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
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
Isolation of anaerobic oxalate-degrading bacteria from freshwater lake sediments Isolation of anaerobic oxalate-degrading bacteria from freshwater lake sediments
Enrichment cultures that anaerobically degraded oxalate were obtained from lake sediment inocula. From these, 5 pure cultures of anaerobic oxalate-degrading bacteria were isolated and partially characterized. The isolates were Gram-negative, non-sporeforming, non-motile, obligate anaerobes. Oxalate was required for growth and was stoichiometrically converted to formate; 14CO2 was also...
Authors
R. L. Smith, F.E. Strohmaier, Ronald S. Oremland
Modeling the rate-controlled sorption of hexavalent chromium Modeling the rate-controlled sorption of hexavalent chromium
Sorption of chromium VI on the iron-oxide- and hydroxide-coated surface of alluvial material was numerically simulated with rate-controlled reactions. Reaction kinetics and diffusional processes, in the form of film, pore, and particle diffusion, were simulated and compared with experimental results. The use of empirically calculated rate coefficients for diffusion through the reacting...
Authors
D.B. Grove, Kenneth G. Stollenwerk
Geochemical investigations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins in the subsurface environment at an abandoned wood-treatment facility Geochemical investigations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins in the subsurface environment at an abandoned wood-treatment facility
The discharge of effluents containing creosote and pentachlorophenol into two unlined surface impoundments at a wood-treatment facility in Pensacola, Florida, resulted in contamination of the underlying sand and gravel aquifer. These wastes contained significant amounts of chlorinated dioxins, such as isomers of hexa- and heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin...
Authors
W. E. Pereira, C.E. Rostad, M.E. Sisak
Separation of solute and particulate vectors of heavy metal uptake in controlled suspension-feeding experiments with Macoma balthica Separation of solute and particulate vectors of heavy metal uptake in controlled suspension-feeding experiments with Macoma balthica
Radioisotope labelling experiments with the estuarine clam, Macoma balthica, are described, in which a filter chamber device was used to separate solute metal uptake from uptake, of metals associated with suspended bacteria. Solute uptake contributed a majority of the 14-day total body burdens of 65Zn and 109Cd, whereas 57Co uptake largely resulted from ingestion of isotope-laden...
Authors
Ronald W. Harvey, Samuel N. Luoma
Adsorption and desorption of hexavalent chromium in an alluvial aquifer near Telluride, Colorado Adsorption and desorption of hexavalent chromium in an alluvial aquifer near Telluride, Colorado
A laboratory investigation of reactions between hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] and alluvium was conducted to evaluate reactions of Cr(VI) contaminating an alluvial aquifer near Telluride, CO and to determine the mechanisms responsible for these reactions. Uncontaminated alluvium and groundwater (spiked with CrO42−) from the study site were used in batch and column experiments. Results of...
Authors
Kenneth G. Stollenwerk, D.B. Grove
Reduction of hexavalent chromium in water samples acidified for preservation Reduction of hexavalent chromium in water samples acidified for preservation
Reduction of hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), in water samples, preserved by standard techniques, was investigated. The standard preservation technique for water samples that are to be analyzed for Cr(VI) consists of filtration through a 0.45‐µm membrane, acidification to a pH 2, and storage in plastic bottles. Batch experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of H+ concentration, NO2
Authors
Kenneth G. Stollenwerk, D.B. Grove
On the expected width function for topologically random channel networks On the expected width function for topologically random channel networks
No abstract available.
Authors
Brent M. Troutman, Michael R. Karlinger
Reply [to “Comment on ‘Identifying sources of groundwater pollution: An optimization approach’ by Steven M. Gorelick, Barbara Evans, and Irwin Remson”] Reply [to “Comment on ‘Identifying sources of groundwater pollution: An optimization approach’ by Steven M. Gorelick, Barbara Evans, and Irwin Remson”]
No abstract available.
Authors
Steven M. Gorelick, Barbara Evans, Irwin Remson
Reply to comments by MacIntyre and Smith on: Partition equilibria of nonionic organic compounds between soil-organic matter and water Reply to comments by MacIntyre and Smith on: Partition equilibria of nonionic organic compounds between soil-organic matter and water
No abstract available.
Authors
Cary T. Chiou, Paul E. Porter, Thomas D. Shoup
Modeling the interrelationship of groundwater and surface water Modeling the interrelationship of groundwater and surface water
No abstract available.
Authors
T. C. Winter
Contaminants in the Upper Mississippi: Summary and conclusions Contaminants in the Upper Mississippi: Summary and conclusions
No abstract available.
Authors
Samuel N. Luoma