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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: 4095

Adsorption of benzene, toluene, and xylene by two tetramethylammonium-smectites having different charge densities Adsorption of benzene, toluene, and xylene by two tetramethylammonium-smectites having different charge densities

A high-charge smectite from Arizona [cation-exchange capacity (CEC) = 120 meq/100 g] and a low-charge smectite from Wyoming (CEC = 90 meq/100 g) were used to prepare homoionic tetramethylammonium (TMA)-clay complexes. The adsorption of benzene, toluene, and o-xylene as vapors by the dry TMA-clays and as solutes from water by the wet TMA-clays was studied. The adsorption of the organic...
Authors
Jiunn-Fwu Lee, Max M. Mortland, Cary T. Chiou, Daniel E. Kite, Stephen A. Boyd

Effect of soil moisture on the sorption of trichloroethene vapor to vadose-zone soil at picatinny arsenal, New Jersey Effect of soil moisture on the sorption of trichloroethene vapor to vadose-zone soil at picatinny arsenal, New Jersey

This report presents data on the sorption of trichloroethene (TCE) vapor to vadose-zone soil above a contaminated water-table aquifer at Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County, NJ. To assess the impact of moisture on TCE sorption, batch experiments on the sorption of TCE vapor by the field soil were carried out as a function of relative humidity. The TCE sorption decreases as soil moisture...
Authors
J. A. Smith, C. T. Chiou, J.A. Kammer, D. E. Kile

Temporally intensive study of trace metals in sediments and bivalves from a large river-estuarine system: Suisun Bay/delta in San Francisco Bay Temporally intensive study of trace metals in sediments and bivalves from a large river-estuarine system: Suisun Bay/delta in San Francisco Bay

Distributions in time and space of Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn were determined in fine-grained sediments and in the filter-feeding bivalve Corbicula sp. of Suisun Bay/delta at the mouth of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers in North San Francisco Bay. Samples were collected from seven stations at near-monthly intervals for 3 years. Aggregated data showed little chronic contamination...
Authors
S. N. Luoma, R. Dagovitz, E. Axtmann

Geohydrology and water quality of the Roubidoux Aquifer, northeastern Oklahoma Geohydrology and water quality of the Roubidoux Aquifer, northeastern Oklahoma

The Roubidoux aquifer is an important source of freshwater for public supplies, commerce, industry, and rural water districts in northeastern Oklahoma. Ground-water withdrawals from the aquifer in 1981 were estimated to be 4.8 million gallons per day, of which about 90 percent was withdrawn in Ottawa County. Wells drilled at the beginning of the 20th century originally flowed at the land...
Authors
Scott C. Christenson, David L. Parkhurst, Roy W. Fairchild

Determination of trace levels of herbicides and their degradation products in surface and ground waters by gas chromatography/ion-trap mass spectrometry Determination of trace levels of herbicides and their degradation products in surface and ground waters by gas chromatography/ion-trap mass spectrometry

A rapid, specific and highly sensitive method is described for the determination of several commonly used herbicides and their degradation products in surface and ground waters by using gas chromatography/ion-trap mass spectrometry. The compounds included atrazine, and its degradation products desethylatrazine and desisopropylatrazine; Simazine; Cyanazine; Metolachlor; and alachlor and...
Authors
W. E. Pereira, C.E. Rostad, T.J. Leiker

Organic contamination of ground water at Gas Works Park, Seattle, Washington Organic contamination of ground water at Gas Works Park, Seattle, Washington

Gas Works Park, in Seattle, Washington, is located on the site of a coal and oil gasification plant that ceased operation in 1956. During operation, many types of wastes, including coal, tar, and oil, accumulated on-site. The park soil is currently (1986) contaminated with compounds such as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, trace metals, and cyanide. Analyses...
Authors
G. L. Turney, D.F. Goerlitz

Distribution of agrochemicals in the lower Mississippi River and its tributaries Distribution of agrochemicals in the lower Mississippi River and its tributaries

The Mississippi River and its tributaries drain extensive agricultural regions of the Mid-Continental United States. Millions of pounds of herbicides are applied annually in these areas to improve crop yields. Many of these compounds are transported into the river from point and nonpoint sources, and eventually are discharged into the Gulf of Mexico. Studies being conducted by the U.S...
Authors
W. E. Pereira, C.E. Rostad, T.J. Leiker

Transformation of Monoaromatic hydrocarbons to organic acids in anoxic groundwater environment Transformation of Monoaromatic hydrocarbons to organic acids in anoxic groundwater environment

The transformation of benzene and a series of alkylbenzenes was studied in anoxic groundwater of a shallow glacial-outwash aquifer near Bemidji, Minnesota, U.S.A. Monoaromatic hydrocarbons, the most water-soluble components of crude oil, were transported downgradient of an oil spill, forming a plume of contaminated groundwater. Organic acids that were not original components of the oil...
Authors
I.M. Cozzarelli, R.P. Eganhouse, M.J. Baedecker

Arsenic in benthic bivalves of San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta Arsenic in benthic bivalves of San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta

Arsenic concentrations were determined in fine-grained, oxidized, surface sediments and in two benthic bivalves, Corbicula sp. and Macoma balthica, within San Francisco Bay, the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta, and selected rivers not influenced by urban or industrial activity. Arsenic concentrations in all samples were characteristic of values reported for uncontaminated estuaries...
Authors
C. Johns, S. N. Luoma

Influence of seasonal growth, age, and environmental exposure on Cu and Ag in a bivalve indicator, Macoma balthica, in San Francisco Bay Influence of seasonal growth, age, and environmental exposure on Cu and Ag in a bivalve indicator, Macoma balthica, in San Francisco Bay

Temporal and spatial variations in Cu and Ag in the deposit-feeding clam Macoma balthica and in surficial sediments were analysed at 8 stations in San Francisco Bay at near-monthly intervals for periods ranging from 3 to 10 yr during 1977 to 1986. Strong seasonal variations in metal concentrations of M. balthica were associated with seasonal variations in soft tissue weight. Aperiodic...
Authors
Daniel J. Cain, Samuel N. Luoma

Rates of microbial metabolism in deep coastal plain aquifers Rates of microbial metabolism in deep coastal plain aquifers

Rates of microbial metabolism in deep anaerobic aquifers of the Atlantic coastal plain of South Carolina were investigated by both microbiological and geochemical techniques. Rates of [2-14C]acetate and [U-14C]glucose oxidation as well as geochemical evidence indicated that metabolic rates were faster in the sandy sediments composing the aquifers than in the clayey sediments of the...
Authors
F. H. Chapelle, Derek R. Lovley
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