Water Quality and Ecology
Water Quality and Ecology
PFAS chemicals detected in many rivers and streams across Pennsylvania
USGS-led study also analyzed potential contaminant sources
USGS-led study also analyzed potential contaminant sources
First-of-its-Kind Survey of PFAS in Pennsylvania Surface Waters
In collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
In collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
USGS research efforts focus on emerging contaminants and stressors that affect human and aquatic life
USGS research efforts focus on emerging contaminants and stressors that affect human and aquatic life
Pennsylvania Surface Water-Quality Monitoring Network (WQN)
In cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Clean Water
In cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Clean Water
Round Goby in Pennsylvania Waters
Round gobies are now the dominant benthic fish in many of the tributary streams of Lake Erie
Round gobies are now the dominant benthic fish in many of the tributary streams of Lake Erie
Pennsylvania Groundwater Quality Monitoring Network
USGS, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, monitors 28 wells throughout the Commonwealth
USGS, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, monitors 28 wells throughout the Commonwealth
Water quality or ecology science for Pennsylvania, or conducted by center staff.
Filter Total Items: 28
Summarizing Scientific Findings for Common Stakeholder Questions to Inform Nutrient and Sediment Management Activities in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Issue: The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) partnership is striving to improve water-quality conditions in the Bay by using a variety of management strategies to reduce nutrient and sediment loads. The partnership uses monitoring results and modeling tools to implement management strategies, relying on the scientific community to synthesize existing information and direct new research to address...
Pennsylvania Super Gages
What is a Super Gage? A gage at which continuous flow and water level are determined, along with continuous traditional water-quality (water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, and/or turbidity) and either of the following criteria: at least one other less-traditional continuous water-quality parameter (orthophosphate, nitrate concentration) and/or where surrogates (developed...
Region 1: North Atlantic-Appalachian PFAS Capability Team
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of anthropogenic emerging contaminants. Some PFAS have been voluntarily phased out, as exposure has been linked to adverse human health effects.
Groundwater Quality of Domestic Supply Wells in Pennsylvania
Most rural residents in Pennsylvania use groundwater from domestic supply wells for drinking, cleaning and other purposes. Some groundwater samples have been analyzed for private purposes, but those results generally are not readily available to the public. Many of the publicly available water-quality samples from rural areas were collected more than 30 years ago. Quality-assured groundwater...
Shale Gas and Water Resources in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Water Science Center and other USGS scientists are studying water availability, use, quality, and ecology associated with development of shale-gas energy resources in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Surface Water-Quality Monitoring Network
Pennsylvania’s Statewide Surface Water-Quality Monitoring Network (WQN) currently consists of 124 sites that are sampled between 6 and 20 times a year. Chemical analysis includes nutrient, major ions, and selected metals. Pesticide sampling is conducted twice a year at 5 locations. Biological sampling for benthic macroinvertebrates is conducted annually at 80 sites. The WQN was established to...
Recoding of AMDTreat Phase 2: Integration of PHREEQ-N-AMDTreat water-quality prediction tools with recoded AMDTreat cost-analysis software
Newly developed PHREEQ-N-AMDTreat water-quality prediction tools indicate potential changes in pH, dissolved metals, and associated solute concentrations resulting from passive and active treatment of coal-mine drainage.
Harmful Algal Blooms in Pennsylvania
The U.S. Geological Survey is collaborating with State and local partners to develop models that provide real-time estimates of Escherichia coli (E. coli) (for pathogens) and (or) microcystin (for freshwater cyanotoxins) levels at Great Lakes beaches and drinking-water intakes.
Fractured-Rock Test Holes in Areas of Marcellus Shale Gas Development, Pennsylvania
USGS and Pennsylvania Geological Survey analyzed rock cuttings, geophysical logs, water quality, water-bearing zones, gas-isotope, and other data from deep test holes drilled in fractured bedrock in north-central Pennsylvania. The results of this study helped to quantify the depth and character of fresh and saline groundwater in areas of shale-gas exploration and development.
Mine Drainage and Water Quality Research
The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center conducts research on geochemical and hydrological processes that control water quality, including the sources, transport, and attenuation of metals and nutrients in undisturbed and mining-impacted watersheds and aquifers. Results apply to scientific and regulatory programs for the prevention and remediation of aquatic contamination.
York County Sediment and Nutrient Monitoring
Since 2019, the USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center has been cooperating with York County, Pennsylvania to implement in-stream monitoring to produce surrogate regression equations to compute, in real time, the concentration and load of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and suspended sediment for 6 major watersheds in York County, Pennsylvania. This partnership provides the York County Planning...
Pennsylvania Statewide Surface Water-Quality Monitoring Network - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances Sampling Preparation
In partnership with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Susquehanna River Basin Commission, rigorous and innovative PFAS sampling techniques were created for low-level detections.