Publications
Dive into our publications and explore the science from the Environmental Health Program (Toxic Substances Hydrology and Contaminant Biology).
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Hillslope hydrologic connectivity controls riparian groundwater turnover: Implications of catchment structure for riparian buffering and stream water sources Hillslope hydrologic connectivity controls riparian groundwater turnover: Implications of catchment structure for riparian buffering and stream water sources
Hydrologic connectivity between catchment upland and near stream areas is essential for the transmission of water, solutes, and nutrients to streams. However, our current understanding of the role of riparian zones in mediating landscape hydrologic connectivity and the catchment scale export of water and solutes is limited. We tested the relationship between the duration of hillslope...
Authors
Kelsey G. Jencso, Brian L. McGlynn, Michael N. Gooseff, Kenneth E. Bencala, Steven M. Wondzell
Occurrence of antibiotic compounds in source water and finished drinking water from the upper Scioto River Basin, Ohio, 2005-6 Occurrence of antibiotic compounds in source water and finished drinking water from the upper Scioto River Basin, Ohio, 2005-6
The occurrence of antibiotics in surface water and groundwater in urban basins has become a topic of increasing interest in recent years. Little is known about the occurrence, fate, or transport of these compounds and the possible health effects in humans and aquatic life. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Columbus, Division of Power and Water, did a study to...
Authors
Dennis P. Finnegan, Laura A. Simonson, Michael T. Meyer
Effects of light and nutrients on seasonal phytoplankton succession in a temperate eutrophic coastal lagoon Effects of light and nutrients on seasonal phytoplankton succession in a temperate eutrophic coastal lagoon
Rodeo Lagoon, a low-salinity coastal lagoon in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, California, United States, has been identified as an important ecosystem due to the presence of the endangered goby (Eucyclogobius newberri). Despite low anthropogenic impacts, the lagoon exhibits eutrophic conditions and supports annual episodes of very high phytoplankton biomass. Weekly assessments...
Authors
Jeana L. Drake, Edward J. Carpenter, Mary Cousins, Kara L. Nelson, Alejandro Guido-Zarate, Keith A. Loftin
Endocrine active chemicals and endocrine disruption in Minnesota streams and lakes: Implications for aquatic resources, 1994-2008 Endocrine active chemicals and endocrine disruption in Minnesota streams and lakes: Implications for aquatic resources, 1994-2008
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with St. Cloud State University, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, and the University of Minnesota, has conducted field monitoring studies and laboratory research to determine the presence of endocrine active chemicals and...
Authors
Kathy Lee, Heiko L. Schoenfuss, Larry B. Barber, Jeff H. Writer, Vicki Blazer, Richard L. Keisling, Mark L. Ferrey
Near-field receiving water monitoring of trace metals and a benthic community near the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant in South San Francisco Bay, California; 2009 Near-field receiving water monitoring of trace metals and a benthic community near the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant in South San Francisco Bay, California; 2009
Results reported herein include trace element concentrations in sediment and in the clam Macoma petalum (formerly reported as Macoma balthica(Cohen and Carlton, 1995)), clam reproductive activity, and benthic macroinvertebrate community structure for a mudflat one kilometer south of the discharge of the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant (PARWQCP) in South San Francisco Bay...
Authors
Jessica Dyke, Janet K. Parchaso, Janet K. Thompson, Daniel J. Cain, Samuel N. Luoma, Michelle I. Hornberger
News and views News and views
No abstract available.
Authors
Vicki Kretsinger Grabert, Dawn Samara Kaback, Beth L. Parker, Steven W. Chapman, John A. Cherry, Francis H. Chapelle, Michael A. Singletary, Murray D. Einarson, Douglas M. Mackay, Peter J. Bennett
Combined use of frequency-domain electromagnetic and electrical resistivity surveys to delineate near-lake groundwater flow in the semi-arid Nebraska Sand Hills, USA Combined use of frequency-domain electromagnetic and electrical resistivity surveys to delineate near-lake groundwater flow in the semi-arid Nebraska Sand Hills, USA
A frequency-domain electromagnetic (FDEM) survey can be used to select locations for the more quantitative and labor-intensive electrical resistivity surveys. The FDEM survey rapidly characterized the groundwater-flow directions and configured the saline plumes caused by evaporation from several groundwater-dominated lakes in the Nebraska Sand Hills, USA. The FDEM instrument was mounted...
Authors
John B. Ong, John W. Lane, Vitaly A. Zlotnik, Todd Halihan, Eric A. White
Decision analysis framing study: In-valley drainage management strategies for the western San Joaquin Valley, California Decision analysis framing study: In-valley drainage management strategies for the western San Joaquin Valley, California
Constraints on drainage management in the western San Joaquin Valley and implications of proposed approaches to management were recently evaluated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS found that a significant amount of data for relevant technical issues was available and that a structured, analytical decision support tool could help optimize combinations of specific in-valley...
Authors
Theresa S. Presser, Karen E. Jenni, Timothy Nieman, James Coleman
In-situ arsenic remediation in Carson Valley, Douglas County, west-central Nevada In-situ arsenic remediation in Carson Valley, Douglas County, west-central Nevada
Conventional arsenic remediation strategies primarily involve above-ground treatment that include costs involved in the disposal of sludge material. The primary advantages of in-situ remediation are that building and maintaining a large treatment facility are not necessary and that costs associated with the disposal of sludge are eliminated. A two-phase study was implemented to address...
Authors
Angela P. Paul, Douglas K. Maurer, Kenneth G. Stollenwerk, Alan H. Welch
Use of semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) in petroleum polluted waters Use of semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) in petroleum polluted waters
Passive samplers, in particular semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs), can be used in monitoring petroleum spills. This document is intended to provide a brief discussion of issues surrounding the use and capabilities of the SPMD.
Authors
David A. Alvarez
Coupled arsenotrophy in a hot spring photosynthetic biofilm at Mono Lake, California Coupled arsenotrophy in a hot spring photosynthetic biofilm at Mono Lake, California
Red-pigmented biofilms grow on rock and cobble surfaces present in anoxic hot springs located on Paoha Island in Mono Lake. The bacterial community was dominated (∼ 85% of 16S rRNA gene clones) by sequences from the photosynthetic Ectothiorhodospiragenus. Scraped biofilm materials incubated under anoxic conditions rapidly oxidized As(III) to As(V) in the light via anoxygenic...
Authors
Shelley E. Hoeft, Thomas R. Kulp, Sukkyun Han, Brian Lanoil, Ronald S. Oremland
Pharmaceutical formulation facilities as sources of opioids and other pharmaceuticals to wastewater treatment plant effluents Pharmaceutical formulation facilities as sources of opioids and other pharmaceuticals to wastewater treatment plant effluents
Facilities involved in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products are an under-investigated source of pharmaceuticals to the environment. Between 2004 and 2009, 35 to 38 effluent samples were collected from each of three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in New York and analyzed for seven pharmaceuticals including opioids and muscle relaxants. Two WWTPs (NY2 and NY3) receive...
Authors
Patrick J. Phillips, Steven G. Smith, Dana W. Kolpin, Brooke W. Stinson, Steven D. Zaugg, Herbert T. Buxton, Edward T. Furlong, Kathleen Esposito