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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

Aquifer susceptibility in Virginia, 1998-2000 Aquifer susceptibility in Virginia, 1998-2000

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Health, sampled water from 171 wells and springs across the Commonwealth of Virginia between 1998 and 2000 as part of the Virginia Aquifer Susceptibility study. Most of the sites sampled are public water supplies that are part of the comprehensive Source Water Assessment Program for the Commonwealth. The...
Authors
David L. Nelms, George E. Harlow, Niel Plummer, Eurybiades Busenberg

Kinetic dissolution of carbonates and Mn oxides in acidic water: Measurement of in situ field rates and reactive transport modeling Kinetic dissolution of carbonates and Mn oxides in acidic water: Measurement of in situ field rates and reactive transport modeling

The kinetics of carbonate and Mn oxide dissolution under acidic conditions were examined through the in situ exposure of pure phase samples to acidic ground water in Pinal Creek Basin, Arizona. The average long-term calculated in situ dissolution rates for calcite and dolomite were 1.65??10-7 and 3.64??10-10 mmol/(cm2 s), respectively, which were about 3 orders of magnitude slower than...
Authors
J. G. Brown, P. D. Glynn

Comparison of heat and bromide as ground-water tracers near streams Comparison of heat and bromide as ground-water tracers near streams

Heat and bromide were compared as tracers for examining stream/ground water exchanges along the middle reaches of the Santa Clara River, California, during a 10-hour surface water sodium bromide injection test. Three cross sections that comprise six shallow (
Authors
J. Constantz, M.H. Cox, G.W. Su

Stable isotope fractionation of selenium by natural microbial consortia Stable isotope fractionation of selenium by natural microbial consortia

The mobility and bioavailability of Se depend on its redox state, and reduction of Se oxyanions to less mobile, reduced species controls transport of this potentially toxic element in the environment. Stable isotope fractionation of Se is currently being developed as an indicator of Se immobilization through reduction. In this study, Se isotope fractionation resulting from reduction of...
Authors
A.S. Ellis, T.M. Johnson, M.J. Herbel, T.D. Bullen

Mass spectrometric identification of an azobenzene derivative produced by smectite-catalyzed conversion of 3-amino-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid Mass spectrometric identification of an azobenzene derivative produced by smectite-catalyzed conversion of 3-amino-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid

The compound 3-amino-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid (3-amino-HPAA) reacts with smectite to form a soluble azobenzene arsonic acid compound. This reaction is of particular interest because it provides a possible mechanism for the formation of a new type of arsenic compound in natural water systems. 3-Amino-HPAA is a degradation product excreted by chickens that are fed rations amended with...
Authors
Robert L. Wershaw, David W. Rutherford, Colleen E. Rostad, John R. Garbarino, I. Ferrer, K. R. Kennedy, G.-M. Momplaisir, A. Grange

Arsenic speciation and reactivity in poultry litter Arsenic speciation and reactivity in poultry litter

Recent U.S. government action to lower the maximum concentration levels (MCL) of total arsenic (As) (10 ppb) in drinking water has raised serious concerns about the agricultural use of As-containing biosolids such as poultry litter (PL). In this study, solid-state chemical speciation, desorbability, and total levels of As in PL and long-term amended soils were investigated using novel...
Authors
Y. Arai, A. Lanzirotti, S. Sutton, J.A. Davis, D.L. Sparks

Estimation of hectare-scale soil-moisture characteristics from aquifer-test data Estimation of hectare-scale soil-moisture characteristics from aquifer-test data

Analysis of a 72-h, constant-rate aquifer test conducted in a coarse-grained and highly permeable, glacial outwash deposit on Cape Cod, Massachusetts revealed that drawdowns measured in 20 piezometers located at various depths below the water table and distances from the pumped well were significantly influenced by effects of drainage from the vadose zone. The influence was greatest in...
Authors
A.F. Moench

Simplified method for detecting tritium contamination in plants and soil Simplified method for detecting tritium contamination in plants and soil

Cost-effective methods are needed to identify the presence and distribution of tritium near radioactive waste disposal and other contaminated sites. The objectives of this study were to (i) develop a simplified sample preparation method for determining tritium contamination in plants and (ii) determine if plant data could be used as an indicator of soil contamination. The method entailed
Authors
Brian J. Andraski, Mark W. Sandstrom, R. L. Michel, J.C. Radyk, David A. Stonestrom, M. J. Johnson, C.J. Mayers

Characterization of lake water and ground water movement in the littoral zone of Williams Lake, a closed-basin lake in North central Minnesota Characterization of lake water and ground water movement in the littoral zone of Williams Lake, a closed-basin lake in North central Minnesota

Williams Lake, Minnesota is a closed‐basin lake that is a flow‐through system with respect to ground water. Ground‐water input represents half of the annual water input and most of the chemical input to the lake. Chemical budgets indicate that the lake is a sink for calcium, yet surficial sediments contain little calcium carbonate. Sediment pore‐water samplers (peepers) were used to...
Authors
P. F. Schuster, M.M. Reddy, J. W. LaBaugh, R.S. Parkhurst, D.O. Rosenberry, T. C. Winter, Ronald C. Antweiler, W.E. Dean
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