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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: 3784

Organic matter sources and rehabilitation of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (California, USA) Organic matter sources and rehabilitation of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (California, USA)

1. The Sacramento San Joaquin River Delta, a complex mosaic of tidal freshwater habitats in California, is the focus of a major ecosystem rehabilitation effort because of significant long-term changes in critical ecosystem functions. One of these functions is the production, transport and transformation of organic matter that constitutes the primary food supply, which may be sub-optimal...
Authors
A.D. Jassby, James E. Cloern

Characterization of U(VI)-carbonato ternary complexes on hematite: EXAFS and electrophoretic mobility measurements Characterization of U(VI)-carbonato ternary complexes on hematite: EXAFS and electrophoretic mobility measurements

We have measured U(VI) adsorption on hematite using EXAFS spectroscopy and electrophoresis under conditions relevant to surface waters and aquifers (0.01 to 10 μM dissolved uranium concentrations, in equilibrium with air, pH 4.5 to 8.5). Both techniques suggest the existence of anionic U(VI)-carbonato ternary complexes. Fits to EXAFS spectra indicate that U(VI) is simultaneously...
Authors
John R. Bargar, Rebecca Reitmeyer, John J. Lenhart, James A. Davis

Sources and haloacetic acid/trihalomethane formation potentials of aquatic humic substances in the Wakarusa River and Clinton Lake near Lawrence, Kansas Sources and haloacetic acid/trihalomethane formation potentials of aquatic humic substances in the Wakarusa River and Clinton Lake near Lawrence, Kansas

Gram quantities of aquatic humic substances (AHS) were extracted from the Wakarusa River−Clinton Lake Reservoir system, near Lawrence, KS, to support nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experimental studies, report concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and AHS, define sources of the AHS, and determine if the AHS yield sufficient quantities of haloacetic acids (HAA5) and...
Authors
M.L. Pomes, C.K. Larive, E.M. Thurman, W. R. Green, W. H. Orem, C.E. Rostad, T.B. Coplen, B.J. Cutak, A.M. Dixon

Routine determination of sulfonylurea, imidazolinone, and sulfonamide herbicides at nanogram-per-liter concentrations by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry Routine determination of sulfonylurea, imidazolinone, and sulfonamide herbicides at nanogram-per-liter concentrations by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

Sulfonylurea (SU), imidazolinone (IMI), and sulfonamide (SA) herbicides are new classes of low-application-rate herbicides increasingly used by farmers. Some of these herbicides affect both weed and crop species at low dosages and must be carefully used. Less is known about the effect of these compounds on non-crop plant species, but a concentration of 100 ng/l in water has been proposed...
Authors
E. T. Furlong, M.R. Burkhardt, Paul M. Gates, S.L. Werner, W.A. Battaglin

Effects of topography and soil properties on recharge at two sites in an agricultural field Effects of topography and soil properties on recharge at two sites in an agricultural field

Field experiments were conducted from 1992 to 1995 to estimate ground water recharge rates at two sites located within a 2.7-hectare agricultural field. The field lies in a sand plain setting in central Minnesota and is cropped continuously in field corn. The sites are located at a topographically high (upland) site and a topographically low (lowland) site in an effort to quantify the...
Authors
G. N. Delin, R. W. Healy, M.K. Landon, J.K. Böhlke

The fate of haloacetic acids and trihalomethanes in an aquifer storage and recovery program, Las Vegas, Nevada The fate of haloacetic acids and trihalomethanes in an aquifer storage and recovery program, Las Vegas, Nevada

The fate of disinfection byproducts during aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is evaluated for aquifers in Southern Nevada. Rapid declines of haloacetic acid (HAA) concentrations during ASR, with associated little change in Cl concentration, indicate that HAAs decline primarily by in situ microbial oxidation. Dilution is only a minor contributor to HAA concentration declines during ASR
Authors
J. M. Thomas, W.A. McKay, E. Colec, J. E. Landmeyer, P. M. Bradley

Influence of a nonionic surfactant (Triton X-100) on contaminant distribution between water and several soil solids Influence of a nonionic surfactant (Triton X-100) on contaminant distribution between water and several soil solids

The influence of a nonionic surfactant (Triton X-100) on the contaminant distribution coefficients in solid–water mixtures was determined for a number of relatively nonpolar compounds (contaminants) on several natural solids. The studied compounds consisted of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and p-xylene) and chlorinated pesticides (lindane, α-BHC, and heptachlor epoxide), which...
Authors
J.-F. Lee, P.-M. Liao, C.-C. Kuo, H.-T. Yang, C. T. Chiou

Pesticides in the atmosphere of the Mississippi River Valley, part I: Rain Pesticides in the atmosphere of the Mississippi River Valley, part I: Rain

Weekly composite rainfall samples were collected in three paired urban and agricultural regions of the Midwestern United States and along the Mississippi River during April–September 1995. The paired sampling sites were located in Mississippi, Iowa, and Minnesota. A background site, removed from dense urban and agriculture areas, was located near Lake Superior in Michigan. Herbicides...
Authors
M.S. Majewski, W.T. Foreman, D. A. Goolsby

Influence of acid volatile sulfides and metal concentrations on metal partitioning in contaminated sediments Influence of acid volatile sulfides and metal concentrations on metal partitioning in contaminated sediments

The influence of acid volatile sulfide (AVS) on the partitioning of Cd, Ni, and Zn in porewater (PW) and sediment as reactive metals (SEM, simultaneously extracted metals) was investigated in laboratory microcosms. Two spiking procedures were compared, and the effects of vertical geochemical gradients and infaunal activity were evaluated. Sediments were spiked with a Cd−Ni−Zn mixture (0...
Authors
J.-S. Lee, B.-G. Lee, S. N. Luoma, H.J. Choi, C.-H. Koh, C. L. Brown

Microbial control of mineral–groundwater equilibria: Macroscale to microscale Microbial control of mineral–groundwater equilibria: Macroscale to microscale

Using field and laboratory experiments, the geomicrobiology of a petroleum-contaminated aquifer and the relationship between mineral alteration, groundwater chemistry, and microbial colonization were examined. Results indicate that indigenous microorganisms influence mineral weathering at two scales of interaction: macroscale processes that perturb general groundwater chemistry and...
Authors
Philip C. Bennett, Franz K. Hiebert, Jennifer Roberts Roger

Forecasting selenium discharges to the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary: Ecological effects of a proposed San Luis drain extension Forecasting selenium discharges to the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary: Ecological effects of a proposed San Luis drain extension

During the next few years, federal and state agencies may be required to evaluate proposals and discharge permits that could significantly change selenium (Se) inputs to the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary (Bay-Delta), particularly in the North Bay (i.e., Suisun Bay and San Pablo Bay). These decisions may include discharge requirements for an extension of the San Luis Drain (SLD) to the...
Authors
Samuel N. Luoma, Theresa S. Presser
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