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Publications

The following list of California Water Science Center publications includes both official USGS publications and journal articles authored by our scientists.

Filter Total Items: 1865

Population density, biomass, and age-class structure of the invasive clam Corbicula fluminea in rivers of the lower San Joaquin River watershed, California Population density, biomass, and age-class structure of the invasive clam Corbicula fluminea in rivers of the lower San Joaquin River watershed, California

Corbicula fluminea is well known as an invasive filter-feeding freshwater bivalve with a variety of effects on ecosystem processes. However, C. fluminea has been relatively unstudied in the rivers of the western United States. In June 2003, we sampled C. fluminea at 16 sites in the San Joaquin River watershed of California, which was invaded by C. fluminea in the 1940s. Corbicula...
Authors
Larry R. Brown, Janet K. Thompson, K. Higgins, Lisa V. Lucas

Linking ground-water age and chemistry data along flow paths: Implications for trends and transformations of nitrate and pesticides Linking ground-water age and chemistry data along flow paths: Implications for trends and transformations of nitrate and pesticides

Tracer-based ground-water ages, along with the concentrations of pesticides, nitrogen species, and other redox-active constituents, were used to evaluate the trends and transformations of agricultural chemicals along flow paths in diverse hydrogeologic settings. A range of conditions affecting the transformation of nitrate and pesticides (e.g., thickness of unsaturated zone, redox...
Authors
A. J. Tesoriero, D. A. Saad, K.R. Burow, E. A. Frick, L.J. Puckett, J.E. Barbash

Mercury and trace elements in crayfish from northern California Mercury and trace elements in crayfish from northern California

We collected two species of crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus and Procambarus clarkii, from Cache and Putah Creeks, California, and analyzed them for mercury and trace elements. Trace elements were higher in carcasses in 40 cases, higher in tails in 5 cases, and not different in 35 cases; no concentration exceeded levels considered harmful. Mercury concentrations were similar among...
Authors
R. L. Hothem, D.R. Bergen, M.L. Bauer, J.J. Crayon, A.M. Meckstroth

Sources and transport of algae and nutrients in a Californian river in a semi-arid climate Sources and transport of algae and nutrients in a Californian river in a semi-arid climate

1. To elucidate factors contributing to dissolved oxygen (DO) depletion in the Stockton Deep Water Ship Channel in the lower San Joaquin River, spatial and temporal changes in algae and nutrient concentrations were investigated in relation to flow regime under the semiarid climate conditions. 2. Chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration and loads indicated that most algal biomass was generated...
Authors
Nobuhito Ohte, Randy A. Dahlgren, Steven R. Silva, Carol Kendall, Charles R. Kratzer, Daniel H. Doctor

Input, flux, and persistence of six select pesticides in San Francisco Bay Input, flux, and persistence of six select pesticides in San Francisco Bay

Temporal patterns of pesticide inputs to San Francisco Bay were identified and correlated with timing of application and transport mechanism. Fluxes were calculated from measured concentrations and estimated flow. Persistence of the pesticides under typical riverine or estuarine conditions were estimated from laboratory experiments. Simazine was detected most frequently and had the...
Authors
Kathryn Kuivila, B.E. Jennings

A new ghost-node method for linking different models and initial investigations of heterogeneity and nonmatching grids A new ghost-node method for linking different models and initial investigations of heterogeneity and nonmatching grids

A flexible, robust method for linking parent (regional-scale) and child (local-scale) grids of locally refined models that use different numerical methods is developed based on a new, iterative ghost-node method. Tests are presented for two-dimensional and three-dimensional pumped systems that are homogeneous or that have simple heterogeneity. The parent and child grids are simulated...
Authors
J.E. Dickinson, S.C. James, S. Mehl, M. C. Hill, S. A. Leake, G.A. Zyvoloski, C.C. Faunt, A.-A. Eddebbarh

Climate variability controls on unsaturated water and chemical movement, High Plains aquifer, USA Climate variability controls on unsaturated water and chemical movement, High Plains aquifer, USA

Responses in the vadose zone and groundwater to interannual, interdecadal, and multidecadal climate variability have important implications for groundwater resource sustainability, yet they are poorly documented and not well understood in most aquifers of the USA. This investigation systematically examines the role of interannual to multidecadal climate variability on groundwater levels...
Authors
J.J. Gurdak, R. T. Hanson, P.B. McMahon, B. W. Bruce, J.E. McCray, G.D. Thyne, R.C. Reedy

Aquatic vertebrate assemblages of the upper Clear Creek Watershed, California Aquatic vertebrate assemblages of the upper Clear Creek Watershed, California

We sampled streams in the Upper Clear Creek Watershed in northwestern California in fall 2004 and fall 2005 to document assemblages of aquatic vertebrates and to provide resource managers with information on the importance of these assemblages in terms of regional biodiversity. We used single-pass backpack electrofishing to sample 15 sites in fall 2004 and the same 15 sites plus 4 new...
Authors
L. R. Brown, J. T. May

Preface Preface

No abstract available.
Authors
J.P.-Y. Maa, L.P. Sanford, D. H. Schoellhamer

Use of carboxylated microspheres to assess transport potential of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts at the Russian River water supply facility, Sonoma County, California Use of carboxylated microspheres to assess transport potential of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts at the Russian River water supply facility, Sonoma County, California

Carboxylated microspheres were employed as surrogates to assess the transport potential of Cryptosporidium parvumoocysts during forced- and natural-gradient tests conducted in July and October 2004. The tests involved poorly-sorted, near-surface sediments where groundwater is pumped from an alluvial aquifer underlying the Russian River, Sonoma County, CA. In an off channel infiltration...
Authors
David W. Metge, Ronald W. Harvey, Robert Anders, Donald O. Rosenberry, Donald Seymour, Jay Jasperse

DOM in recharge waters of the Santa Ana River Basin DOM in recharge waters of the Santa Ana River Basin

Assessment of the composition, reactivity, and potential health effects of dissolved organic matter (DOM) is an important issue in the regulation and operation of groundwater recharge projects. The composition of DOM in various natural surface waters and reclaimed waters used to recharge the alluvial aquifers of the lower Santa Ana River Basin in California was derived primarily from...
Authors
J.A. Leenheer, G. R. Aiken, G. Woodside, K. O’Connor-Patel
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