Toxic Substances Hydrology
News
Browse through a list of USGS environmental health news and budget items.
Bioaccumulation of Mercury in Fish Varied by Species and Location in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed—Summary of Existing Data and a Roadmap for Integrated Monitoring
Fish mercury data from State monitoring programs and research studies within the Chesapeake Bay were compiled and summarized to provide a comprehensive overview of the variation in fish mercury concentrations among species and habitats within the watershed...
Review of Cyanobacterial Neurotoxins—Information for Prioritizing Future Science Directions
The current state of knowledge on the modes of action, production, fate, and occurrence of the freshwater cyanobacterial neurotoxins, anatoxin-a and saxitoxin, was reviewed and synthesized to identify gaps and critical research needs to better...
Conceptual Model Developed to Understand Contaminant Pathways between Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems
A conceptual model, based on contaminant properties and ecotoxicological principles, was developed to understand the transfer of contaminants from aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems and the effects of various classes of contaminants on terrestrial...
Equus Beds Aquifer Water Quality Nearly Unchanged between 2001 and 2016
Study Shows Water Quality Minimally Affected by Artificial Recharge
Satellite Imagery Can Track Harmful Algal Blooms
A joint collaboration between EPA, NOAA, NASA, and USGS scientists has demonstrated that satellite imagery can be used to track the frequency of harmful algal blooms. The satellites can accomplish this by measuring certain algal pigments in the water.
USGS Finds 28 Types of Cyanobacteria in Florida Algal Bloom
A new U.S. Geological Survey study that looked at the extensive harmful algal bloom that plagued Florida last year found far more types of cyanobacteria present than previously known.
Uranium in Spring Water North of Grand Canyon Likely Not Related to Nearby Mining Activity
Uranium levels in Pigeon Spring, just north of the Grand Canyon, are likely due to a natural source of uranium and not related to the nearby former Pigeon Mine, according to a recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey.
In Orlando, USGS Science on the Health of the Environment is on Display
Studies on the aquatic food web, tree swallows, and the spread of contaminants take center stage at SETAC 2016.
EarthWord–Morbidity
When you’re not dead yet, but aren’t feeling well either, there’s an EarthWord for that...
New Science Challenges Old Assumptions about Harmful Algal Blooms
First-of-its-kind survey shows that algal toxins are found nationwide
Pharmaceuticals Commonly Detected in Small Streams in the Southeastern United States
At least one pharmaceutical chemical was detected in all 59 streams sampled
Evidence of Unconventional Oil and Gas Wastewater Found in Surface Waters near Underground Injection Site
These are the first published studies to demonstrate water-quality impacts to a surface stream due to activities at an unconventional oil and gas wastewater deep well injection disposal site.