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: 4095
Geochemical investigation of an oil spill in San Francisco Bay, California Geochemical investigation of an oil spill in San Francisco Bay, California
No abstract available.
Authors
F. D. Hostettler, J. B. Rapp, K.A. Kvenvolden
Work plan for regional reconnaissance for selected herbicides and nitrate in ground water of the mid-continent United States, 1991 Work plan for regional reconnaissance for selected herbicides and nitrate in ground water of the mid-continent United States, 1991
An approach was developed to obtain a consistent, regional distribution of herbicide and nitrate data from near-surface aquifers in the corn and soybean producing region of the mid-continent. Near-surface aquifers are defined as those with the top of aquifer material within 50 feet of land surface, regardless of whether the material is saturated or unsaturated. Three hundred wells will...
Authors
D.W. Kolpin, M. R. Burkart
Distribution of selected herbicides and nitrate in the Mississippi River and its major tributaries, April through June 1991 Distribution of selected herbicides and nitrate in the Mississippi River and its major tributaries, April through June 1991
No abstract available.
Authors
D. A. Goolsby, R.C. Coupe, D.J. Markovchick
Denitrification in nitrate-contaminated groundwater: Occurrence in steep vertical geochemical gradients Denitrification in nitrate-contaminated groundwater: Occurrence in steep vertical geochemical gradients
A relatively narrow vertical zone (5–6 m thick) of NO3− containing groundwater was identified using multilevel sampling devices in a sand and gravel aquifer on Cape Cod, MA, USA. The aquifer has been chronically contaminated by surface disposal of treated sewage 0.3 km upgradient from the study area. The NO3− zone was anoxic and contained high concentrations of N2O (16.5 μM), suggesting...
Authors
R. L. Smith, B.L. Howes, J.H. Duff
MBSSAS: A code for the computation of margules parameters and equilibrium relations in binary solid-solution aqueous-solution systems MBSSAS: A code for the computation of margules parameters and equilibrium relations in binary solid-solution aqueous-solution systems
The computer code MBSSAS uses two-parameter Margules-type excess-free-energy of mixing equations to calculate thermodynamic equilibrium, pure-phase saturation, and stoichiometric saturation states in binary solid-solution aqueous-solution (SSAS) systems. Lippmann phase diagrams, Roozeboom diagrams, and distribution-coefficient diagrams can be constructed from the output data files, and...
Authors
P. D. Glynn
In situ bacterial selenate reduction in the agricultural drainage systems of western Nevada In situ bacterial selenate reduction in the agricultural drainage systems of western Nevada
Dissimilatory in situ selenate reduction to elemental selenium in sediments from irrigated agricultural drainage regions of western Nevada was measured at ambient Se oxyanion concentrations. Selenate reduction was rapid, with turnover rate constants ranging from 0.04 to 1.8 h-1 at total Se concentrations in pore water of 13 to 455 nM. Estimates of removal rates of selenium oxyanions were...
Authors
R.S. Oremland, N.A. Steinberg, T. S. Presser, L.G. Miller
The neutral oil in commercial linear alkylbenzenesulfonate and its effect on organic solute solubility in water The neutral oil in commercial linear alkylbenzenesulfonate and its effect on organic solute solubility in water
No abstract available.
Authors
C. T. Chiou, D. E. Kile, D.W. Rutherford
Downstream effects of mine effluent on an intermontane riparian system Downstream effects of mine effluent on an intermontane riparian system
Metal concentrations were determined in benthic biota, fish livers, water, and fine-grained sediment through 215 km of an intermontane river system (Blackfoot River, Montana, USA) affected by headwater inputs of acid-mine effluent. Solute and particulate contaminants decreased rapidly downstream from headwater sources, but some extended through an extensive marsh system. Particulate...
Authors
Johnnie N. Moore, Samuel N. Luoma, Donald Peters
Coprecipitation mechanisms and products in manganese oxidation in the presence of cadmium Coprecipitation mechanisms and products in manganese oxidation in the presence of cadmium
Manganese oxidation products were precipitated in an aerated open-aqueous system where a continuous influx of mixed Mn2+ and Cd2+ solution was supplied and pH was maintained with an automated pH-stat adding dilute NaOH. X-ray diffraction and electron diffraction identified the solids produced as mixtures of Cd2Mn34+O8, Mn2+2Mn4+3O8, MnO2 (ramsdellite), and CdCO3. Mean oxidation numbers...
Authors
J.D. Hem, Carol J. Lind
Flame ionization mass spectrometry--Isotope ratio determinations for potassium Flame ionization mass spectrometry--Isotope ratio determinations for potassium
The air/acetylene flame provides a convenient ion source for the determination of potassium isotopic ratios by mass spectrometry. Unlike the argon inductively coupled plasma (ICP), the flame provides low background in the mass region of interest. Ion production is quite satisfactory for isotope ratio measurements at the micrograms per milliliter (μg/mL) level and slightly below, with 1...
Authors
Howard E. Taylor, John R. Garbarino, S. R. Koirtyohann
Reconnaissance investigation of water quality, bottom sediment, and biota associated with irrigation drainage in the middle Arkansas River basin, Colorado and Kansas, 1988-89 Reconnaissance investigation of water quality, bottom sediment, and biota associated with irrigation drainage in the middle Arkansas River basin, Colorado and Kansas, 1988-89
No abstract available.
Authors
D. K. Mueller, L.R. DeWeese, A.J. Garner, T.B. Spruill
Reconnaissance investigation of water quality, bottom sediment, and biota associated with irrigation drainage in the Klamath Basin, California and Oregon, 1988-89 Reconnaissance investigation of water quality, bottom sediment, and biota associated with irrigation drainage in the Klamath Basin, California and Oregon, 1988-89
No abstract available.
Authors
S. K. Sorenson, S.E. Schwarzbach