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: 4097
Enhanced reproduction in mallards fed a low level of methylmercury: An apparent case of hormesis Enhanced reproduction in mallards fed a low level of methylmercury: An apparent case of hormesis
Breeding pairs of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) were fed a control diet or a diet containing 0.5 µg/g mercury (Hg) in the form of methylmercury chloride. There were no effects of Hg on adult weights and no overt signs of Hg poisoning in adults. The Hg‐containing diet had no effect on fertility of eggs, but hatching success of eggs was significantly higher for females fed 0.5 µg/g Hg (71...
Authors
Gary H. Heinz, D. J. Hoffman, Jon D. Klimstra, Katherine R. Stebbins
Effects of altered groundwater chemistry upon the pH-dependency and magnitude of bacterial attachment during transport within an organically contaminated sandy aquifer Effects of altered groundwater chemistry upon the pH-dependency and magnitude of bacterial attachment during transport within an organically contaminated sandy aquifer
The effects of a dilute (ionic strength = 5 × 10−3 M) plume of treated sewage, with elevated levels (3.9 mg/L) of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), upon the pH-dependency and magnitude of bacterial transport through an iron-laden, quartz sand aquifer (Cape Cod, MA) were evaluated using sets of replicate, static minicolumns. Compared with uncontaminated groundwater, the plume chemistry...
Authors
Ronald W. Harvey, David W. Metge, Larry B. Barber, George R. Aiken
Comparison of transport and attachment behaviors of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and oocyst-sized microspheres being advected through three minerologically different granular porous media Comparison of transport and attachment behaviors of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and oocyst-sized microspheres being advected through three minerologically different granular porous media
In order to gain more information about the fate of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in tropical volcanic soils, the transport and attachment behaviors of oocysts and oocyst-sized polystyrene microspheres were studied in the presence of two soils. These soils were chosen because of their differing chemical and physical properties, i.e., an organic-rich (43–46% by mass) volcanic ash-derived...
Authors
Arvind Mohanram, Chittaranjan Ray, Ronald W. Harvey, David W. Metge, Joseph N. Ryan, Jon Chorover, D. D. Eberl
A shallow subsurface controlled release facility in Bozeman, Montana, USA, for testing near surface CO2 detection techniques and transport models A shallow subsurface controlled release facility in Bozeman, Montana, USA, for testing near surface CO2 detection techniques and transport models
A controlled field pilot has been developed in Bozeman, Montana, USA, to study near surface CO2 transport and detection technologies. A slotted horizontal well divided into six zones was installed in the shallow subsurface. The scale and CO2 release rates were chosen to be relevant to developing monitoring strategies for geological carbon storage. The field site was characterized before...
Authors
L.H. Spangler, L.M. Dobeck, K.S. Repasky, A.R. Nehrir, S.D. Humphries, C.J. Keith, J.A. Shaw, J.H. Rouse, A.B. Cunningham, S.M. Benson, C.M. Oldenburg, J.L. Lewicki, A.W. Wells, J.R. Diehl, B.R. Strazisar, J.E. Fessenden, T.A. Rahn, J.E. Amonette, J.L. Barr, W.L. Pickles, J.D. Jacobson, E. A. Silver, E.J. Male, H.W. Rauch, K.S. Gullickson, R. Trautz, Yousif K. Kharaka, J. Birkholzer, L. Wielopolski
Anthropogenic tracers, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and endocrine disruption in Minnesota lakes Anthropogenic tracers, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and endocrine disruption in Minnesota lakes
Concentrations of endocrine disrupting chemicals and endocrine disruption in fish were determined in 11 lakes across Minnesota that represent a range of trophic conditions and land uses (urban, agricultural, residential, and forested) and in which wastewater treatment plant discharges were absent. Water, sediment, and passive polar organic integrative samplers (POCIS) were analyzed for...
Authors
J.H. Writer, L. B. Barber, G.K. Brown, Howard E. Taylor, R.L. Kiesling, M.L. Ferrey, N.D. Jahns, S.E. Bartell, H.L. Schoenfuss
Predicting mercury concentrations in mallard eggs from mercury in the diet or blood of adult females and from duckling down feathers Predicting mercury concentrations in mallard eggs from mercury in the diet or blood of adult females and from duckling down feathers
Measurements of Hg concentrations in avian eggs can be used to predict possible harm to reproduction, but it is not always possible to sample eggs. When eggs cannot be sampled, some substitute tissue, such as female blood, the diet of the breeding female, or down feathers of hatchlings, must be used. When female mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) were fed diets containing methylmercury...
Authors
Gary H. Heinz, David J. Hoffman, Jon D. Klimstra, Katherine R. Stebbins
Isotope reference materials Isotope reference materials
Measurement of the same isotopically homogeneous sample by any laboratory worldwide should yield the same isotopic composition within analytical uncertainty. International distribution of light element isotopic reference materials by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology enable laboratories to achieve this goal.
Authors
Tyler B. Coplen
A rapid method for the measurement of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), trifluoromethyl sulfur pentafluoride (SF5CF3), and Halon 1211 (CF2ClBr) in hydrologic tracer studies A rapid method for the measurement of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), trifluoromethyl sulfur pentafluoride (SF5CF3), and Halon 1211 (CF2ClBr) in hydrologic tracer studies
A rapid headspace method for the simultaneous laboratory determination of intentionally introduced hydrologic tracers, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), trifluoromethyl sulfur pentafluoride (SF5CF3), Halon 1211 (CF2ClBr), and other halocarbons in water and gases is described. The high sensitivity of the procedure allows for introduction of minimal tracer mass (a few grams) into hydrologic...
Authors
Eurybiades Busenberg, Niel Plummer
Hydrogeologic framework of fractured sedimentary rock, Newark Basin, New Jersey Hydrogeologic framework of fractured sedimentary rock, Newark Basin, New Jersey
The hydrogeologic framework of fractured sedimentary bedrock at the former Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC), Trenton, New Jersey, a trichloroethylene (TCE)-contaminated site in the Newark Basin, is developed using an understanding of the geologic history of the strata, gamma-ray logs, and rock cores. NAWC is the newest field research site established as part of the U.S. Geological Survey...
Authors
Pierre J. Lacombe, William C. Burton
Comparative toxicity of diphacinone to northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and American kestrels (Falco sparverius) Comparative toxicity of diphacinone to northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and American kestrels (Falco sparverius)
The acute oral toxicity of the anticoagulant rodenticide diphacinone was found to be about 20 times greater to American kestrels (LD50=97 mg/kg) than to northern bobwhite (LD50=2,014 mg/kg). Several precise and sensitive clotting assays (prothrombin time, Russell's Viper venom time, thrombin clotting time) were adapted for use in these species, and this combination of assays is...
Authors
Barnett A. Rattner, Katherine E. Horak, Sarah E. Warner, Daniel D. Day, John J. Johnston
Effects of egg order on organic and inorganic element concentrations and egg characteristics in tree swallows, tachycineta bicolor Effects of egg order on organic and inorganic element concentrations and egg characteristics in tree swallows, tachycineta bicolor
The laying order of tree swallow eggs was identified from the Housatonic River, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, USA, and eggs were chemically analyzed individually to document possible effects of laying order on organic contaminant and inorganic element concentrations. Effects of laying order on other parameters such as egg weight, size, and lipid and moisture content also were assessed...
Authors
Christine M. Custer, Brian R. Gray, Thomas W. Custer
Marine electrical resistivity imaging of submarine groundwater discharge: Sensitivity analysis and application in Waquoit Bay, Massachusetts, USA Marine electrical resistivity imaging of submarine groundwater discharge: Sensitivity analysis and application in Waquoit Bay, Massachusetts, USA
Electrical resistivity imaging has been used in coastal settings to characterize fresh submarine groundwater discharge and the position of the freshwater/salt-water interface because of the relation of bulk electrical conductivity to pore-fluid conductivity, which in turn is a function of salinity. Interpretation of tomograms for hydrologic processes is complicated by inversion artifacts
Authors
Rory Henderson, Frederick D. Day-Lewis, Elena Abarca, Charles F. Harvey, Hanan N. Karam, Lanbo Liu, John W. Lane