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
Lean about our Featured Science Activities through our pages that highlight science studies, publications, and results.
Filter Total Items: 3785
Near field receiving water monitoring of trace metals in clams (Macoma balthica) and sediments near the Palo Alto water quality control plant in south San Francisco Bay, California: 2002 Near field receiving water monitoring of trace metals in clams (Macoma balthica) and sediments near the Palo Alto water quality control plant in south San Francisco Bay, California: 2002
This report presents trace element concentrations analyzed on samples of fine-grained sediments and clams (Macoma balthica) collected from a mudflat one kilometer south of the discharge of the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant in South San Francisco Bay. This report serves as a continuation of the Near Field Receiving Water Monitoring Study, which was started in 1994. The...
Authors
Edward Moon, Carlos Primo C. David, Samuel N. Luoma, Daniel J. Cain, Michelle I. Hornberger, Irene R. Lavigne
Diurnal variation in trace-metal concentrations in streams Diurnal variation in trace-metal concentrations in streams
No abstract available.
Authors
David A. Nimick
The Norman Landfill environmental research site: What happens to the waste in landfills? The Norman Landfill environmental research site: What happens to the waste in landfills?
No abstract available.
Authors
Scott C. Christenson, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
Mercury in stream ecosystems -- New studies initiated by the U.S. Geological Survey Mercury in stream ecosystems -- New studies initiated by the U.S. Geological Survey
Mercury can adversely affect humans and wildlife through consumption of contaminated fish, particularly by sensitive individuals, such as children and women of childbearing age. Mercury is currently the leading cause of impairment in the Nation’s estuaries and lakes and was cited in nearly 80 percent of fish-consumption advisories (2,242 of 2,838) reported by states in 2000. The...
Authors
Mark E. Brigham, David P. Krabbenhoft, Pixie A. Hamilton
Natural weathering rates of silicate minerals Natural weathering rates of silicate minerals
No abstract available.
Authors
A. F. White
Geochemistry of groundwater Geochemistry of groundwater
No abstract available.
Authors
Christina M. Aiello
Toxic substances in surface waters and sediments: A study to assess the effects of arsenic-contaminated alluvial sediment in Whitewood Creek, South Dakota Toxic substances in surface waters and sediments: A study to assess the effects of arsenic-contaminated alluvial sediment in Whitewood Creek, South Dakota
Field measurements and bioassay experiments were done to investigate the effects of arsenic and phosphorus interactions on sorption of these solutes by the benthic flora (periphyton and submerged macrophytes) in Whitewood Creek, a stream in western South Dakota. Short-term (24-hour) sorption experiments were used to determine arsenic transport characteristics for algae (first-order rate...
Authors
James S. Kuwabara, Christopher C. Fuller
Data from archived chromatograms on halogenated volatile organic compounds in untreated ground water used for drinking water in the United States, 1997-2000 Data from archived chromatograms on halogenated volatile organic compounds in untreated ground water used for drinking water in the United States, 1997-2000
No abstract available.
Authors
Stephanie Dunkle Shapiro, Eurybiades Busenberg, Niel Plummer, Michael J. Focazio
Characterization of lake water and ground water movement in the littoral zone of Williams Lake, a closed-basin lake in North central Minnesota Characterization of lake water and ground water movement in the littoral zone of Williams Lake, a closed-basin lake in North central Minnesota
Williams Lake, Minnesota is a closed‐basin lake that is a flow‐through system with respect to ground water. Ground‐water input represents half of the annual water input and most of the chemical input to the lake. Chemical budgets indicate that the lake is a sink for calcium, yet surficial sediments contain little calcium carbonate. Sediment pore‐water samplers (peepers) were used to...
Authors
P. F. Schuster, M.M. Reddy, J. W. LaBaugh, R.S. Parkhurst, D.O. Rosenberry, T. C. Winter, Ronald C. Antweiler, W.E. Dean
Microbial cycling of mercury in contaminated pelagic and wetland sediments of San Pablo Bay, California Microbial cycling of mercury in contaminated pelagic and wetland sediments of San Pablo Bay, California
San Pablo Bay is an estuary, within northern San Francisco Bay, containing elevated sediment mercury (Hg) levels because of historic loading of hydraulic mining debris during the California gold-rush of the late 1800s. A preliminary investigation of benthic microbial Hg cycling was conducted in surface sediment (0–4 cm) collected from one salt-marsh and three open-water sites. A deeper...
Authors
M. C. Marvin-DiPasquale, J.L. Agee, R. M. Bouse, B. E. Jaffe
Escherichia coli and enterococci at beaches in the Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan: Sources, characteristics, and environmental pathways Escherichia coli and enterococci at beaches in the Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan: Sources, characteristics, and environmental pathways
This study quantified Escherichia coli(EC) and enterococci (ENT) in beach waters and dominant source materials, correlated these with ambient conditions, and determined selected EC genotypes and ENT phenotypes. Bathing-water ENT criteria were exceeded more frequently than EC criteria, providing conflicting interpretations of water quality. Dominant sources of EC and ENT were bird feces...
Authors
S.K. Haack, L.R. Fogarty, C. Wright
Geomorphic and hydrologic assessment of erosion hazards at the Norman municipal landfill, Canadian River floodplain, central Oklahoma Geomorphic and hydrologic assessment of erosion hazards at the Norman municipal landfill, Canadian River floodplain, central Oklahoma
The Norman, Oklahoma, municipal landfill closed in 1985 after 63 years of operation, because it was identified as a point source of hazardous leachate composed of organic and inorganic compounds. The landfill is located on the floodplain of the Canadian River, a sand-bed river characterized by erodible channel boundaries and by large variation in mean monthly discharges. In 1986...
Authors
Jennifer A. Curtis, John W. Whitney