Toxic Substances Hydrology
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Toxic Substances Hydrology Featured Science Activities
Our science is summarized in a series of feature articles that highlight recent U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) environmental health science activities. They are short summaries of peer-reviewed journal articles and USGS reports co-authored by our specialized teams of scientists.
Browse Toxic Substances Hydrology Featured Science Activities science related to:
Wetland Management Technique Designed to Reduce Mercury in Water and Fish Tested During a Short-Term Field Study
Results from a 3-year study indicate there was support for the use of open- and deep-water treatment pools at the downstream end of seasonal wetlands to reduce methylmercury concentrations in water exported from the wetlands, but the treatment had no measurable effect on wetland fish. Questions remain about the long-term potential for mercury removal using this wetland management strategy...
Technique Used to Distinguish Natural Background from Human-Caused Enrichment of Trace Elements in Soils
Human activities can enrich toxic trace elements like uranium and arsenic in the environment, but these elements also are from natural sources and occur at background levels. Scientists utilized a technique that identifies the background and the elemental fingerprint of human-caused enrichment and tested the new technique on data collected near uranium mines in Arizona.
Mercury Accumulation in Waterbirds (Black Rails) Related to Sediment Chemistry in San Francisco Bay Wetlands
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessed the effect of sediment chemistry, food web structure, and diet on mercury bioaccumulation in black rails in the San Francisco Bay watershed. Differences in mercury accumulation in the birds were related to differences in sediment chemistry in the wetlands.
New Virus Identified in Melanistic Skin Lesions on Smallmouth Bass from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Environmental Health Program Drinking Water Science
Drinking water in the United States rarely is tested for contaminants and pathogens at the tap, where human exposure can occur. In this special issue, we present the science to help understand contaminants and pathogens in drinking water at business and residential taps.
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 insectivores living near contaminated freshwaters.
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 understand the health effects of algal toxins.
U.S. Geological Survey Research Scientist Recognized for Advancing Exposure Science
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Scientist Dana Kolpin was presented the International Environmental Award by Reciphram celebrating his research on the occurrence, sources, fate, and effects of environmental contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides.
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. These data are put into context with existing health benchmarks for humans, birds, and fish. Scientists also provide a roadmap for an...
Dragonfly Larvae are Effective Bioindicators of Mercury Exposure in Fish and Amphibians—Results of Citizen Science in 100 National Parks and Protected Places
Mercury concentrations were measured in dragonfly larvae across more than 450 sites in 100 national parks and protected places as part of a partnership among Federal agencies, academic researchers, and more than 4,000 citizen scientists. Mercury concentrations in dragonfly larvae were positively correlated with mercury concentrations in fish and amphibians living in the same...
Mixtures of Organic and Inorganic Chemicals Characterized in Water from the Taps of Residences in the Greater Chicago Area— Science to Understand Contaminant Exposures in Drinking Water
As a component of ongoing research with a coalition of partners, including the U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Colorado School of Mines, University of Illinois Chicago, and University of South Carolina, water was collected from the taps of 45 Chicago-area residences and analyzed for 540 organic and 35...
U.S. Geological Survey Microbiologist Selected as an American Society for Microbiology Distinguished Lecturer
Dale Warren Griffin, a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) environmental public-health microbiologist, was selected as a Waksman Foundation Distinguished Lecturer for the 2020–22 American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Lecture Series.