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
Pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater contaminants within a leachate plume downgradient of a municipal landfill Pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater contaminants within a leachate plume downgradient of a municipal landfill
Ground water samples collected from the Norman Landfill research site in central Oklahoma were analyzed as part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Toxic Substances Hydrology Program's national reconnaissance of pharmaceuticals and other organic waste water contaminants (OWCs) in ground water. Five sites, four of which are located downgradient of the landfill, were sampled in 2000 and...
Authors
Kimberlee K. Barnes, Scott C. Christenson, Dana W. Kolpin, Michael J. Focazio, Edward T. Furlong, Steven D. Zaugg, Michael T. Meyer, Larry B. Barber
Occurrence of human pharmaceuticals in water resources of the United States: A review Occurrence of human pharmaceuticals in water resources of the United States: A review
The widespread environmental presence of some pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater compounds has been documented globally (e.g. Buser et al. 1998; Ternes 1998; Stumpf et al.1999; Heberer et al. 2001; Kümmerer 2001; Ternes et al. 2001; Scheytt et al. 2001; Golet et al. 2002; Kolpin et al. 2002; Boyd et al. 2003; Metcalf et al. 2003). Recently, there have been several literature...
Authors
M. J. Focazio, D.W. Kolpin, E. T. Furlong
Inhibition of acetoclastic methanogenesis in crude oil- and creosote-contaminated groundwater Inhibition of acetoclastic methanogenesis in crude oil- and creosote-contaminated groundwater
Results from a series of studies of methanogenic processes in crude oil- and creosote-contaminated aquifers indicate that acetoclastic methanogenesis is inhibited near non-aqueous sources. At a crude oil-contaminated site, numbers of acetoclastic methanogens found close to crude oil were one hundred times fewer than those of hydrogen- and formate-utilizing methanogens. In laboratory...
Authors
Ean Warren, Barbara A. Bekins, E. Michael Godsy, Virginia K. Smith
Selenium, iron, and chromium stable isotope ratio measurements by the double isotope spike TIMS method Selenium, iron, and chromium stable isotope ratio measurements by the double isotope spike TIMS method
This chapter focuses on the double-spike calibrated thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) methods for measurement of mass dependent isotope fractionation in Se, Fe, and Cr. Current measurement precision is approximately ± 0.2 per mil on 80Se / 76Se, 56Fe / 54Fe, and 53Cr / 52Cr. Sample size requirements are 500ng, 1μg, and 250ng for Se, Fe, and Cr respectively. These measurements...
Authors
Thomas M. Johnson, Thomas D. Bullen
Molecular markers and their use in environmental organic geochemistry Molecular markers and their use in environmental organic geochemistry
Molecular markers are organic substances that carry information about sources of organic matter or contamination. The source/marker relation can be used to indicate the presence of a given source material (qualitative), or, under appropriate conditions, to estimate the amount of a source material (quantitative source apportionment) in the environment. Assemblages of markers can also be...
Authors
Robert P. Eganhouse
Modeling microbial enhancement of Zn (II) and Pb (II) transport in columns packed with geologic media Modeling microbial enhancement of Zn (II) and Pb (II) transport in columns packed with geologic media
No abstract available.
Authors
Lee L. Landkamer, R.W. Harvey, D. W. Metge, J. N. Ryan
Lessons learned about metals in the estuary: The importance of long-term clam accumulation data Lessons learned about metals in the estuary: The importance of long-term clam accumulation data
No abstract available.
Authors
C. L. Brown, Samuel N. Luoma, Francis Parchaso, Janet K. Thompson
Geochemistry of coastal tarbells in southern California: A tribute to I.R. Kaplan Geochemistry of coastal tarbells in southern California: A tribute to I.R. Kaplan
No abstract available.
Authors
Keith A. Kvenvolden, Frances D. Hostettler
Evaluating remedial alternatives for the Alamosa River and Wightman Fork, near Summitville Mine, Colorado: Application of a reactive transport model to low- and high-flow simulations Evaluating remedial alternatives for the Alamosa River and Wightman Fork, near Summitville Mine, Colorado: Application of a reactive transport model to low- and high-flow simulations
Reactive-transport processes in Wightman Fork and the Alamosa River downstream from the Summitville Mine, south-central Colorado, were simulated at low and high flow using the OTEQ reactive-transport model. The simulations were calibrated using data from synoptic studies conducted during October 1998 and June 1999. Discharge over the 30-km reach from just below the mine site to the...
Authors
J.W. Ball, R.L. Runkel, D. Kirk Nordstrom
Aggregation: Physical aspects Aggregation: Physical aspects
No abstract available.
Authors
John R. Nimmo
Effects of benthic fauna on arsenic transport in Whitewood Creek, South Dakota Effects of benthic fauna on arsenic transport in Whitewood Creek, South Dakota
Field measurements and bioassay experiments were done to investigate the effects of arsenic and phosphorus interactions on sorption of these solutes by the benthic flora (periphyton and submerged macrophytes) in Whitewood Creek, a stream in western South Dakota. Short-term (24-hour) sorption experiments were used to determine arsenic transport characteristics for algae (first-order rate...
Authors
James S. Kuwabara, C.C.Y. Chang, S.P. Pasilis