Publications
Dive into our publications and explore the science from the Environmental Health Program (Toxic Substances Hydrology and Contaminant Biology).
Filter Total Items: 4097
Transport and cycling of iron and hydrogen peroxide in a freshwater stream: Influence of organic acids Transport and cycling of iron and hydrogen peroxide in a freshwater stream: Influence of organic acids
An in‐stream injection of two dissolved organic acids (phthalic and aspartic acids) was performed in an acidic mountain stream to assess the effects of organic acids on Fe photoreduction and H2O2 cycling. Results indicate that the fate of Fe is dependent on a net balance of oxidative and reductive processes, which can vary over a distance of several meters due to changes in incident...
Authors
Durelle T. Scott, Robert L. Runkel, Diane M. McKnight, Bettina M. Voelker, Briant A. Kimball, Elizabeth R. Carraway
Automated calibration of a stream solute transport model: Implications for interpretation of biogeochemical parameters Automated calibration of a stream solute transport model: Implications for interpretation of biogeochemical parameters
The hydrologic processes of advection, dispersion, and transient storage are the primary physical mechanisms affecting solute transport in streams. The estimation of parameters for a conservative solute transport model is an essential step to characterize transient storage and other physical features that cannot be directly measured, and often is a preliminary step in the study of...
Authors
D.T. Scott, M.N. Gooseff, K.E. Bencala, R.L. Runkel
A new cation-exchange method for accurate field speciation of hexavalent chromium A new cation-exchange method for accurate field speciation of hexavalent chromium
A new cation-exchange method for field speciation of Cr(VI) has been developed to meet present stringent regulatory standards and to overcome the limitations of existing methods. The new method allows measurement of Cr(VI) concentrations as low as 0.05 micrograms per liter, storage of samples for at least several weeks prior to analysis, and use of readily available analytical...
Authors
James W. Ball, R. Blaine McCleskey
Near-field receiving water monitoring of a benthic community near the Palo Alto Water Quality Control Plant in South San Francisco Bay: February 1974 through December 2002 Near-field receiving water monitoring of a benthic community near the Palo Alto Water Quality Control Plant in South San Francisco Bay: February 1974 through December 2002
Analyses of the benthic community structure over a 28-year period show that changes in the community have occurred concurrent with reduced concentrations of metals in the sediment and in the tissues of the biosentinal clam Macoma balthica from the same area. The community has shifted from being dominated by several opportunistic species to a community where the species are more similar...
Authors
Michelle K. Shouse, Francis Parcheso, Janet K. Thompson
Mercury in stream ecosystems -- New studies initiated by the U.S. Geological Survey Mercury in stream ecosystems -- New studies initiated by the U.S. Geological Survey
Mercury can adversely affect humans and wildlife through consumption of contaminated fish, particularly by sensitive individuals, such as children and women of childbearing age. Mercury is currently the leading cause of impairment in the Nation’s estuaries and lakes and was cited in nearly 80 percent of fish-consumption advisories (2,242 of 2,838) reported by states in 2000. The...
Authors
Mark E. Brigham, David P. Krabbenhoft, Pixie A. Hamilton
The Norman Landfill environmental research site: What happens to the waste in landfills? The Norman Landfill environmental research site: What happens to the waste in landfills?
No abstract available.
Authors
Scott C. Christenson, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
Toxic substances in surface waters and sediments: A study to assess the effects of arsenic-contaminated alluvial sediment in Whitewood Creek, South Dakota Toxic substances in surface waters and sediments: A study to assess the effects of arsenic-contaminated alluvial sediment in Whitewood Creek, South Dakota
Field measurements and bioassay experiments were done to investigate the effects of arsenic and phosphorus interactions on sorption of these solutes by the benthic flora (periphyton and submerged macrophytes) in Whitewood Creek, a stream in western South Dakota. Short-term (24-hour) sorption experiments were used to determine arsenic transport characteristics for algae (first-order rate...
Authors
James S. Kuwabara, Christopher C. Fuller
Data from archived chromatograms on halogenated volatile organic compounds in untreated ground water used for drinking water in the United States, 1997-2000 Data from archived chromatograms on halogenated volatile organic compounds in untreated ground water used for drinking water in the United States, 1997-2000
No abstract available.
Authors
Stephanie Dunkle Shapiro, Eurybiades Busenberg, Niel Plummer, Michael J. Focazio
Escherichia coli and enterococci at beaches in the Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan: Sources, characteristics, and environmental pathways Escherichia coli and enterococci at beaches in the Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan: Sources, characteristics, and environmental pathways
This study quantified Escherichia coli(EC) and enterococci (ENT) in beach waters and dominant source materials, correlated these with ambient conditions, and determined selected EC genotypes and ENT phenotypes. Bathing-water ENT criteria were exceeded more frequently than EC criteria, providing conflicting interpretations of water quality. Dominant sources of EC and ENT were bird feces...
Authors
S.K. Haack, L.R. Fogarty, C. Wright
Microbial cycling of mercury in contaminated pelagic and wetland sediments of San Pablo Bay, California Microbial cycling of mercury in contaminated pelagic and wetland sediments of San Pablo Bay, California
San Pablo Bay is an estuary, within northern San Francisco Bay, containing elevated sediment mercury (Hg) levels because of historic loading of hydraulic mining debris during the California gold-rush of the late 1800s. A preliminary investigation of benthic microbial Hg cycling was conducted in surface sediment (0–4 cm) collected from one salt-marsh and three open-water sites. A deeper...
Authors
M. C. Marvin-DiPasquale, J.L. Agee, R. M. Bouse, B. E. Jaffe
Dissolved nickel and benthic flux in South San Francisco Bay: A potential for natural sources to dominate Dissolved nickel and benthic flux in South San Francisco Bay: A potential for natural sources to dominate
No abstract available.
Authors
B.R. Topping, J.S. Kuwabara
Geomorphic and hydrologic assessment of erosion hazards at the Norman municipal landfill, Canadian River floodplain, central Oklahoma Geomorphic and hydrologic assessment of erosion hazards at the Norman municipal landfill, Canadian River floodplain, central Oklahoma
The Norman, Oklahoma, municipal landfill closed in 1985 after 63 years of operation, because it was identified as a point source of hazardous leachate composed of organic and inorganic compounds. The landfill is located on the floodplain of the Canadian River, a sand-bed river characterized by erodible channel boundaries and by large variation in mean monthly discharges. In 1986...
Authors
Jennifer A. Curtis, John W. Whitney