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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: 4095

A perspective on stream-catchment connections A perspective on stream-catchment connections

Ecological study of the hyporheic zone is leading to recognition of a need for additional hydrologic understanding. Some of this understanding can be obtained by viewing the hyporheic zone as a succession of isolated boxes adjacent to the stream. Further understanding, particularly relevant to catchment-scale ecology, may come from studies focussed on the fluid mechanics of the flow-path
Authors
Kenneth E. Bencala

Surface chemistry of ferrihydrite: Part 2. Kinetics of arsenate adsorption and coprecipitation Surface chemistry of ferrihydrite: Part 2. Kinetics of arsenate adsorption and coprecipitation

The kinetics of As(V) adsorption by ferrihydrite was investigated in coprecipitation and postsynthesis adsorption experiments conducted in the pH range 7.5-9.0. In coprecipitation experiments, As(V) was present in solution during the hydrolysis and precipitation of iron. In adsorption experiments, a period of rapid (
Authors
C. C. Fuller, J.A. Dadis, G.A. Waychunas

Effects of climatic variations over 11 years on nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in the Raccoon River, Iowa Effects of climatic variations over 11 years on nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in the Raccoon River, Iowa

Nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) concentrations at public water supply intakes on the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers in Iowa exceeded the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 mg L-1 for public water supplies established by the USEPA for extended periods of time from March through early August 1990. The excessive NO3-N levels followed 2 yr of less-than normal precipitation in 1988 and 1989. The...
Authors
K.J. Lucey, D. A. Goolsby

Stable isotope enrichment in paleowaters of the southeast Atlantic coastal plain, United States Stable isotope enrichment in paleowaters of the southeast Atlantic coastal plain, United States

Paleowaters from the Floridan aquifer system in the southeastern Atlantic coastal plain have higher D/H and 18O/16O ratios than local Holocene ground water. Maximum δ18O enrichments in ground water having adjusted radiocarbon ages of 20,000 to 26,000 years are 0.7 to 2.3 per mil. The trend in isotopic enrichment in paleowaters is the reverse of that normally observed in continental...
Authors
Niel Plummer

Seasonal relationships between planktonic microorganisms and dissolved organic material in an alpine stream Seasonal relationships between planktonic microorganisms and dissolved organic material in an alpine stream

The relationships between the abundance and activity of planktonic, heterotrophic microorganisms and the quantity and characteristics of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in a Rocky Mountain stream were evaluated. Peak values of glucose uptake, 2.1 nmol L−1 hr−1, and glucose concentration, 333 nM, occurred during spring snowmelt when the water temperature was 4.0°C and the DOC concentration...
Authors
Diane M. McKnight, R. L. Smith, R.A. Harnish, C.L. Miller, K.E. Bencala

Trace metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn) and nutrients in coastal waters adjacent to San Francisco Bay, California Trace metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn) and nutrients in coastal waters adjacent to San Francisco Bay, California

Samples collected in December 1990 and July 1991 show that dissolved Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn distributions in the Gulf of the Farallones are dominated by mixing of two end-members: (1) metal-enriched San Francisco Bay water and (2) offshore California Current water. The range of dissolved metal concentrations observed is 0.2–0.9 nmol kg−1 for Cd, 1–20 nmol kg−1 for Cu, 4–16 nmol kg−1 for Ni...
Authors
A. VanGeen, Samuel N. Luoma

Dissolved inorganic nitrogen composition, transformation, retention, and transport in naturally phosphate-rich and phosphate-poor tropical streams Dissolved inorganic nitrogen composition, transformation, retention, and transport in naturally phosphate-rich and phosphate-poor tropical streams

The composition, transformation, and transport of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was compared in waters associated with two lowland streams in Costa Rica. The Salto River is enriched by geothermal-based soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), which raises the concentration up to 200 μg/L whereas Pantano Creek, an unimpacted tributary, has an SRP concentration
Authors
F.J. Triska, C. M. Pringle, G. W. Zellweger, J.H. Duff, R.J. Avanzino

Hydrogeologic data collected from a crude-oil spill site near Bemidji, Minnesota, 1983-91 Hydrogeologic data collected from a crude-oil spill site near Bemidji, Minnesota, 1983-91

The U.S. Geological Survey began a research project at the site of a crude oil spill near Bemidji, Minnesota in 1983. The project is part of the U.S. Geological Survey's Toxic Substances Hydrology Program. The objectives of research at this site are to obtain an understanding of the mobilization, transport, and fate of petroleum derivatives in the shallow subsurface and to use this...
Authors
S. E. Smith, M. F. Hult

Reconnaissance data for selected herbicides, two atrazine metabolities, and nitrate in surface water of the Midwestern United States, 1989-90 Reconnaissance data for selected herbicides, two atrazine metabolities, and nitrate in surface water of the Midwestern United States, 1989-90

Water-quality data were collected from 147 rivers and streams during 1989-90 to assess selected preemergent herbicides, two atrazine metabolites, and nitrate in 10 Midwestern States. This report includes a description of the sampling design, data collection techniques, laboratory and analytical methods, and a compilation of constituent concentrations and quality-assurance data. All water...
Authors
E.A. Scribner, E.M. Thurman, D. A. Goolsby, M. T. Meyer, M. S. Mills, M.L. Pomes

The effect of streambed topography on surface-subsurface water exchange in mountain catchments The effect of streambed topography on surface-subsurface water exchange in mountain catchments

A numerical hydrological simulation suggested that water exchange between stream channels and adjacent aquifers is enhanced by convexities and concavities in streambed topography. At St. Kevin Gulch, an effluent stream in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, subsurface hydraulic gradients and movement of ionic tracers indicated that stream water was locally recharged into well-defined flow...
Authors
Judson W. Harvey, Kenneth E. Bencala
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