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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

Dissolved pesticide and organic carbon concentrations detected in surface waters, northern Central Valley, California, 2001-2002 Dissolved pesticide and organic carbon concentrations detected in surface waters, northern Central Valley, California, 2001-2002

Field and laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effects of pesticide mixtures on Chinook salmon under various environmental conditions in surface waters of the northern Central Valley of California. This project was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the University of California. The project focused on understanding the environmental factors...
Authors
James L. Orlando, Lisa A. Jacobson, Kathryn Kuivila

Frequency spectral analysis of GPR data over a crude oil spill Frequency spectral analysis of GPR data over a crude oil spill

A multi-offset ground penetrating radar (GPR) dataset was acquired by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at a crude oil spill site near Bemidji, Minnesota, USA. The dataset consists of two, parallel profiles, each with 17 transmitter-receiver offsets ranging from 0.60 to 5.15m. One profile was acquired over a known oil pool floating on the water table, and the other profile was acquired...
Authors
B.L. Burton, G.R. Olhoeft, M.H. Powers

Spatial and temporal changes in microbial community structure associated with recharge-influenced chemical gradients in a contaminated aquifer Spatial and temporal changes in microbial community structure associated with recharge-influenced chemical gradients in a contaminated aquifer

In a contaminated water‐table aquifer, we related microbial community structure on aquifer sediments to gradients in 24 geochemical and contaminant variables at five depths, under three recharge conditions. Community amplified ribsosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) using universal 16S rDNA primers and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) using bacterial 16S rDNA primers...
Authors
S.K. Haack, L.R. Fogarty, T.G. West, E.W. Alm, J.T. McGuire, D.T. Long, D.W. Hyndman, L.J. Forney

Inhibition and enhancement of microbial surface colonization: the role of silicate composition Inhibition and enhancement of microbial surface colonization: the role of silicate composition

Classical treatment of cell attachment by models of filtration or coulombic attraction assumes that attachment of cells to mineral surfaces would be controlled by factors such as response to predation, collision efficiency, or coulombic attraction between the charged groups at the mineral and cell surfaces. In the study reported here, the passive model of attachment was investigated...
Authors
Jennifer A. Roberts

Importance of the Vadose Zone in analyses of unconfined aquifer tests Importance of the Vadose Zone in analyses of unconfined aquifer tests

Analytical models commonly used to interpret unconfined aquifer tests have been based on upper-boundary (water table) conditions that do not adequately address effects of time-varying drainage from the vadose zone. As a result, measured and simulated drawdown data may not agree and hydraulic parameters may be inaccurately estimated. A 72-hour aquifer test conducted in Cape Cod...
Authors
A.F. Moench

Albert H. Munsell: A sense of color at the interface of art and science Albert H. Munsell: A sense of color at the interface of art and science

The color theory conceived and commercialized by Albert H. Munsell (1858-1918) has become a universal part of the lexicon of soil science. An American painter noted for his seascapes and portraits, he had a long-standing interest in the description of color. Munsell began studies aimed at standardizing color description, using hue, value, and chroma scales, around 1898. His landmark...
Authors
E. R. Landa

Radon (222Rn) in ground water of fractured rocks: A diffusion/ion exchange model Radon (222Rn) in ground water of fractured rocks: A diffusion/ion exchange model

Ground waters from fractured igneous and high‐grade sialic metamorphic rocks frequently have elevated activity of dissolved radon (222Rn). A chemically based model is proposed whereby radium (226Ra) from the decay of uranium (238U) diffuses through the primary porosity of the rock to the water‐transmitting fracture where it is sorbed on weathering products. Sorption of 226Ra on the...
Authors
W.W. Wood, T. F. Kraemer, A. Shapiro

Uranium adsorption on weathered schist - Intercomparison of modeling approaches Uranium adsorption on weathered schist - Intercomparison of modeling approaches

Experimental data for uranium adsorption on a complex weathered rock were simulated by twelve modelling teams from eight countries using surface complexation (SC) models. This intercomparison was part of an international project to evaluate the present capabilities and limitations of SC models in representing sorption by geologic materials. The models were assessed in terms of their...
Authors
T.E. Payne, J.A. Davis, M. Ochs, M. Olin, C.J. Tweed

Degradation of methyl bromide and methyl chloride in soil microcosms: Use of stable C isotope fractionation and stable isotope probing to identify reactions and the responsible microorganisms Degradation of methyl bromide and methyl chloride in soil microcosms: Use of stable C isotope fractionation and stable isotope probing to identify reactions and the responsible microorganisms

Bacteria in soil microcosm experiments oxidized elevated levels of methyl chloride (MeCl) and methyl bromide (MeBr), the former compound more rapidly than the latter. MeBr was also removed by chemical reactions while MeCl was not. Chemical degradation dominated the early removal of MeBr and accounted for more than half of its total loss. Fractionation of stable carbon isotopes during...
Authors
L.G. Miller, K.L. Warner, S.M. Baesman, R.S. Oremland, I.R. McDonald, S. Radajewski, J.C. Murrell

Uptake pathway for Ag bioaccumulation in three benthic invertebrates exposed to contaminated sediments Uptake pathway for Ag bioaccumulation in three benthic invertebrates exposed to contaminated sediments

We exposed 3 benthic invertebrates, the clam Macoma balthica, the polychaete Neanthes arenaceodentataand the amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus, to Ag-contaminated sediments to evaluate the relative importance of various uptake routes (sediments, porewater or overlying water, and supplementary food) for Ag bioaccumulation. Silver bioaccumulation was evaluated at 4 levels of sediment Ag (0...
Authors
H. Yoo, J.-S. Lee, B.-G. Lee, I.T. Lee, C.E. Schlekat, C.-H. Koh, S. N. Luoma

Use of PRD1 bacteriophage in groundwater viral transport, inactivation, and attachment studies Use of PRD1 bacteriophage in groundwater viral transport, inactivation, and attachment studies

PRD1, an icosahedra-shaped, 62 nm (diameter), double-stranded DNA bacteriophage with an internal membrane, has emerged as an important model virus for studying the manner in which microorganisms are transported through a variety of groundwater environments. The popularity of this phage for use in transport studies involving geologic media is due, in part, to its relative stability over a...
Authors
Ronald W. Harvey, Joseph N. Ryan
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