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
Comparison of XAD with other dissolved lignin isolation techniques and a compilation of analytical improvements for the analysis of lignin in aquatic settings Comparison of XAD with other dissolved lignin isolation techniques and a compilation of analytical improvements for the analysis of lignin in aquatic settings
This manuscript highlights numerous incremental improvements in dissolved lignin measurements over the nearly three decades since CuO oxidation of lignin phenols was first adapted for environmental samples. Intercomparison of the recovery efficiency of three common lignin phenol concentration and isolation techniques, namely XAD, C18with both CH3OH (C18M) and CH3CN (C18A) used...
Authors
Robert G. M. Spencer, George R. Aiken, Rachael Y. Dyda, Kenna D. Butler, Brian A. Bergamaschi, Peter J. Hernes
Determination of antibiotics in sewage from hospitals, nursery and slaughter house, wastewater treatment plant and source water in Chongqing region of Three Gorge Reservoir in China Determination of antibiotics in sewage from hospitals, nursery and slaughter house, wastewater treatment plant and source water in Chongqing region of Three Gorge Reservoir in China
Sewage samples from 4 hospitals, 1 nursery, 1 slaughter house, 1 wastewater treatment plant and 5 source water samples of Chongqing region of Three Gorge Reservoir were analyzed for macrolide, lincosamide, trimethoprim, fluorouinolone, sulfonamide and tetracycline antibiotics by online solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results showed that the...
Authors
Xiaotian Chang, Michael T. Meyer, Xiuying Liu, Q. Zhao, Chen Hao, J.-a. Chen, Z. Qiu, L. Yang, J. Cao, W. Shu
Phosphorus dynamics in soils irrigated with reclaimed waste water or fresh water - A study using oxygen isotopic composition of phosphate Phosphorus dynamics in soils irrigated with reclaimed waste water or fresh water - A study using oxygen isotopic composition of phosphate
Transformations of phosphate (Pi) in different soil fractions were tracked using the stable isotopic composition of oxygen in phosphate (δ18Op) and Pi concentrations. Clay soil from Israel was treated with either reclaimed waste water (secondary, low grade) or with fresh water amended with a chemical fertilizer of a known isotopic signature. Changes of δ18Opand Pi within different soil...
Authors
I. Zohar, A. Shaviv, M. Young, Carol Kendall, Steven R. Silva, A. Paytan
Feather lead concentrations and 207Pb/206Pb ratios reveal lead exposure history of California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) Feather lead concentrations and 207Pb/206Pb ratios reveal lead exposure history of California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus)
Lead poisoning is a primary factor impeding the survival and recovery of the critically endangered California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus). However, the frequency and magnitude of lead exposure in condors is not well-known in part because most blood lead monitoring occurs biannually, and biannual blood samples capture only ∼10% of a bird’s annual exposure history. We investigated the...
Authors
M.E. Finkelstein, D. George, S. Scherbinski, R. Gwiazda, M. Johnson, J. Burnett, J. Brandt, S. Lawrey, Allan P. Pessier, M.R. Clark, Janna Wynne, J. Grantham, D. R. Smith
Contaminants of emerging concern: Introduction to a featured collection Contaminants of emerging concern: Introduction to a featured collection
No abstract available.
Authors
William A. Battaglin, Dana W. Kolpin
Hydrodynamic control of phytoplankton loss to the benthos in an estuarine environment Hydrodynamic control of phytoplankton loss to the benthos in an estuarine environment
Field experiments were undertaken to measure the influence of hydrodynamics on the removal of phytoplankton by benthic grazers in Suisun Slough, North San Francisco Bay. Chlorophyll a concentration boundary layers were found over beds inhabited by the active suspension feeders Corbula amurensis and Corophium alienense and the passive suspension feeders Marenzellaria viridis and Laonome...
Authors
Nicole L. Jones, Janet K. Thompson, Kevin R. Arrigo, Stephen G. Monismith
How electron flow controls contaminant dynamics How electron flow controls contaminant dynamics
No abstract available.
Authors
Thomas Borch, Kate M. Campbell, Ruben Kretzschmar
Aquifer chemistry and transport processes in the zone of contribution to a public-supply well in Woodbury, Connecticut, 2002-06 Aquifer chemistry and transport processes in the zone of contribution to a public-supply well in Woodbury, Connecticut, 2002-06
A glacial aquifer system in Woodbury, Connecticut, was studied to identify factors that affect the groundwater quality in the zone of contribution to a community public-supply well. Water samples were collected during 2002-06 from the public-supply well and from 35 monitoring wells in glacial stratified deposits, glacial till, and fractured bedrock. The glacial aquifer is vulnerable to
Authors
Craig J. Brown, J. Jeffrey Starn, Kenneth G. Stollenwerk, Remo A. Mondazzi, Thomas J. Trombley
Author's response to "If poultry's to blame, Where's the proof?" Author's response to "If poultry's to blame, Where's the proof?"
No abstract available.
Authors
J.L. Ripley, C. Foran, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Vicki S. Blazer
Antidepressants at environmentally relevant concentrations affect predator avoidance behavior of larval fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Antidepressants at environmentally relevant concentrations affect predator avoidance behavior of larval fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas).
The effects of embryonic and larval exposure to environmentally relevant (ng/L) concentrations of common antidepressants, fluoxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine, and bupropion (singularly and in mixture) on C-start escape behavior were evaluated in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Embryos (postfertilization until hatching) were exposed for 5 d and, after hatching, were allowed to grow...
Authors
Edward T. Furlong, Larry B. Barber, Meghan R. McGee, Megan A. Buerkley, Matthew L. Julius, Alan M. Vajda, Heiko L. Schoenfuss, Melissa M. Schultz, David O. Norris
Tritium concentrations in environmental samples and transpiration rates from the vicinity of Mary's Branch Creek and background areas, Barnwell, South Carolina, 2007-2009 Tritium concentrations in environmental samples and transpiration rates from the vicinity of Mary's Branch Creek and background areas, Barnwell, South Carolina, 2007-2009
Tritium in groundwater from a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility near Barnwell, South Carolina, is discharging to Mary's Branch Creek. The U.S. Geological Survey conducted an investigation from 2007 to 2009 to examine the tritium concentration in trees and air samples near the creek and in background areas, in groundwater near the creek, and in surface water from the creek...
Authors
Don A. Vroblesky, Judy L. Canova, Paul M. Bradley, James Landmeyer
Assessment of contaminant exposure and effects on ospreys nesting along the Lower Duwamish River, Washington, 2006-07 Assessment of contaminant exposure and effects on ospreys nesting along the Lower Duwamish River, Washington, 2006-07
We evaluated the effects of contaminants on osprey (Pandion haliaetus) nesting along the lower Duwamish River (LDR), Washington, and used the upper reach of the Willamette River (WR), Oregon, as a reference site. Osprey eggs and nestling blood (plasma) were collected at nests along the LDR (11 eggs, 7 plasmas) and WR (10 eggs, 6 plasmas) in 2006-07 and analyzed for contaminants...
Authors
Branden L. Johnson, Charles J. Henny, James L. Kaiser, Jay W. Davis, Edmund P. Schulz