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
Eddy covariance measurement of CO2 flux to the atmosphere from a area of high volcanogenic emissions, Mammoth Mountain, California Eddy covariance measurement of CO2 flux to the atmosphere from a area of high volcanogenic emissions, Mammoth Mountain, California
Three pilot studies were performed to assess application of the eddy covariance micrometeorological method in the measurement of carbon dioxide (CO2) flux of volcanic origin. The selected study area is one of high diffuse CO2 emission on Mammoth Mountain, CA. Because terrain and source characteristics make this a complex setting for this type of measurement, added consideration was given...
Authors
Dean E. Anderson, Christopher D. Farrar
Geochemical and mineralogical controls on trace element release from the Penn Mine base-metal slag dump, California Geochemical and mineralogical controls on trace element release from the Penn Mine base-metal slag dump, California
Base-metal slag deposits at the Penn Mine in Calaveras County, California, are a source of environmental contamination through leaching of potentially toxic elements. Historical Cu smelting at Penn Mine (1865-1919) generated approximately 200,000 m3 of slag. The slag deposits, which are flooded annually by a reservoir used for drinking water and irrigation, also may be in contact with...
Authors
M.B. Parsons, D.K. Bird, M.T. Einaudi, Charles N. Alpers
Ecogeochemistry of the subsurface food web at pH 0–2.5 in Iron Mountain, California, U.S.A. Ecogeochemistry of the subsurface food web at pH 0–2.5 in Iron Mountain, California, U.S.A.
Pyrite oxidation in the underground mining environment of Iron Mountain, California, has created the most acidic pH values ever reported in aquatic systems. Sulfate values as high as 120 000 mg l−1 and iron as high as 27 600 mg l−1 have been measured in the mine water, which also carries abundant other dissolved metals including Al, Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn, Sb and Pb. Extreme acidity and high...
Authors
Eleanora I. Robbins, Teresa M. Rodgers, Charles N. Alpers, D. Kirk Nordstrom
Modeling residual aquifer-system compaction--Constraining the vertical hydraulic diffusivity of thick aquitards Modeling residual aquifer-system compaction--Constraining the vertical hydraulic diffusivity of thick aquitards
No abstract available.
Authors
Michelle Sneed, Michael T. Pavelko, Devin L. Galloway
Environmental factors influencing the distribution and salvage of young delta smelt: a comparison of factors occurring in 1996 and 1999 Environmental factors influencing the distribution and salvage of young delta smelt: a comparison of factors occurring in 1996 and 1999
The delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) is listed as a threatened species under both the Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) and the California Endangered Species Act. Through formal consultation under Section 7 of the FESA, USBR and DWR received a Biological Opinion from the USFWS, which allows for the incidental take of delta smelt arising through operation of the Central Valley...
Authors
Matthew Nobriga, Zach Hymanson, Rick Oltmann
Primary food resources in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Primary food resources in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, a complex mosaic of tidal freshwater habitats, is now a focus of ecosystem rehabilitation because of changes in critical functions associated with its geographic location at the landestuary interface. One of these functions is the production, transport, and transformation of organic matter that constitutes the “primary food supply,” that is, the...
Authors
Alan D. Jassby, James E. Cloern
Chlorofluorocarbon dating of herbicide-containing well waters in Fresno and Tulare counties, California Chlorofluorocarbon dating of herbicide-containing well waters in Fresno and Tulare counties, California
Simazine, diuron, and bromacil are the most frequently detected currently registered pesticides in California groundwater. These herbicides have been used for several decades in Fresno and Tulare counties, California; however, previous data are inadequate to determine whether the detections are a result of recent or historical applications (i.e., within the last decade, or 20-30 yr ago)
Authors
F. Spurlock, K. Burow, N. Dubrovsky
Pesticides in the atmosphere of the Mississippi River Valley, part I: Rain Pesticides in the atmosphere of the Mississippi River Valley, part I: Rain
Weekly composite rainfall samples were collected in three paired urban and agricultural regions of the Midwestern United States and along the Mississippi River during April–September 1995. The paired sampling sites were located in Mississippi, Iowa, and Minnesota. A background site, removed from dense urban and agriculture areas, was located near Lake Superior in Michigan. Herbicides...
Authors
M.S. Majewski, W.T. Foreman, D. A. Goolsby
Macroinvertebrate assemblages on woody debris and their relations with environmental variables in the lower Sacramento and San Joaquin River drainages, California Macroinvertebrate assemblages on woody debris and their relations with environmental variables in the lower Sacramento and San Joaquin River drainages, California
Data from 25 sites were used to evaluate associations between macroinvertebrate assemblages on large woody debris (snags) and environmental variables in the lower San Joaquin and Sacramento River drainages in California as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water Quality Assessment Program. Samples were collected from 1993 to 1995 in the San Joaquin River drainage and in 1996...
Authors
L. R. Brown, J. T. May
Negative pH and extremely acidic mine waters from Iron Mountain, California Negative pH and extremely acidic mine waters from Iron Mountain, California
Extremely acidic mine waters with pH values as low as -3.6, total dissolved metal concentrations as high as 200 g/L, and sulfate concentrations as high as 760 g/L, have been encountered underground in the Richmond Mine at Iron Mountain, CA. These are the most acidic waters known. The pH measurements were obtained by using the Pitzer method to define pH for calibration of glass membrane...
Authors
D. Kirk Nordstrom, Charles N. Alpers, C.J. Ptacek, D.W. Blowes
Organic matter sources and rehabilitation of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (California, USA) Organic matter sources and rehabilitation of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (California, USA)
1. The Sacramento San Joaquin River Delta, a complex mosaic of tidal freshwater habitats in California, is the focus of a major ecosystem rehabilitation effort because of significant long-term changes in critical ecosystem functions. One of these functions is the production, transport and transformation of organic matter that constitutes the primary food supply, which may be sub-optimal...
Authors
A.D. Jassby, James E. Cloern
Sediment yield following severe volcanic disturbance - A two-decade perspective from Mount St. Helens Sediment yield following severe volcanic disturbance - A two-decade perspective from Mount St. Helens
Explosive volcanic eruptions perturb water and sediment fluxes in watersheds; consequently, posteruption sediment yields can exceed pre-eruption yields by several orders of magnitude. Annual suspended-sediment yields following the catastrophic 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption were as much as 500 times greater than typical background level, and they generally declined nonlinearly for more...
Authors
J. J. Major, T.C. Pierson, R.L. Dinehart, J. E. Costa