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Publications

Dive into our publications and explore the science from the Environmental Health Program (Toxic Substances Hydrology and Contaminant Biology).

Filter Total Items: 686

Modeling estrogenic activity in streams throughout the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay watersheds Modeling estrogenic activity in streams throughout the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay watersheds

Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), specifically estrogenic endocrine-disrupting compounds, vary in concentration and composition in surface waters under the influence of different landscape sources and landcover gradients. Estrogenic activity in surface waters may lead to adverse effects in aquatic species at both individual and population levels, often observed through the presence...
Authors
Stephanie Gordon, Daniel Jones, Vicki S. Blazer, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Brianna Williams, Kelly Smalling

Evaluation of a satellite-based cyanobacteria bloom detection algorithm using field-measured microcystin data Evaluation of a satellite-based cyanobacteria bloom detection algorithm using field-measured microcystin data

Widespread occurrence of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) and the associated health effects from potential cyanotoxin exposure has led to a need for systematic and frequent screening and monitoring of lakes that are used as recreational and drinking water sources. Remote sensing-based methods are often used for synoptic and frequent monitoring of CyanoHABs. In this study...
Authors
Sachidananda Mishra, Richard Stumpf, Blake Schaeffer, P. Werdell, Keith Loftin, Andrew Meredith

In vitro effects-based method and water quality screening model for use in pre- and post-distribution treated waters In vitro effects-based method and water quality screening model for use in pre- and post-distribution treated waters

Recent urban public water supply contamination events emphasize the importance of screening treated drinking water quality after distribution. In vitro bioassays, when run concurrently with analytical chemistry methods, are effective tools to evaluating the efficacy of water treatment processes and water quality. We tested 49 water samples representing the Chicago Department of Water...
Authors
Elizabeth Medlock-Kakaley, Mary Cardon, Nicola Evans, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Joshua Allen, Elizabeth Wagner, Katherine Bokenkamp, Susan Richardson, Michael Plewa, Paul M. Bradley, Kristin M. Romanok, Dana W. Kolpin, Justin Conley, L. Gray, Phillip Hartig, Vickie Wilson

Neither microcystin, nor nodularin, nor cylindrospermopsin directly interact with human toll-like receptors Neither microcystin, nor nodularin, nor cylindrospermopsin directly interact with human toll-like receptors

Various stressors including temperature, environmental chemicals, and toxins can have profound impacts on immunity to pathogens. Increased eutrophication near rivers and lakes coupled with climate change are predicted to lead to increased algal blooms. Currently, the effects of cyanobacterial toxins on disease resistance in mammals is a largely unexplored area of research. Recent studies...
Authors
John Hansen, Keith Loftin, Zachary Laughrey, Ondrei Adamovsky

Water-quality change following remediation using structural bulkheads in abandoned draining mines, upper Arkansas River and upper Animas River, Colorado USA Water-quality change following remediation using structural bulkheads in abandoned draining mines, upper Arkansas River and upper Animas River, Colorado USA

Water-quality effects after remediating abandoned draining mine tunnels using structural bulkheads were examined in two study areas in Colorado, USA. A bulkhead was installed in the Dinero mine tunnel in 2009 to improve water quality in Lake Fork Creek, a tributary to the upper Arkansas River. Although bulkhead installation improved pH, and manganese and zinc concentrations and loads at...
Authors
Katherine Walton-Day, M. Mast, Robert Runkel

Assessing the impact of drought on arsenic exposure from private domestic wells in the conterminous United States Assessing the impact of drought on arsenic exposure from private domestic wells in the conterminous United States

This study assesses the potential impact of drought on arsenic exposure from private domestic wells by using a previously developed statistical model that predicts the probability of elevated arsenic concentrations (>10 μg per liter) in water from domestic wells located in the conterminous United States (CONUS). The application of the model to simulate drought conditions used...
Authors
Melissa Lombard, Johnni Daniel, Zuha Jeddy, Lauren Hay, Joseph Ayotte

Widespread use of the nitrification inhibitor nitrapyrin: Assessing benefits and costs to agriculture, ecosystems, and environmental health Widespread use of the nitrification inhibitor nitrapyrin: Assessing benefits and costs to agriculture, ecosystems, and environmental health

Agricultural production and associated applications of nitrogen (N) fertilizers have increased dramatically in the last century, and current projections to 2050 show that demands will continue to increase as the human population grows. Applied in both organic and inorganic fertilizer forms, N is an essential nutrient in crop productivity. Increased fertilizer applications, however...
Authors
Emily Woodward, Thea Edwards, Carrie Givens, Dana W. Kolpin, Michelle Hladik

Multiple co-occurring and persistently detected cyanotoxins and associated cyanobacteria in adjacent California lakes Multiple co-occurring and persistently detected cyanotoxins and associated cyanobacteria in adjacent California lakes

The global proliferation of toxin producing cyanobacterial blooms has been attributed to a wide variety of environmental factors with nutrient pollution, increased temperatures, and drought being three of the most significant. The current study is the first formal assessment of cyanotoxins in two impaired lakes, Canyon Lake and Lake Elsinore, in southern California that have a history of
Authors
Meredith Howard, Raphael Kudela, Kendra Hayashi, Avery Tatters, David Caron, Susanna Theroux, Stuart Oehrle, Miranda Roethler, Ariel Donovan, Keith Loftin, Zachary Laughrey

Evaluating the effects of replacing septic systems with municipal sewers on groundwater quality in a densely developed coastal neighborhood, Falmouth, Massachusetts, 2016–19 Evaluating the effects of replacing septic systems with municipal sewers on groundwater quality in a densely developed coastal neighborhood, Falmouth, Massachusetts, 2016–19

Land disposal of sewage wastewater through septic systems and cesspools is a major cause of elevated concentrations of nitrogen in the shallow coastal aquifers of southern New England. The discharge of nitrogen from these sources at the coast is affecting the environmental health of coastal saltwater bodies. In response, local, State, and Federal agencies are considering expensive...
Authors
Timothy McCobb, Jeffrey Barbaro, Denis LeBlanc, Marcel Belaval

An assessment of uranium in groundwater in the Grand Canyon region An assessment of uranium in groundwater in the Grand Canyon region

The Grand Canyon region in northern Arizona is a home or sacred place of origin for many Native Americans and is visited by over 6 million tourists each year. Most communities in the area depend upon groundwater for all water uses. Some of the highest-grade uranium ore in the United States also is found in the Grand Canyon region. A withdrawal of over 1 million acres of Federal land in...
Authors
Fred Tillman, Kimberly Beisner, Jessica Anderson, Joel A. Unema

Arsenic release to the environment from hydrocarbon production, storage, transportation, use and waste management Arsenic release to the environment from hydrocarbon production, storage, transportation, use and waste management

Arsenic (As) is a toxic trace element with many sources, including hydrocarbons such as oil, natural gas, oil sands, and oil- and gas-bearing shales. Arsenic from these hydrocarbon sources can be released to the environment through human activities of hydrocarbon production, storage, transportation and use. In addition, accidental release of hydrocarbons to aquifers with naturally...
Authors
Madeline Schreiber, Isabelle Cozzarelli
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