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Publications

Browse more than 160,000 publications authored by our scientists over the past 100+ year history of the USGS.  Publications available are: USGS-authored journal articles, series reports, book chapters, other government publications, and more.

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Trends and environmental impacts of virtual water trade Trends and environmental impacts of virtual water trade

Virtual water describes water embedded in the production of goods and offers meaningful insights about the complex interplay between water, trade and sustainability. In this Review, we examine the trends, major players, traded products and key drivers of virtual water trade (VWT). Roughly 20% of water used in global food production is traded virtually rather than domestically consumed...
Authors
Mesfin M. Mekonnen, Mahlet M. Kebede, Betelhem W. Demeke, Joel A. Carr, Ashok Chapagain, Carole Dalin, Peter Debaere, Paolo D’Odorico, Landon Marston, Chittaranjan Ray, Lorenzo Rosa, La Zhuo

River suspended-sand flux computation with uncertainty estimation using water samples and high-resolution ADCP measurements River suspended-sand flux computation with uncertainty estimation using water samples and high-resolution ADCP measurements

Measuring suspended-sand fluxes in rivers remains a scientific challenge due to their high spatial and temporal variability. To capture the vertical and lateral gradients of concentration in the cross-section, measurements with point samples are performed. However, the uncertainty related to these measurements is rarely evaluated, as few studies of the major sources of error exist...
Authors
Jessica Marggraf, Guillaume Dramais, Jerome Le Coz, Blaise Calmel, Benoit Camenen, David J. Topping, William Santini, Gilles Pierrefeu, François Lauters

Formation of vertical columnar seismic structures and seafloor depressions by groundwater discharge in the drowned Miami Terrace platform and overlying deep-water carbonates, southeastern Florida Formation of vertical columnar seismic structures and seafloor depressions by groundwater discharge in the drowned Miami Terrace platform and overlying deep-water carbonates, southeastern Florida

The presence of vertical cross-formational fluid migration passageways within sedimentary basins can profoundly impact aquifer and reservoir fluid-flow and their identification is fundamental to informing management of subsurface fluid resources (groundwater, oil, gas). In an onshore and offshore southeastern part of Florida, 2D/3D seismic-reflection and bathymetry data document ∼153...
Authors
Kevin J. Cunningham, Richard L. Westcott, Sean Norgard, Edward Robinson, Harry J. Dowsett, Marci M. Robinson

Reducing uncertainty with iterative model updating parses effects of competition and environment on salamander occupancy Reducing uncertainty with iterative model updating parses effects of competition and environment on salamander occupancy

Making timely management decisions is often hindered by uncertainty. Monitoring reduces two key types of uncertainty. First, it serves to reduce structural uncertainty of how the system works and provides support for expectations of how a system works. Second, it serves to reduce parametric uncertainty of the drivers of system dynamics. By combining monitoring data and quantitative...
Authors
Jo Avital Werba, Graziella Vittoria DiRenzo, Adrianne Brand, Evan H. Campbell Grant

Groundwater quality and groundwater levels in Dougherty County, Georgia, April 2020 through January 2023 Groundwater quality and groundwater levels in Dougherty County, Georgia, April 2020 through January 2023

The Upper Floridan aquifer is the uppermost reliable groundwater source in southwest Georgia. The aquifer lies on top of the Claiborne, Clayton, and Cretaceous aquifers, all of which exhibited water-level declines in the 1960s and 1970s. The U.S. Geological Survey has been working cooperatively with Albany Utilities to monitor groundwater quality and availability in these aquifers since...
Authors
Debbie W. Gordon

Ceanothus: Taxonomic patterns in life history responses to fire Ceanothus: Taxonomic patterns in life history responses to fire

Premise: Ceanothus (Rhamnaceae) is a large genus of shrubs that dominate California chaparral and are resilient to fires. Persistence is ensured by resprouting and/or seedling recruitment from dormant seed banks. Some species do both and others, the obligate seeders, are entirely dependent on seedling recruitment. The distribution of these two modes within the genus is poorly documented...
Authors
Jon Keeley, V. Thomas Parker, Paul H. Zedler, R. Brandon Pratt
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