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
Mantle helium in the groundwater of the Mirror Lake Basin, New Hampshire, USA, 1994 Mantle helium in the groundwater of the Mirror Lake Basin, New Hampshire, USA, 1994
Helium isotope analyses of ground waters from the Mirror Lake drainage basin in central New Hampshire (USA) show helium in excess of air-saturated water by up to 200x. The freon ages of these waters are younger than 50 years, consistent with the local hydrology. This excess helium has an isotope ratio of ^3He/^4He = 1.65 ± 0.10 x 10^(-6). It is shown that this component cannot be the...
Authors
T. Torgersen, S. Drenkard, K. Farley, P. Schlosser, Allen M. Shapiro
Distribution and occurrence of organic acids in subsurface waters Distribution and occurrence of organic acids in subsurface waters
No abstract available.
Authors
P.D. Lundegard, Yousif K. Kharaka
Three-dimensional D4Z renumbering for iterative solution of ground-water flow and transport equations Three-dimensional D4Z renumbering for iterative solution of ground-water flow and transport equations
No abstract available.
Authors
Kenneth L. Kipp, J.S. Otto, Thomas F. Russell
Wastewater treatment and groundwater contamination Wastewater treatment and groundwater contamination
No abstract available.
Authors
J.A. Field, Larry B. Barber
Use of oxygen-18 and deuterium to assess the hydrology of groundwater-lake systems Use of oxygen-18 and deuterium to assess the hydrology of groundwater-lake systems
A thorough understanding of a lake's hydrology is essential for many lake studies. In some situations the interactions between groundwater systems and lakes are complex; in other cases the hydrology of a multilake system needs to be quantified. In such places, stable isotopes offer an alternative to the more traditional piezometer networks, which are costly to install and time-consuming...
Authors
David P. Krabbenhoft, Carl J. Bowser, Carol Kendall, Joel R. Gat
The geologic origin and pathways of mobility of selenium from the California Coast Ranges to the west-central San Joaquin valley The geologic origin and pathways of mobility of selenium from the California Coast Ranges to the west-central San Joaquin valley
No abstract available.
Authors
Theresa S. Presser
Biogeochemical transformations of selenium in anoxic environments Biogeochemical transformations of selenium in anoxic environments
No abstract available.
Authors
Ronald S. Oremland
Secondary minerals and acid mine-water chemistry Secondary minerals and acid mine-water chemistry
No abstract available.
Authors
Charles N. Alpers, D.W Blowes, D. Kirk Nordstrom, J.L. Jambor
Protists from a sewage‐contaminated aquifer on cape cod, Massachusetts Protists from a sewage‐contaminated aquifer on cape cod, Massachusetts
Several species of flagellates (genera Bodo, Cercomonas, Cryptaulax, Cyathomonas, Goniomonas, Spumella) have been identified in cultures from a plume of organic contamination (treated sewage effluent) within an aquifer on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Amoebae and numerous unidentifiable 2‐ to 3‐μm flagellates have also been observed. As a rule, flagellates were associated with solid surfaces...
Authors
Gianfranco Novarino, Alan Warren, Nancy E. Kinner, Ronald W. Harvey
'The Kesterson effect' 'The Kesterson effect'
Hypothesized to be derived from Cretaceous marine sedimentary rocks, selenium contamination of the Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge is traced through irrigation drainage to the source bedrock of the California Coast Ranges. This biogeochemical pathway of selenium is defined here as the 'Kesterson effect.' At the refuge ponds, this effect culminated in 1983 in a 64% rate of deformity...
Authors
T. S. Presser
Isolation, growth, and metabolism of an obligately anaerobic, selenate- respiring bacterium, strain SES-3 Isolation, growth, and metabolism of an obligately anaerobic, selenate- respiring bacterium, strain SES-3
A gram-negative, strictly anaerobic, motile vibrio was isolated from a selenate-respiring enrichment culture. The isolate, designated strain SES-3, grew by coupling the oxidation of lactate to acetate plus CO2 with the concomitant reduction of selenate to selenite or of nitrate to ammonium. No growth was observed on sulfate or selenite, but cell suspensions readily reduced selenite to...
Authors
Ronald S. Oremland, Jodi S. Blum, Charles W. Culbertson, P.T. Visscher, Laurence G. Miller, P. Dowdle, F.E. Strohmaier
Studies of the Reactivity of the Ferrihydrite Surface by Iron Isotopic Exchange and Mössbauer Spectroscopy Studies of the Reactivity of the Ferrihydrite Surface by Iron Isotopic Exchange and Mössbauer Spectroscopy
Two-line ferrihydrite is an important adsorbent of many toxics in natural and anthropogenic systems; however, the specific structural sites responsible for the high adsorption capacity are not well understood. A combination of chemical and spectroscopic techniques have been employed in this study to gain further insight into the structural nature of sites at the ferrihydrite surface. The...
Authors
Brigid A. Rea, James A. Davis, Glenn A. Waychunas