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
Hydrology of the Bonneville Salt Flats, northwestern Utah, and simulation of ground-water flow and solute transport in the shallow-brine aquifer Hydrology of the Bonneville Salt Flats, northwestern Utah, and simulation of ground-water flow and solute transport in the shallow-brine aquifer
This report describes the hydrologic system of the Bonneville Salt Flats with emphasis on the mechanisms of solute transport. Variable-density, three-dimensional computer simulations of the near-surface part of the ground-water system were done to quantify both the transport of salt dissolved in subsurface brine that leaves the salt-crust area and the salt dissolved and precipitated on...
Authors
James L. Mason, Kenneth L. Kipp
Methods for collection of dissolved sulfate and sulfide and analysis of their sulfur isotopic composition Methods for collection of dissolved sulfate and sulfide and analysis of their sulfur isotopic composition
No abstract available.
Authors
R.W. Carmody, Niel Plummer, Eurybiades Busenberg, T.B. Coplen
Use of 13C NMR and FTIR for elucidation of degradation pathways during natural litter decomposition and compositing. II. Changes in leaf composition after senescence Use of 13C NMR and FTIR for elucidation of degradation pathways during natural litter decomposition and compositing. II. Changes in leaf composition after senescence
No abstract available.
Authors
Robert L. Wershaw, K. R. Kennedy, J.E. Henrich
Analysis and simulation of reactive transport of metal contaminants in ground water in Pinal Creek Basin, Arizona Analysis and simulation of reactive transport of metal contaminants in ground water in Pinal Creek Basin, Arizona
Large-scale mining activities have generated a plume of acidic ground water more than 15 km long in the regional aquifer of the Pinal Creek Basin. A one-dimensional reactive-transport model was developed using PHREEQC to aid in the analysis of transport and chemical processes in the plume and to determine the uses and limitations of this type of modeling approach. In 1984, the acidic...
Authors
James G. Brown, R. L. Bassett, Pierre D. Glynn
Technical protocol for evaluating natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents in ground water Technical protocol for evaluating natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents in ground water
This Protocol is designed to evaluate the fate in ground water of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons and/or fuel hydrocarbons. Documentation of natural attenuation requires detailed site characterization. The data collected under this protocol can be used to compare the relative effectiveness of other remedial options. and natural attenuation. This protocol should be used to evaluate...
Authors
T.H. Wiedemeier, M.A. Swanson, D.E. Moutoux, E.K. Gordon, J.T. Wilson, B.H. Wilson, D.H. Kampbell, P.E. Haas, R.N. Miller, J.E. Hansen, Francis H. Chapelle
Chemical and mineralogical characteristics and acid-neutralizing potential of fresh and altered rocks and soils of the Boulder River headwaters in Basin and Cataract Creeks of northern Jefferson County, Montana Chemical and mineralogical characteristics and acid-neutralizing potential of fresh and altered rocks and soils of the Boulder River headwaters in Basin and Cataract Creeks of northern Jefferson County, Montana
No abstract available.
Authors
George A. Desborough, Paul H. Briggs, Nilah Mazza
Ground water and surface water: A single resource Ground water and surface water: A single resource
The importance of considering ground water and surface water as a single resource has become increasingly evident. Issues related to water supply, water quality, and degradation of aquatic environments are reported on frequently. The interaction of ground water and surface water has been shown to be a significant concern in many of these issues. Contaminated aquifers that discharge to...
Authors
Thomas C. Winter, Judson W. Harvey, O. Lehn Franke, William M. Alley
Tracing of weathering reactions and water flowpaths: A multi-isotope approach Tracing of weathering reactions and water flowpaths: A multi-isotope approach
This chapter discusses the importance of using isotopes in a complementary manner, primarily to constrain and enrich models developed from hydrologic and chemical data. Isotopes are viewed as tools for testing rather than developing hypotheses, particularly in studies operating under tight budgetary constraints. Water isotopes are very useful tools for determining water sources in...
Authors
Tomas D. Bullen, Carol Kendall
Spatial variation in hydraulic conductivity determined by slug tests in the Canadian River alluvium near the Norman Landfill, Norman, Oklahoma Spatial variation in hydraulic conductivity determined by slug tests in the Canadian River alluvium near the Norman Landfill, Norman, Oklahoma
Slug tests were used to characterize hydraulic conductivity variations at a spatial scale on the order of meters in the alluvial aquifer downgradient of the Norman Landfill. Forty hydraulic conductivity measurements were made, most along a 215-meter flow path transect. Measured hydraulic conductivity, excluding clayey layers, ranged from 8.4 x 10-7 to 2.8 x 10-4 meters per second, with a...
Authors
Martha A. Scholl, Scott C. Christenson
Tritium in unsaturated zone gases and air at the Amargosa Desert Research Site, and in spring and river water, near Beatty, Nevada, May 1997 Tritium in unsaturated zone gases and air at the Amargosa Desert Research Site, and in spring and river water, near Beatty, Nevada, May 1997
Elevated tritium concentrations in the unsaturated zone at the Amargosa Desert Research Site (ADRS), immediately south and west of the low-level radioactive-waste burial site south of Beatty, Nevada, have stimulated research of processes that control the transport of tritium in arid unsaturated zones. In May 1997, 58 samples were collected from 1.5 m (meters) depth within a 250 m by 250...
Authors
Robert G. Striegl, Richard W. Healy, Robert L. Michel, David E. Prudic
Surface-water quality data, Permanente and Saratoga Creeks, Santa Clara Valley, California, water year 1997 Surface-water quality data, Permanente and Saratoga Creeks, Santa Clara Valley, California, water year 1997
No abstract available.
Authors
S.H. Myhre, K.E. Bencala
Anaerobic oxidation of [1,2-14C]Dichloroethene under Mn(IV)-reducing conditions Anaerobic oxidation of [1,2-14C]Dichloroethene under Mn(IV)-reducing conditions
Anaerobic oxidation of [1,2-14C]dichloroethene to14CO2 under Mn(IV)-reducing conditions was demonstrated. The results indicate that oxidative degradation of partially chlorinated solvents like dichloroethene can be significant even under anoxic conditions and demonstrate the potential importance of Mn(IV) reduction for remediation of chlorinated groundwater contaminants.
Authors
Paul M. Bradley, James Landmeyer, Richard S. Dinicola