Publications
Dive into our publications and explore the science from the Environmental Health Program (Toxic Substances Hydrology and Contaminant Biology).
Filter Total Items: 4097
Characterization and diagenesis of strong-acid carboxyl groups in humic substances Characterization and diagenesis of strong-acid carboxyl groups in humic substances
A small fraction of carboxylic acid functional groups in humic substances are exceptionally acidic with pKa values as low as 0.5. A review of acid-group theory eliminated most models and explanations for these exceptionally acidic carboxyl groups. These acidic carboxyl groups in Suwannee River fulvic acid were enriched by a 2-stage fractionation process and the fractions were...
Authors
J.A. Leenheer, R.L. Wershaw, G.K. Brown, M.M. Reddy
The fate of wastewater-derived nitrate in the subsurface of the Florida Keys: Key Colony Beach, Florida The fate of wastewater-derived nitrate in the subsurface of the Florida Keys: Key Colony Beach, Florida
Shallow injection is the predominant mode of wastewater disposal for most tourist-oriented facilities and some residential communities in the US Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Concern has been expressed that wastewater nutrients may be escaping from the saline groundwater system into canals and surrounding coastal waters and perhaps to the reef tract 10 km offshore, promoting...
Authors
E.M. Griggs, L.R. Kump, J.K. Böhlke
Bioreactors for removing methyl bromide following contained fumigations Bioreactors for removing methyl bromide following contained fumigations
Use of methyl bromide (MeBr) as a quarantine, commodity, or structural fumigant is under scrutiny because its release to the atmosphere contributes to the depletion of stratospheric ozone. A closed-system bioreactor consisting of 0.5 L of a growing culture of a previously described bacterium, strain IMB-1, removed MeBr (>110 μmol L-1) from recirculating air. Strain IMB-1 grew slowly to...
Authors
Laurence G. Miller, Shaun Baesman, Ronald S. Oremland
Characterization and copper binding of humic and nonhumic organic matter isolated from the South Platte River: Evidence for the presence of nitrogenous binding site Characterization and copper binding of humic and nonhumic organic matter isolated from the South Platte River: Evidence for the presence of nitrogenous binding site
Humic substances typically constitute 40−60% of the dissolved organic matter (DOM) in surface waters. However, little information is available regarding the metal binding properties of the nonhumic hydrophilic portion of the DOM. In this study, humic and nonhumic DOM samples were isolated from the South Platte River (Colorado, DOC = 2.6 mg·L-1, SUVA254 = 2.4 L/mg·m) using a two-column...
Authors
J.-P. Croue, M.F. Benedetti, D. Violleau, J.A. Leenheer
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
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
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