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
Copper speciation and binding by organic matter in copper-contaminated streamwater Copper speciation and binding by organic matter in copper-contaminated streamwater
Fulvic acid binding sites (1.3−70 μM) and EDTA (0.0017−0.18 μM) accounted for organically bound Cu in seven stream samples measured by potentiometric titration. Cu was 84−99% organically bound in filtrates with 200 nM total Cu. Binding of Cu by EDTA was limited by competition from other trace metals. Water hardness was inversely related to properties of dissolved organic carbon (DOC)...
Authors
R.F. Breault, J.A. Colman, G. R. Aiken, D. McKnight
Solution of the advection-dispersion equation: Continuous load of finite duration Solution of the advection-dispersion equation: Continuous load of finite duration
Field studies of solute fate and transport in streams and rivers often involve an. experimental release of solutes at an upstream boundary for a finite period of time. A review of several standard references on surface-water-quality modeling indicates that the analytical solution to the constant-parameter advection-dispersion equation for this type of boundary condition has been...
Authors
R.L. Runkel
Mechanism of formation of humus coatings on mineral surfaces 2. Attenuated total reflectance spectra of hydrophobic and hydrophilic fractions of organic acids from compost leachate on alumina Mechanism of formation of humus coatings on mineral surfaces 2. Attenuated total reflectance spectra of hydrophobic and hydrophilic fractions of organic acids from compost leachate on alumina
Hydrophobic and hydrophilic fractions were isolated from a compost leachate. The adsorption isotherms of both fractions on alumina were measured by attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy. The shapes of the adsorption isotherms of the two fractions were different. The isotherms for the hydrophilic fraction showed little change in surface excess with increasing solution...
Authors
R.L. Wershaw, E.C. Llaguno, J.A. Leenheer, R.P. Sperline, Y. Song
Cadmium in the California Current system: Tracer of past and present upwelling Cadmium in the California Current system: Tracer of past and present upwelling
Over 100 samples were collected off the west coast of North America during 1991–1993 to determine the relation between wind‐driven upwelling and nearshore concentrations of dissolved silicate (Si), phosphate (P), and cadmium (Cd). Highly enriched in deep water offshore, these constituents are sensitive indicators of upwelling. Coastal water was sampled from the shore in January and June...
Authors
A. VanGeen, D.M. Husby
Kinetic and mineralogic controls on the evolution of groundwater chemistry and 87Sr/86Sr in a sandy silicate aquifer, northern Wisconsin, USA Kinetic and mineralogic controls on the evolution of groundwater chemistry and 87Sr/86Sr in a sandy silicate aquifer, northern Wisconsin, USA
Substantial flowpath-related variability of 87Sr/86Sr is observed in groundwaters collected from the Trout Lake watershed of northern Wisconsin. In the extensive shallow aquifer composed of sandy glacial outwash, groundwater is recharged either by seepage from lakes or by precipitation that infiltrates the inter-lake uplands. 87Sr/86Sr of groundwater derived mainly as seepage from a...
Authors
T.D. Bullen, D. P. Krabbenhoft, C. Kendall
Wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) study of "two-line" ferrihydrite structure: Effect of arsenate sorption and counterion variation and comparison with EXAFS results Wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) study of "two-line" ferrihydrite structure: Effect of arsenate sorption and counterion variation and comparison with EXAFS results
Wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) measurements have been made on a suite of “two-line” ferrihydrite (FHY2) samples containing varying amounts of coprecipitated arsenate. Samples prepared at pH 8 with counter ions chloride, nitrate, and a mixture of both also were examined. The raw WAXS scattering functions show that “two-line” ferrihydrite actually has a large number of non-Bragg (i.e...
Authors
G.A. Waychunas, C. C. Fuller, B.A. Rea, J.A. Davis
Herbicide metabolites in surface water and groundwater: Introduction and overview Herbicide metabolites in surface water and groundwater: Introduction and overview
Several future research topics for herbicide metabolites in surface and ground water are outlined in this chapter. They are herbicide usage, chemical analysis of metabolites, and fate and transport of metabolites in surface and ground water. These three ideas follow the themes in this book, which are the summary of a symposium of the American Chemical Society on herbicide metabolites in...
Authors
E.M. Thurman, M. T. Meyer
Reactive solute transport in acidic streams Reactive solute transport in acidic streams
Spatial and temporal profiles of Ph and concentrations of toxic metals in streams affected by acid mine drainage are the result of the interplay of physical and biogeochemical processes. This paper describes a reactive solute transport model that provides a physically and thermodynamically quantitative interpretation of these profiles. The model combines a transport module that includes...
Authors
R. E. Broshears
Occurrence and accumulation of pesticides and organic contaminants in river sediment, water and clam tissues from the San Joaquin River and tributaries, California Occurrence and accumulation of pesticides and organic contaminants in river sediment, water and clam tissues from the San Joaquin River and tributaries, California
A study was conducted in 1992 to assess the effects of anthropogenic activities and land use on the water quality of the San Joaquin River and its major tributaries. This study focused on pesticides and organic contaminants, looking at distributions of contaminants in water, bed and suspended sediment, and the bivalve Corbicula fluminea. Results indicated that this river system is...
Authors
W. E. Pereira, Joseph L. Domagalski, F. D. Hostettler, L. R. Brown, J. B. Rapp
Flow to a well in a water-table aquifer: An improved laplace transform solution Flow to a well in a water-table aquifer: An improved laplace transform solution
An alternative Laplace transform solution for the problem, originally solved by Neuman, of constant discharge from a partially penetrating well in a water-table aquifer was obtained. The solution differs from existing solutions in that it is simpler in form and can be numerically inverted without the need for time-consuming numerical integration. The derivation invloves the use of the...
Authors
A.F. Moench
Estimation of rates of aerobic hydrocarbon biodegradation by simulation of gas transport in the unsaturated zone Estimation of rates of aerobic hydrocarbon biodegradation by simulation of gas transport in the unsaturated zone
The distribution of oxygen and carbon dioxide gases in the unsaturated zone provides a geochemical signature of aerobic hydrocarbon degradation at petroleum product spill sites. The fluxes of these gases are proportional to the rate of aerobic biodegradation and are quantified by calibrating a mathematical transport model to the oxygen and carbon dioxide gas concentration data. Reaction
Authors
Matthew A. Lahvis, Arthur L. Baehr