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
Bioremediation: Nature's way to a cleaner environment Bioremediation: Nature's way to a cleaner environment
No abstract available.
Authors
Frank H. Chapelle
Sewage contamination in the upper Mississippi River as measured by the fecal sterol, coprostanol Sewage contamination in the upper Mississippi River as measured by the fecal sterol, coprostanol
The molecular sewage indicator, coprostanol, was measured in bed sediments of the Mississippi River for the purpose of determining sewage contamination. Coprostanol is a non-ionic, non-polar, organic molecule that associates with sediments in surface waters, and concentrations of coprostanol in bed sediments provide an indication of long-term sewage loads. Because coprostanol...
Authors
J.H. Writer, J.A. Leenheer, L. B. Barber, G.L. Amy, S.C. Chapra
The structural and geochemical evolution of the continental crust: Support for the oceanic plateau model of continental growth The structural and geochemical evolution of the continental crust: Support for the oceanic plateau model of continental growth
The problem of the origin of the continental crust can be resolved into two fundamental questions: (1) the location and mechanisms of initial mantle extraction of the primitive crust and (2) the processes by which this primitive crust is converted into the continental crust that presently exists. We know that Archean continental crust is compositionally distinct from younger continental...
Authors
D. Abbott, Walter D. Mooney
Pb2+ and Zn2+ adsorption by a natural aluminum- and iron-bearing surface coating on an aquifer sand Pb2+ and Zn2+ adsorption by a natural aluminum- and iron-bearing surface coating on an aquifer sand
Pb2+ and Zn2+ adsorption was studied in batch experiments with material collected from a shallow, unconfined aquifer of glacial outwash sand and gravel in Falmouth, Massachusetts, USA. The aquifer solids contain primarily quartz (95% w/w), with minor amounts of alkali feldspars and ferromagnetic minerals. Pb2+ and Zn2+ adsorption experiments with various grain size and mineral fractions...
Authors
J.A. Coston, C. C. Fuller, J.A. Davis
Preliminary results from the hydrodynamic element of the 1994 entrapment zone study Preliminary results from the hydrodynamic element of the 1994 entrapment zone study
This article discusses preliminary results from analyses of USGS hydrodynamic data collected as part of the 1994 Interagency Ecological Program entrapment zone study. The USGS took part in three 30-hour cruises and deployed instruments for measuring currents and salinity from April to June. This article primarily focuses on the analysis of data from five Acoustic Doppler Current ProUers...
Authors
J.R. Burau, M. Stacey, J. W. Gartner
Diagnostic modeling of trace metal partitioning in south San Francisco Bay Diagnostic modeling of trace metal partitioning in south San Francisco Bay
The two-dimensional numerical model ELAmet was used to investigate the effect of adsorption kinetics on the apparent distribution coefficients of Cu, Cd, and Zn in south San Francisco Bay, California. The numerical experiments were designed to determine whether adsorption kinetics can control the basin-scale variability of the observed partitioning and to define the conditions under...
Authors
T. W. Wood, A. M. Baptista, J.S. Kuwabara, A.R. Flegal
Data on selected herbicides and two triazine metabolites in precipitation of the Midwestern and Northeastern United States, 1990-91 Data on selected herbicides and two triazine metabolites in precipitation of the Midwestern and Northeastern United States, 1990-91
Weekly precipitation (rain and snow) samples were collected from 81 National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network sites in the Midwestern and Northeastern United States for the analysis of herbicides. In addition, five high- elevation background sites along the Rocky Mountains and in Alaska were sampled to provide data on herbicides in precipitation at sites far from...
Authors
D. A. Goolsby, E.A. Scribner, E.M. Thurman, M.L. Pomes, M. T. Meyer
Concentration and transport data for dissolved inorganic constituents in water collected during seven cruises on the Mississippi River and some of its tributaries, July 1987-June 1990 Concentration and transport data for dissolved inorganic constituents in water collected during seven cruises on the Mississippi River and some of its tributaries, July 1987-June 1990
No abstract available.
Authors
T.I. Brinton, J.R. Barbarino, D.B. Peartt, Howard E. Taylor, Ronald C. Antweiler
Hydrogeology and water quality at the management systems evaluation area near Piketon, Ohio Hydrogeology and water quality at the management systems evaluation area near Piketon, Ohio
This report presents the results of a study by the U.S. Geological Survey, The Ohio State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to describe the hydrology, water quality, and geochemical factors controlling water quality at the Ohio Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA). The Ohio MSEA is located on a 650-acre farm in the Scioto River Valley in Pike County, south-central...
Authors
Martha L. Jagucki, Christopher D. Finton, Abraham E. Springer, E. Scott Bair
Studies of the San Francisco Bay, California, estuarine ecosystem: Pilot regional monitoring program results, 1994 Studies of the San Francisco Bay, California, estuarine ecosystem: Pilot regional monitoring program results, 1994
No abstract available.
Authors
Jody L. Edmunds, B.E. Cole, J. E. Cloern, J.M. Caffrey, A.D. Jassby
Documentation of AIR3D, an adaptation of the ground-water-flow code MODFLOW to simulate three-dimensional air flow in the unsaturated zone Documentation of AIR3D, an adaptation of the ground-water-flow code MODFLOW to simulate three-dimensional air flow in the unsaturated zone
No abstract available.
Authors
C.J. Joss, A. L. Baehr
Interpretation of prematurely terminated air-pressurized slug tests Interpretation of prematurely terminated air-pressurized slug tests
An air-pressurized slug test consists of applying a constant pressure to the column of air in a well, monitoring the declining water level, and then releasing the air pressure and monitoring the recovering water level. Such tests offer a means of estimating formation transmissivity and storativity without extensive downhole equipment and the associated safety risks. This paper analyzes...
Authors
Allen M. Shapiro, Earl A. Greene