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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

Simulation of steady-state flow in three-dimensional fracture networks using the boundary-element method Simulation of steady-state flow in three-dimensional fracture networks using the boundary-element method

An efficient method for simulating steady-state flow in three-dimensional fracture networks is formulated with the use of the boundary-element method. The host rock is considered to be impervious, and the fractures can be of any orientation and areal extent. The fractures are treated as surfaces where fluid movement is essentially two-dimensional. Fracture intersections are regarded as...
Authors
A.M. Shapiro, J. Andersson

Errors and parameter estimation in precipitation-runoff modeling: 1. Theory Errors and parameter estimation in precipitation-runoff modeling: 1. Theory

Errors in complex conceptual precipitation-runoff models may be analyzed by placing them into a statistical framework. This amounts to treating the errors as random variables and defining the probabilistic structure of the errors. By using such a framework, a large array of techniques, many of which have been presented in the statistical literature, becomes available to the modeler for...
Authors
Brent M. Troutman

Geochemical mass-balance relationships for selected ions in precipitation and stream water, Catoctin Mountains, Maryland Geochemical mass-balance relationships for selected ions in precipitation and stream water, Catoctin Mountains, Maryland

Results of a study of input/output mass balances for major ions based on the chemical composition of precipitation and stream-water, geochemical reactions with different loading rates of hydrogen ion, and watershed processes influencing the chemical character of stream-waters in two small watershed areas are reported with a view to predicting the effect of additions of acidic rain to the...
Authors
B. G. Katz, O.P. Bricker, M.M. Kennedy

Effect of adherent bacteria and bacterial extracellular polymers upon assimilation by Macoma balthica of sediment-bound Cd, Zn and Ag Effect of adherent bacteria and bacterial extracellular polymers upon assimilation by Macoma balthica of sediment-bound Cd, Zn and Ag

Effects of adherent bacteria and bacterial extracellular polymer (exopolymer) upon uptake of particle-bound Cd, Zn and Ag by the deposit-feeding clam Macoma balthica were studied in the laboratory. Amorphous iron oxyhydroxide and unaltered and alkaline-extracted sediments were used as model particulates in separate, controlled deposit-feeding experiments. In general, amounts of metal...
Authors
Ronald W. Harvey, Samuel N. Luoma

Remote sensing of tidal chlorophyll-a variations in estuaries Remote sensing of tidal chlorophyll-a variations in estuaries

Simultaneous acquisition of surface chlorophyll-a concentrations for 39 samples from boats and Daedalus 1260 Multispectral Scanner data from a U-2 aircraft was conducted in the northern reaches of San Francisco Bay on 28 August 1980. These data were used to develop regression models for predicting surface chlorophyll-a concentrations over the study area for ebb-tide (8.40 a.m. P.D.T....
Authors
Glenn P. Catts, Siamak Khorram, James E. Cloern, Allen W. Knight, Stephen D. Degloria

Thermodynamic stability of CoOOH and its coprecipitation with manganese Thermodynamic stability of CoOOH and its coprecipitation with manganese

A precipitate of cobalt oxyhydroxides formed by bubbling oxygen through a dilute solution of Co(NO3)2 held at pH 9.0 and 25°C was aged for 23 months in contact with the original solution, with access to atmospheric oxygen. Co3O4 and CoOOH were identified in the precipitate by X-ray diffraction. Chemical equilibria involving these solids were evaluated by measurements of solution pH and...
Authors
J.D. Hem, C. E. Roberson, Carol J. Lind

Temporal fluctuations of silver, copper and zinc in the bivalve Macoma balthica at five stations in South San Francisco Bay Temporal fluctuations of silver, copper and zinc in the bivalve Macoma balthica at five stations in South San Francisco Bay

Concentrations of Cu, Ag and Zn were measured in the soft tissues of the estuarine bivalve Macoma balthica in South San Francisco Bay at near-monthly intervals for periods of two to three years at four stations, and eight years at a metal-enriched station. The amplitude and frequency of fluctuations differed among stations and among metals. Fluctuations were greatest at stations with the...
Authors
Samuel N. Luoma, Daniel Cain, C. Johansson

Copper and silver accumulation in transplanted and resident clams (Macoma balthica) in South San Francisco Bay Copper and silver accumulation in transplanted and resident clams (Macoma balthica) in South San Francisco Bay

Accumulation of Cu and Ag by soft tissues of the deposit-feeding clam Macoma balthica was less than half in clams transplanted to a contaminated area than in clams native to that area. During a period of tissue growth, the transplants retained 50% and 90%, respectively, of the net Cu and Ag accumulated, but loss of metals from soft tissue by the resident population equalled net...
Authors
D.J. Cain, Samuel N. Luoma

Mechanistic roles of soil humus and minerals in the sorption of nonionic organic compounds from aqueous and organic solutions Mechanistic roles of soil humus and minerals in the sorption of nonionic organic compounds from aqueous and organic solutions

Mechanistic roles of soil humus and soil minerals and their contributions to soil sorption of nonionic organic compounds from aqueous and organic solutions are illustrated. Parathion and lindane are used as model solutes on two soils that differ greatly in their humic and mineral contents. In aqueous systems, observed sorptive characteristics suggest that solute partitioning into the...
Authors
C. T. Chiou, T.D. Shoup, P.E. Porter

Dissolution of alkaline earth sulfates in the presence of montmorillonite Dissolution of alkaline earth sulfates in the presence of montmorillonite

In a study of the effect of montmorillonite on the dissolution of BaSO4 (barite), SrSO4 (celestite), and 226Ra from U mill tailings, it was found that: (1) More of these substances dissolve in an aqueous system that contains montmorillonite than dissolve in a similar system without clay, due to the ion exchange properties of the clay; (2) Na-montmorillonite is more effective in aiding...
Authors
D. D. Eberl, Edward R. Landa

Geophysical techniques for reconnaissance investigations of soils and surficial deposits in mountainous terrain Geophysical techniques for reconnaissance investigations of soils and surficial deposits in mountainous terrain

Two techniques were assessed for their capabilities in reconnaissance studies of soil characteristics: depth to the water table and depth to bedrock beneath surficial deposits in mountainous terrain. Ground-penetrating radar had the best near-surface resolution in the upper 2 m of the profile and provided continuous interpretable imagery of soil profiles and bedrock surfaces. Where thick...
Authors
C.G. Olson, J.A. Doolittle

Temporal fluctuations in grain size, organic materials and iron concentrations in intertidal surface sediment of San Francisco Bay Temporal fluctuations in grain size, organic materials and iron concentrations in intertidal surface sediment of San Francisco Bay

The physical and chemical characteristics of the oxidized surface sediment in an estuary fluctuate temporally in response to physical forces and apparently-fluctuating inputs. These characteristics, which include grain size and concentrations of organic materials and iron, will influence both trace-metal geochemistry and bioavailability. Temporal trends in the abundance of fine particles...
Authors
E. A. Thomson-Becker, Samuel N. Luoma
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