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Browse more than 150,000 publications authored by our scientists over the past 100+ year history of the USGS.  Publications available are: USGS-authored journal articles, series reports, book chapters, other government publications, and more.

Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center Publications

Filter Total Items: 3324

Least tern (Sterna antillarum) Least tern (Sterna antillarum)

This species account discusses: distinguishing characteristics, distribution, systematics, migration, habitat, food habits, vocalizations, behavior (locomotion, maintenance, agonistic, sexual, social, interspecific), breeding (phenology, nest site, nest, eggs, incubation, development of the young, parental care), demography and populations (life span, mortality, dispersal and philopatry
Authors
B.C. Thompson, J.J. Jackson, J. Burger, L.A. Hill, E.M. Kirsch, J.L. Atwood

Efficacy of candidate chemicals for preventing attachment of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) Efficacy of candidate chemicals for preventing attachment of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha)

Forty-seven chemicals having potential for preventing the attachment of zebra mussels Dreissena polymorpha were identified and tested. For each chemical, 15 zebra mussels (5–8-mm shell length) in each of two replicates and six treatments were exposed for 48 h followed by a 48-h postexposure period in untreated water. Eleven of the chemicals inhibited the reattachment of zebra mussels...
Authors
W.G. Cope, M.R. Bartsch, L. L. Marking

External morphology of spermatozoa and spermatozeugmata of the freshwater mussel Truncilla truncata (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae) External morphology of spermatozoa and spermatozeugmata of the freshwater mussel Truncilla truncata (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae)

Truncilla truncata males release spherical aggregates of spermatozoa, called spermatozeugmata, at spawning. Sperm aggregates from other bivalve species have been described, but few detailed studies exist of the morphology of unionid spermatozeugmata and spermatozoa. We provide the first description of the external morphology of spermatozeugmata and spermatozoa of T. Truncata. The...
Authors
D. L. Waller, B. A. Lasee

Contaminant concentrations and biomarker response in great blue heron eggs from 10 colonies on the upper Mississippi River, USA Contaminant concentrations and biomarker response in great blue heron eggs from 10 colonies on the upper Mississippi River, USA

In 1993, great blue heron (Ardea herodias; GBH) eggs were collected from 10 colonies on the upper Mississippi River (UMR). They were then artificially incubated until pipping and analyzed for mercury, selenium, and organochlorines. Livers of embryos were analyzed for hepatic microsomal ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (EROD) activity and four measures of oxidative stress. Brains were...
Authors
T. W. Custer, R. K. Hines, M. J. Melancon, D. J. Hoffman, J.K. Wickliffe, J. W. Bickham, J.W. Martin, D.S. Henshel

Hydrogeologic and water-quality data used to evaluate the effects of focused recharge on ground-water quality near Princeton, Minnesota, 1991-95 Hydrogeologic and water-quality data used to evaluate the effects of focused recharge on ground-water quality near Princeton, Minnesota, 1991-95

This study was part of the Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA) Program, a multi-scale, inter-agency initiative to evaluate the effects of agricultural systems on water quality in the midwest corn belt. The research was part of the U.S. Geological Survey Toxics Substances Hydrology Program. The research area was located in the Anoka Sand Plain about 5 kilometers southwest of...
Authors
G. N. Delin, M.K. Landon, K.J. Nelson, R. B. Wanty, R. W. Healy, H.W. Olson, J.K. Böhlke, B. R. Schroyer, P. D. Capel

Techniques for estimating peak flow on small streams in Minnesota Techniques for estimating peak flow on small streams in Minnesota

Two statistically-derived techniques, regional regression equation and region of influence regression, that estimate peak flow on small, ungaged streams in Minnesota were developed. Both techniques relate physical and climatic characteristics to peak flow for 2-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, and 100-year recurrence intervals. Regional regression equations were developed for each recurrence...
Authors
D. L. Lorenz, G.H. Carlson, C. A. Sanocki

Unit-area loads of suspended sediment, suspended solids and total phosphorus from small watersheds in Wisconsin Unit-area loads of suspended sediment, suspended solids and total phosphorus from small watersheds in Wisconsin

Watershed planners in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and in Wisconsin county governments use estimates of loads of total solids and total phosphorus in streams for numerous management purposes. A few examples of these are to establish load reduction goals, to estimate the relative magnitude of nonpoint sources compared to point sources, and to estimate phosphorus...
Authors
Steven R. Corsi, David J. Graczyk, David W. Owens, Roger T. Bannerman

Trace elements and synthetic organic compounds in biota and streambed sediment of the Western Lake Michigan Drainages, 1992-1995 Trace elements and synthetic organic compounds in biota and streambed sediment of the Western Lake Michigan Drainages, 1992-1995

Sampling was conducted in 1992,1994, and 1995 to determine the occurrence of a broad suite of trace elements and synthetic organic compounds in biota and streambed sediment in selected streams in the Western Lake Michigan Drainages a study unit of the National Water- Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey. Sediment was sampled at 31 sites for trace elements and...
Authors
B. C. Scudder, D. J. Sullivan, F. A. Fitzpatrick, S. J. Rheaume

Water Use in Wisconsin, 1995 Water Use in Wisconsin, 1995

As part of the National Water-Use Information Program, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stores water-use data in standardized format for different categories of water use. The data base (Site Specific Water Use Data System) is updated annually or as more current water-use information becomes available. Information about amounts of water withdrawn, sources of water, how the water was...
Authors
B.R. Ellefson, C.H. Fan, J.L. Ripley

Rock-stratigraphic nomenclature, lithology, and subcrop area of the Galena-Platteville bedrock unit in Illinois and Wisconsin Rock-stratigraphic nomenclature, lithology, and subcrop area of the Galena-Platteville bedrock unit in Illinois and Wisconsin

The Galena-Platteville bedrock unit is a dependable source of ground water for many private well owners and some municipal-water-supply systems in northern Illinois (Hackett, 1960) and in Wisconsin. The carbonate lithology of the unit contributes to the availability of ground water and also to the susceptibility of the unit to ground-water contamination. Susceptibility to contamination...
Authors
W. G. Batten, T.A. Brown, P. C. Mills, T. J. Sabin

Numbers and distribution of double-crested cormorants on the upper Mississippi River Numbers and distribution of double-crested cormorants on the upper Mississippi River

Historic records indicate that Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) were common breeders and abundant during migration on the Upper Mississippi River from St. Paul, Minnesota, to St. Louis, Missouri, during the 1940s and 1950s. Their numbers declined in the mid-to late-1950s, remained low through the 1970s, and began to increase somewhat in the late 1980s. Aerial surveys of...
Authors
E.M. Kirsch
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