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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: 4095

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: 2008 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: 2008

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
Daniel J. Cain, Janet K. Thompson, Jessica Dyke, Francis Parcheso, Samuel N. Luoma, Michelle I. Hornberger

Mercury, methylmercury, and other constituents in sediment and water from seasonal and permanent wetlands in the Cache Creek settling basin and Yolo Bypass, Yolo County, California, 2005-06 Mercury, methylmercury, and other constituents in sediment and water from seasonal and permanent wetlands in the Cache Creek settling basin and Yolo Bypass, Yolo County, California, 2005-06

This report presents surface water and surface (top 0-2 cm) sediment geochemical data collected during 2005-2006, as part of a larger study of mercury (Hg) dynamics in seasonal and permanently flooded wetland habitats within the lower Sacramento River basin, Yolo County, California. The study was conducted in two phases. Phase I represented reconnaissance sampling and included three...
Authors
Mark Marvin-DiPasquale, Charles N. Alpers, Jacob A. Fleck

Polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, furans, and organochlorine pesticides in belted kingfisher eggs from the upper Hudson River basin, New York, USA Polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, furans, and organochlorine pesticides in belted kingfisher eggs from the upper Hudson River basin, New York, USA

Nesting belted kingfishers (hereafter kingfishers, Ceryle alcyon) were studied on the Hudson River near Fort Edward south to New Baltimore (NY, USA) and three nearby river drainages in 2004. Concentrations of 28 organochlorine pesticides, 160 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, and 17 dioxin and furan (PCDD‐F) congeners were quantified in kingfisher eggs. The pattern of...
Authors
Thomas W. Custer, Christine M. Custer, Brian R. Gray

Determination of glyphosate, its degradation product aminomethylphosphonic acid, and glufosinate, in water by isotope dilution and online solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry Determination of glyphosate, its degradation product aminomethylphosphonic acid, and glufosinate, in water by isotope dilution and online solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

The U.S. Geological Survey method (0-2141-09) presented is approved for the determination of glyphosate, its degradation product aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and glufosinate in water. It was was validated to demonstrate the method detection levels (MDL), compare isotope dilution to standard addition, and evaluate method and compound stability. The original method USGS analytical...
Authors
Michael T. Meyer, Keith A. Loftin, Edward A. Lee, Gary H. Hinshaw, Julie E. Dietze, Elisabeth A. Scribner

Benthic oxygen demand in three former salt ponds adjacent to south San Francisco Bay, California Benthic oxygen demand in three former salt ponds adjacent to south San Francisco Bay, California

Sampling trips were coordinated in the second half of 2008 to examine the interstitial water in the sediment and the overlying bottom waters of three shallow (average depth 2 meters). The water column at all deployment sites was monitored with dataloggers for ancillary water-quality parameters (including dissolved oxygen, salinity, specific conductance, temperature, and pH) to facilitate...
Authors
Brent R. Topping, James S. Kuwabara, Nicole D. Athearn, John Y. Takekawa, Francis Parcheso, Kathleen D. Henderson, Sara Piotter

Geochemical investigation of the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer, South-Central Oklahoma, 2004-06 Geochemical investigation of the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer, South-Central Oklahoma, 2004-06

A geochemical reconnaissance investigation of the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer in south-central Oklahoma was initiated in 2004 to characterize the ground-water quality at an aquifer scale, to describe the chemical evolution of ground water as it flows from recharge areas to discharge in wells and springs, and to determine the residence time of ground water in the aquifer. Thirty-six water...
Authors
Scott Christenson, Andrew G. Hunt, David L. Parkhurst

Emerging opportunities in management of selenium contamination Emerging opportunities in management of selenium contamination

The metalloid selenium (Se) has the diverse reactivity characteristic of the chalcogens in addition to organometallic behavior. Laboratory measurements indicate that Se is an acute reproductive toxicant, which makes it a concern for the environment. Yet to date, a lack of understanding on how Se species distribute through food webs—bioaccumulation not seeming to conform to dissolved...
Authors
Samuel N. Luoma, Theresa S. Presser

Methods of analysis: Determination of pyrethroid insecticides in water and sediment using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry Methods of analysis: Determination of pyrethroid insecticides in water and sediment using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A method for the determination of 14 pyrethroid insecticides in environmental water and sediment samples is described. The method was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in response to increasing concern over the effects of pyrethroids on aquatic organisms. The pyrethroids included in this method are ones that are applied to many agricultural and urban areas. Filtered water samples...
Authors
Michelle Hladik, Kelly L. Smalling, Kathryn Kuivila

Reconnaissance of pharmaceutical chemicals in urban streams of the Tualatin River Basin, Oregon, 2002 Reconnaissance of pharmaceutical chemicals in urban streams of the Tualatin River Basin, Oregon, 2002

A reconnaissance of pharmaceutical chemicals in urban streams of the Tualatin River basin was conducted in July 2002 in an effort to better understand the occurrence and distribution of such compounds, and to determine whether they might be useful indicators of human-related stream contamination. Of the 21 pharmaceutical chemicals and metabolites tested, only 6 (acetaminophen, caffeine
Authors
Stewart A. Rounds, Micelis C. Doyle, Patrick M. Edwards, Edward T. Furlong

Data on mercury in water, bed sediment, and fish from streams across the United States, 1998-2005 Data on mercury in water, bed sediment, and fish from streams across the United States, 1998-2005

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) and Toxic Substances Hydrology Programs conducted the National Mercury Pilot Study in 1998 to examine relations of mercury (Hg) in water, bed sediment and fish in streams across the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Water and bed-sediment samples were analyzed for total Hg (THg), methylmercury (MeHg)...
Authors
Nancy J. Bauch, Lia C. Chasar, Barbara C. Scudder, Patrick W. Moran, Kerie J. Hitt, Mark E. Brigham, Michelle A. Lutz, Dennis A. Wentz

Mercury in fish, bed sediment, and water from streams across the United States, 1998-2005 Mercury in fish, bed sediment, and water from streams across the United States, 1998-2005

Mercury (Hg) was examined in top-predator fish, bed sediment, and water from streams that spanned regional and national gradients of Hg source strength and other factors thought to influence methylmercury (MeHg) bioaccumulation. Sampled settings include stream basins that were agricultural, urbanized, undeveloped (forested, grassland, shrubland, and wetland land cover), and mined (for...
Authors
Barbara C. Scudder, Lia C. Chasar, Dennis A. Wentz, Nancy J. Bauch, Mark E. Brigham, Patrick W. Moran, David P. Krabbenhoft

Boundary of the Eagle River watershed valley-fill aquifer, Eagle County, north-central Colorado, 2006-2007 Boundary of the Eagle River watershed valley-fill aquifer, Eagle County, north-central Colorado, 2006-2007

This vector data set delineates the approximate boundary of the Eagle River watershed valley-fill aquifer (ERWVFA). This data set was developed by a cooperative project between the U.S. Geological Survey, Eagle County, the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District, the Town of Eagle, the Town of Gypsum, and the Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority. This project was designed to evaluate...
Authors
Michael G. Rupert, Niel Plummer
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