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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: 4096

Isotope composition of sulphate in acid mine drainage as measure of bacterial oxidation Isotope composition of sulphate in acid mine drainage as measure of bacterial oxidation

The formation of acid waters by oxidation of pyrite-bearing ore deposits, mine tailing piles, and coal measures is a complex biogeochemical process and is a serious environmental problem. We have studied the oxygen and sulphur isotope geochemistry of sulphides, sulphur, sulphate and water in the field and in experiments to identify sources of oxygen and reaction mechanisms of sulphate...
Authors
B.E. Taylor, M.C. Wheeler, D. Kirk Nordstrom

Bonded-phase extraction column isolation of organic compounds in groundwater at a hazardous waste site Bonded-phase extraction column isolation of organic compounds in groundwater at a hazardous waste site

A procedure for isolation of hazardous organic compounds from water for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis Is presented and applied to creosote- and pentachlorophenol-contaminated groundwater resulting from wood-treatment processes. This simple procedure involved passing a 50-100-mL sample through a bonded-phase extraction column, eluting the trapped organic compounds from the...
Authors
C.E. Rostad, W. E. Pereira, S.M. Ratcliff

Field testing the hypothesis of Darcian flow through a carbonate aquifer Field testing the hypothesis of Darcian flow through a carbonate aquifer

The acceptability of the hypothesis of Darcian flow through a semiconfined carbonate aquifer was tested prior to running a multiple-day aquifer test in Pinellas County, Florida. The approach used to test the hypothesis was to run a number of hour-long aquifer tests at different discharges with drawdown measured at the same time during each test in two observation wells, one at 35 feet...
Authors
J.J. Hickey

Effect of anisotropy and groundwater system geometry on seepage through lakebeds. 1. Analog and dimensional analysis Effect of anisotropy and groundwater system geometry on seepage through lakebeds. 1. Analog and dimensional analysis

Distribution of seepage through lakebeds is controlled partly by geometric configuration of the lake and of the groundwater system interacting with the lake. To evaluate the effect of these factors, conductive-paper electric-analog models were used to analyze a number of lake and groundwater settings having different geometric configurations. Most settings analyzed are of lakes that do...
Authors
H.O. Pfannkuch, T. C. Winter

Origin and distribution of carbon dioxide in the unsaturated zone of the southern High Plains of Texas Origin and distribution of carbon dioxide in the unsaturated zone of the southern High Plains of Texas

Partial pressures of CO2, O2, N2, and Ar were monitored at two locations in the Ogallala aquifer system on the Southern High Plains of Texas. Samples were collected monthly during parts of 1980–1981 from nine depths ranging from 0.6 to 36 meters below land surface. PCO2 was observed to be greater at depth than in the active soil zone and thus appears to contradict the normal process in...
Authors
Warren W. Wood, Michael J. Petraitis

Adsorption of goethite onto quartz and kaolinite Adsorption of goethite onto quartz and kaolinite

The adsorption of colloidal goethite onto quartz and kaolinite substrates has been studied as a function of pH and NaCl concentration. Goethite adsorption was measured quantitatively by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicate that adsorption onto both substrates is due primarily to coulombic forces; however, the pH dependence of adsorption is very different for the...
Authors
M. C. Goldberg, Eugene R. Weiner, P. M. Boymel

The role of bacterial exopolymer and suspended bacteria in the nutrition of the deposit-feeding clam, Macoma balthica The role of bacterial exopolymer and suspended bacteria in the nutrition of the deposit-feeding clam, Macoma balthica

Significant removal and assimilation of suspended bacteria by M. balthica was observed within two days, although the low clearance rates suggested planktonic bacteria may not be among its major food sources.
Authors
R.W. Harvey, Samuel N. Luoma

Interactions of solutes and streambed sediment: 1. An experimental analysis of cation and anion transport in a mountain stream Interactions of solutes and streambed sediment: 1. An experimental analysis of cation and anion transport in a mountain stream

An experimental injection was performed to study the transport of stream water solutes under conditions of significant interaction with streambed sediments in a mountain pool-and-riffle stream. Experiments were conducted in Little Lost Man Creek, Humboldt County, California, in a period of low flow duringwhich only a part of the bank-full channel held active surface flow. The injection...
Authors
Kenneth E. Bencala, Vance C. Kennedy, Gary W. Zellweger, Alan P. Jackman, Ronald J. Avanzino

Stable isotope geochemistry of acid mine drainage: Experimental oxidation of pyrite Stable isotope geochemistry of acid mine drainage: Experimental oxidation of pyrite

Sulfate and water from experiments in which pyrite was oxidized at a pH of 2.0 were analyzed for sulfur and oxygen stable isotopes. Experiments were conducted under both aerobic and anaerobic sterile conditions, as well as under aerobic conditions in the presence of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, to elucidate the pathways of oxidation. Oxygen isotope fractionation between SO2-4 and H2O...
Authors
B.E. Taylor, M.C. Wheeler, D. Kirk Nordstrom

The ecological effect of acid conditions and precipitation of hydrous metal oxides in a Rocky Mountain stream The ecological effect of acid conditions and precipitation of hydrous metal oxides in a Rocky Mountain stream

Periphyton and benthic invertebrates assemblages were studied at the confluence of two Rocky Mountain streams, Deer Creek and the Snake River near Montezuma, Colorado. Upstream from the confluence the Snake River is acidic and enriched in dissolved trace metals, while Deer Creek is a typical Rocky Mountain stream. In the Snake River, downstream from the confluence, the pH increases and...
Authors
Diane M. McKnight, G. L. Feder

The impact of uncertainties in hydrologic measurement on phosphorus budgets and empirical models for two Colorado reservoirs. The impact of uncertainties in hydrologic measurement on phosphorus budgets and empirical models for two Colorado reservoirs.

Water budgets and related chemical budgets of aquatic ecosystems commonly are interpreted without reference to uncertainties resulting from errors of measurement. The importance of such uncertainties in the use and interpretation of the phosphorus budgets of two Colorado reservoirs was determined.
Authors
James W. LaBaugh, T. C. Winter
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