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
Selective uptake and biological consequences of environmentally relevant antidepressant pharmaceutical exposures on male fathead minnows Selective uptake and biological consequences of environmentally relevant antidepressant pharmaceutical exposures on male fathead minnows
Antidepressant pharmaceuticals have been reported in wastewater effluent at the nanogram to low microgram-per-liter range, and include bupropion (BUP), fluoxetine (FLX), sertraline (SER), and venlafaxine (VEN). To assess the effects of antidepressants on reproductive anatomy, physiology, and behavior, adult male fathead minnows (Pimeplwles promelas) were exposed for 21 days either to a...
Authors
Melissa M. Schultz, Meghan M. Painter, Stephen E. Bartell, Amanda Logue, Edward T. Furlong, Stephen L. Werner, Heiko L. Schoenfuss
Towards identifying the next generation of superfund and hazardous waste site contaminants Towards identifying the next generation of superfund and hazardous waste site contaminants
Background This commentary evolved from a workshop sponsored by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences titled "Superfund Contaminants: The Next Generation" held in Tucson, Arizona, in August 2009. All the authors were workshop participants. Objectives Our aim was to initiate a dynamic, adaptable process for identifying contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) that are...
Authors
Wendell P. Ela, David L. Sedlak, Morton A. Barlaz, Heather F. Henry, Derek C.G. Muir, Deborah L. Swackhamer, Eric J. Weber, Robert G. Arnold, P. Lee Ferguson, Jennifer A. Field, Edward T. Furlong, John P. Giesy, Rolf U. Halden, Tala Henry, Ronald A. Hites, Keri C. Hornbuckle, Philip H. Howard, Richard G. Luthy, Anita K. Meyer, A. Eduardo Saez, Frederick S. vom Saal, Chris D. Vulpe, Mark R. Wiesner
Effects of human-induced alteration of groundwater flow on concentrations of naturally-occurring trace elements at water-supply wells Effects of human-induced alteration of groundwater flow on concentrations of naturally-occurring trace elements at water-supply wells
The effects of human-induced alteration of groundwater flow patterns on concentrations of naturally-occurring trace elements were examined in five hydrologically distinct aquifer systems in the USA. Although naturally occurring, these trace elements can exceed concentrations that are considered harmful to human health. The results show that pumping-induced hydraulic gradient changes and...
Authors
J. D. Ayotte, Z. Szabo, M. J. Focazio, S. M. Eberts
Removal of inorganic mercury and methylmercury from surface waters following coagulation of dissolved organic matter with metal-based salts Removal of inorganic mercury and methylmercury from surface waters following coagulation of dissolved organic matter with metal-based salts
The presence of inorganic mercury (IHg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in surface waters is a health concern worldwide. This study assessed the removal potential use of metal-based coagulants as a means to remove both dissolved IHg and MeHg from natural waters and provides information regarding the importance of Hg associations with the dissolved organic matter (DOM) fraction and metal...
Authors
Y.K. Henneberry, T.E.C. Kraus, J.A. Fleck, David P. Krabbenhoft, P.M. Bachand, W.R. Horwath
Comparison of atmospheric mercury speciation and deposition at nine sites across central and eastern North America Comparison of atmospheric mercury speciation and deposition at nine sites across central and eastern North America
This study presents >5 cumulative years of tropospheric mercury (Hg) speciation measurements, over the period of 2003–2009, for eight sites in the central and eastern United States and one site in coastal Puerto Rico. The purpose of this research was to identify local and regional processes that impact Hg speciation and deposition (wet + dry) across a large swath of North America. Sites...
Authors
Mark A. Engle, Michael T. Tate, David P. Krabbenhoft, James J Schauer, Allan Kolker, James B. Shanley, Michael Bothner
Geochemical data for core and bottom-sediment samples collected in 2007 from Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, northeast Oklahoma Geochemical data for core and bottom-sediment samples collected in 2007 from Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, northeast Oklahoma
Grand Lake O' the Cherokees is a large reservoir in northeast Oklahoma, below the confluence of the Neosho and Spring Rivers, both of which drain the Tri-State Mining District to the north. The Tri-State district covers an area of 1,200 mi2 (3,100 km2) and comprises Mississippi Valley-type lead-zinc deposits. A result of 120 years of mining activity is an estimated 75 million tons of...
Authors
David L. Fey, Mark F. Becker, Kathleen S. Smith
Erratum to: Isotopic composition and origin of indigenous natural perchlorate and co-occurring nitrate in the southwestern United States Erratum to: Isotopic composition and origin of indigenous natural perchlorate and co-occurring nitrate in the southwestern United States
No abstract available.
Authors
W Andrew Jackson, J.K. Bohlke, Baohua Gu, Paul B. Hatzinger, Neil C. Sturchio
Characterization of geologic deposits in the vicinity of US Ecology, Amargosa Basin, southern Nevada Characterization of geologic deposits in the vicinity of US Ecology, Amargosa Basin, southern Nevada
Multiple approaches have been applied to better understand the characteristics of geologic units exposed at the surface and buried at depth in the vicinity of US Ecology (USE), a low-level commercial waste site in the northern Amargosa Desert, Nevada. Techniques include surficial geologic mapping and interpretation of the subsurface using borehole data. Dated deposits at depth were used...
Authors
Emily M. Taylor
Biological communities in San Francisco Bay track large‐scale climate forcing over the North Pacific Biological communities in San Francisco Bay track large‐scale climate forcing over the North Pacific
Long‐term observations show that fish and plankton populations in the ocean fluctuate in synchrony with large‐scale climate patterns, but similar evidence is lacking for estuaries because of shorter observational records. Marine fish and invertebrates have been sampled in San Francisco Bay since 1980 and exhibit large, unexplained population changes including record‐high abundances of...
Authors
James E. Cloern, Kathryn Hieb, Teresa Jacobson, Bruno Sanso, Emanuele Di Lorenzo, Mark T. Stacey, John L. Largier, Wendy Meiring, William T Peterson, Thomas M. Powell, Monika Winder, Alan D. Jassby
Dissolved organic carbon export and internal cycling in small, headwater lakes Dissolved organic carbon export and internal cycling in small, headwater lakes
Carbon (C) cycling in freshwater lakes is intense but poorly integrated into our current understanding of overall C transport from the land to the oceans. We quantified dissolved organic carbon export (DOCX) and compared it with modeled gross DOC mineralization (DOCR) to determine whether hydrologic or within-lake processes dominated DOC cycling in a small headwaters watershed in...
Authors
Edward G. Stets, Robert G. Striegl, George R. Aiken
Water-chemistry data for selected springs, geysers, and streams in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 2006-2008 Water-chemistry data for selected springs, geysers, and streams in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 2006-2008
Water analyses are reported for 104 samples collected from numerous thermal and non-thermal features in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) during 2006-2008. Water samples were collected and analyzed for major and trace constituents from 10 areas of YNP including Apollinaris Spring and Nymphy Creek along the Norris-Mammoth corridor, Beryl Spring in Gibbon Canyon, Norris Geyser Basin, Lower...
Authors
James W. Ball, R. Blaine McMleskey, D. Kirk Nordstrom
Hillslope hydrologic connectivity controls riparian groundwater turnover: Implications of catchment structure for riparian buffering and stream water sources Hillslope hydrologic connectivity controls riparian groundwater turnover: Implications of catchment structure for riparian buffering and stream water sources
Hydrologic connectivity between catchment upland and near stream areas is essential for the transmission of water, solutes, and nutrients to streams. However, our current understanding of the role of riparian zones in mediating landscape hydrologic connectivity and the catchment scale export of water and solutes is limited. We tested the relationship between the duration of hillslope...
Authors
Kelsey G. Jencso, Brian L. McGlynn, Michael N. Gooseff, Kenneth E. Bencala, Steven M. Wondzell