Publications
Dive into our publications and explore the science from the Environmental Health Program (Toxic Substances Hydrology and Contaminant Biology).
GeoHEALTH-USGS Newsletter
GeoHEALTH-USGS Newsletter
The GeoHEALTH–USGS Newsletter—published since 2004—provides information on USGS science activities pertinent to safeguarding the health of fish, wildlife, domesticated animals, and people from environmental exposures to contaminants and pathogens.
Featured Science Activities
Featured Science Activities
Learn about our Featured Science Activities through our pages that highlight studies, publications, and results.
Filter Total Items: 4098
Evaluation of tracer tests completed in 1999 and 2000 on the upper Santa Clara River, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, California Evaluation of tracer tests completed in 1999 and 2000 on the upper Santa Clara River, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, California
The interaction of surface water and hyporheic water along the Santa Clara River in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, California, was evaluated by conducting tracer tests and analyzing water-quality data under different flow conditions in October 1999 and May 2000. Tracer and water-quality samples were collected at multiple river and hyporheic sites as well as at the Los Angeles County...
Authors
Marisa H. Cox, Gregory O. Mendez, Charles R. Kratzer, Eric G. Reichard
Isotope geochemistry and chronology of offshore ground water beneath Indian River Bay, Delaware Isotope geochemistry and chronology of offshore ground water beneath Indian River Bay, Delaware
Results of geophysical surveys in Indian River Bay, Delaware, indicate a complex pattern of salinity variation in subestuarine ground water. Fresh ground-water plumes up to about 20 meters thick extending hundreds of meters offshore are interspersed with saline ground water, with varying degrees of mixing along the salinity boundaries. It is possible that these features represent...
Authors
John Karl Böhlke, David E. Krantz
Methodology for estimating times of remediation associated with monitored natural attenuation Methodology for estimating times of remediation associated with monitored natural attenuation
Natural attenuation processes combine to disperse, immobilize, and biologically transform anthropogenic contaminants, such as petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated ethenes, in ground-water systems. The time required for these processes to lower contaminant concentrations to levels protective of human health and the environment, however, varies widely between different hydrologic systems
Authors
Francis H. Chapelle, Mark A. Widdowson, J. Steven Brauner, Eduardo Mendez, Clifton C. Casey
Environmental impacts of petroleum production--Initial results from the Osage-Skiatook Petroleum Environmental Research Sites, Osage County, Oklahoma Environmental impacts of petroleum production--Initial results from the Osage-Skiatook Petroleum Environmental Research Sites, Osage County, Oklahoma
Exploration for and production of petroleum have caused major detrimental impacts to soils, surface and ground waters, and the local ecosystems in the United States. These impacts arise primarily from the improper disposal of large volumes of saline water produced with oil and gas, from accidental hydrocarbon and produced water releases, and from abandoned oil wells that were not...
Authors
Yousif K. Kharaka, James K. Otton
The geochemical evolution of riparian ground water in a forested piedmont catchment The geochemical evolution of riparian ground water in a forested piedmont catchment
The principal weathering reactions and their rates in riparian ground water were determined at the Panola Mountain Research Watershed (PMRW) near Atlanta, Georgia. Concentrations of major solutes were measured in ground water samples from 19 shallow wells completed in the riparian (saprolite) aquifer and in one borehole completed in granite, and the apparent age of each sample was...
Authors
Douglas A. Burns, Niel Plummer, Jeffrey J. McDonnell, Eurybiades Busenberg, Gerolamo C. Casile, Carol Kendall, Richard P. Hooper, James E. Freer, Norman E. Peters, Keith Beven, Peter Schlosser
History and ecology of chloroethene biodegradation: A review History and ecology of chloroethene biodegradation: A review
No abstract available.
Authors
Paul M. Bradley
Response of benthic invertebrate assemblages to metal exposure and bioaccumulation associated with hard-rock mining in northwestern streams, USA Response of benthic invertebrate assemblages to metal exposure and bioaccumulation associated with hard-rock mining in northwestern streams, USA
Benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages, environmental variables, and associated mine density were evaluated during the summer of 2000 at 18 reference and test sites in the Coeur d'Alene and St. Regis River basins, northwestern USA as part of the US Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program. Concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in water and (or) streambed sediment at test...
Authors
T.R. Maret, D.J. Cain, D.E. MacCoy, T.M. Short
Diurnal variation in trace-metal concentrations in streams Diurnal variation in trace-metal concentrations in streams
No abstract available.
Authors
David A. Nimick
Natural weathering rates of silicate minerals Natural weathering rates of silicate minerals
No abstract available.
Authors
A. F. White
Geochemistry of groundwater Geochemistry of groundwater
No abstract available.
Authors
Christina M. Aiello
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