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Prioritizing critical elements for environmental research
Multidisciplinary approach to prioritize critical elements for environmental research
Multidisciplinary approach to prioritize critical elements for environmental research
Multidisciplinary approach to prioritize critical elements for environmental research

This infographic introduces an approach that could subsequently be used to prioritize environmental research for the full range of critical elements.

Produced water management options and potential routes of exposure
Produced‐water management options and potential routes of exposure
Produced‐water management options and potential routes of exposure
Produced‐water management options and potential routes of exposure

A general summary of produced‐water management options and potential routes of exposure.

Roadway contaminants that flow from storm drains
Rainfall mobilizes roadway contaminants that flow from storm drains into aquatic habitats.
Rainfall mobilizes roadway contaminants that flow from storm drains into aquatic habitats.
Rainfall mobilizes roadway contaminants that flow from storm drains into aquatic habitats.

Rainfall mobilizes roadway contaminants that flow from storm drains into aquatic habitats. Photo taken in the Pacific Northeast

Microbes are important
Why are microbes important?
Why are microbes important?
Why are microbes important?

Text box including a short question/answer on why microbes are important. Can be used for outreach.

Text box including a short question/answer on why microbes are important. Can be used for outreach.

The difference between PFOS and PFAS
What is the difference between PFOS and PFAS?
What is the difference between PFOS and PFAS?
What is the difference between PFOS and PFAS?

Q: What’s the difference between PFOS and PFAS?

A: PFAS is a broad term that refers to a large group of man-made chemicals that contain fluorine atoms. This group includes thousands of different compounds and are highly resistant to degradation. 

Q: What’s the difference between PFOS and PFAS?

A: PFAS is a broad term that refers to a large group of man-made chemicals that contain fluorine atoms. This group includes thousands of different compounds and are highly resistant to degradation. 

USGS PFAS Study Areas
U.S. Geological Survey PFAS Study Areas
U.S. Geological Survey PFAS Study Areas
U.S. Geological Survey PFAS Study Areas

Map of U.S. Geological Survey PFAS study areas. Specific points indicate: 1) Surface water and field studies (teal circles), 2) PFAS in tapwater studies (black circles), 3) PFAS in groundwater studies (orange circles), and 4) Sites where atmospheric samples were collected (yellow triangles).

Map of U.S. Geological Survey PFAS study areas. Specific points indicate: 1) Surface water and field studies (teal circles), 2) PFAS in tapwater studies (black circles), 3) PFAS in groundwater studies (orange circles), and 4) Sites where atmospheric samples were collected (yellow triangles).

Framework for critical mineral priorities
Framework for evaluating research priorities for critical minerals
Framework for evaluating research priorities for critical minerals
Framework for evaluating research priorities for critical minerals

Multidisciplinary Approach That Considers Occurrence, Geochemistry, Bioavailability, and Toxicity to Prioritize Critical Minerals for Environmental Research

Multidisciplinary Approach That Considers Occurrence, Geochemistry, Bioavailability, and Toxicity to Prioritize Critical Minerals for Environmental Research

Filtration apparatus
Filtration apparatus for microplastics analysis
Filtration apparatus for microplastics analysis
Filtration apparatus for microplastics analysis

This is a photo of a filtration apparatus being used for microplastics analysis, November 2024.

USGS scientist in laboratory
USGS scientist working on a high resolution mass spec
USGS scientist working on a high resolution mass spec
USGS scientist working on a high resolution mass spec

Photo taken of a USGS scientist working on PFAS analyses in front of her mass spectrometer within a laboratory.

Cyanobacteria bloom in a shallow lake
Cyanobacteria bloom in a shallow Michigan lake
Cyanobacteria bloom in a shallow Michigan lake
Cyanobacteria bloom in a shallow Michigan lake

Cyanobacteria bloom in a shallow Michigan lake during the fall of 2024. Photo by Leon Katona 

Minerals precipitating along a stream
Copper minerals precipitating along a reach of stream
Copper minerals precipitating along a reach of stream
Copper minerals precipitating along a reach of stream

In streams affected by acid mine drainage, inflows of diffuse groundwater (nearly invisible to the eye) can substantially control metal mobility, such as in this photo where copper minerals are precipitating along a reach of stream where groundwater with a distinctive composition flows into the stream. 

In streams affected by acid mine drainage, inflows of diffuse groundwater (nearly invisible to the eye) can substantially control metal mobility, such as in this photo where copper minerals are precipitating along a reach of stream where groundwater with a distinctive composition flows into the stream. 

Minerals found in mine tunnels
Mineral precipitates in mine tunnels may provide information on the paths of groundwater that discharge into the tunnels
Mineral precipitates in mine tunnels may provide information on the paths of groundwater that discharge into the tunnels
Mineral precipitates in mine tunnels may provide information on the paths of groundwater that discharge into the tunnels

Mineral precipitates in mine tunnels, such as the copper-rich minerals in this mine in Oregon, may provide information on the paths of groundwater that discharge into the tunnels, informing strategies for metal recovery and potential remediation. 

Mineral precipitates in mine tunnels, such as the copper-rich minerals in this mine in Oregon, may provide information on the paths of groundwater that discharge into the tunnels, informing strategies for metal recovery and potential remediation. 

Bioelectrochemical system
ioelectrochemical system for critical mineral recovery from mine byproducts
ioelectrochemical system for critical mineral recovery from mine byproducts
ioelectrochemical system for critical mineral recovery from mine byproducts

Laboratory research: Bioelectrochemical system for critical mineral recovery from mining by-products.

Tailings piles at abandoned mine sites
Tailings piles at abandoned mine sites can be reprocessed to recover critical minerals and rare earth elements
Tailings piles at abandoned mine sites can be reprocessed to recover critical minerals and rare earth elements
Tailings piles at abandoned mine sites can be reprocessed to recover critical minerals and rare earth elements

Tailings piles at abandoned mine sites can be reprocessed to recover critical minerals and rare earth elements. 

PFOS and sulfate reducing bacteria
PFOS in the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria
PFOS in the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria
PFOS in the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria

PFOS removal occurred as sulfate-reducing bacteria increased in soil experiments with a dehalogenating culture. Graphic Credits: Denise Akob

PFOS removal occurred as sulfate-reducing bacteria increased in soil experiments with a dehalogenating culture. Graphic Credits: Denise Akob

Cyanobacteria bloom, Fox River, Wisconsin
Cyanobacteria bloom near the shoreline of North Bar Lake in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
Cyanobacteria bloom near the shoreline of North Bar Lake in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
Cyanobacteria bloom near the shoreline of North Bar Lake in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

Cyanobacteria bloom near the shoreline of North Bar Lake in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan during the fall of 2024. 

Microscope image of Microcystis sp.
Microscope image of cyanobacteria (Microcystis sp.) collected from Lake Winnebago
Microscope image of cyanobacteria (Microcystis sp.) collected from Lake Winnebago
Microscope image of cyanobacteria (Microcystis sp.) collected from Lake Winnebago

Microscope image of cyanobacteria (Microcystis sp.) collected from Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, June 23, 2024.  Photo by Leon Katona 

Elk in the Grand Canyon
Herd of elk transverse a fire pond at Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Herd of elk transverse a fire pond at Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Herd of elk transverse a fire pond at Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Herd of elk transverse a fire pond at Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. USGS scientists collected environmental samples for AIV.

Subsurface instruments measuring soil-water potential
Subsurface instruments measuring soil-water potential and water content aid in characterization of fluxes of water in natural and reclaimed soils
Subsurface instruments measuring soil-water potential and water content aid in characterization of fluxes of water in natural and reclaimed soils
Subsurface instruments measuring soil-water potential and water content aid in characterization of fluxes of water in natural and reclaimed soils

Subsurface instruments measuring soil-water potential and water content aid in characterization of fluxes of water in natural and reclaimed soils around uranium mine sites.

Measuring soil surface emission of radon
Measuring soil surface emission of radon in an undisturbed area near a mining site
Measuring soil surface emission of radon in an undisturbed area near a mining site
Measuring soil surface emission of radon in an undisturbed area near a mining site

Measuring soil surface emission of radon in an undisturbed area near a mining site, PHoto Credit: Christopher Green

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