Publications
Dive into our publications and explore the science from the Environmental Health Program (Toxic Substances Hydrology and Contaminant Biology).
GeoHEALTH-USGS Newsletter
GeoHEALTH-USGS Newsletter
The GeoHEALTH–USGS Newsletter—published since 2004—provides information on USGS science activities pertinent to safeguarding the health of fish, wildlife, domesticated animals, and people from environmental exposures to contaminants and pathogens.
Featured Science Activities
Featured Science Activities
Learn about our Featured Science Activities through our pages that highlight studies, publications, and results.
Filter Total Items: 4097
Enrichment of Geobacter species in response to stimulation of Fe(III) reduction in sandy aquifer sediments Enrichment of Geobacter species in response to stimulation of Fe(III) reduction in sandy aquifer sediments
Engineered stimulation of Fe(III) has been proposed as a strategy to enhance the immobilization of radioactive and toxic metals in metal-contaminated subsurface environments. Therefore, laboratory and field studies were conducted to determine which microbial populations would respond to stimulation of Fe(III) reduction in the sediments of sandy aquifers. In laboratory studies, the...
Authors
O.L. Snoeyenbos-West, K.P. Nevin, R. T. Anderson, D.R. Lovely
Development of a pore network simulation model to study nonaqueous phase liquid dissolution Development of a pore network simulation model to study nonaqueous phase liquid dissolution
A pore network simulation model was developed to investigate the fundamental physics of nonequilibrium nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) dissolution. The network model is a lattice of cubic chambers and rectangular tubes that represent pore bodies and pore throats, respectively. Experimental data obtained by Powers [1992] were used to develop and validate the model. To ensure the network...
Authors
Leslie A. Dillard, Martin J. Blunt
Nitrogen biogeochemistry and surface-subsurface exchange in streams Nitrogen biogeochemistry and surface-subsurface exchange in streams
No abstract available.
Authors
John H. Duff, Frank J. Triska
Can contaminant transport models predict breakthrough? Can contaminant transport models predict breakthrough?
A solute breakthrough curve measured during a two-well tracer test was successfully predicted in 1986 using specialized contaminant transport models. Water was injected into a confined, unconsolidated sand aquifer and pumped out 125 feet (38.3 m) away at the same steady rate. The injected water was spiked with bromide for over three days; the outflow concentration was monitored for a...
Authors
Wei-Shyuan Peng, Duane R. Hampton, Leonard F. Konikow, Kiran Kambham, Jeffery J. Benegar
Advances in the hydrogeochemistry and microbiology of acid mine waters Advances in the hydrogeochemistry and microbiology of acid mine waters
The last decade has witnessed a plethora of research related to the hydrogeochemistry and microbiology of acid mine waters and associated tailings and waste-rock waters. Numerous books, reviews, technical papers, and proceedings have been published that examine the complex bio-geochemical process of sulfide mineral oxidation, develop and apply geochemical models to site characterization...
Authors
D. Kirk Nordstrom
Elements in cottonwood trees as an indicator of ground water contaminated by landfill leachate Elements in cottonwood trees as an indicator of ground water contaminated by landfill leachate
Ground water at the Norman Landfill Research Site is contaminated by a leachate plume emanating from a closed, unlined landfill formerly operated by the city of Norman, Oklahoma, Ground water contaminated by the leachate plume is known to be elevated in the concentration of many, organic and inorganic constituents. Specific conductance, alkalinity, chloride, dissolved organic carbon...
Authors
James A. Erdman, Scott Christenson
Dissimilatory reduction of selenate and arsenate in nature Dissimilatory reduction of selenate and arsenate in nature
This chapter discusses the biogeochemical reduction of selenate (Se(VI)) and arsenate (As(V)) when they enter anoxic environments and are used as electron acceptors for the oxidation of organic matter. These reductions are of a dissimilative nature and support the anaerobic growth of selected bacteria which conserve energy from this process. The chapter summarizes what is known about the...
Authors
Ron Oremland, J. Stolz
Distribution and origin of organic ligands in subsurface waters from sedimentary basins Distribution and origin of organic ligands in subsurface waters from sedimentary basins
No abstract available.
Authors
Yousif K. Kharaka, P.D. Lundegard, T.H. Giordano
Nanofiltration membranes used to remove selenium and other minor elements from wastewater Nanofiltration membranes used to remove selenium and other minor elements from wastewater
No abstract available.
Authors
Yousif K. Kharaka, James J. Thordsen, Roy A. Schroeder, J. G. Setmire
An overview of arsenic mass-poisoning in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India An overview of arsenic mass-poisoning in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India
The largest mass poisoning in the world, perhaps in history, is happening in West Bengal, India, and Bangladesh. Many thousands of people suffer from arsenic skin disorders and are dying from cancer. About 19 million are estimated to be at risk. The discovery of the arsenic poisoning from tubewell drinking water was made in 1983, but it took about 10 years to be formally recognized as a...
Authors
D. Kirk Nordstrom
Three-dimensional finite-volume F-LLAM implementation Three-dimensional finite-volume F-LLAM implementation
No abstract available.
Authors
C.I. Heberton, T.F. Russell, Leonard F. Konikow, Michelle I. Hornberger