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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: 4093

Deviations from sorption linearity on soils of polar and nonpolar organic compounds at low relative concentrations Deviations from sorption linearity on soils of polar and nonpolar organic compounds at low relative concentrations

A series of single-solute and binary-solute sorption data have been obtained on representative samples of polar compounds (substituted ureas and phenolic compounds) and of nonpolar compounds (e.g., EDB and TCE) on a peat soil and a mineral (Woodburn) soil; the data extend to low relative solute concentrations (C(e)/S(w)). At relatively low C(e)/S(w), both the nonpolar and the polar...
Authors
C. T. Chiou, D. E. Kile

Hydrogeologic studies at the USGS Amargosa Desert Research Site Hydrogeologic studies at the USGS Amargosa Desert Research Site

In 1976, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began studies of unsaturated-zone hydrology in the Amargosa Desert in support of the USGS Low-Level Radioactive Waste Program. In 1983, agreements with the Bureau of Land Management and the State of Nevada established two field study areas: a 16-ha area adjacent to a waste-burial facility 17 km south of Beatty and a 0.1-ha area about 3 km...
Authors
Brian J. Andraski, David A. Stonestrom

Colloid particle sizes in the Mississippi River and some of its tributaries, from Minneapolis to below New Orleans Colloid particle sizes in the Mississippi River and some of its tributaries, from Minneapolis to below New Orleans

An on-board technique was developed that combined discharge-weighted pumping to a high-speed continuous-flow centrifuge for isolation of the particulate-sized material with ultrafiltration for isolation of colloid-sized material. In order to address whether these processes changed the particle sizes during isolation, samples of particles in suspension were collected at various steps in...
Authors
C.E. Rostad, T.F. Rees, S.R. Daniel

Size-selective predation on groundwater bacteria by nanoflagellates in an organic-contaminated aquifer Size-selective predation on groundwater bacteria by nanoflagellates in an organic-contaminated aquifer

Time series incubations were conducted to provide estimates for the size selectivities and rates of protistan grazing that may be occurring in a sandy, contaminated aquifer. The experiments involved four size classes of fluorescently labeled groundwater bacteria (FLB) and 2- to 3-μm-long nanoflagellates, primarily Spumella guttula(Ehrenberg) Kent, that were isolated from contaminated...
Authors
N.E. Kinner, R.W. Harvey, K. Blakeslee, G. Novarino, L.D. Meeker

Relation of usage to the occurrence of cotton and rice herbicides in three streams of the Mississippi delta Relation of usage to the occurrence of cotton and rice herbicides in three streams of the Mississippi delta

During the 1995 growing season water samples were collected from three streams in the Mississippi delta and were analyzed for selected cotton and rice herbicides and metabolites. The purpose of the study was to relate the use of these herbicides to their occurrence in streams of the delta, to describe how the geochemistry of these herbicides affects their occurrence, and to report the...
Authors
R.H. Coupe, E.M. Thurman, L.R. Zimmerman

Estimating formation properties from early-time recovery in wells subject to turbulent head losses Estimating formation properties from early-time recovery in wells subject to turbulent head losses

A mathematical model is developed to interpret the early-time recovering water level following the termination of pumping in wells subject to turbulent head losses. The model assumes that turbulent head losses dissipate immediately when pumping ends. In wells subject to both borehole storage and turbulent head losses, the early-time recovery exhibits a slope equal to 1/2 on log-log plots...
Authors
A.M. Shapiro, D.S. Oki, E.A. Greene

A comparison of zero-order, first-order, and monod biotransformation models A comparison of zero-order, first-order, and monod biotransformation models

Under some conditions, a first-order kinetic model is a poor representation of biodegradation in contaminated aquifers. Although it is well known that the assumption of first-order kinetics is valid only when substrate concentration, S, is much less than the half-saturation constant, K(s), this assumption is often made without verification of this condition. We present a formal error...
Authors
B.A. Bekins, E. Warren, E.M. Godsy

The hyporheic zone as a source of dissolved organic carbon and carbon gases to a temperate forested stream The hyporheic zone as a source of dissolved organic carbon and carbon gases to a temperate forested stream

The objective of this study was to examine chemical changes in porewaters that occur over small scales (cm) as groundwater flows through the hyporheic zone and discharges to a stream in a temperate forest of northern Wisconsin. Hyporheic-zone porewaters were sampled at discrete depths of 2, 10, 15, 61, and 183 cm at three study sites in the study basin. Chemical profiles of dissolved...
Authors
J.E. Schindler, D. P. Krabbenhoft

The environmental occurrence of herbicides: The importance of degradates in ground water The environmental occurrence of herbicides: The importance of degradates in ground water

Numerous studies are being conducted to investigate the occurrence, fate, and effects on human health and the environment from the extensive worldwide use of herbicides to control weeds. Few studies, however, are considering the degradates of these herbicides in their investigations. Our study of herbicides in aquifers across Iowa found herbicide degradates to be prevalent in ground...
Authors
D.W. Kolpin, E.M. Thurman, S. M. Linhart

Considerations in As analysis and speciation Considerations in As analysis and speciation

This article summarizes recent experiences in arsenic (As) quantification, preservation, and speciation developed during AWWA Research Foundation (AWWARF) and Water Industry Technical Action Fund (WITAF) projects. The goal of this article is to alert analysts and decision-makers to potential problems in As analysis and speciation, because there appear to be several unresolved problems...
Authors
M. Edwards, S. Patel, L. McNeil, H.W. Chen, M. Frey, A.D. Eaton, Ronald C. Antweiler, Howard E. Taylor
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