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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: 4097

Calculation of individual isotope equilibrium constants for geochemical reactions Calculation of individual isotope equilibrium constants for geochemical reactions

Theory is derived from the work of Urey (Urey H. C. [1947] The thermodynamic properties of isotopic substances. J. Chem. Soc. 562–581) to calculate equilibrium constants commonly used in geochemical equilibrium and reaction-transport models for reactions of individual isotopic species. Urey showed that equilibrium constants of isotope exchange reactions for molecules that contain two or...
Authors
D.C. Thorstenson, D.L. Parkhurst

Lateral mixing in the Mississippi River below the confluence with the Ohio River Lateral mixing in the Mississippi River below the confluence with the Ohio River

Lateral dispersion coefficients for two dispersants were determined for three sections of the Mississippi River below the confluence with the Ohio River. The dispersants were the specific conductance and an industrial organic compound (trimethyltriazinetrione). Three models based on the stream tube concept were used, and lateral dispersion coefficients computed from these models were...
Authors
R. E. Rathbun, C.E. Rostad

Testing density-dependent groundwater models: Two-dimensional steady state unstable convection in infinite, finite and inclined porous layers Testing density-dependent groundwater models: Two-dimensional steady state unstable convection in infinite, finite and inclined porous layers

This study proposes the use of several problems of unstable steady state convection with variable fluid density in a porous layer of infinite horizontal extent as two-dimensional (2-D) test cases for density-dependent groundwater flow and solute transport simulators. Unlike existing density-dependent model benchmarks, these problems have well-defined stability criteria that are...
Authors
D. Weatherill, C.T. Simmons, C.I. Voss, N.I. Robinson

Alkaline hydrolysis/polymerization of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene:  Characterization of products by 13C and 15N NMR Alkaline hydrolysis/polymerization of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene:  Characterization of products by 13C and 15N NMR

Alkaline hydrolysis has been investigated as a nonbiological procedure for the destruction of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in explosives contaminated soils and munitions scrap. Nucleophilic substitutions of the nitro and methyl groups of TNT by hydroxide ion are the initial steps in the alkaline degradation of TNT. Potential applications of the technique include both in situ surface...
Authors
Kevin A. Thorn, Philip G. Thorne, Larry G. Cox

Object-based inversion of crosswell radar tomography data to monitor vegetable oil injection experiments Object-based inversion of crosswell radar tomography data to monitor vegetable oil injection experiments

Crosswell radar methods can be used to dynamically image ground-water flow and mass transport associated with tracer tests, hydraulic tests, and natural physical processes, for improved characterization of preferential flow paths and complex aquifer heterogeneity. Unfortunately, because the raypath coverage of the interwell region is limited by the borehole geometry, the tomographic...
Authors
John W. Lane, Frederick D. Day-Lewis, Roelof J. Versteeg, Clifton C. Casey

Reach-scale cation exchange controls on major ion chemistry of an Antarctic glacial meltwater stream Reach-scale cation exchange controls on major ion chemistry of an Antarctic glacial meltwater stream

McMurdo dry valleys of Antarctica represent the largest of the ice-free areas on the Antarctic continent, containing glaciers, meltwater streams, and closed basin lakes. Previous geochemical studies of dry valley streams and lakes have addressed chemical weathering reactions of hyporheic substrate and geochemical evolution of dry valley surface waters. We examine cation transport and...
Authors
Michael N. Gooseff, Diane M. McKnight, Robert L. Runkel

Fate of volatile organic compounds in constructed wastewater treatment wetlands Fate of volatile organic compounds in constructed wastewater treatment wetlands

The fate of volatile organic compounds was evaluated in a wastewater-dependent constructed wetland near Phoenix, AZ, using field measurements and solute transport modeling. Numerically based volatilization rates were determined using inverse modeling techniques and hydraulic parameters established by sodium bromide tracer experiments. Theoretical volatilization rates were calculated from...
Authors
S.H. Keefe, L. B. Barber, R.L. Runkel, J. N. Ryan

Scientific advances provide opportunities to improve pediatric environmental health Scientific advances provide opportunities to improve pediatric environmental health

The health consequences of contaminants in the environment, with respect to the health of children and infants, recently have been dramatically brought to public attention by the motion pictures Erin Brockovich and A Civil Action. These productions focused public attention on the potential link between water contaminants and pediatric health, a continuing subject of public concern. As a
Authors
Michael M. Reddy, Micaela B. Reddy, Carol F. Reddy

Chloroethene biodegradation potential, ADOT/PF Peger Road Maintenance Facility, Fairbanks, Alaska Chloroethene biodegradation potential, ADOT/PF Peger Road Maintenance Facility, Fairbanks, Alaska

A series of 14C-radiotracer-based microcosm experiments were conducted to assess: 1) the extent, rate and products of microbial dechlorination of trichloroethene (TCE), cis-dichloroethene (cis-DCE) and vinyl chloride (VC) in sediments at the Peger Road site; 2) the effect of three electron donor amendments (molasses, shrimp and crab chitin, and 'Hydrogen Release Compound' (HRC)) on...
Authors
Paul M. Bradley, Frances H. Chapelle

Airflows and turbulent flux measurements in mountainous terrain: Part 2: Mesoscale effects Airflows and turbulent flux measurements in mountainous terrain: Part 2: Mesoscale effects

The location of the Niwot Ridge Ameriflux site within the rocky mountains subjects it to airflows which are common in mountainous terrain. In this study, we examine the effects of some of these mesoscale features on local turbulent flux measurements; most notably, the formation of valley/mountain flows and mountain lee-side waves. The valley/mountain flows created local non...
Authors
A.A. Turnipseed, D.E. Anderson, S. Burns, P.D. Blanken, Russell K. Monson

Atmospheric wet deposition of trace elements to a suburban environment, Reston, Virginia, USA Atmospheric wet deposition of trace elements to a suburban environment, Reston, Virginia, USA

Wet deposition from a suburban area in Reston, Virginia was collected during 1998 and analyzed to assess the anion and trace-element concentrations and depositions. Suburban Reston, approximately 26 km west of Washington, DC, is densely populated and heavily developed. Wet deposition was collected bi-weekly in an automated collector using trace-element clean sampling and analytical...
Authors
Kathryn M. Conko, Karen C. Rice, Margaret M. Kennedy
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