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: 3784
Hydrolysis of tert-butyl formate: Kinetics, products, and implications for the environmental impact of methyl tert-butyl ether Hydrolysis of tert-butyl formate: Kinetics, products, and implications for the environmental impact of methyl tert-butyl ether
Asessing the environmental fate of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) has become a subject of renewed interest because of the large quantities of this compound that are being used as an oxygenated additive in gasoline. Various studies on the fate of MTBE have shown that it can be degraded to tert-butyl formate (TBF), particularly in the atmosphere. Although it is generally recognized that...
Authors
Clinton D. Church, James F. Pankow, Paul G. Tratnyek
Estimation of methanogen biomass via quantitation of coenzyme M Estimation of methanogen biomass via quantitation of coenzyme M
Determination of the role of methanogenic bacteria in an anaerobic ecosystem often requires quantitation of the organisms. Because of the extreme oxygen sensitivity of these organisms and the inherent limitations of cultural techniques, an accurate biomass value is very difficult to obtain. We standardized a simple method for estimating methanogen biomass in a variety of environmental...
Authors
Dwayne A. Elias, Lee R. Krumholz, Ralph S. Tanner, Joseph M. Suflita
Data on the crystal growth of calcite from calcium bicarbonate solutions at 34 degrees C and CO2 partial pressures of 0.101, 0.0156 and 0.00102 atmospheres Data on the crystal growth of calcite from calcium bicarbonate solutions at 34 degrees C and CO2 partial pressures of 0.101, 0.0156 and 0.00102 atmospheres
No abstract available.
Authors
Niel Plummer, Eurybiades Busenberg
Performance assessments of nuclear waste repositories: A dialogue on their value and limitations Performance assessments of nuclear waste repositories: A dialogue on their value and limitations
Performance Assessment (PA) is the use of mathematical models to simulate the long-term behavior of engineered and geologic barriers in a nuclear waste repository; methods of uncertainty analysis are used to assess effects of parametric and conceptual uncertainties associated with the model system upon the uncertainty in outcomes of the simulation. PA is required by the U.S...
Authors
Rodney C. Ewing, Martin S. Tierney, Leonard F. Konikow, Rob P. Rechard
A process for simultaneous solar distillation and drip irrigation A process for simultaneous solar distillation and drip irrigation
No abstract available.
Authors
James E. Constantz
Method of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey Organic Geochemistry Research Group: Determination of triazine and chloroacetanilide herbicides in water by solid-phase extraction and capillary-column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with selected-ion Method of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey Organic Geochemistry Research Group: Determination of triazine and chloroacetanilide herbicides in water by solid-phase extraction and capillary-column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with selected-ion
No abstract available.
Authors
L.R. Zimmerman, E.M. Thurman
Determination of chemical-constituent loads during base-flow and storm-runoff conditions near historical mines in Prospect Gulch, upper Animas River watershed, southwestern Colorado Determination of chemical-constituent loads during base-flow and storm-runoff conditions near historical mines in Prospect Gulch, upper Animas River watershed, southwestern Colorado
Prospect Gulch is a major source of iron, aluminum, zinc, and other metals to Cement Creek. Information is needed to prioritize remediation and develop strategies for cleanup of historical abandoned mine sites in Prospect Gulch. Chemical-constituent loads were determined in Prospect Gulch, a high-elevation alpine stream in southwestern Colorado that is affected by natural acid drainage...
Authors
Laurie Wirt, K.J. Leib, D. J. Bove, M.A. Mast, J. B. Evans, G.P. Meeker
Simulating contaminant attenuation, double-porosity exchange, and water age in aquifers using MOC3D Simulating contaminant attenuation, double-porosity exchange, and water age in aquifers using MOC3D
MOC3D is a general-purpose computer model developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for simulation of three-dimensional solute transport in ground water (Konikow and others, 1996). The model is an update to the widely used USGS two-dimensional solute-transport model (MOC) and is implemented as an optional “package” for the ground-water flow model MODFLOW (Harbaugh and McDonald, 1996...
Authors
Daniel J. Goode
The USGS Abandoned Mine Lands Initiative: Protecting and restoring the environment near abandoned mine lands The USGS Abandoned Mine Lands Initiative: Protecting and restoring the environment near abandoned mine lands
The Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Initiative is part of a larger strategy of the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to clean up Federal lands contaminated by abandoned mines. Thousands of abandond hard-rock metal mines (such as gold, copper, lead, and zinc) have left a dual legacy across the Western United States. They reflect the historic development of...
Authors
Water Resources Division U.S. Geological Survey
Characterizing fractured-zone flow using numerical flow-log models Characterizing fractured-zone flow using numerical flow-log models
Water-quality monitoring and hydraulic testing in fractured bedrock aquifers involves two important tasks: 1) identifying the hydraulically active fractures intersecting the borehole, and 2) inferring how the specific entry or exit ports in the borehole wall are connected to large-scale flow paths in the region surrounding the borehole. Effective characterization of fractured bedrock...
Authors
Frederick L. Paillet
Response to comment on "Methane as a product of chloroethene biodegradation under methanogenic conditions" Response to comment on "Methane as a product of chloroethene biodegradation under methanogenic conditions"
No abstract available.
Authors
Paul M. Bradley, Francis H. Chapelle
Rice pesticide concentrations in the Colusa Basin Drain and the Sacramento River, California, 1990-1993 Rice pesticide concentrations in the Colusa Basin Drain and the Sacramento River, California, 1990-1993
The pesticides molinate, thiobencarb, and carbofuran are applied to rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields in the Sacramento Valley, California, each year during April through June. These pesticides are of concern because of their adverse effects on water quality and their potential adverse effects on aquatic life. Therefore, the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB) mandated...
Authors
Kathryn L. Crepeau, Kathryn M. Kuivila