Publications
Dive into our publications and explore the science from the Environmental Health Program (Toxic Substances Hydrology and Contaminant Biology).
GeoHEALTH-USGS Newsletter
GeoHEALTH-USGS Newsletter
The GeoHEALTH–USGS Newsletter—published since 2004—provides information on USGS science activities pertinent to safeguarding the health of fish, wildlife, domesticated animals, and people from environmental exposures to contaminants and pathogens.
Featured Science Activities
Featured Science Activities
Learn about our Featured Science Activities through our pages that highlight studies, publications, and results.
Filter Total Items: 4096
Kinetics of DCE and VC mineralization under methanogenic and Fe(III)- reducing conditions Kinetics of DCE and VC mineralization under methanogenic and Fe(III)- reducing conditions
The kinetics of anaerobic mineralization of DCE and VC under methanogenic and Fe(III)-reducing conditions as a function of dissolved contaminant concentration were evaluated. Microorganisms indigenous to creek bed sedi ments, where groundwater contaminated with chlorinated ethenes continuously discharges, demonstrated significant mineralization of DCE and VC under methanogenic and Fe(III...
Authors
P. M. Bradley, F. H. Chapelle
Response characteristics of DOC flushing in an alpine catchment Response characteristics of DOC flushing in an alpine catchment
The spatial distribution of source areas and associated residence times of water in the catchment are significant factors controlling the annual cycles of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration in Deer Creek (Summit County, Colorado). During spring snowmelt (April-August 1992), stream DOC concentrations increased with the rising limb of the hydrograph, peaked before maximum...
Authors
E.W. Boyer, G.M. Hornberger, K.E. Bencala, Diane M. McKnight
Diagnosing the flood of 1997 in San Francisco Bay with observations and model results Diagnosing the flood of 1997 in San Francisco Bay with observations and model results
No abstract available.
Authors
Noah Knowles, Daniel Cayan, Reginald J. Uncles, Lynn Ingram, Dave Peterson
Are walleye from Lake Roosevelt contaminated with mercury? Are walleye from Lake Roosevelt contaminated with mercury?
To find out, scientists from the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) tested walleye and other sport fish from the upper Columbia River and Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake (Lake Roosevelt), the largest reservoir in Washington and a popular fishing spot. Findings: Walleye had higher concentrations of mercury than other sport fish. Larger walleye had higher mercury concentrations than smaller walleye...
Authors
Martha L. Erwin, Mark D. Munn
Source characterization of disinfection byproduct precursors in two Arkansas water-supply reservoirs Source characterization of disinfection byproduct precursors in two Arkansas water-supply reservoirs
No abstract available.
Authors
Michael L. Pomes, W. R. Green, E.M. Thurman, W. H. Orem, H.T. Lerch
Geochemical and hydrologic considerations in remediating phosphorus-contaminated ground water in a sewage plume near Ashumet Pond, Cape Cod, Massachusetts Geochemical and hydrologic considerations in remediating phosphorus-contaminated ground water in a sewage plume near Ashumet Pond, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
No abstract available.
Authors
D. A. Walter, D.R. LeBlanc
Transport and recovery of bacteriophage PRD1 in a sand and gravel aquifer: Effect of sewage-derived organic matter Transport and recovery of bacteriophage PRD1 in a sand and gravel aquifer: Effect of sewage-derived organic matter
To test the effects of sewage-derived organic matter on virus attachment, 32P-labeled bacteriophage PRD1, linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), and tracers were injected into sewage-contaminated (suboxic, elevated organic matter) and uncontaminated (oxic, low organic matter) zones of an iron oxide-coated quartz sand and gravel aquifer on Cape Cod, MA. In the uncontaminated zone, 83% of...
Authors
A.P. Pieper, J. N. Ryan, Ronald W. Harvey, G.L. Amy, T.H. Illangasekare, D.W. Metge
Borehole sampling of fracture populations - compensating for borehole sampling bias in crystalline bedrock aquifers, Mirror Lake, Grafton County, New Hampshire Borehole sampling of fracture populations - compensating for borehole sampling bias in crystalline bedrock aquifers, Mirror Lake, Grafton County, New Hampshire
The clustering of orientations of hydraulically conductive fractures in bedrock at the Mirror Lake, New Hampshire fractured rock study site was investigated by comparing the orientations of fracture populations in two subvertical borehole arrays with those mapped on four adjacent subvertical roadcuts. In the boreholes and the roadcuts, the orientation of fracture populations appears very...
Authors
G.D. McDonald, Frederick L. Paillet, C.C. Barton, C. D. Johnson
Ambiguity in measuring matrix diffusion with single-well injection/recovery tracer tests Ambiguity in measuring matrix diffusion with single-well injection/recovery tracer tests
Single-well injection/recovery tracer tests are considered for use in characterizing and quantifying matrix diffusion in dual-porosity aquifers. Numerical modeling indicates that neither regional drift in homogeneous aquifers, nor heterogeneity in aquifers having no regional drift, nor hydrodynamic dispersion significantly affects these tests. However, when drift is coupled...
Authors
S.C. Lessoff, Leonard F. Konikow
Spring snowmelt in the Sierra Nevada - Does a day make a difference? Spring snowmelt in the Sierra Nevada - Does a day make a difference?
No abstract available.
Authors
D. H. Peterson, M. D. Dettinger, D.R. Cayan, R. E. Smith, L. Riddle, N. Knowles
Selenium trends in north San Francisco Bay Selenium trends in north San Francisco Bay
No abstract available.
Authors
S. N. Luoma, R. Linville
Bacterial oxidation of methyl bromide in fumigated agricultural soils Bacterial oxidation of methyl bromide in fumigated agricultural soils
The oxidation of [14C]methyl bromide ([14C]MeBr) to 14CO2 was measured in field experiments with soils collected from two strawberry plots fumigated with mixtures of MeBr and chloropicrin (CCl3NO2). Although these fumigants are considered potent biocides, we found that the highest rates of MeBr oxidation occurred 1 to 2 days after injection when the fields were tarped, rather than before...
Authors
L.G. Miller, T.L. Connell, J.R. Guidetti, R.S. Oremland