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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: 4093

Requirements for modeling trace metal partitioning in oxidized estuarine sediments Requirements for modeling trace metal partitioning in oxidized estuarine sediments

The fate of particulate-bound metals is of particular importance in estuaries because major biological energy flows involve consumption of detrital particles. The biological impact of particulate-bound metals is strongly influenced by the partitioning of metals among sediment components at the oxidized sediment-water interface. Adequate methods for directly measuring this partitioning...
Authors
Samuel Luoma, J.A. Davis

Adsorption of natural dissolved organic matter at the oxide/water interface Adsorption of natural dissolved organic matter at the oxide/water interface

Natural organic matter is readily adsorbed by alumina and kaolinite in the pH range of natural waters. Adsorption occurs by complex formation between surface hydroxyls and the acidic functional groups of the organic matter. Oxides with relatively acidic surface hydroxyls, e.g. silica, do not react strongly with the organic matter. Under conditions typical for natural waters, almost...
Authors
James A. Davis

Degradation of phenolic contaminants in ground water by anaerobic bacteria: St. Louis Park, Minnesota Degradation of phenolic contaminants in ground water by anaerobic bacteria: St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Coal-tar derivatives from a coal-tar distillation and wood-treating plant that operated from 1918 to 1972 at St. Louis Park, Minnesota contaminated the near-surface ground water. Solutions of phenolic compounds and a water-immiscible mixture of polynuclear aromatic compounds accumulated in wetlands near the plant site and entered the aquifer. The concentration of phenolic compounds in...
Authors
G. Ehrlich, D.F. Goerlitz, E.M. Godsy, M. Hult

Mechanisms for trace metal enrichment at the surface microlayer in an estuarine salt marsh Mechanisms for trace metal enrichment at the surface microlayer in an estuarine salt marsh

The relative contributions of adsorption to particulate surfaces, complexation with surface-active organic ligands and uptake by micro-organisms were evaluated with respect to their importance in the surface microlayer enrichment (‘partitioning’) of Cd, Pb and Cu. The contributions of each process were inferred from field data in which partitioning of the dissolved and particulate forms...
Authors
Leonard Lion

Volatilization of ketones from water Volatilization of ketones from water

The overall mass-transfer coefficients for the volatilization from water of acetone, 2-butanone, 2-pentanone, 3-pentanone, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, 2-heptanone, and 2-octanone were measured simultaneously with the oxygen-absorption coefficient in a laboratory stirred water bath. The liquid-film and gas-film coefficients of the two-film model were determined for the ketones from the overall
Authors
R. Rathbun, D. Tai

On conducting the modified ‘Slug’ test in tight formations On conducting the modified ‘Slug’ test in tight formations

The method introduced by Bredehoeft and Papadopulos (1980) for conducting a modified ‘slug’ test in tight formations does not assure the condition of approximate equilibrium necessary at the start of the test. In addition, compressibility in the shut-in well can be significantly larger than the compressibility of water, which Bredehoeft and Papadopulos indicate should be used in the...
Authors
C.E. Neuzil

Enrichment and association of lead and bacteria at particulate surfaces in a salt-marsh surface layer Enrichment and association of lead and bacteria at particulate surfaces in a salt-marsh surface layer

The particle-laden surface layer (approx 150-370 mu m) and subsurface waters of a South San Francisco Bay salt marsh were sampled over 2 tidal cycles and analyzed for particle numbers and particulate-associated and total concentrations of Pb and bacteria. Laboratory studies examined the ability of a bacterial isolate from the surface layer and a bacterial 'film-former' to sorb Pb at
Authors
R.W. Harvey, Leonard Lion, L.Y. Young, J.O. Leckie

Does the benthos control phytoplankton biomass in South San Francisco Bay? Does the benthos control phytoplankton biomass in South San Francisco Bay?

South San Francisco Bay, USA, is a shallow coastal embayment that receives large inputs of nutrients (N. P, Si) and small local inputs of freshwater. Phytoplankton dynamics are typically characterized by a spring bloom when surface chlorophyll a increases from 5 to > 40 mg m-3. The bloom persists for 2 to 4 wk, and then dissipates. Phytoplankton biomass remains low (chlorophyll a 5 mg m...
Authors
James Cloern

Fate of acetone in water Fate of acetone in water

The physical, chemical, and biological processes that might affect the concentration of acetone in water were investigated in laboratory studies. Processes considered included volatilization, adsorption by sediments, photodecomposition, bacterial degradation, and absorption by algae and molds. It was concluded that volatilization and bacterial degradation were the dominant processes...
Authors
R. Rathbun, D. Stephens, D.J. Shultz

Acid rain, air pollution, and tree growth in southeastern New York Acid rain, air pollution, and tree growth in southeastern New York

Whether dendroecological analyses could be used to detect changes in the relationship of tree growth to climate that might have resulted from chronic exposure to components of the acid rain-air pollution complex was determined. Tree-ring indices of white pine (Pinus strobus L.), eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Cart.), pitch pine (Pinus rigida Mill.), and chestnut oak (Quercus...
Authors
L.J. Puckett

The effect of sulfate on aluminum concentrations in natural waters: some stability relations in the system Al2O3-SO3-H2O at 298 K The effect of sulfate on aluminum concentrations in natural waters: some stability relations in the system Al2O3-SO3-H2O at 298 K

While gibbsite and kaolinite solubilities usually regulate aluminum concentrations in natural waters, the presence of sulfate can dramatically alter these solubilities under acidic conditions, where other, less soluble minerals can control the aqueous geochemistry of aluminum. The likely candidates include alunogen, Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O, alunite, KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6, jurbanite, Al(SO4)(OH) ·...
Authors
D. Nordstrom
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