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: 4097
The effects of wetland restoration on mercury bioaccumulation in the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project: Using the biosentinel toolbox to monitor changes across multiple habitats and spatial scales The effects of wetland restoration on mercury bioaccumulation in the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project: Using the biosentinel toolbox to monitor changes across multiple habitats and spatial scales
The project was initiated in April 2010, and to date has included four sampling events of surface water (April, May, June/July, and August 2010) and five sampling events of biota (April, May, June/July, August, and September 2010) and three sampling events for surface sediment (May, June/July, and August 2010). This annual report briefly summarizes our progress to date.
Authors
Joshua T. Ackerman, Mark Marvin-DiPasquale, Darell Slotton, Mark P. Herzog, Collin A. Eagles-Smith
Modeling the fate and transport of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in the saturated zone, Grand Isle, Louisiana Modeling the fate and transport of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in the saturated zone, Grand Isle, Louisiana
No abstract available.
Authors
Francis H. Chapelle, Mark A. Widdowson
Quantifying solute transport processes: Are chemically "conservative" tracers electrically conservative? Quantifying solute transport processes: Are chemically "conservative" tracers electrically conservative?
The concept of a nonreactive or conservative tracer, commonly invoked in investigations of solute transport, requires additional study in the context of electrical geophysical monitoring. Tracers that are commonly considered conservative may undergo reactive processes, such as ion exchange, thus changing the aqueous composition of the system. As a result, the measured electrical...
Authors
Kamini Singha, Li Li, Frederick D. Day-Lewis, Aaron B. Regberg
Integrating field observations and inverse and forward modeling: application at a site with acidic, heavy-metal-contaminated groundwater Integrating field observations and inverse and forward modeling: application at a site with acidic, heavy-metal-contaminated groundwater
No abstract available.
Authors
Pierre D. Glynn, James G. Brown
Nanoparticles formed from bacterial oxyanion reduction of toxic Group 15 and 16 metalloids Nanoparticles formed from bacterial oxyanion reduction of toxic Group 15 and 16 metalloids
This chapter presents some examples of nanoparticles formed by only a few microbial species that are cultivated in only a handful of laboratories worldwide. The investigations so far have just scratched the surface of the potential of the natural world to yield bionanomineral producers. While future research should involve screening surveys of the prokaryotes for this biomineralizing...
Authors
C.I. Pearce, S. Baseman, J.W. Fellowes, Ronald S. Oremland
Hydrology and biogeochemistry linkages Hydrology and biogeochemistry linkages
This chapter provides an overview of the linkages between hydrology and biogeochemistry in terrestrial and aquatic systems. Selected topics include hydrological pathways on drainage basin slopes, mountain environments, within-river (or in-stream) processes, wetlands, groundwater (and groundwater–surface water interactions), and lakes. Beginning from catchment headwaters, This chapter...
Authors
Norman E. Peters, J. K. Bohlke, P. D. Brooks, T.P. Burt, Michael N. Gooseff, David P. Hamilton, P. J. Mulholland, Nigel Roulet, J.V. Turner
Long-term natural attenuation of crude oil in the subsurface Long-term natural attenuation of crude oil in the subsurface
The time frame for natural attenuation of crude oil contamination in the subsurface has been studied for the last 27 years at a spill site located near Bemidji, Minnesota, USA. Data from the groundwater contaminant plume show that dissolved benzene concentrations adjacent to the oil decreased by 50% between 1993 and 2007. To assess how this decrease is related to benzene concentrations...
Authors
Barbara A. Bekins, Mary Jo Baedecker, Robert P. Eganhouse, William N. Herkelrath
Sulfide mineral oxidation Sulfide mineral oxidation
No abstract available.
Authors
D. Kirk Nordstrom
Source apportionment of atmospheric trace gases and particulate matter--Comparison of log-ratio and traditional approaches Source apportionment of atmospheric trace gases and particulate matter--Comparison of log-ratio and traditional approaches
No abstract available.
Authors
Mark A. Engle, Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink, Josep M. Martin-Fernandez, David P. Krabbenhoft, Paul J. Lamothe, Michael H. Bothner, Ricardo A. Olea, Allan Kolker, Michael T. Tate
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, M3 Research Laboratory
Quality of our groundwater resources: Arsenic and fluoride Quality of our groundwater resources: Arsenic and fluoride
Groundwater often contains arsenic or fluoride concentrations too high for drinking or cooking. These constituents, often naturally occurring, are not easy to remove. The right combination of natural or manmade conditions can lead to elevated arsenic or fluoride which includes continental source rocks, high alkalinity and pH, reducing conditions for arsenic, high phosphate, high...
Authors
D. Kirk Nordstrom
Calibration of models using groundwater age Calibration of models using groundwater age
There have been substantial efforts recently by geochemists to determine the age of groundwater (time since water entered the system) and its uncertainty, and by hydrologists to use these data to help calibrate groundwater models. This essay discusses the calibration of models using groundwater age, with conclusions that emphasize what is practical given current limitations rather than...
Authors
Ward E. Sanford