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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

Negative pH, efflorescent mineralogy, and consequences for environmental restoration at the iron mountain superfund site, California Negative pH, efflorescent mineralogy, and consequences for environmental restoration at the iron mountain superfund site, California

The Richmond Mine of the Iron Mountain copper deposit contains some of the most acid mine waters ever reported. Values of pH have been measured as low as -3.6, combined metal concentrations as high as 200 g/liter, and sulfate concentrations as high as 760 g/liter. Copious quantities of soluble metal sulfate salts such as melanterite, chalcanthite, coquimbite, rhomboclase, voltaite...
Authors
D. Kirk Nordstrom, Charles N. Alpers

DBP formation of aquatic humic substances DBP formation of aquatic humic substances

Terrestrial vegetation commonly shed into reservoirs contains chemical precursors of DBPs. Aquatic humic substances (AHSs) in water generate potentially harmful disinfection by‐products (DBPs) such as haloacetic acids (HAAs) and trihalomethanes (THMs) during chlorination. AHSs from two Arkansas reservoirs were characterized to define source, identify meta‐dihydroxybenzene (m‐DHB)...
Authors
M.L. Pomes, W. R. Green, E.M. Thurman, W. H. Orem, H.E. Lerch

Transport and attenuation of carboxylate-modified latex microspheres in fractured rock laboratory and field tracer tests Transport and attenuation of carboxylate-modified latex microspheres in fractured rock laboratory and field tracer tests

Understanding colloid transport in ground water is essential to assessing the migration of colloid‐size contaminants, the facilitation of dissolved contaminant transport by colloids, in situ bioremediation, and the health risks of pathogen contamination in drinking water wells. Much has been learned through laboratory and field‐scale colloid tracer tests, but progress has been hampered...
Authors
M.W. Becker, P.W. Reimus, P. Vilks

Distribution of microbial physiologic types in an aquifer contaminated by crude oil Distribution of microbial physiologic types in an aquifer contaminated by crude oil

We conducted a plume-scale study of the microbial ecology in the anaerobic portion of an aquifer contaminated by crude-oil compounds. The data provide insight into the patterns of ecological succession, microbial nutrient demands, and the relative importance of free-living versus attached microbial populations. The most probable number (MPN) method was used to characterize the spatial...
Authors
B.A. Bekins, E.M. Godsy, E. Warren

Modeling impact of storage zones on stream dissolved oxygen Modeling impact of storage zones on stream dissolved oxygen

The Streeter-Phelps dissolved oxygen model is modified to incorporate storage zones. A dimensionless number reflecting enhanced decomposition caused by the increased residence time of the biochemical oxygen demand in the storage zone parameterizes the impact. This result provides a partial explanation for the high decomposition rates observed in shallow streams. An application suggests...
Authors
S.C. Chapra, R.L. Runkel

Dissolved sulfide distributions in the water column and sediment pore waters of the Santa Barbara Basin Dissolved sulfide distributions in the water column and sediment pore waters of the Santa Barbara Basin

Dissolved sulfide concentrations in the water column and in sediment pore waters were measured by square-wave voltammetry (nanomolar detection limit) during three cruises to the Santa Barbara Basin in February 1995, November–December 1995, and April 1997. In the water column, sulfide concentrations measured outside the basin averaged 3 ± 1 nM (n= 28) in the 0 to 600 m depth range. Inside...
Authors
J.S. Kuwabara, A. VanGeen, D.C. McCorkle, J.M. Bernhard

Are shifts in herbicide use reflected in concentration changes in Midwestern rivers? Are shifts in herbicide use reflected in concentration changes in Midwestern rivers?

In many Midwestern rivers, elevated concentrations of herbicides occur during runoff events for 1-3 months following application. The highest or 'peak' herbicide concentration often occurs during one of these runoff events. Herbicide concentrations in rivers are affected by a number of factors, including herbicide use patterns within the associated basin. Changing agricultural practices
Authors
W.A. Battaglin, D. A. Goolsby

Cu(II) binding by a pH-fractionated fulvic acid Cu(II) binding by a pH-fractionated fulvic acid

The relationship between acidity, Cu(II) binding and sorption to XAD resin was examined using Suwannee River fulvic acid (SRFA). The work was based on the hypothesis that fractions of SRFA eluted from an XAD column at various pH's from 1.0 to 12.0 would show systematic variations in acidity and possibly aromaticity which in turn would lead to different Cu(II) binding properties. We...
Authors
G.K. Brown, S.E. Cabaniss, P. MacCarthy, J.A. Leenheer

Metolachlor and alachlor breakdown product formation patterns in aquatic field mesocosms Metolachlor and alachlor breakdown product formation patterns in aquatic field mesocosms

The transformation of metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide] and alachlor [2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide] in aquatic systems was investigated using outdoor tank mesocosms. Metolachlor and alachlor levels and their ethane sulfonic acid (ESA) and oxanillic acid breakdown products were monitored over time under five
Authors
William H. Graham, D.W. Graham, Frank DeNoyelles, Val H. Smith, C.K. Larive, E.M. Thurman

Occurrence and transport of acetochlor in streams of the Mississippi River Basin Occurrence and transport of acetochlor in streams of the Mississippi River Basin

The herbicide acetochlor [2-chloro-N-(ethoxymethyl)-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl) acetamide] was first used on corn (Zea mays L.) in the USA during the growing season of 1994. By 1996, it was the third most heavily used corn herbicide in the midwestern USA. During the growing season of 1997, 78% of 375 samples collected at 32 stream sites in the Mississippi River Basin contained detectable
Authors
G. M. Clark, D. A. Goolsby

Oxidation of methyl halides by the facultative methylotroph strain IMB-1 Oxidation of methyl halides by the facultative methylotroph strain IMB-1

Washed cell suspensions of the facultative methylotroph strain IMB-1 grown on methyl bromide (MeBr) were able to consume methyl chloride (MeCl) and methyl iodide (MeI) as well as MeBr. Consumption of >100 μM MeBr by cells grown on glucose, acetate, or monomethylamine required induction. Induction was inhibited by chloramphenicol. However, cells had a constitutive ability to consume low...
Authors
J.K. Schaefer, R.S. Oremland

Bacterial respiration of arsenic and selenium Bacterial respiration of arsenic and selenium

Oxyanions of arsenic and selenium can be used in microbial anaerobic respiration as terminal electron acceptors. The detection of arsenate and selenate respiring bacteria in numerous pristine and contaminated environments and their rapid appearance in enrichment culture suggest that they are widespread and metabolically active in nature. Although the bacterial species that have been...
Authors
J.F. Stolz, R.S. Oremland
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