Images

Draining mines provide consistent discharge and have elevated rare earth element concentrations, potentially providing opportunities for direct metal production.

Draining mines provide consistent discharge and have elevated rare earth element (REE) concentrations, potentially providing opportunities for direct metal production. 

The rusty patched bumblebee is the first bee to be listed as endangered in the continental US, and the western bumblebee has been the subject of extensive USGS work that has found effects of climate, land cover change, and pesticides on the decline of the species.

Eric White and Patrick Scordato of the USGS float an electromagnetic imaging tool along a coastal area in Massachusetts to identify terrestrial groundwater discharge that may be impacted by PFAS contamination. 

Location of Core Sagebrush Areas, Growth Opportunity Areas, and Other Rangeland Areas identified within the sagebrush biome of the United States of America, By: Doherty et al., 2022 from publication “A Sagebrush Conservation Design to Proactively Restore America’s Sagebrush Biome.”  .

USGS Environmental Health Program Energy Integrated Science Team scientists on field visit within the Grand Teton National Park, September 2022

Image shows different types of sample containers filled with a variety of sample matrices tested by the OGRL. 

Oily produced water collected from an oil well for U.S. Geological Survey laboratory analysis. Photo credit: Bonnie McDevitt.

USGS crew measuring forest conditions following the Dixie Fire in 2021. Lassen Volcanic National Park. California. 

Five ways climate change affects reptiles.

Graphic created by VSFS intern, Louise Johansson.

A honey bee (Apis mellifera) is spotted on a sunflower. National Honey Bee Day is observed on the third Saturday in August. 

Image that shows the research framework for the Environmental Health Program's Source to Receptor Research for Environmental Contaminants

Historic cans from a refuse pile that were scorched by the combustion of nearby fuels during the Caldor Fire, California. Copyright: photo taken by Grant Snitker, New Mexico Consortium. 

Setting up fuel transects within an archaeological site at Sequoia National Park to understand potential future fire behavior and how it could affect artifacts within the site. Pictured: Grant Snitker (foreground) and Alex Fetteroff (background), New Mexico Consortium. Copyright: Photo by Grant Snitker, New Mexico Consortium. 

Collection of aquatic invertebrates in the field. Photo taken by Laura Hubbard, USGS.

Nighttime collection of adult aquatic insects using a vacuum aspirator on a white sheet illuminated by blacklight. Photo Taken by Laura Hubbard, USGS

A precontact rockshelter and associated artifacts impacted by the combustion of heavy fuels during the KNP Complex Fire, California. Copyright: photo by Grant Snitker, New Mexico Consortium. 

Using terrestrial LiDAR to characterize fuels within an archaeological site at Sequoia National Park site to understand potential future fire behavior and its effects on artifacts. Copyright: Photo by Grant Snitker, New Mexico Consortium. 

Elaine Nakash educates visitors and volunteers alike at the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory's display table, which was setup for the Latino Conservation Week event at the National Wildlife Visitor Center at Patuxent Research Refuge. 

These scientists are working on The Great Salt Lake to determine the amount of water and qualities of it. This will help them in developing better management techniques that will work to support the migratory birds that frequent the area. 

These brine flies are an important fuel source for migratory birds, giving them energy for long flights.