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
Numerical simulation of ground-water flow through glacial deposits and crystalline bedrock in the Mirror Lake area, Grafton County, New Hampshire Numerical simulation of ground-water flow through glacial deposits and crystalline bedrock in the Mirror Lake area, Grafton County, New Hampshire
This report documents the development of a computer model to simulate steady-state (long-term average) flow of ground water in the vicinity of Mirror Lake, which lies at the eastern end of the Hubbard Brook valley in central New Hampshire. The 10-km2 study area includes Mirror Lake, the three streams that flow into Mirror Lake, Leeman's Brook, Paradise Brook, and parts of Hubbard Brook...
Authors
Claire R. Tiedeman, Daniel J. Goode, Paul A. Hsieh
A rapid and simple method for estimating sulfate reduction activity and quantifying inorganic sulfides A rapid and simple method for estimating sulfate reduction activity and quantifying inorganic sulfides
A simplified passive extraction procedure for quantifying reduced inorganic sulfur compounds from sediments and water is presented. This method may also be used for the estimation of sulfate reduction rates. Efficient extraction of FeS, FeS2, and S2- was obtained with this procedure; however, the efficiency for S0 depended on the form that was tested. Passive extraction can be used with...
Authors
G.A. Ulrich, L.R. Krumholz, J.M. Suflita
Estimating ground-water recharge from streamflow hydrographs for a small mountain watershed in a temperate humid climate, New Hampshire, USA Estimating ground-water recharge from streamflow hydrographs for a small mountain watershed in a temperate humid climate, New Hampshire, USA
Hydrographs of stream discharge were analyzed to determine ground-water recharge for two small basins draining into Mirror Lake, New Hampshire. Two methods of hydrograph analysis developed for determining ground-water recharge were evaluated, the instantaneous recharge method and the constant recharge method. For the instantaneous recharge method, recharge is assumed to be instantaneous...
Authors
David P. Mau, Thomas C. Winter
Anaerobic degradation of benzene in diverse anoxic environments Anaerobic degradation of benzene in diverse anoxic environments
Benzene has often been observed to be resistant to microbial degradation under anoxic conditions. A number of recent studies, however, have demonstrated that anaerobic benzene utilization can occur. This study extends the previous reports of anaerobic benzene degradation to sediments that varied with respect to contamination input, predominant redox condition, and salinity. In spite of...
Authors
J. Kazumi, M.E. Caldwell, J.M. Suflita, D.R. Lovely, L.Y. Young
Chemical factors influencing colloid-facilitated transport of contaminants in porous media Chemical factors influencing colloid-facilitated transport of contaminants in porous media
The effects of colloids on the transport of two strongly sorbing solutesa hydrophobic organic compound, phenanthrene, and a metal ion, Ni2+were studied in sand-packed laboratory columns under different pH and ionic strength conditions. Two types of column experiments were performed as follows: (i) sorption/mobilization experiments where the contaminant was first sorbed in the column...
Authors
Sujoy B. Roy, David A. Dzombak
Transformations of TNT and related aminotoluenes in groundwater aquifer slurries under different electron-accepting conditions Transformations of TNT and related aminotoluenes in groundwater aquifer slurries under different electron-accepting conditions
The transport and fate of pollutants is often governed by both their tendency to sorb as well as their susceptibility to biodegradation. We have evaluated these parameters for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and several biodegradation products. Slurries of aquifer sediment and groundwater depleted TNT at rates of 27, 7.7 and 5.9 μM day−1 under methanogenic, sulfate-reducing and nitrate...
Authors
L.R. Krumholz, J. Li, W.W. Clarkson, G.G. Wilber, J.M. Suflita
In situ and laboratory methods to study subsurface microbial transport In situ and laboratory methods to study subsurface microbial transport
No abstract available.
Authors
Ronald W. Harvey
Comparative results of 27A1 NMR spectrometric and ferron colorimetric analyses of hydroxaluminum hydrolysis products in aged mildly acidic aqueous systems Comparative results of 27A1 NMR spectrometric and ferron colorimetric analyses of hydroxaluminum hydrolysis products in aged mildly acidic aqueous systems
No abstract available.
Authors
D.V. Vivit, Karen M. Thorne, J.D. Hem
Geochemistry of the processes that attenuate acid mine drainage in wetlands Geochemistry of the processes that attenuate acid mine drainage in wetlands
Because conventional treatment of acid-mine drainage (AMD) involves installation and maintenance of water treatment plants, regulators and mine operators have sought lower cost and lower maintenance technologies. One ecological engineering technology that has received increasing research attention is the use of natural and constructed wetlands for remediation of some of the water-quality...
Authors
Katherine Walton-Day
EM Induction and DC Resistivity surveys near the Norman, Oklahoma Landfill - text and figures for the WRD Norman web site EM Induction and DC Resistivity surveys near the Norman, Oklahoma Landfill - text and figures for the WRD Norman web site
No abstract available.
Authors
Jeff E. Lucius, R. J. Bisdorf
Geochemical modeling of water-rock interactions in mining environments Geochemical modeling of water-rock interactions in mining environments
Geochemical modeling is a powerful tool for evaluating geochemical processes in mining environments. Properly constrained and judiciously applied, modeling can provide valuable insights into processes controlling the release, transport, and fate of contaminants in mine drainage. This chapter contains 1) an overview of geochemical modeling, 2) discussion of the types of models and...
Authors
Charles N. Alpers, D. Kirk Nordstrom