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
Reconnaissance investigation of water quality, bottom sediment, and biota associated with irrigation drainage in the middle Rio Grande Valley and Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, 1988-89 Reconnaissance investigation of water quality, bottom sediment, and biota associated with irrigation drainage in the middle Rio Grande Valley and Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, 1988-89
No abstract available.
Authors
Kim Ong, T.F. O’Brien, M.D. Rucker
Formation and transport of deethylatrazine in the soil and vadose zone Formation and transport of deethylatrazine in the soil and vadose zone
Atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine) and two degradation products were monitored at seven depths in the soil and vadose zone throughout the growing season in two experimental plots in which corn (Zea mays L.) was grown. The soils in these plots were a Kimo silty clay loam (clayey over loamy, montmorillonitic, mesic, Fluvaquentic Hapludoll) and a Eudora silt loam...
Authors
C.D. Adams, E.M. Thurman
Use of colloid filtration theory in modeling movement of bacteria through a contaminated sandy aquifer Use of colloid filtration theory in modeling movement of bacteria through a contaminated sandy aquifer
\A filtration model commonly used to describe removal of colloids during packed-bed filtration in water treatment applications was modified for describing downgradient transport of bacteria in sandy, aquifer sediments. The modified model was applied to the results of a small-scale (7 m), natural-gradient tracer test and to observations of an indigenous bacterial population moving...
Authors
R.W. Harvey, S. P. Garabedian
Large-scale distribution of metal contamination in the fine-grained sediments of the Clark Fork River, Montana, U.S.A. Large-scale distribution of metal contamination in the fine-grained sediments of the Clark Fork River, Montana, U.S.A.
Historic discharges from the mining and smelting complex at the head-waters of the Clark Fork River have resulted in elevated Ag, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations in the
Authors
E.V. Axtmann, S. N. Luoma
Selected hydrologic data for the upper Arkansas River basin, Colorado, 1986-89 Selected hydrologic data for the upper Arkansas River basin, Colorado, 1986-89
No abstract available.
Authors
Gregory A. Wetherbee, Briant A. Kimball, Wendy S. Maura
Selected meteorological data for an arid site near Beatty, Nye County, Nevada, calendar year 1986 Selected meteorological data for an arid site near Beatty, Nye County, Nevada, calendar year 1986
Selected meteorological data were collected at a study site adjacent to a low-level radioactive-waste burial facility near Beatty, Nevada, for calendar year 1986. Data were collected in support of an ongoing study to estimate the potential for downward movement of radionuclides into the unsaturated sediments beneath waste-burial trenches at the facility. The data include air temperature...
Authors
James L. Wood, Jeffrey M. Fischer
Uptake and physiological antagonism of selenium and sulfur in alfalfa and wheat under field conditions, San Joaquin Valley, California Uptake and physiological antagonism of selenium and sulfur in alfalfa and wheat under field conditions, San Joaquin Valley, California
No abstract available.
Authors
R. C. Severson, L. P. Gough, J.G. Crock, D.L. Fey, P. L. Hageman, A.H. Love, T.R. Peacock
Partitioning of elements between two size sediment fractions in samples from nineteen areas of the Western United States Partitioning of elements between two size sediment fractions in samples from nineteen areas of the Western United States
No abstract available.
Authors
R. C. Severson, K. C. Stewart, Thelma F. Harms
Importance of closely spaced vertical sampling in delineating chemical and microbiological gradients in groundwater studies Importance of closely spaced vertical sampling in delineating chemical and microbiological gradients in groundwater studies
Vertical gradients of selected chemical constituents, bacterial populations, bacterial activity and electron acceptors were investigated for an unconfined aquifer contaminated with nitrate and organic compounds on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Fifteen-port multilevel sampling devices (MLS's) were installed within the contaminant plume at the source of the contamination, and at 250 and...
Authors
R. L. Smith, R.W. Harvey, D.R. LeBlanc
Balloon and core sampling for determining bulk density of alluvial desert soil Balloon and core sampling for determining bulk density of alluvial desert soil
Samples were collected from major strata in the upper 5 m of an alluvial soil profile in the Amargosa Desert of southern Nevada to compare rubber-balloon and drive-core bulk-density measurement methods. For strate where the fine soil was
Authors
Brian J. Andraski
Herbicides in surface waters of the midwestern United States: The effect of spring flush Herbicides in surface waters of the midwestern United States: The effect of spring flush
Approximately three-fourths of all preemergent herbicides used in the United States are applied to row crops over a 12-state area, called the "corn belt" (I). The application of these compounds may cause widespread degradation of water quality (2). Because herbicides are water soluble, there is the potential for leaching into groundwater and surface water (3, 4), as well as aerial...
Authors
E.M. Thurman, D. A. Goolsby, M. T. Meyer, D.W. Kolpin
Selectivity and effectiveness of extractants used to release metals associated with organic matter Selectivity and effectiveness of extractants used to release metals associated with organic matter
Partial extraction procedures can be used to release metals associated with organic matter in natural materials. Reagents commonly employed for this purpose include hydrogen peroxide, Na hypochlorite and Na pyrophosphate. This study tested the selectivity of these reagents by comparing the amount of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu they released from sulfide and oxide minerals and determined the...
Authors
C. S.E. Papp, L.H. Filipek, K. S. Smith