, JA; Foley, MM; Askevold, RA; Buzby, N; Chelsky, A; Dusterhoff, SD; Gilbreath, A; Lin, D; Miller, E; Senn, DB; Sutton, R. 2020. RMP Update 2020. SFEI Contribution No. 1008.
Gilbreath, A; Hunt, JA; McKee, LJ. 2020. Pollutants of Concern Reconnaissance Monitoring Progress Report, Water Years 2015 - 2019. SFEI Contribution No. 987. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
McKee, LJ; Gilbreath, A; Hunt, JA; Wu, J; Yee, D; Davis, JA. 2019. Small Tributaries Pollutants of Concern Reconnaissance Monitoring: Loads and Yields-based Prioritization Methodology Pilot Study. SFEI Contribution No. 817. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Davis, JA; Gilbreath, A. 2019. Small Tributaries Pollutants of Concern Reconnaissance Monitoring: Pilot Evaluation of Source Areas Using PCB Congener Data. SFEI Contribution No. 956. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Sutton, R; Lin, D; Sedlak, M; Box, C; Gilbreath, A; Holleman, RC; Miller, E; Wong, A; Munno, K; Zhu, X; Rochman, CM. 2019. Understanding Microplastic Levels, Pathways, and Transport in the San Francisco Bay Region. SFEI Contribution No. 950. San Francisco Bay Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality: Richmond, CA.
Gilbreath, A; Hunt, JA; McKee, LJ. 2019. Pollutants of Concern Reconnaissance Monitoring Progress Report, Water Years 2015-2018. SFEI Contribution No. 942. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ; Shimabuku, I; Lin, D; Werbowski, LM; Zhu, X; Grbic, J; Rochman, CM. 2019. Multi-year water quality performance and mass accumulation of PCBs, mercury, methylmercury, copper and microplastics in a bioretention rain garden. Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment, 5.
Yee, D; Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ; Davis, JA. 2019. Conceptual Model to Support PCB Management and Monitoring in the San Leandro Bay Priority Margin Unit - Final Report. SFEI Contribution No. 928. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Gilbreath, A; Pearce, SA; Shimabuku, I; McKee, LJ. 2018. Bay Area Green Infrastructure Water Quality Synthesis. SFEI Contribution No. 922. San Francisco Estuary Institute : Richmond, CA.
Yee, D; Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ; Davis, JA. 2018. Conceptual Model to Support PCB Management and Monitoring in the San Leandro Bay Priority Margin Unit: Phase Three - (Coming Soon). SFEI Contribution No. 899. San Francisco Estuary Institute : Richmond, CA.
McKee, LJ; Gilbreath, A; Pearce, SA; Shimabuku, I. 2018. Guadalupe River Mercury Concentrations and Loads During the Large Rare January 2017 Storm. SFEI Contribution No. 837. San Francisco Estuary Institute : Richmond, CA.
Gilbreath, A; Wu, J; Hunt, JA; McKee, LJ. 2018. Pollutants of Concern Reconnaissance Monitoring Water Years 2015, 2016, and 2017. SFEI Contribution No. 840. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Wu, J; Trowbridge, P; Yee, D; McKee, LJ; Gilbreath, A. 2018. RMP Small Tributaries Loading Strategy: Modeling and Trends Strategy 2018. SFEI Contribution No. 886. San Francisco Estuary Institute : Richmond, CA.
Melwani, A; Yee, D; McKee, LJ; Gilbreath, A; Trowbridge, P; Davis, JA. 2018. Statistical Methods Development and Sampling Design Optimization to Support Trends Analysis for Loads of Polychlorinated Biphenyls from the Guadalupe River in San Jose, California, USA. SFEI Contribution No. 876. San Francisco Estuary Institute : Richmond, CA.
McKee, LJ; Pearce, SA; Gilbreath, A; Lowe, S; Hunt, JA. 2018. A Menu of Fire Response Water Quality Monitoring Options and Recommendations for Water Year 2019 and Beyond. SFEI Contribution No. 889. San Francisco Estuary Institute : Richmond, CA.
McKee, LJ et al. 2017. Long-term variation in concentrations and mass loads in a semi-arid watershed influenced by historic mercury mining and urban pollutant sources. Science of The Total Environment, 605-606, 482-497.
Yee, D; Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ; Davis, JA. 2017. Conceptual Model to Support PCB Management and Monitoring in the San Leandro Bay Priority Margin Unit: Phase I. SFEI Contribution No. 830. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Gilbreath, A; Hunt, JA; Yee, D; McKee, LJ. 2017. Pollutants of concern reconnaissance monitoring final progress report, water years 2015 and 2016. SFEI Contribution No. 817.
Wu, J; Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ. 2017. Regional Watershed Spreadsheet Model (RWSM): Year 6 Progress Report. SFEI Contribution No. 811.
Davis, JA; Yee, D; Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ. 2017. Conceptual Model to Support PCB Management and Monitoring in the Emeryville Crescent Priority Margin Unit. SFEI Contribution No. 824. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ; Hunt, JA; Yee, D. 2017. Pollutants of Concern Monitoring: A low-intensity, budget conscious stormwater sampling method to identify highly polluted areas for potential management action . San Francisco Estuary Institute : Richmond, CA.
Yee, D; Davis, JA; Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ. 2016. Simple Mass Budget Model to Evaluate Long Term PCB Fate in the Emeryville Crescent Sub-embayment. SFEI Contribution No. 807.
McKee, LJ; Gilbreath, A; Yee, D; Hunt, JA. 2016. Pollutants of concern (POC) reconnaissance monitoring final progress report, water year (WY) 2015. SFEI Contribution No. 787.
Gilbreath, A; Hunt, JA; Wu, J; Kim, P; McKee, LJ. 2016. Pollutants of concern (POC) loads monitoring progress report, water years (WYs) 2012, 2013, and 2014. SFEI Contribution No. 741.
McKee, LJ; Gilbreath, A; Hunt, JA; Wu, J; Yee, D. 2016. Sources, Pathways and Loadings: Multi-Year Synthesis with a Focus on PCBs and Hg. SFEI Contribution No. 773.
Wu, J; Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ. 2016. Regional Watershed Spreadsheet Model (RWSM) Year 5 Progress Report. SFEI Contribution No. 788.
Gilbreath, A; Hunt, JA; McKee, LJ. 2016. Hacienda Avenue Bio-Infiltration Basins (Case Study - Fact Sheet). San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Melwani, AR; Yee, D; Gilbreath, A; Davis, JA; McKee, LJ. 2016. Optimizing sampling methods for monitoring pollutant trends in San Francisco Bay urban stormwater. Applied Marine Sciences: Livermore, CA.
Gilbreath, A; Hunt, JA; McKee, LJ. 2015. Cesar Chavez Streetscape Improvement Project (Case Study Site and Technical Reports). SFEI Contribution No. 797.
Gilbreath, A; Hunt, JA; McKee, LJ. 2015. Fremont Tree Well Filters: LID Performance on a Redeveloped Urban Roadway (Case Study Site and Technical Reports). SFEI Contribution No. 772.
McKee, LJ; Gilbreath, A; Gluchowski, DC; Hunt, JA; Yee, D. 2015. Quality Assurance Methods for Continuous Rainfall, Run-off, and Turbidity Data.
Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ. 2015. Concentrations and loads of PCBs, dioxins, PAHs, PBDEs, OC pesticides and pyrethroids during storm and low flow conditions in a small urban semi-arid watershed. Science of the Total Environment, 526, 251-261.
Gilbreath, A; Yee, D; McKee, LJ; Davis, JA. 2015. PCB Margin Unit Prioritization Final Report. SFEI Contribution No. 812. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Pearce, SA; Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ. 2015. Sediment Supply, deposition, and transport in the Flood Control Facilities of Arroyo Mocho and Arroyo Las Positas from 2006-2014. SFEI Contribution No. 771. San Francisco Estuary Institue: Richmond, CA.
Gilbreath, A. 2015. The Regional Watershed Spreadsheet Model: A Tool for Estimating Urban Stormwater Contaminant Loads.
Novick, E; Wu, J; Gilbreath, A; Senn, DB. 2014. Nutrient Stormwater Monitoring Results: WY2012 and WY2013. SFEI: Richmond, CA.
Gilbreath, A; Hunt, JA; McKee, LJ. 2014. Newcomb Avenue Green Street (Case Study Site and Technical Reports). SFEI Contribution No. 793.
Gilbreath, A; Hunt, JA; McKee, LJ. 2014. San Francisco State University Site 1 Vegetated Infiltration Basin (Case Study Site and Technical Reports). SFEI Contribution No. 794.
Gilbreath, A; Hunt, JA; McKee, LJ. 2014. San Francisco State University Site 3 Basin and Swale System (Case Study Site and Technical Reports). SFEI Contribution No. 795.
Gilbreath, A; Hunt, JA; McKee, LJ. 2014. Sunset Circle Vegetated Swale and Infiltration System (Case Study Site and Technical Reports). SFEI Contribution No. 796.
McKee, LJ; Gilbreath, A; Wu, J; Kunze, M; Hunt, JA. 2014. Estimating Regional Pollutant Loads for San Francisco Bay Area Tributaries using the Regional Watershed Spreadsheet Model( RWSM): Year’s 3 and 4 Progress Report. San Francisco Estuary Institute - Aquatic Science Center: Richmond, CA.
McKee, LJ; Gilbreath, A; Gluchowski, DC; Hunt, JA; Wu, J. 2014. Pollutants of Concern (POC) Loads Monitoring Data Progress Report: Water Years (WYs) 2012 and 2013. SFEI Contribution No. 708. SFEI: Richmond, CA. pp. 1-84.
McKee, LJ; Gluchowski, DC; Gilbreath, A; Hunt, JA. 2013. Pollutants of concern (POC) loads monitoring data progress report, water year (WY) 2012. SFEI: Richmond, CA.
McKee, LJ; Gilbreath, A; Hunt, JA; Greenfield, BK. 2012. Pollutants of Concern (POC) Loads Monitoring Data, Water Year (WY) 2011. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Gilbreath, A; Pearce, SA; McKee, LJ. 2012. Monitoring and Results for El Cerrito Rain Gardens. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Hunt, JA; Gluchowski, DC; Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ. 2012. Pollutant Monitoring in the North Richmond Pump Station: A Pilot Study for Potential Dry Flow and Seasonal First Flush Diversion for Wastewater Treatment. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Richmond, CA.
Gilbreath, A; Yee, D; McKee, LJ. 2012. Concentrations and Loads of Trace Contaminants in a Small Urban Tributary, San Francisco Bay, California. SFEI Contribution No. 650. SFEI: Richmond, CA. p. 40.
Lent, MA; Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ. 2012. Development of Regional Suspended Sediment and Pollutant Load Estimates for San Francisco Bay Area Tributaries using the Regional Watershed Spreadsheet Model (RWSM): Year 2 Progress Report. SFEI Contribution No. 667. SFEI: Richmond, CA. p. 17.
McKee, LJ; Hunt, JA; Gluchowski, DC; Sutula, M; Gilbreath, A; Beagle, J. 2011. Numeric nutrient endpoint development for San Francisco Bay- Literature review and Data Gaps Analysis.
McKee, LJ; Pearce, SA; Yee, D; Ridolfi, K; Gilbreath, A. 2010. A BMP tool box for reducing Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Mercury (Hg) in municipal stormwater.
Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ. 2010. Memo: Estimates of hydrology in small (<80 km2) urbanized watersheds under dry weather and high flow conditions.
McKee, LJ; Gilbreath, A. 2009. Concentrations and Loads of Trace Contaminants in the Zone 4 Line A Small Tributary, Hayward, California: Water Year 2007. SFEI Contribution No. 563. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Oakland,Ca.
Jabusch, T; Gilbreath, A. 2009. Summary of Current Water Quality Monitoring Programs in the Delta. San Francisco Estuary Institute: Oakland, CA.
Pearce, SA; Bigelow, P; McKee, LJ; Gilbreath, A. 2009. A Sediment Budget for Two Reaches of Alameda Creek: support for flood control channel management. Oakland, Ca.
McKee, LJ; Gilbreath, A; Looker, R; Mangarella, P; Yee, D; Leatherbarrow, JE; David, N. 2008. San Francisco Bay Mercury Loads: Scientific information development and management response. Harmonizing River Catchment and Estuary. Shanghai, China.
McKee, LJ; Collins, JN; Pearce, SA; Gilbreath, A; Bigelow, P; Ridolfi, K. 2008. Alameda Creek Sediment Forum.
Bigelow, P; Pearce, SA; McKee, LJ; Gilbreath, A. 2008. A Sediment Budget for Two Reaches of Alameda Creek. SFEI Contribution No. 550. San Francisco Estuary Institute.
Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ. 2008. Spatiotemporal variation of turbidity in Alameda Creek and selected tributaries: August thru December 2007. SFEI Contribution No. 547. San Francisco Estuary Institute.
Gilbreath, A; McKee, LJ. 2008. Spatiotemporal variation of turbidity in Alameda Creek and selected tributaries: August thru December 2007. SFEI Contribution No. 547. San Francisco Estuary Institute.
McKee, LJ; Pearce, SA; Gilbreath, A. 2007. Stream Inventory Report for La Honda Creek: Prepared for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. SFEI Contribution No. 529. San Francisco Estuary Institute.
McKee, LJ; Pearce, SA; Gilbreath, A. 2007. Stream Inventory Report for La Honda Creek: Prepared for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. SFEI Contribution No. 529. San Francisco Estuary Institute.

 

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