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
CFC tracing of groundwater in fractured rock aided with 14C and 3H to identify water mixing CFC tracing of groundwater in fractured rock aided with 14C and 3H to identify water mixing
No abstract available.
Authors
A.S. Talma, John L. Weaver, L.N. Plummer, Eurybiades Busenberg
The study of humic substances--In search of a paradigm The study of humic substances--In search of a paradigm
No abstract available.
Authors
Robert L. Wershaw
Nitrate isotopes in groundwater systems Nitrate isotopes in groundwater systems
Nitrate contamination, often associated with agricultural activities, is a major problem in some shallow aquifers and is increasingly becoming a threat to groundwater supplies (Gillham and Cherry, 1978; Ronen et al., 1983; Spalding and Exner, 1991). The intake of high levels of nitrate can cause methemoglobinemia in infants, and there is substantial evidence collected from animal...
Authors
Carol Kendall, Ramon Aravena
Enhanced levels of zinc in drinking water adversely affect spatial learning in rats Enhanced levels of zinc in drinking water adversely affect spatial learning in rats
No abstract available.
Authors
J.M. Flinn, J. Morgan, J. Magaha, L. Krause, K. Navarrete, B.F. Jones
Metals transport in the Sacramento River, California, 1996-1997; Volume 2: Interpretation of metal loads Metals transport in the Sacramento River, California, 1996-1997; Volume 2: Interpretation of metal loads
Metals transport in the Sacramento River, northern California, from July 1996 to June 1997 was evaluated in terms of metal loads from samples of water and suspended colloids that were collected on up to six occasions at 13 sites in the Sacramento River Basin. Four of the sampling periods (July, September, and November 1996; and May-June 1997) took place during relatively low-flow...
Timescales for migration of atmospherically derived sulphate through an alpine/subalpine watershed, Loch Vale, Colorado Timescales for migration of atmospherically derived sulphate through an alpine/subalpine watershed, Loch Vale, Colorado
Sulphur 35, a cosmogenically produced radioisotope with a short half‐life (87 days), was measured in snowpack during 1993–1997 and at four locations within the Loch Vale watershed during 1995–1997. The four sites include the two main drainages in the watershed, Andrews Creek and Icy Brook, a small south facing catchment flowing into Andrews Creek (Andrews Spring 1), and a similar north...
Authors
Robert L. Michel, Donald H. Campbell, David W. Clow, John T. Turk
Dynamics of nutrient cycling and related benthic nutrient and oxygen fluxes during a spring phytoplankton bloom in South San Francisco Bay (USA) Dynamics of nutrient cycling and related benthic nutrient and oxygen fluxes during a spring phytoplankton bloom in South San Francisco Bay (USA)
Benthic oxygen uptake and nutrient releases of N, P and Si were measured weekly at 2 sites in South San Francisco Bay around the 1996 spring bloom. Exchanges across the sediment-water interface were estimated from whole core incubations performed in the laboratory at in situ temperature and in dark. Fluxes changed significantly on a weekly time scale. Over a period of 15 wk the fluxes of...
Authors
C. Grenz, J. E. Cloern, S.W. Hager, B.E. Cole
Finding minimal herbicide concentrations in ground water? Try looking for their degradates Finding minimal herbicide concentrations in ground water? Try looking for their degradates
Extensive research has been conducted regarding the occurrence of herbicides in the hydrologic system, their fate, and their effects on human health and the environment. Few studies, however, have considered herbicide transformation products (degradates). In this study of Iowa ground water, herbicide degradates were frequently detected. In fact, herbicide degradates were eight of the 10...
Authors
D.W. Kolpin, E.M. Thurman, S. M. Linhart
Linkage of bioaccumulation and biological effects to changes in pollutant loads in south San Francisco Bay Linkage of bioaccumulation and biological effects to changes in pollutant loads in south San Francisco Bay
The developed world has invested billions of dollars in waste treatment since the 1970s; however, changes in ecological or biological responses are rarely associated with reductions in metal pollutants. Here we present a novel, 23-yr time series of environmental change from a San Francisco Bay mudflat located 1 km from the discharge of a suburban domestic sewage treatment plant. Samples...
Authors
Michelle I. Hornberger, S. N. Luoma, D.J. Cain, F. Parchaso, C. L. Brown, R. M. Bouse, C. Wellise, J.K. Thompson
Dating young groundwater with sulfur hexafluoride: Natural and anthropogenic sources of sulfur hexafluoride Dating young groundwater with sulfur hexafluoride: Natural and anthropogenic sources of sulfur hexafluoride
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is primarily of anthropogenic origin but also occurs naturally. The troposphere concentration of SF6 has increased from a steady state value of 0.054±0.009 to more than 4 parts per trillion volume during the past 40 years. An analytical procedure was developed for measuring concentrations of SF6 to less than 0.01 fmol/L in water. Groundwater can be dated with...
Authors
Eurybiades Busenberg, Niel Plummer