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: 1811
Hydrogeochemistry and stable isotopes of ground and surface waters from two adjacent closed basins, Atacama Desert, northern Chile Hydrogeochemistry and stable isotopes of ground and surface waters from two adjacent closed basins, Atacama Desert, northern Chile
The geochemistry and stable isotopes of groundwaters, surface waters, and precipitation indicate different sources of some dissolved constituents, but a common source of recharge and other constituents in two adjacent closed basins in the Atacama Desert region of northern Chile (24°15′–24°45′S). Waters from artesian wells, trenches, and ephemeral streams in the Punta Negra Basin are...
Authors
Charles N. Alpers, Donald O. Whittemore
Stable isotopes of carbon dioxide in soil gas over massive sulfide mineralization at Crandon, Wisconsin Stable isotopes of carbon dioxide in soil gas over massive sulfide mineralization at Crandon, Wisconsin
Stable isotope ratios of oxygen and carbon were determined for CO2 in soil gas in the vicinity of the massive sulfide deposit at Crandon, Wisconsin with the objective of determining the source of anomalously high CO2 concentrations detected previously by McCarthy et al. (1986). Values of δ13C in soil gas CO2 from depths between 0.5 and 1.0 m were found to range from −12.68‰ to −20.03‰...
Authors
Charles N. Alpers, D. L. Dettman, K.C. Lohmann, D. Brabec
Spatial, seasonal and diel distribution of fishes in a California reservoir dominated by native fishes Spatial, seasonal and diel distribution of fishes in a California reservoir dominated by native fishes
During 21 months of sampling with various techniques, we captured 24 species of fish in Britton Reservoir. Nine species comprised over 96% of the number of fish captured and approximately 88% of the biomass. Five native non-game species accounted for over 77% of the catches. The native non-game fishes have maintained large populations in the reservoir despite continued introductions of...
Authors
Bruce C. Vondracek, Donald M. Baltz, Larry R. Brown, Peter B. Moyle
Paleohydrologic evolution and geochemical dynamics of cumulative supergene metal enrichment at La Escondida, Atacama Desert, northern Chile Paleohydrologic evolution and geochemical dynamics of cumulative supergene metal enrichment at La Escondida, Atacama Desert, northern Chile
Quantitative limonite mapping within the leached capping of the porphyry copper deposit at La Escondida, Chile, permits reconstruction of the paleohydrologic and chemical evolution of a well-developed supergene ore-forming system. The mineralogy, textures, and relative abundance of supergene limonite minerals (hematite, goethite, and jarosite) are used to reconstruct the former ratio of...
Authors
Charles N. Alpers, G.H. Brimhall
Retention and transport of nutrients in a third-order stream in northwestern California; hyporheic processes Retention and transport of nutrients in a third-order stream in northwestern California; hyporheic processes
Chloride and nitrate were coinjected into the surface waters of a third—order stream for 20 d to examine solute retention, and the fate of nitrate during subsurface transport. A series of wells (shallow pits) 0.5—10 m from the adjacent channel were sampled to estimate the lateral interflow of water. Two subsurface return flows beneath the wetted channel were also examined. The...
Authors
F.J. Triska, V. C. Kennedy, R.J. Avanzino, G. W. Zellweger, K.E. Bencala
Spatial and temporal variability in South San Francisco Bay (USA). II. Temporal changes in salinity, suspended sediments, and phytoplankton biomass and productivity over tidal time scales Spatial and temporal variability in South San Francisco Bay (USA). II. Temporal changes in salinity, suspended sediments, and phytoplankton biomass and productivity over tidal time scales
Short-term variability of a conservative quantity (salinity) and two nonconservative quantities (chlorophyll a, suspended particulate matter) was measured across a sampling grid in the South San Francisco Bay estuary. Surface measurements were made every 2 h at each of 29 (or 38) sites, on four different dates representing a range of tidal current regimes over the neap-spring cycle. From...
Authors
J. E. Cloern, T.M. Powell, L.M. Huzzey
Relation of salinity and selenium in shallow groundwater to hydrologic and geochemical processes, Western San Joaquin Valley, California Relation of salinity and selenium in shallow groundwater to hydrologic and geochemical processes, Western San Joaquin Valley, California
Salinity and selenium concentrations in shallow groundwater of the western San Joaquin Valley, California, are related to the geomorphology and hydrology of the alluvial fans. The highest salinity and selenium concentrations in shallow groundwater occur in alluvium deposited by ephemeral streams and at the margins of the major alluvial fans, where there were naturally saline, fine...
Authors
S. J. Deverel, S.K. Gallanthine
Solubility of jarosite solid solutions precipitated from acid mine waters, Iron Mountain, California Solubility of jarosite solid solutions precipitated from acid mine waters, Iron Mountain, California
Because of the common occurrence of 15 to 25 mole percent hydronium substitution on the alkali site in jarosites, it is necessary to consider the hydronium content of jarosites in any attempt at rigorous evaluation of jarosite solubility or of the saturation state of natural waters with respect to jarosite. A Gibbs free energy of 3293.5±2.1 kJ mol-1 is recommended for a jarosite solid...
Authors
Charles N. Alpers, D. Kirk Nordstrom, J.W. Ball
Organic markers as source discriminants and sediment transport indicators in south San Francisco Bay, California Organic markers as source discriminants and sediment transport indicators in south San Francisco Bay, California
Sediment samples from nearshore sites in south San Francisco Bay and from streams flowing into that section of the Bay have been characterized in terms of their content of biogenic and anthropogenic molecular marker compounds. The distributions, input sources, and applicability of these compounds in determining sediment movement are discussed. By means of inspection and multivariate...
Authors
F. D. Hostettler, J. B. Rapp, K.A. Kvenvolden, N L. Samuel
Retention and transport of nutrients in a third-order stream: Channel processes Retention and transport of nutrients in a third-order stream: Channel processes
Chloride was injected as a conservative tracer with nitrate to examine nitrate retention (storage plus biotic uptake) and transport in a 327—m reach of a third—order stream draining a forested basin in northwestern California. Prior to injections, diel patterns of nutrient concentrations were measured under background conditions. Nitrate concentration of stream water increased downstream
Authors
Frank J. Triska, Vance C. Kennedy, Ronald J. Avanzino, Gary W. Zellweger, Kenneth E. Bencala
Organic geochemistry and brine composition in Great Salt, Mono, and Walker Lakes Organic geochemistry and brine composition in Great Salt, Mono, and Walker Lakes
Samples of Recent sediments, representing up to 1000 years of accumulation, were collected from three closed basin lakes (Mono Lake, CA, Walker Lake, NV, and Great Salt Lake, UT) to assess the effects of brine composition on the accumulation of total organic carbon, the concentration of dissolved organic carbon, humic acid structure and diagenesis, and trace metal complexation. The Great...
Authors
Joseph L. Domagalski, W. H. Orem, H.P. Eugster
Trace metal associations in the water column of South San Francisco Bay, California Trace metal associations in the water column of South San Francisco Bay, California
Spatial distributions of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) were followed along a longitudinal gradient of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in South San Francisco Bay (herein referred to as the South Bay). Dissolved Cu, Zn and Cd concentrations ranged from 24 to 66 nM, from 20 to 107 nM and from 1·2 to 4·7 nM, respectively, in samples collected on five dates beginning with the spring
Authors
J.S. Kuwabara, Cecily C.Y. Chang, J. E. Cloern, T. L. Fries, J.A. Davis, S. N. Luoma