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Contaminant Biology

Science Centers and scientists supported by Contaminant Biology develop and apply advanced laboratory methods, field investigations, and modeling capabilities to understand toxicity and effects of environmental contaminant and pathogen exposure.  

News

GeoHEALTH - USGS Newsletter - Issue April 2025

GeoHEALTH—USGS Newsletter, March 2025

GeoHEALTH—USGS Newsletter, March 2025

GeoHEALTH—USGS Newsletter, August 2024

GeoHEALTH—USGS Newsletter, August 2024

Publications

Pathways for potential exposure to onshore oil and gas wastewater: What we need to know to protect human health

Produced water is a chemically complex waste stream generated during oil and gas development. Roughly four trillion liters were generated onshore in the United States in 2021 (ALL Consulting, 2022, https://www.gwpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021_Produced_Water_Volumes.pdf). Efforts are underway to expand historic uses of produced water to offset freshwater needs in water-stressed...
Authors
Ayusha Ariana, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Cloelle Danforth, Bonnie McDevitt, Anna Rosofsky, Donna Vorhees

Anaerobic biodegradation of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and microbial community composition in soil amended with a dechlorinating culture and chlorinated solvents

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), one of the most frequently detected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) occurring in soil, surface water, and groundwater near sites contaminated with aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), has proven to be recalcitrant to many destructive remedies, including chemical oxidation. We investigated the potential to utilize microbially mediated reduction...
Authors
Michelle M. Lorah, Ke He, Lee Blaney, Denise Akob, Cassandra Rashan Harris, Andrea K. Tokranov, Zachary Ryan Hopkins, Brian Shedd

Land-use interactions, Oil-Field infrastructure, and natural processes control hydrocarbon and arsenic concentrations in groundwater, Poso Creek Oil Field, California, USA

Like many hydrocarbon production areas in the U.S., the Poso Creek Oil Field in California includes and is adjacent to other land uses (agricultural and other developed lands) that affect the hydrology and geochemistry of the aquifer overlying and adjacent to oil development. We hypothesize that the distributions of hydrocarbons and arsenic in groundwater in such areas will be controlled...
Authors
Peter B. McMahon, Matthew K. Landon, Michael J. Stephens, Kimberly A. Taylor, Michael Wright, Angela Hansen, Tamara E. C. Kraus, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, David H. Schoellhamer, Theron A. Sowers, Justin T. Kulongoski, Andrew G. Hunt, Ruta Karolyte, Darren J. Hillegonds, Chris J. Ballentine

Science

Understanding the Dynamics of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Insights from USGS Research

The USGS Environmental Health (EH) Program research where per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances PFAS are found, how they move and change in the environment, how they might affect both ecosystems and human health, and ways to reduce their impact. The three teams focusing on these issues within the EH Program include: 1) the PFAS Integrated Science Team, 2) the PFAS Core Technology Team, and 3) the...
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Understanding the Dynamics of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Insights from USGS Research

The USGS Environmental Health (EH) Program research where per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances PFAS are found, how they move and change in the environment, how they might affect both ecosystems and human health, and ways to reduce their impact. The three teams focusing on these issues within the EH Program include: 1) the PFAS Integrated Science Team, 2) the PFAS Core Technology Team, and 3) the...
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Beneath the Surface: Exploring PFAS and Drinking Water on French Island, Wisconsin

The growing concern of finding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water has led USGS scientists to conduct more comprehensive analyses that encompass an extensive list of compounds that can be found in drinking water. These analyses will develop a more complete drinking water contaminant list that managers can use to make more informed public health decisions.
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Beneath the Surface: Exploring PFAS and Drinking Water on French Island, Wisconsin

The growing concern of finding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water has led USGS scientists to conduct more comprehensive analyses that encompass an extensive list of compounds that can be found in drinking water. These analyses will develop a more complete drinking water contaminant list that managers can use to make more informed public health decisions.
Learn More

Oil and Gas Wastewater Exposure Pathways: What We Know and What Remains Unanswered

Produced water is a complex waste byproduct from oil and gas development that can be repurposed for beneficial uses. Understanding its applications, how it moves through the environment, and its potential effects on human health is essential. USGS researchers, in collaboration with Health Effects Institute (HEI) Energy, reviewed and analyzed existing literature to identify knowledge gaps about...
link

Oil and Gas Wastewater Exposure Pathways: What We Know and What Remains Unanswered

Produced water is a complex waste byproduct from oil and gas development that can be repurposed for beneficial uses. Understanding its applications, how it moves through the environment, and its potential effects on human health is essential. USGS researchers, in collaboration with Health Effects Institute (HEI) Energy, reviewed and analyzed existing literature to identify knowledge gaps about...
Learn More
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