Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Publications

This list of Water Resources Mission Area publications includes both official USGS publications and journal articles authored by our scientists. A searchable database of all USGS publications can be accessed at the USGS Publications Warehouse.

Filter Total Items: 19035

Environmental influences on the occurrences of sepiolite and palygorskite: a brief review Environmental influences on the occurrences of sepiolite and palygorskite: a brief review

Sepiolite is a hydrous magnesium silicate formed by precipitation of near-surface brackish or saline waters, under semi-arid climatic conditions. Four major influences on the distribution of sepiolite are source materials, climate, physical parameters and associated phase relations. Two major pathways governing the occurrence of sepiolite and palygorskite are direct precipitation from...
Authors
Blair F. Jones, Kathryn M. Conko

Nanoparticles formed from bacterial oxyanion reduction of toxic Group 15 and 16 metalloids Nanoparticles formed from bacterial oxyanion reduction of toxic Group 15 and 16 metalloids

This chapter presents some examples of nanoparticles formed by only a few microbial species that are cultivated in only a handful of laboratories worldwide. The investigations so far have just scratched the surface of the potential of the natural world to yield bionanomineral producers. While future research should involve screening surveys of the prokaryotes for this biomineralizing...
Authors
C.I. Pearce, S. Baseman, J.W. Fellowes, Ronald S. Oremland

Hydrology and biogeochemistry linkages Hydrology and biogeochemistry linkages

This chapter provides an overview of the linkages between hydrology and biogeochemistry in terrestrial and aquatic systems. Selected topics include hydrological pathways on drainage basin slopes, mountain environments, within-river (or in-stream) processes, wetlands, groundwater (and groundwater–surface water interactions), and lakes. Beginning from catchment headwaters, This chapter...
Authors
Norman E. Peters, J. K. Bohlke, P. D. Brooks, T.P. Burt, Michael N. Gooseff, David P. Hamilton, P. J. Mulholland, Nigel Roulet, J.V. Turner

Long-term natural attenuation of crude oil in the subsurface Long-term natural attenuation of crude oil in the subsurface

The time frame for natural attenuation of crude oil contamination in the subsurface has been studied for the last 27 years at a spill site located near Bemidji, Minnesota, USA. Data from the groundwater contaminant plume show that dissolved benzene concentrations adjacent to the oil decreased by 50% between 1993 and 2007. To assess how this decrease is related to benzene concentrations...
Authors
Barbara A. Bekins, Mary Jo Baedecker, Robert P. Eganhouse, William N. Herkelrath

Arsenic Arsenic

No abstract available.
Authors
John F. Stolz, Ron Oremland

Nutrient inputs to the Laurentian Great Lakes by source and watershed estimated using SPARROW watershed models Nutrient inputs to the Laurentian Great Lakes by source and watershed estimated using SPARROW watershed models

Nutrient input to the Laurentian Great Lakes continues to cause problems with eutrophication. To reduce the extent and severity of these problems, target nutrient loads were established and Total Maximum Daily Loads are being developed for many tributaries. Without detailed loading information it is difficult to determine if the targets are being met and how to prioritize rehabilitation...
Authors
Dale M. Robertson, David A. Saad

South Cascade (USA/North Cascades) South Cascade (USA/North Cascades)

The U.S. Geological Survey has closely monitored this temperate mountain glacier since the late 1950s. During 1958-2007, the glacier retreated about 0.7 km and shrank in area from 2.71 to 1.73 km2, although part of the area change was due to separation of contributing ice bodies from the main glacier. Maximum and average glacier thicknesses are about 170 and 80 m, respectively. Year-to...
Authors
William R. Bidlake

Quality of our groundwater resources: Arsenic and fluoride Quality of our groundwater resources: Arsenic and fluoride

Groundwater often contains arsenic or fluoride concentrations too high for drinking or cooking. These constituents, often naturally occurring, are not easy to remove. The right combination of natural or manmade conditions can lead to elevated arsenic or fluoride which includes continental source rocks, high alkalinity and pH, reducing conditions for arsenic, high phosphate, high...
Authors
D. Kirk Nordstrom

Calibration of models using groundwater age Calibration of models using groundwater age

There have been substantial efforts recently by geochemists to determine the age of groundwater (time since water entered the system) and its uncertainty, and by hydrologists to use these data to help calibrate groundwater models. This essay discusses the calibration of models using groundwater age, with conclusions that emphasize what is practical given current limitations rather than...
Authors
Ward E. Sanford

Comment on “An unconfined groundwater model of the Death Valley Regional Flow System and a comparison to its confined predecessor” by R.W.H. Carroll, G.M. Pohll and R.L. Hershey [Journal of Hydrology 373/3–4, pp. 316–328] Comment on “An unconfined groundwater model of the Death Valley Regional Flow System and a comparison to its confined predecessor” by R.W.H. Carroll, G.M. Pohll and R.L. Hershey [Journal of Hydrology 373/3–4, pp. 316–328]

Carroll et al. (2009) state that the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Death Valley Regional Flow System (DVRFS) model, which is based on MODFLOW, is “conceptually inaccurate in that it models an unconfined aquifer as a confined system and does not simulate unconfined drawdown in transient pumping simulations.” Carroll et al. (2009) claim that “more realistic estimates of water...
Authors
Claudia C. Faunt, Alden M. Provost, Mary C. Hill, Wayne R. Belcher
Was this page helpful?