U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists are focusing on new efforts to help protect human and environmental health during disasters. Two papers published recently summarize important characteristics of materials released into the environment by natural and anthropogenic disasters, such as volcanic ash, building collapse dusts and debris, flood sediments, flood waters, wildfire ash and debris, mine tailings, and mineral processing solutions. These papers are based in part on the scientists’ own environmental disaster response work spanning more than a decade, starting with the World Trade Center in 2001. Using their experience with specific disasters, the papers:
- Describe the important physical, chemical, and microbial characteristics of disaster materials,
- Show how earth science methods can help differentiate the many sources for the materials, as well as help monitor and map dispersal of the materials in the environment,
- Summarize how the materials are modified by environmental processes―sometimes to more toxic forms,
- Discuss key characteristics of disaster materials that influence their toxicity to exposed people and ecosystems,
- Summarize what is known about short- and long-term health impacts that clearly resulted from exposures to the disaster materials,
- Provide information about disaster materials that is pertinent for post-disaster restoration and disposal of materials during cleanup, and
- Discuss how disasters can cause persisting shifts from pre-disaster environmental baseline conditions.
Using lessons learned from disaster responses, USGS scientists have also worked with USGS hazards experts to help anticipate environmental health implications of disaster scenarios such as the recent Science Application for Risk Reduction (SAFRR) Project "California Tsunami Scenario." The scenario work has helped experts in hazards, disaster response/preparedness/restoration, economics, public health, and engineering better anticipate and plan for environmental and related health impacts from these plausible future disasters, thereby enhancing disaster resilience.
This research was funded by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area’s Environmental Health Program (Contaminant Biology and Toxic Substances Hydrology). The environmental disaster response study was supported by the USGS Mineral Resources Program. Disaster scenario study was supported primarily by the USGS Science Application for Risk Reduction (SAFRR) Project, with secondary support from the Mineral Resources Program.
USGS science related to this featured science activity.
Disaster Science
Energy and Mineral Resources and the Environment
Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response (SCoRR) Strategy
- Overview
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists are focusing on new efforts to help protect human and environmental health during disasters. Two papers published recently summarize important characteristics of materials released into the environment by natural and anthropogenic disasters, such as volcanic ash, building collapse dusts and debris, flood sediments, flood waters, wildfire ash and debris, mine tailings, and mineral processing solutions. These papers are based in part on the scientists’ own environmental disaster response work spanning more than a decade, starting with the World Trade Center in 2001. Using their experience with specific disasters, the papers:
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.During their response to disasters, USGS scientists have made numerous observations about disaster processes and disaster impacts on both natural and built environments. While sampling the sediments deposited by the September 2013 Colorado floods, the scientists observed that roads and houses built on the outside bends of river meanders were particularly vulnerable to flood damages. Photo of Left Hand Canyon highway damage. Photo Credit: Geoffrey Plumlee, USGS. - Describe the important physical, chemical, and microbial characteristics of disaster materials,
- Show how earth science methods can help differentiate the many sources for the materials, as well as help monitor and map dispersal of the materials in the environment,
- Summarize how the materials are modified by environmental processes―sometimes to more toxic forms,
- Discuss key characteristics of disaster materials that influence their toxicity to exposed people and ecosystems,
- Summarize what is known about short- and long-term health impacts that clearly resulted from exposures to the disaster materials,
- Provide information about disaster materials that is pertinent for post-disaster restoration and disposal of materials during cleanup, and
- Discuss how disasters can cause persisting shifts from pre-disaster environmental baseline conditions.
Using lessons learned from disaster responses, USGS scientists have also worked with USGS hazards experts to help anticipate environmental health implications of disaster scenarios such as the recent Science Application for Risk Reduction (SAFRR) Project "California Tsunami Scenario." The scenario work has helped experts in hazards, disaster response/preparedness/restoration, economics, public health, and engineering better anticipate and plan for environmental and related health impacts from these plausible future disasters, thereby enhancing disaster resilience.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.While sampling the sediments deposited by the 2013 Colorado floods, the scientist observed copious rocks being carried by the floodwaters pulverized and diluted non-floatable materials from the built environment. Photo of Left Hand Canyon flood sediments. Photo Credit: Geoffrey Plumlee, USGS. This research was funded by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area’s Environmental Health Program (Contaminant Biology and Toxic Substances Hydrology). The environmental disaster response study was supported by the USGS Mineral Resources Program. Disaster scenario study was supported primarily by the USGS Science Application for Risk Reduction (SAFRR) Project, with secondary support from the Mineral Resources Program.
- Science
USGS science related to this featured science activity.
Disaster Science
Natural (coastal storms, wildfires, floods) and human-induced (structural failures, building collapse, oil, and/or chemical spills) disasters occur every year in the United States. Minimizing loss of human life and damages to personal property and infrastructure is the focus of most disaster response and preparedness activities by federal, state, and local communities. However, the potential for...Energy and Mineral Resources and the Environment
Energy and mineral resources are the foundation of many economies across the Southwest Region and provide the basic materials necessary for the Nation's quality of life and economic vitality.Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response (SCoRR) Strategy
The U.S. Geological Survey's Strategy to Evaluate Persistent Contaminant Hazards Resulting from Sea Level Rise and Storm-derived Disturbances SCoRR: Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy Project Page Natural and anthropogenic contaminants, pathogens, and viruses are found in soils and sediments throughout the United States. Enhanced dispersion and concentration of these - Publications