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Publications

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

Filter Total Items: 3785

Microbial mineralization of ethene under sulfate-reducing conditions Microbial mineralization of ethene under sulfate-reducing conditions

Previous investigations demonstrated that respiratoly reductive dechlorination of vinyl chloride (VC) can be efficient even at H2 concentrations (≤2 nM) that are characteristic of SO4-reducing conditions. In the study reported here, microorganisms indigenous to a lake-bed sediment completely mineralized [1,2-14C] ethene to 1414CO2 when incubated under SO4-reducing conditions. Together...
Authors
P. M. Bradley, F. H. Chapelle

TBA biodegradation in surface-water sediments under aerobic and anaerobic conditions TBA biodegradation in surface-water sediments under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

The potential for [U-14C] TBA biodegradation was examined in laboratory microcosms under a range of terminal electron accepting conditions. TBA mineralization to CO2 was substantial in surface-water sediments under oxic, denitrifying, or Mn(IV)-reducing conditions and statistically significant but low under SO4-reducing conditions. Thus, anaerobic TBA biodegradation may be a significant...
Authors
P. M. Bradley, J. E. Landmeyer, F. H. Chapelle

Effects of surface run-off on the transport of agricultural chemicals to ground water in a sandplain setting Effects of surface run-off on the transport of agricultural chemicals to ground water in a sandplain setting

An experiment was conducted at a depressional (lowland) and an upland site in sandy soils to evaluate the effects of surface run-off on the transport of agricultural chemicals to ground water. Approximately 16.5 cm of water was applied to both sites during the experiment, representing a natural precipitation event with a recurrence interval of approximately 100 years. Run-off was...
Authors
G. N. Delin, M.K. Landon

Groundwater vulnerability: Interactions of chemical and site properties Groundwater vulnerability: Interactions of chemical and site properties

This study brings together extensive, multi-annual groundwater monitoring datasets from the UK and Midwestern US to test the relative importance of site (e.g. land use, soil and aquifer type) and chemical factors (e.g. solubility in water) and between and within year variations in controlling groundwater contamination by pesticides. ANOVA (general linear modelling) was used to test the
Authors
F. Worrall, T. Besien, D.W. Kolpin

Antimicrobial residues in animal waste and water resources proximal to large-scale swine and poultry feeding operations Antimicrobial residues in animal waste and water resources proximal to large-scale swine and poultry feeding operations

Expansion and intensification of large-scale animal feeding operations (AFOs) in the United States has resulted in concern about environmental contamination and its potential public health impacts. The objective of this investigation was to obtain background data on a broad profile of antimicrobial residues in animal wastes and surface water and groundwater proximal to large-scale swine...
Authors
E.R. Campagnolo, K.R. Johnson, A. Karpati, C.S. Rubin, D.W. Kolpin, M. T. Meyer, J. Emilio Esteban, R.W. Currier, K. Smith, K.M. Thu, M. McGeehin

Human-health pharmaceutical compounds in Lake Mead, Nevada and Arizona, and Las Vegas Wash, Nevada, October 2000-August 2001 Human-health pharmaceutical compounds in Lake Mead, Nevada and Arizona, and Las Vegas Wash, Nevada, October 2000-August 2001

The U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service conducted a reconnaissance study to investigate the occurrence of selected human-health pharmaceutical compounds in water samples collected from Lake Mead on the Colorado River and Las Vegas Wash, a waterway used to transport treated wastewater from the Las Vegas metropolitan area to Lake Mead. Current research indicates many of...
Authors
Robert A. Boyd, Edward T. Furlong

Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey Organic Geochemistry Research Group: Determination of triazine and phenylurea herbicides and their degradation products in water using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey Organic Geochemistry Research Group: Determination of triazine and phenylurea herbicides and their degradation products in water using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

An analytical method for the determination of 7 triazine and phenylurea herbicides and 12 of their degradation products in natural water samples using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry is presented in this report. Special consideration was given during the development of the method to prevent the formation of degradation products during the analysis...
Authors
Edward Alan Lee, Alex P. Strahan, Earl Michael Thurman

Mercury loading and methylmercury production and cycling in high-altitude lakes from the Western United States Mercury loading and methylmercury production and cycling in high-altitude lakes from the Western United States

Studies worldwide have shown that mercury (Hg) is a ubiquitous contaminant, reaching even the most remote environments such as high-altitude lakes via atmospheric pathways. However, very few studies have been conducted to assess Hg contamination levels of these systems. We sampled 90 mid-latitude, high-altitude lakes from seven national parks in the western United States during a four...
Authors
David P. Krabbenhoft, Mark L. Olson, John F. DeWild, David W. Clow, Robert G. Striegl, Mark M. Dornblaser, Peter C. Van Metre

Assessing ground-water vulnerability to contamination: Providing scientifically defensible information for decision makers Assessing ground-water vulnerability to contamination: Providing scientifically defensible information for decision makers

Throughout the United States increasing demands for safe drinking water and requirements to maintain healthy ecosystems are leading policy makers to ask complex social and scientific questions about how to assess and manage our water resources. This challenge becomes particularly difficult as policy and management objectives require scientific assessments of the potential for ground...
Authors
Michael J. Focazio, Thomas E. Reilly, Michael G. Rupert, Dennis R. Helsel

Fractured-rock aquifers, understanding an increasingly important source of water Fractured-rock aquifers, understanding an increasingly important source of water

Ground water is one of the Nation's most important natural resources. It provides drinking water to communities, supports industry and agriculture, and sustains streams and wetlands. A long record of contributions exists in understanding ground-water movement in sand and gravel aquifers; historically, these aquifers were easily accessible and the first to be investigated. With increased...
Authors
Allen M. Shapiro
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