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
Methodology for estimating times of remediation associated with monitored natural attenuation Methodology for estimating times of remediation associated with monitored natural attenuation
Natural attenuation processes combine to disperse, immobilize, and biologically transform anthropogenic contaminants, such as petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated ethenes, in ground-water systems. The time required for these processes to lower contaminant concentrations to levels protective of human health and the environment, however, varies widely between different hydrologic systems
Authors
Francis H. Chapelle, Mark A. Widdowson, J. Steven Brauner, Eduardo Mendez, Clifton C. Casey
Environmental impacts of petroleum production--Initial results from the Osage-Skiatook Petroleum Environmental Research Sites, Osage County, Oklahoma Environmental impacts of petroleum production--Initial results from the Osage-Skiatook Petroleum Environmental Research Sites, Osage County, Oklahoma
Exploration for and production of petroleum have caused major detrimental impacts to soils, surface and ground waters, and the local ecosystems in the United States. These impacts arise primarily from the improper disposal of large volumes of saline water produced with oil and gas, from accidental hydrocarbon and produced water releases, and from abandoned oil wells that were not...
Authors
Yousif K. Kharaka, James K. Otton
The geochemical evolution of riparian ground water in a forested piedmont catchment The geochemical evolution of riparian ground water in a forested piedmont catchment
The principal weathering reactions and their rates in riparian ground water were determined at the Panola Mountain Research Watershed (PMRW) near Atlanta, Georgia. Concentrations of major solutes were measured in ground water samples from 19 shallow wells completed in the riparian (saprolite) aquifer and in one borehole completed in granite, and the apparent age of each sample was...
Authors
Douglas A. Burns, Niel Plummer, Jeffrey J. McDonnell, Eurybiades Busenberg, Gerolamo C. Casile, Carol Kendall, Richard P. Hooper, James E. Freer, Norman E. Peters, Keith Beven, Peter Schlosser
History and ecology of chloroethene biodegradation: A review History and ecology of chloroethene biodegradation: A review
No abstract available.
Authors
Paul M. Bradley
Response of benthic invertebrate assemblages to metal exposure and bioaccumulation associated with hard-rock mining in northwestern streams, USA Response of benthic invertebrate assemblages to metal exposure and bioaccumulation associated with hard-rock mining in northwestern streams, USA
Benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages, environmental variables, and associated mine density were evaluated during the summer of 2000 at 18 reference and test sites in the Coeur d'Alene and St. Regis River basins, northwestern USA as part of the US Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program. Concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in water and (or) streambed sediment at test...
Authors
T.R. Maret, D.J. Cain, D.E. MacCoy, T.M. Short
Diurnal variation in trace-metal concentrations in streams Diurnal variation in trace-metal concentrations in streams
No abstract available.
Authors
David A. Nimick
Natural weathering rates of silicate minerals Natural weathering rates of silicate minerals
No abstract available.
Authors
A. F. White
Geochemistry of groundwater Geochemistry of groundwater
No abstract available.
Authors
Christina M. Aiello
Estimation of hectare-scale soil-moisture characteristics from aquifer-test data Estimation of hectare-scale soil-moisture characteristics from aquifer-test data
Analysis of a 72-h, constant-rate aquifer test conducted in a coarse-grained and highly permeable, glacial outwash deposit on Cape Cod, Massachusetts revealed that drawdowns measured in 20 piezometers located at various depths below the water table and distances from the pumped well were significantly influenced by effects of drainage from the vadose zone. The influence was greatest in...
Authors
A.F. Moench
Simplified method for detecting tritium contamination in plants and soil Simplified method for detecting tritium contamination in plants and soil
Cost-effective methods are needed to identify the presence and distribution of tritium near radioactive waste disposal and other contaminated sites. The objectives of this study were to (i) develop a simplified sample preparation method for determining tritium contamination in plants and (ii) determine if plant data could be used as an indicator of soil contamination. The method entailed
Authors
Brian J. Andraski, Mark W. Sandstrom, R. L. Michel, J.C. Radyk, David A. Stonestrom, M. J. Johnson, C.J. Mayers
Characterization of lake water and ground water movement in the littoral zone of Williams Lake, a closed-basin lake in North central Minnesota Characterization of lake water and ground water movement in the littoral zone of Williams Lake, a closed-basin lake in North central Minnesota
Williams Lake, Minnesota is a closed‐basin lake that is a flow‐through system with respect to ground water. Ground‐water input represents half of the annual water input and most of the chemical input to the lake. Chemical budgets indicate that the lake is a sink for calcium, yet surficial sediments contain little calcium carbonate. Sediment pore‐water samplers (peepers) were used to...
Authors
P. F. Schuster, M.M. Reddy, J. W. LaBaugh, R.S. Parkhurst, D.O. Rosenberry, T. C. Winter, Ronald C. Antweiler, W.E. Dean