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: 4095
Sediment contamination of residential streams in the metropolitan Kansas City area, USA: Part II. whole-sediment toxicity to the amphipod hyalella azteca Sediment contamination of residential streams in the metropolitan Kansas City area, USA: Part II. whole-sediment toxicity to the amphipod hyalella azteca
This is the second part of a study that evaluates the influence of nonpoint sources on the sediment quality of five adjacent streams within the metropolitan Kansas City area, central United States. Physical, chemical, and toxicity data (Hyalella azteca 28-day whole-sediment toxicity test) for 29 samples collected in 2003 were used for this evaluation, and the potential causes for the...
Authors
J. Tao, Christopher G. Ingersoll, Nile E. Kemble, J.R. Dias, J.B. Murowchick, G. Welker, D. Huggins
Contaminants of emerging concern: Introduction to a featured collection Contaminants of emerging concern: Introduction to a featured collection
No abstract available.
Authors
William A. Battaglin, Dana W. Kolpin
Hydrodynamic control of phytoplankton loss to the benthos in an estuarine environment Hydrodynamic control of phytoplankton loss to the benthos in an estuarine environment
Field experiments were undertaken to measure the influence of hydrodynamics on the removal of phytoplankton by benthic grazers in Suisun Slough, North San Francisco Bay. Chlorophyll a concentration boundary layers were found over beds inhabited by the active suspension feeders Corbula amurensis and Corophium alienense and the passive suspension feeders Marenzellaria viridis and Laonome...
Authors
Nicole L. Jones, Janet K. Thompson, Kevin R. Arrigo, Stephen G. Monismith
How electron flow controls contaminant dynamics How electron flow controls contaminant dynamics
No abstract available.
Authors
Thomas Borch, Kate M. Campbell, Ruben Kretzschmar
Aquifer chemistry and transport processes in the zone of contribution to a public-supply well in Woodbury, Connecticut, 2002-06 Aquifer chemistry and transport processes in the zone of contribution to a public-supply well in Woodbury, Connecticut, 2002-06
A glacial aquifer system in Woodbury, Connecticut, was studied to identify factors that affect the groundwater quality in the zone of contribution to a community public-supply well. Water samples were collected during 2002-06 from the public-supply well and from 35 monitoring wells in glacial stratified deposits, glacial till, and fractured bedrock. The glacial aquifer is vulnerable to
Authors
Craig J. Brown, J. Jeffrey Starn, Kenneth G. Stollenwerk, Remo A. Mondazzi, Thomas J. Trombley
Author's response to "If poultry's to blame, Where's the proof?" Author's response to "If poultry's to blame, Where's the proof?"
No abstract available.
Authors
J.L. Ripley, C. Foran, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Vicki S. Blazer
Antidepressants at environmentally relevant concentrations affect predator avoidance behavior of larval fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Antidepressants at environmentally relevant concentrations affect predator avoidance behavior of larval fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas).
The effects of embryonic and larval exposure to environmentally relevant (ng/L) concentrations of common antidepressants, fluoxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine, and bupropion (singularly and in mixture) on C-start escape behavior were evaluated in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Embryos (postfertilization until hatching) were exposed for 5 d and, after hatching, were allowed to grow...
Authors
Edward T. Furlong, Larry B. Barber, Meghan R. McGee, Megan A. Buerkley, Matthew L. Julius, Alan M. Vajda, Heiko L. Schoenfuss, Melissa M. Schultz, David O. Norris
Tritium concentrations in environmental samples and transpiration rates from the vicinity of Mary's Branch Creek and background areas, Barnwell, South Carolina, 2007-2009 Tritium concentrations in environmental samples and transpiration rates from the vicinity of Mary's Branch Creek and background areas, Barnwell, South Carolina, 2007-2009
Tritium in groundwater from a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility near Barnwell, South Carolina, is discharging to Mary's Branch Creek. The U.S. Geological Survey conducted an investigation from 2007 to 2009 to examine the tritium concentration in trees and air samples near the creek and in background areas, in groundwater near the creek, and in surface water from the creek...
Authors
Don A. Vroblesky, Judy L. Canova, Paul M. Bradley, James Landmeyer
Assessment of contaminant exposure and effects on ospreys nesting along the Lower Duwamish River, Washington, 2006-07 Assessment of contaminant exposure and effects on ospreys nesting along the Lower Duwamish River, Washington, 2006-07
We evaluated the effects of contaminants on osprey (Pandion haliaetus) nesting along the lower Duwamish River (LDR), Washington, and used the upper reach of the Willamette River (WR), Oregon, as a reference site. Osprey eggs and nestling blood (plasma) were collected at nests along the LDR (11 eggs, 7 plasmas) and WR (10 eggs, 6 plasmas) in 2006-07 and analyzed for contaminants...
Authors
Branden L. Johnson, Charles J. Henny, James L. Kaiser, Jay W. Davis, Edmund P. Schulz
Sources and distribution of organic compounds using passive samplers in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada and Arizona, and their implications for potential effects on aquatic biota. Sources and distribution of organic compounds using passive samplers in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada and Arizona, and their implications for potential effects on aquatic biota.
Th e delineation of lateral and vertical gradients of organic contaminants in lakes is hampered by low concentrations and nondetection of many organic compounds in water. Passive samplers (semipermeable membrane devices [SPMDs] and polar organic chemical integrative samplers [POCIS]) are well suited for assessing gradients because they can detect synthetic organic compounds (SOCs) at pg...
Authors
Michael R. Rosen, David A. Alvarez, Steven L. Goodbred, Thomas J. Leiker, Reynaldo Patino
Total selenium in irrigation drain inflows to the Salton Sea, California, April 2009 Total selenium in irrigation drain inflows to the Salton Sea, California, April 2009
This report presents the results for the final sampling period (April 2009) of a 4-year monitoring program to characterize selenium concentrations in selected irrigation drains flowing into the Salton Sea, California. Total selenium and total suspended solids were determined in water samples. Total selenium, percent total organic carbon, and particle size were determined in sediments...
Authors
Thomas W. May, Michael J. Walther, Michael K. Saiki, William G. Brumbaugh
Water-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data (October 2007 through September 2008) and statistical summaries of long-term data for streams in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana Water-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data (October 2007 through September 2008) and statistical summaries of long-term data for streams in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana
Water, bed sediment, and biota were sampled in streams from Butte to near Missoula as part of a long-term monitoring program in the upper Clark Fork basin; additional water samples were collected in the Clark Fork basin from sites near Missoula downstream to near the confluence of the Clark Fork and Flathead River as part of a supplemental sampling program. The sampling programs were...
Authors
Kent A. Dodge, Michelle I. Hornberger, Jessica Dyke