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

Filter Total Items: 3784

Geothermal arsenic Geothermal arsenic

No abstract available.
Authors
John G. Webster, D. Kirk Nordstrom

Geochemical processes controlling transport of arsenic in groundwater: A review of adsorption Geochemical processes controlling transport of arsenic in groundwater: A review of adsorption

Adsorption is the predominate mechanism controlling transport of arsenic in many ground water systems. Hydrous oxides of iron, aluminum, and manganese, and clay minerals are commonly associated with aquifer solids and have been shown to be significant adsorbents of arsenic. The extent of arsenic adsorption is influenced by the chemistry of the aqueous phase including pH, arsenic...
Authors
Kenneth G. Stollenwerk

Subcellular compartmentalization of Cd and Zn in two bivalves. I. Significance of metal-sensitive fractions (MSF) and biologically detoxified metal (BDM) Subcellular compartmentalization of Cd and Zn in two bivalves. I. Significance of metal-sensitive fractions (MSF) and biologically detoxified metal (BDM)

Many aspects of metal accumulation in aquatic invertebrates (i.e. toxicity, tolerance and trophic transfer) can be understood by examining the subcellular partitioning of accumulated metal. In this paper, we use a compartmentalization approach to interpret the significance of metal, species and size dependence in the subcellular partitioning of Cd and Zn in the bivalves Macoma balthica...
Authors
W.G. Wallace, B.-G. Lee, S. N. Luoma

Bacterial transport experiments in fractured crystalline bedrock Bacterial transport experiments in fractured crystalline bedrock

The efficiency of contaminant biodegradation in ground water depends, in part, on the transport properties of the degrading bacteria. Few data exist concerning the transport of bacteria in saturated bedrock, particularly at the field scale. Bacteria and microsphere tracer experiments were conducted in a fractured crystalline bedrock under forced-gradient conditions over a distance of 36...
Authors
M.W. Becker, D.W. Metge, S.A. Collins, A.M. Shapiro, R.W. Harvey

Selenium in San Francisco Bay zooplankton: Potential effects of hydrodynamics and food web interactions Selenium in San Francisco Bay zooplankton: Potential effects of hydrodynamics and food web interactions

The potential toxicity of elevated selenium (Se) concentrations in aquatic ecosystems has stimulated efforts to measure Se concentrations in benthos, nekton, and waterfowl in San Francisco Bay (SF Bay). In September 1998, we initiated a 14 mo field study to determine the concentration of Se in SF Bay zooplankton, which play a major role in the Bay food web, but which have not previously...
Authors
D.G. Purkerson, M.A. Doblin, S.M. Bollens, S. N. Luoma, G.A. Cutter

Oxygen isotopes in nitrate: New reference materials for 18O:17O:16O measurements and observations on nitrate-water equilibration Oxygen isotopes in nitrate: New reference materials for 18O:17O:16O measurements and observations on nitrate-water equilibration

Despite a rapidly growing literature on analytical methods and field applications of O isotope-ratio measurements of NO3− in environmental studies, there is evidence that the reported data may not be comparable because reference materials with widely varying δ18O values have not been readily available. To address this problem, we prepared large quantities of two nitrate salts with...
Authors
J.K. Böhlke, S.J. Mroczkowski, T.B. Coplen

Mineral precipitation and dissolution at two slag-disposal sites in northwestern Indiana, USA Mineral precipitation and dissolution at two slag-disposal sites in northwestern Indiana, USA

Slag is a ubiquitous byproduct of the iron- and steel-refining industries. In northwestern Indiana and northeastern Illinois, slag has been deposited over more than 52 km2 of land surface. Despite the widespread use of slag for fill and construction purposes, little is known about its chemical effects on the environment. Two slagdisposal sites were examined in northwestern Indiana where...
Authors
E.R. Bayless, M. S. Schulz

Abundance and characteristics of the recreational water quality indicator bacteria Escherichia coli and enterococci in gull faeces Abundance and characteristics of the recreational water quality indicator bacteria Escherichia coli and enterococci in gull faeces

Aims: To evaluate the numbers and selected phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of the faecal indicator bacteria Escherichia coli and enterococci in gull faeces at representative Great Lakes swimming beaches in the United States. Methods and Results: E. coli and enterococci were enumerated in gull faeces by membrane filtration. E. coli genotypes (rep‐PCR genomic profiles) and E. coli...
Authors
L.R. Fogarty, S.K. Haack, M. J. Wolcott, R.L. Whitman

A reservoir of nitrate beneath desert soils A reservoir of nitrate beneath desert soils

A large reservoir of bioavailable nitrogen (up to ∼104 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare, as nitrate) has been previously overlooked in studies of global nitrogen distribution. The reservoir has been accumulating in subsoil zones of arid regions throughout the Holocene. Consideration of the subsoil reservoir raises estimates of vadose-zone nitrogen inventories by 14 to 71% for warm...
Authors
Michelle Ann Walvoord, Fred M. Phillips, David A. Stonestrom, R. Dave Evans, Peter C. Hartsough, Brent D. Newman, Robert G. Striegl

Near field receiving water monitoring of trace metals in clams (Macoma balthica) and sediments near the Palo Alto water quality control plant in south San Francisco Bay, California: 2002 Near field receiving water monitoring of trace metals in clams (Macoma balthica) and sediments near the Palo Alto water quality control plant in south San Francisco Bay, California: 2002

This report presents trace element concentrations analyzed on samples of fine-grained sediments and clams (Macoma balthica) collected from a mudflat one kilometer south of the discharge of the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant in South San Francisco Bay. This report serves as a continuation of the Near Field Receiving Water Monitoring Study, which was started in 1994. The...
Authors
Edward Moon, Carlos Primo C. David, Samuel N. Luoma, Daniel J. Cain, Michelle I. Hornberger, Irene R. Lavigne

Using water-quality profiles to characterize seasonal water quality and loading in the upper Animas River basin, southwestern Colorado Using water-quality profiles to characterize seasonal water quality and loading in the upper Animas River basin, southwestern Colorado

One of the important types of information needed to characterize water quality in streams affected by historical mining is the seasonal pattern of toxic trace-metal concentrations and loads. Seasonal patterns in water quality are estimated in this report using a technique called water-quality profiling. Water-quality profiling allows land managers and scientists to assess priority areas...
Authors
Kenneth J. Leib, M. Alisa Mast, Winfield G. Wright
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