Publications
Dive into our publications and explore the science from the Environmental Health Program (Toxic Substances Hydrology and Contaminant Biology).
Filter Total Items: 3785
Delineating copper accumulation pathways for the freshwater bivalve Corbicula using stable copper isotopes Delineating copper accumulation pathways for the freshwater bivalve Corbicula using stable copper isotopes
Delineation of metal uptake routes in aquatic invertebrates is critical for characterizing bioaccumulation dynamics and assessing risks associated with metal exposure. Here we demonstrate that Cu stable isotopic ratios can be manipulated in both exposure media and algae to determine the efflux rate constant (ke) and to estimate Cu assimilation efficiency (AE) from ingested food in a...
Authors
M.-N. Croteau, S. N. Luoma
Use of tracers and isotopes to evaluate vulnerability of water in domestic wells to septic waste Use of tracers and isotopes to evaluate vulnerability of water in domestic wells to septic waste
In Nebraska, a large number (>200) of shallow sand‐point and cased wells completed in coarse alluvial sediments along rivers and lakes still are used to obtain drinking water for human consumption, even though construction of sand‐point wells for consumptive uses has been banned since 1987. The quality of water from shallow domestic wells potentially vulnerable to seepage from septic...
Authors
Ingrid M. Verstraeten, G.S. Fetterman, M.J. Meyer, T. Bullen, S.K. Sebree
Sources of nitrate in snowmelt discharge: Evidence from water chemistry and stable isotopes of nitrate Sources of nitrate in snowmelt discharge: Evidence from water chemistry and stable isotopes of nitrate
To determine whether NO3− concentration pulses in surface water in early spring snowmelt discharge are due to atmospheric NO3−, we analyzed stream δ15N-NO3− and δ18O-NO3− values between February and June of 2001 and 2002 and compared them to those of throughfall, bulk precipitation, snow, and groundwater. Stream total Al, DOC and Si concentrations were used to indicate preferential water...
Authors
K.B. Piatek, M.J. Mitchell, S. R. Silva, C. Kendall
Diel behavior of rare earth elements in a mountain stream with acidic to neutral pH Diel behavior of rare earth elements in a mountain stream with acidic to neutral pH
Diel (24-h) changes in concentrations of rare earth elements (REE) were investigated in Fisher Creek, a mountain stream in Montana that receives acid mine drainage in its headwaters. Three simultaneous 24-h samplings were conducted at an upstream station (pH = 3.3), an intermediate station (pH = 5.5), and a downstream station (pH = 6.8). The REE were found to behave conservatively at the...
Authors
C.H. Gammons, S.A. Wood, D. A. Nimick
Isotopic compositions of the elements, 2001 Isotopic compositions of the elements, 2001
The Commission on Atomic Weights and Isotopic Abundances of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry completed its last review of the isotopic compositions of the elements as determined by isotope-ratio mass spectrometry in 2001. That review involved a critical evaluation of the published literature, element by element, and forms the basis of the table of the isotopic...
Authors
J.K. Böhlke, J. R. De Laeter, P. De Bievre, H. Hidaka, H.S. Peiser, K.J.R. Rosman, P.D.P. Taylor
Occurrence of organic wastewater compounds in wastewater effluent and the Big Sioux River in the Upper Big Sioux River basin, South Dakota, 2003-2004 Occurrence of organic wastewater compounds in wastewater effluent and the Big Sioux River in the Upper Big Sioux River basin, South Dakota, 2003-2004
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the East Dakota Water Development District conducted a reconnaissance study to determine the occurrence of organic wastewater compounds (OWCs) in wastewater effluent and the Big Sioux River at or near the cities of Watertown, Volga, and Brookings in the upper Big Sioux River Basin during August 2003 through June 2004. For each city...
Authors
Steven K. Sando, Edward T. Furlong, James L. Gray, Michael T. Meyer, Roy C. Bartholomay
Pacific volcanoes, mercury contaminated fish, and polynesian taboos Pacific volcanoes, mercury contaminated fish, and polynesian taboos
No abstract available.
Authors
John Dellinger, Jean Hudson, David Krabbenhoft, M.E. Hinano Murphy
Laboratory determination of the carbon kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) for reactions of methyl halides with various nucleophiles in solution Laboratory determination of the carbon kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) for reactions of methyl halides with various nucleophiles in solution
Large carbon kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) were measured for reactions of methyl bromide (MeBr), methyl chloride (MeCl), and methyl iodide (MeI) with various nucleophiles at 287 and 306 K in aqueous solutions. Rates of reaction of MeBr and MeI with H2O (neutral hydrolysis) or Cl− (halide substitution) were consistent with previous measurements. Hydrolysis rates increased with increasing
Authors
S.M. Baesman, L.G. Miller
Part 1: Vadose-zone column studies of toluene (enhanced bioremediation) in a shallow unconfined aquifer Part 1: Vadose-zone column studies of toluene (enhanced bioremediation) in a shallow unconfined aquifer
The objectives of the laboratory study described in this paper were (1) to determine the effectiveness of four nutrient solutions and a control in stimulating the microbial degradation of toluene in the unsaturated zone as an alternative to bioremediation methodologies such as air sparging, in situ vitrification, or others (Part I), and (2) to compare the effectiveness of the addition of...
Authors
J.A. Tindall, M.J. Friedel, R.J. Szmajter, S.M. Cuffin
CO2 dynamics in the Amargosa Desert: Fluxes and isotopic speciation in a deep unsaturated zone CO2 dynamics in the Amargosa Desert: Fluxes and isotopic speciation in a deep unsaturated zone
Natural unsaturated-zone gas profiles at the U.S. Geological Survey's Amargosa Desert Research Site, near Beatty, Nevada, reveal the presence of two physically and isotopically distinct CO2 sources, one shallow and one deep. The shallow source derives from seasonally variable autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration in the root zone. Scanning electron micrograph results indicate that at...
Authors
Michelle Ann Walvoord, Robert G. Striegl, David E. Prudic, David A. Stonestrom
Three-dimensional variable-density flow simulation of a coastal aquifer in southern Oahu, Hawaii, USA Three-dimensional variable-density flow simulation of a coastal aquifer in southern Oahu, Hawaii, USA
Three-dimensional modeling of groundwater flow and solute transport in the Pearl Harbor aquifer, southern Oahu, Hawaii, shows that the readjustment of the freshwater–saltwater transition zone takes a long time following changes in pumping, irrigation, or recharge in the aquifer system. It takes about 50 years for the transition zone to move 90% of the distance to its new steady position...
Authors
S. B. Gingerich, C.I. Voss
Zinc adsorption effects on arsenite oxidation kinetics at the birnessite-water interface Zinc adsorption effects on arsenite oxidation kinetics at the birnessite-water interface
Arsenite is more toxic and mobile than As(V) in soil and sediment environments, and thus it is advantageous to explore factors that enhance oxidation of As(III) to As(V). Previous studies showed that manganese oxides, such as birnessite (??-MnO2), directly oxidized As(III). However, these studies did not explore the role that cation adsorption has on As(III) oxidation. Accordingly, the...
Authors
L.E. Power, Y. Arai, D.L. Sparks