Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Publications

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

Filter Total Items: 3784

Movement and fate of detergents in groundwater: A field study Movement and fate of detergents in groundwater: A field study

The major cations, anions, and detergents in a plume of contaminated groundwater at Otis Air Base on Cape Cod (Mass., U.S.A.) have moved approximately 3.5 km down gradient from the disposal beds. We hypothesize that the detergents form two distinct plumes, which consist of alkyl benzene sulfonates (ABS) detergents and linear alkyl sulfonates (LAS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (NaLS)...
Authors
E.M. Thurman, L.B. Barber, D. LeBlanc

Algal growth response to particle-bound orthophosphate and zinc Algal growth response to particle-bound orthophosphate and zinc

Effects of Zn (0-1 mu M total Zn(II)) and orthophosphate (8-12 mu M total P) additions on growth indices for the chlorophyte Selenastrum capricornutum were examined in a medium containing 50 mg liter-1 colloidal titania. Over the Zn(II) concentration range used, detrimental growth and yield effects were observed. Addition of P to a synthetic growth medium increased stationary phase cell...
Authors
James S. Kuwabara, J.A. Davis, Cecily C.Y. Chang

A comparison of two methods for determining copper partitioning in oxidized sediments A comparison of two methods for determining copper partitioning in oxidized sediments

Model estimations of the proportion of Cu in oxidized sediments associated with extractable organic materials show some agreement with the proportion of Cu extracted from those sediments with ammonium hydroxide. Data were from 17 estuaries of widely differing sediment chemistry. The modelling and extraction methods agreed best where concentrations of organic materials were either in very...
Authors
Samuel N. Luoma

Transport of chloride ion in a water-unsaturated soil exhibiting anion exclusion Transport of chloride ion in a water-unsaturated soil exhibiting anion exclusion

Miscible displacement techniques were used to create Cl- concentration profiles in unsaturated laboratory columns of Delhi sand (Typic Xeropsamments), each having a nearly uniform water content. The three steady flow rates used resulted in three different, average water contents. Chloride concentrations near the top of the column were smaller and penetration of Cl- in the column was...
Authors
Ronald V. James, Jacob Rubin

Effect of seasonally changing tissue weight on trace metal concentrations in the bivalve Macoma balthica in San Francisco Bay Effect of seasonally changing tissue weight on trace metal concentrations in the bivalve Macoma balthica in San Francisco Bay

The influence of seasonal changes in the weight of soft tissues on temporal fluctuations in tissue concentrations of Cu and Zn was examined in 4 populations of the clam Macoma balthica sampled in San Francisco Bay for a period of 2 to 5 yr. Fluctuations in metal concentration expected from changes in tissue weight between sampling dates were estimated by assuming that whole body metal...
Authors
Daniel J. Cain, Samuel N. Luoma

Digital image measurement of the area and anatomical structure of tree rings Digital image measurement of the area and anatomical structure of tree rings

A microcomputer coupled to a video digitizer was used to develop methods for measuring areas of tree rings and for delineating and measuring microscopic anatomical features. Digitally imaged areas of individual rings of a loblolly pine cross section were within 2.6% of areas measured with a planimeter and were more accurate than areas calculated from radius widths. Various anatomical...
Authors
Thomas M. Yanosky, Charles J. Robinove

U.S. Geological Survey toxic Waste-Groundwater Contamination Program, fiscal year 1985 U.S. Geological Survey toxic Waste-Groundwater Contamination Program, fiscal year 1985

In fiscal year 1982, the U S Geological Survey began an interdisciplinary research thrust entitled Toxic Waste-Groundwater Contamination Program The objective of the thrust was to provide earth sciences information necessary to evaluate and mitigate existing groundwater contamination problems resulting from the planned or inadvertant disposal of wastes and from certain land-use practices...
Authors
S.E. Ragone

Variability in the fractionation of Cu, Ag, and Zn among cytosolic proteins in the bivalve Macoma balthica Variability in the fractionation of Cu, Ag, and Zn among cytosolic proteins in the bivalve Macoma balthica

Gel filtration chromatographs of cytosols from the clam Macorna balthica analysed from both field and laboratory treated specimens showed that uptake of Cu, Ag, and Zn in the metallothionein-like protein (MLP) pool follows exposure both in nature and in the laboratory. Specimens collected from San Francisco Bay over 18 mo showed strong temporal variability in the fractionation of the...
Authors
C. Johansson, Daniel J. Cain, Samuel N. Luoma

Gas-film coefficients for the volatilization of ethylene dibromide from water Gas-film coefficients for the volatilization of ethylene dibromide from water

Gas-film coefficients for the volatilization of ethylene dibromide (EDB) and water were determined in the laboratory as a function of wind speed and temperature. The ratio of the coefficients was independent of wind speed and increased slightly with temperature. Use of this ratio with an environmentally determined gas-film coefficient for the evaporation of water permits determination of...
Authors
R. E. Rathbun, D.Y. Tal

Recovering fresh water stored in saline limestone aquifers Recovering fresh water stored in saline limestone aquifers

Numerical modeling techniques are used to examine the hydrogeologic, design, and management factors governing the recovery efficiency of subsurface fresh-water storage. The modeling approach permitted many combinations of conditions to be studied. A sensitivity analysis was used that consisted of varying certain parameters while keeping constant as many other parameters or processes as...
Authors
M. L. Merritt

Use of detrended correspondence analysis to evaluate factors controlling spatial distribution of benthic insects Use of detrended correspondence analysis to evaluate factors controlling spatial distribution of benthic insects

Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) was evaluated for its effectiveness in displaying factors controlling the spatial distribution of benthic insects in an oligotrophic stream where an experimental gradient (copper) that selectively affects population abundances was imposed. DCA proved to be highly sensitive to differences among samples and consistently provided ecologically...
Authors
H.V. Leland, James L. Carter, Steven V. Fend
Was this page helpful?