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
Use of the euryhaline bivalve Potamocorbula amurensis as a biosentinel species to assess trace metal contamination in San Francisco Bay Use of the euryhaline bivalve Potamocorbula amurensis as a biosentinel species to assess trace metal contamination in San Francisco Bay
Potamocorbula amurensis was assessed as a biosentinel species in San Francisco Bay, California, USA. Uptake of metal in both the laboratory and field showed that P. amurensis was sufficiently responsive to Ag, Cd, Cr, Ni and V to detect environmental differences in exposure. It was less suitable as an indicator of Cu and Zn contamination. Concentration factors for P. amurensis were: Ag...
Authors
C. L. Brown, S. N. Luoma
Fate of microbial metabolites of hydrocarbons in a coastal plain aquifer: The role of electron acceptors Fate of microbial metabolites of hydrocarbons in a coastal plain aquifer: The role of electron acceptors
A combined field and laboratory study was undertaken to understand the distribution and geochemical conditions that influence the prevalence of low molecular weight organic acids in groundwater of a shallow aquifer contaminated with gasoline. Aromatic hydrocarbons from gasoline were degraded by microbially mediated oxidation-reduction reactions, including reduction of nitrate, sulfate...
Authors
I.M. Cozzarelli, J.S. Herman, M. Jo Baedecker
The structural and geochemical evolution of the continental crust: Support for the oceanic plateau model of continental growth The structural and geochemical evolution of the continental crust: Support for the oceanic plateau model of continental growth
The problem of the origin of the continental crust can be resolved into two fundamental questions: (1) the location and mechanisms of initial mantle extraction of the primitive crust and (2) the processes by which this primitive crust is converted into the continental crust that presently exists. We know that Archean continental crust is compositionally distinct from younger continental...
Authors
D. Abbott, Walter D. Mooney
Modeling and predicting intertidal variations of the salinity field in the Bay/Delta Modeling and predicting intertidal variations of the salinity field in the Bay/Delta
San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta have challenged estuarine modelers for some years. Accurate, broad-scale models of this estuary have been in demand by those concerned with its ecological health and the development of sound management policies. A description and better understanding of the dynamics that govern the bay/delta are complicated by the system's complexity
Authors
Noah Knowles, Reginald J. Uncles
San Francisco Bay Program: Lessons learned for managing coastal water resources San Francisco Bay Program: Lessons learned for managing coastal water resources
No abstract available.
Authors
James E. Cloern, Samuel N. Luoma, Frederic H. Nichols
User's guide to PHREEQC, a computer program for speciation, reaction-path, advective-transport, and inverse geochemical calculations User's guide to PHREEQC, a computer program for speciation, reaction-path, advective-transport, and inverse geochemical calculations
PHREEQC is a computer program written in the C programming language that is designed to perform a wide variety of aqueous geochemical calculations. PHREEQC is based on an ion-association aqueous model and has capabilities for (1) speciation and saturation-index calculations, (2) reaction-path and advective-transport calculations involving specified irreversible reactions, mixing of...
Authors
D.L. Parkhurst
Ground-water quality in agricultural areas, Anoka Sand Plain Aquifer, east-central Minnesota, 1984-90 Ground-water quality in agricultural areas, Anoka Sand Plain Aquifer, east-central Minnesota, 1984-90
Ground-water quality in the Anoka Sand Plain aquifer was studied as part of the multiscale Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA) study by collecting water samples from shallow wells during August through November 1990. The sampling was conducted to: (1) aid in selection of the MSEA research area; (2) facilitate comparison of results at the MSEA research area to the regional scale...
Authors
M.K. Landon, G. N. Delin
Hydrogeology and water quality at the management systems evaluation area near Piketon, Ohio Hydrogeology and water quality at the management systems evaluation area near Piketon, Ohio
This report presents the results of a study by the U.S. Geological Survey, The Ohio State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to describe the hydrology, water quality, and geochemical factors controlling water quality at the Ohio Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA). The Ohio MSEA is located on a 650-acre farm in the Scioto River Valley in Pike County, south-central...
Authors
Martha L. Jagucki, Christopher D. Finton, Abraham E. Springer, E. Scott Bair
Effects of 1992 farming systems on ground-water quality at the management systems evaluation area near Princeton, Minnesota Effects of 1992 farming systems on ground-water quality at the management systems evaluation area near Princeton, Minnesota
The Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA) program was a multiscale, interagency initiative to evaluate the effects of agricultural systems on water quality in the midwest corn belt. The primary objective of the Minnesota MSEA was to evaluate the effects of ridge-tillage practices in a corn and soybean farming system on ground-water quality. The 65-hectare Minnesota MSEA was located...
Authors
G. N. Delin, M.K. Landon, J.A. Lamb, R.H. Dowdy
Results of geophysical investigations near the Norman, Oklahoma, Municipal Landfill, 1995 Results of geophysical investigations near the Norman, Oklahoma, Municipal Landfill, 1995
No abstract available.
Authors
J.E. Lucius, R.J. Bisdorf
Concentration and transport data for dissolved inorganic constituents in water collected during seven cruises on the Mississippi River and some of its tributaries, July 1987-June 1990 Concentration and transport data for dissolved inorganic constituents in water collected during seven cruises on the Mississippi River and some of its tributaries, July 1987-June 1990
No abstract available.
Authors
T.I. Brinton, J.R. Barbarino, D.B. Peartt, Howard E. Taylor, Ronald C. Antweiler
Changes in soil hydraulic properties caused by construction of a simulated waste trench at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Idaho Changes in soil hydraulic properties caused by construction of a simulated waste trench at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Idaho
In order to assess the effect of filled waste disposal trenches on transport-governing soil properties, comparisons were made between profiles of undisturbed soil and disturbed soil in a simulated waste trench. The changes in soil properties induced by the construction of a simulated waste trench were measured near the Radioactive Waste Management Complex at the Idaho National...
Authors
S. M. Shakofsky