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
Biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur: Natural distributions and response to disturbance Biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur: Natural distributions and response to disturbance
No abstract available.
Authors
M.E. McClain, Richard E. Bilby, F.J. Triska
Sources and age of aquatic humus Sources and age of aquatic humus
As aquatic scientists have recognized the diversity of processes controlled by or dependent upon aquatic humus, it has become important to learn more about the genesis, chemical properties, and concentration of humic substances in aquatic ecosystems. There are three classes of aquatic humus (fulvic acids, humic acids, and humin), all of which share the characteristics of being...
Authors
Diane M. McKnight, George R. Aiken
Use of 13C NMR and FTIR for elucidation of degradation pathways during natural litter decomposition and compositing. IV. Characterization of humic and fulvic acids extracted from senescent leaves Use of 13C NMR and FTIR for elucidation of degradation pathways during natural litter decomposition and compositing. IV. Characterization of humic and fulvic acids extracted from senescent leaves
No abstract available.
Authors
Robert L. Wershaw, K. R. Kennedy
Chloride and tritium concentrations in a thick unsaturated zone underlying an intermittent stream in the Mojave Desert, Southern California, USA Chloride and tritium concentrations in a thick unsaturated zone underlying an intermittent stream in the Mojave Desert, Southern California, USA
No abstract available.
Authors
John A. Izbicki, Robert L. Michel, P. Martin
Soil sorption of organic pollutants and pesticides Soil sorption of organic pollutants and pesticides
No abstract available.
Authors
C. T. Chiou
Predictive double-layer modeling of metal sorption in mine-drainage systems Predictive double-layer modeling of metal sorption in mine-drainage systems
Previous comparison of predictive double-layer modeling and empirically derived metal-partitioning data has validated the use of the double-layer model to predict metal sorption reactions in iron-rich mine-drainage systems. The double-layer model subsequently has been used to model data collected from several mine-drainage sites in Colorado with diverse geochemistry and geology. This...
Authors
K. S. Smith, J. F. Ranville, D.L. Macalady
Fundamentals of isotope geochemistry Fundamentals of isotope geochemistry
The dominant use of isotopes in catchment research in the last few decades has been to trace sources of waters and solutes. Generally, such data were evaluated with simple mixing models to determine how much was derived from either of the two (sometimes three) constant-composition sources. This chapter illustrates the environmental isotopes that are natural and anthropogenic isotopes...
Authors
Carol Kendall, Eric A. Caldwell
Use of 13C NMR and FTIR for elucidation of degradation pathways during natural litter decomposition and compositing. III. Characterization of leachate from different types of leaves Use of 13C NMR and FTIR for elucidation of degradation pathways during natural litter decomposition and compositing. III. Characterization of leachate from different types of leaves
No abstract available.
Authors
Robert L. Wershaw, J. A. Leenheer, K. R. Kennedy
Isotopes as indicators of environmental change Isotopes as indicators of environmental change
In addition to providing an understanding of processes within a catchment system, isotopic techniques have been instrumental in providing reconstructions of catchment climate and other environmental indicators at various time scales. Many recent changes are a direct consequence of anthropogenic activities. Isotopic analysis serves as a valuable tool for distinguishing between natural...
Authors
James B. Shanley, Elise Pendall, Carol Kendall, Lora R. Stevens, Robert L. Michel, Patrick J. Phillips, Richard Forester, David L. Naftz, Beiling Liu, Libby Stern, Brent B. Wolfe, C. Page Chamberlain, Steven W. Leavitt, T. H. Heaton, Bernhard Mayer, L. DeWayne Cecil, W. Berry Lyons, Brian G. Katz, Julio L. Betancourt, Diane M. McKnight, Joel D. Blum, Thomas W.D. Edwards, Harold R. House, Emi Ito, Ramon O. Aravena, Joseph F. Whelan
Using transport model interpretations of tracer tests to study microbial processes in groundwater Using transport model interpretations of tracer tests to study microbial processes in groundwater
It has long been known that microorganisms affect the geochemistry of groundwater. But despite this recognition, little detailed information is available regarding the rates and the factors controlling microbial processes in groundwater. Part of the reason stems from the relatively inaccessible nature of most groundwater and the difficulties encountered in obtaining representative...
Authors
Richard L. Smith, Stephen P. Garabedian
Oxygen isotopes of dissolved sulfate as a tool to distinguish natural and mining-related dissolved constituents Oxygen isotopes of dissolved sulfate as a tool to distinguish natural and mining-related dissolved constituents
Natural and mining-related dissolved-constituent concentrations need to be distinguished in a watershed affected by abandoned mines to prioritize subbasins for remediation and to assist with the establishment of water-quality standards. The oxygen isotopes of dissolved sulfate can be used to distinguish between natural and mining-related sources of dissolved constituents. Several methods...
Authors
Winfield G. Wright, D. Kirk Nordstrom