Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Publications

Dive into our publications and explore the science from the Environmental Health Program (Toxic Substances Hydrology and Contaminant Biology).

Filter Total Items: 3784

Organic wastewater compounds, pharmaceuticals, and coliphage in ground water receiving discharge from onsite wastewater treatment systems near La Pine, Oregon: Occurrence and implications for transport Organic wastewater compounds, pharmaceuticals, and coliphage in ground water receiving discharge from onsite wastewater treatment systems near La Pine, Oregon: Occurrence and implications for transport

The occurrence of organic wastewater compounds (components of 'personal care products' and other common household chemicals), pharmaceuticals (human prescription and nonprescription medical drugs), and coliphage (viruses that infect coliform bacteria, and found in high concentrations in municipal wastewater) in onsite wastewater (septic tank effluent) and in a shallow, unconfined, sandy...
Authors
Stephen J. Hinkle, Rodney J. Weick, Jill M. Johnson, Jeffery D. Cahill, Steven G. Smith, Barbara J. Rich

Precipitation-runoff processes in the Feather River basin, northeastern California, and streamflow predictability, water years 1971-97 Precipitation-runoff processes in the Feather River basin, northeastern California, and streamflow predictability, water years 1971-97

Precipitation-runoff processes in the Feather River Basin of northern California determine short- and long-term streamflow variations that are of considerable local, State, and Federal concern. The river is an important source of water and power for the region. The basin forms the headwaters of the California State Water Project. Lake Oroville, at the outlet of the basin, plays an...
Authors
Kathryn M. Koczot, Anne E. Jeton, Bruce McGurk, Michael D. Dettinger

Geochemical characterization of water, sediment, and biota affected by mercury contamination and acidic drainage from historical gold mining, Greenhorn Creek, Nevada County, California, 1999-2001 Geochemical characterization of water, sediment, and biota affected by mercury contamination and acidic drainage from historical gold mining, Greenhorn Creek, Nevada County, California, 1999-2001

In 1999, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) initiated studies of mercury and methylmercury occurrence, transformation, and transport in the Bear River and Yuba River watersheds of the northwestern Sierra Nevada. Because these watersheds were affected by large-scale, historical gold extraction using mercury amalgamation beginning in the 1850s, they were selected for a pilot study of...
Authors
Charles N. Alpers, Michael P. Hunerlach, Jason T. May, Roger L. Hothem, Howard E. Taylor, Ronald C. Antweiler, John F. De Wild, David A. Lawler

Results of chemical and isotopic analyses of sediment and water from alluvium of the Canadian River near a closed municipal landfill, Norman, Oklahoma Results of chemical and isotopic analyses of sediment and water from alluvium of the Canadian River near a closed municipal landfill, Norman, Oklahoma

Results of physical and chemical analyses of sediment and water collected near a closed municipal landfill at Norman, Oklahoma are presented in this report. Sediment analyses are from 40 samples obtained by freeze-shoe coring at 5 sites, and 14 shallow (depth
Authors
George N. Breit, Michele L.W. Tuttle, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Scott C. Christenson, Jeanne B. Jaeschke, David L. Fey, Cyrus J. Berry

Chemical characteristics of ground-water discharge along the south rim of Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, 2000-2001 Chemical characteristics of ground-water discharge along the south rim of Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, 2000-2001

Springs flowing from the south rim of Grand Canyon are an important resource of Grand Canyon National Park, offering refuge to endemic and exotic terrestrial wildlife species and maintaining riparian areas. Population growth on the Coconino Plateau has increased the demand for additional development of ground-water resources, and such development could reduce spring discharge and affect...
Authors
Stephen A. Monroe, Ronald C. Antweiler, Robert J. Hart, Howard E. Taylor, Margot Truini, John R. Rihs, Tracey J. Felger

Evaluation of metal loading to streams near Creede, Colorado, August and September 2000 Evaluation of metal loading to streams near Creede, Colorado, August and September 2000

Decisions about remediation of mine drainage on the watershed scale require an understanding of metal contributions from all sources to be able to choose the best sites for remediation. A hydrologic framework to study metal loading in the Willow Creek watershed, a tributary to the Rio Grande River, was established by conducting a series of tracer-injection studies. Each study used the...
Authors
B. A. Kimball, R.L. Runkel, K. Walton-Day, B.K. Stover

The stability of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in ground-water samples archived in borosilicate ampoules The stability of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in ground-water samples archived in borosilicate ampoules

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Laboratory in Reston, Va., has been measuring concentrations of CFCs in ground-water samples since 1989 to estimate the year that a water sample was recharged to a ground-water flow system. The water samples have been collected in flame-sealed borosilicate ampoules. Typically for each site, three samples were analyzed within days...
Authors
Stephanie Dunkle Shapiro, Eurybiades Busenberg, Niel Plummer

Trends in the water budget of the Mississippi River basin, 1949-1997 Trends in the water budget of the Mississippi River basin, 1949-1997

This Fact Sheet is one in a series that highlights information or recent research findings from the USGS National Streamflow Information Program (NSIP). The investigations and scientific results reported in this series require a nationally consistent streamgaging network with stable long-term monitoring sites and a rigorous program of data quality assurance, management, archiving, and...
Authors
P. C. D. Milly

Changes in streamflow timing in the western United States in recent decades Changes in streamflow timing in the western United States in recent decades

This Fact Sheet is one in a series that highlights information or recent research findings from the USGS National Streamflow Information Program (NSIP). The investigations and scientific results reported in this series require a nationally consistent streamgaging network with stable long-term monitoring sites and a rigorous program of data quality assurance, management, archiving, and...
Authors
Mike Dettinger

Review of the transport of selected radionuclides in the interim risk assessment for the Radioactive Waste Management Complex, Waste Area Group 7 Operable Unit 7-13/14, Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, Idaho Review of the transport of selected radionuclides in the interim risk assessment for the Radioactive Waste Management Complex, Waste Area Group 7 Operable Unit 7-13/14, Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, Idaho

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) requested that the U.S. Geological Survey conduct an independent technical review of the Interim Risk Assessment (IRA) and Contaminant Screening for the Waste Area Group 7 (WAG-7) Remedial Investigation, the draft Addendum to the Work Plan for Operable Unit 7-13/14 WAG-7 comprehensive Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS), and supporting...
Authors
Joseph P. Rousseau, Edward R. Landa, John R. Nimmo, L. DeWayne Cecil, LeRoy L. Knobel, Pierre D. Glynn, Edward M. Kwicklis, Gary P. Curtis, Kenneth G. Stollenwerk, Steven R. Anderson, Roy C. Bartholomay, Clifford R. Bossong, Brennon R. Orr

Snowmelt discharge characteristics Sierra Nevada, California Snowmelt discharge characteristics Sierra Nevada, California

Alpine snow is an important water resource in California and the western U.S. Three major features of alpine snowmelt are the spring pulse (the first surge in snowmelt-driven river discharge in spring), maximum snowmelt discharge, and base flow (low river discharge supported by groundwater in fall). A long term data set of hydrologic measurements at 24 gage locations in 20 watersheds in...
Authors
David Peterson, Richard Smith, Iris Stewart, Noah Knowles, Chris Soulard, Stephen Hager
Was this page helpful?