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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: 4098

Authigenic molybdenum formation in marine sediments: A link to pore water sulfide in the Santa Barbara Basin Authigenic molybdenum formation in marine sediments: A link to pore water sulfide in the Santa Barbara Basin

Pore water and sediment Mo concentrations were measured in a suite of multicores collected at four sites along the northeastern flank of the Santa Barbara Basin to examine the connection between authigenic Mo formation and pore water sulfide concentration. Only at the deepest site (580 m), where pore water sulfide concentrations rise to >0.1 μM right below the sediment water interface...
Authors
Yen Zheng, Robert F. Anderson, A. VanGeen, J. Kuwabara

Measuring stream discharge by non-contact methods: A proof-of-concept experiment Measuring stream discharge by non-contact methods: A proof-of-concept experiment

This report describes an experiment to make a completely non-contact open-channel discharge measurement. A van-mounted, pulsed doppler (10GHz) radar collected surface-velocity data across the 183-m wide Skagit River, Washington at a USGS streamgaging station using Bragg scattering from short waves produced by turbulent boils on the surface of the river. Surface velocities were converted...
Authors
J. E. Costa, K.R. Spicer, R. T. Cheng, F.P. Haeni, N.B. Melcher, E.M. Thurman, W.J. Plant, W.C. Keller

Effects of topography and soil properties on recharge at two sites in an agricultural field Effects of topography and soil properties on recharge at two sites in an agricultural field

Field experiments were conducted from 1992 to 1995 to estimate ground water recharge rates at two sites located within a 2.7-hectare agricultural field. The field lies in a sand plain setting in central Minnesota and is cropped continuously in field corn. The sites are located at a topographically high (upland) site and a topographically low (lowland) site in an effort to quantify the...
Authors
G. N. Delin, R. W. Healy, M.K. Landon, J.K. Böhlke

Spatial and temporal variability of picocyanobacteria Synechococcus sp. in San Francisco Bay Spatial and temporal variability of picocyanobacteria Synechococcus sp. in San Francisco Bay

We collected samples monthly, from April to August 1998, to measure the abundance of autotrophic picoplankton in San Francisco Bay. Samples taken along a 160-km transect showed that picocyanobacteria (Synechococcus sp.) was a persistent component of the San Francisco Bay phytoplankton in all the estuarine habitats, from freshwater to seawater and during all months of the spring-summer...
Authors
X. Ning, J. E. Cloern, B.E. Cole

Strontium isotope geochemistry of groundwaters and streams affected by agriculture, Locust Grove, MD Strontium isotope geochemistry of groundwaters and streams affected by agriculture, Locust Grove, MD

The effects of agriculture on the isotope geochemistry of Sr were investigated in two small watersheds in the Atlantic coastal plain of Maryland. Stratified shallow oxic groundwaters in both watersheds contained a retrievable record of increasing recharge rates of chemicals including NO3−, Cl, Mg, Ca and Sr that were correlated with increasing fertilizer use between about 1940 and 1990...
Authors
J.K. Böhlke, M. Horan

Stable isotope systematics of sulfate minerals Stable isotope systematics of sulfate minerals

Stable isotope studies of sulfate minerals are especially useful for unraveling the geochemical history of geological systems. All sulfate minerals can yield sulfur and oxygen isotope data. Hydrous sulfate minerals, such as gypsum, also yield oxygen and hydrogen isotope data for the water of hydration, and more complex sulfate minerals, such as alunite and jarosite also yield oxygen and...
Authors
Robert R. Seal, Charles N. Alpers, Robert O. Rye

Comparison of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and gas chromatography procedures for the detection of cyanazine and metolachlor in surface water samples Comparison of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and gas chromatography procedures for the detection of cyanazine and metolachlor in surface water samples

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) data from surface water reconnaissance were compared to data from samples analyzed by gas chromatography for the pesticide residues cyanazine (2-[[4-chloro-6-(ethylamino)-l,3,5-triazin-2-yl]amino]-2-methylpropanenitrile ) and metolachlor (2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide). When ELISA analyses were...
Authors
S.M. Schraer, D.R. Shaw, M. Boyette, R.H. Coupe, E.M. Thurman

Water movement through a thick unsaturated zone underlying an intermittent stream in the western Mojave Desert, southern California, USA Water movement through a thick unsaturated zone underlying an intermittent stream in the western Mojave Desert, southern California, USA

Previous studies indicated that small amounts of recharge occur as infiltration of intermittent streamflow in washes in the upper Mojave River basin, in the western Mojave Desert, near Victorville, California. These washes flow only a few days each year after large storms. To reach the water table, water must pass through an unsaturated zone that is more than 130 m thick. Results of this...
Authors
J. A. Izbicki, J. Radyk, R. L. Michel

Effects of asynchronous snowmelt on flushing of dissolved organic carbon: A mixing model approach Effects of asynchronous snowmelt on flushing of dissolved organic carbon: A mixing model approach

In many snowmelt-dominated catchments, stream dissolved organic carbon (DOC) levels typically increase rapidly as spring melt commences, peak before maximum discharge, and decrease quickly as melting continues. We present data from Deer Creek (Summit County, CO) that shows this distinctive flushing response of DOC during snowmelt runoff, with DOC stored in landscape soils flushed to the...
Authors
E.W. Boyer, G.M. Hornberger, K.E. Bencala, Diane M. McKnight

Microbial populations in contaminant plumes Microbial populations in contaminant plumes

Efficient biodegradation of subsurface contaminants requires two elements: (1) microbial populations with the necessary degradative capabilities, and (2) favorable subsurface geochemical and hydrological conditions. Practical constraints on experimental design and interpretation in both the hydrogeological and microbiological sciences have resulted in limited knowledge of the interaction...
Authors
S.K. Haack, B.A. Bekins

Microbial degradation of chloroethenes in groundwater systems Microbial degradation of chloroethenes in groundwater systems

The chloroethenes, tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) are among the most common contaminants detected in groundwater systems. As recently as 1980, the consensus was that chloroethene compounds were not significantly biodegradable in groundwater. Consequently, efforts to remediate chloroethene-contaminated groundwater were limited to largely unsuccessful pump-and-treat...
Authors
Paul M. Bradley
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