Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Publications

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

Filter Total Items: 3785

Behavior of pollutant-degrading microorganisms in aquifers: Predictions for genetically engineered organisms Behavior of pollutant-degrading microorganisms in aquifers: Predictions for genetically engineered organisms

Bioremediation via environmental introductions of degradative microorganisms requires that the microbes survive in substantial numbers and effect an increase in the rate and extent of pollutant removal. Combined field and microcosm studies were used to assess these abilities for laboratory-grown bacteria. Following introduction into a contaminated aquifer, viable cells of Pseudomonas sp...
Authors
M.L. Krumme, R. L. Smith, J. Egestorff, S.M. Thiem, J.M. Tiedje, K.N. Timmis, D.F. Dwyer

Estimates of percolation rates and ages of water in unsaturated sediments at two Mojave Desert sites, California-Nevada Estimates of percolation rates and ages of water in unsaturated sediments at two Mojave Desert sites, California-Nevada

Thick unsaturated zones in arid regions increasingly are being sought for the burial of radioactive and other hazardous wastes. Estimating percolation rates of water from precipitation at proposed burial sites is important for site assessment. Chloride profiles in unsaturated sediments are used to show differences and similarities in the rates of percolation at two sites in the Mojave...
Authors
David E. Prudic

Hydrogeology and hydrologic system of Pinal Creek Basin, Gila County, Arizona Hydrogeology and hydrologic system of Pinal Creek Basin, Gila County, Arizona

Acidic water that contains elevated concentrations of metals has contaminated a stream and alluvial aquifer in a mining district near Globe, Arizona. The contaminated aquifer is a narrow layer of unconsolidated alluvium along Miami Wash and Pinal Creek. The alluvium overlies basin fill, which extends throughout most of the Pinal Creek basin. The alluvium and basin fill compose the...
Authors
C.C. Neaville, J. G. Brown

Hydrologic data from the study of acidic contamination in the Miami Wash-Pinal Creek area, Arizona, water years 1992-93 Hydrologic data from the study of acidic contamination in the Miami Wash-Pinal Creek area, Arizona, water years 1992-93

Since 1984, hydrologic data have been collected as part of a U.S. Geological Survey study of the occurrence and movement of acidic contamination in the aquifer and streams of the Pinal Creek drainage basin near Globe, Arizona. Ground-water data from that study are presented for water years 1992 and 1993 and include location, construction information, site plans, water levels, chemical...
Authors
D.J. Gellenbeck, Yvonne R. Hunter

Genetic population structure of the recently introduced Asian clam, Potamocorbula amurensis, in San Francisco Bay Genetic population structure of the recently introduced Asian clam, Potamocorbula amurensis, in San Francisco Bay

The genetic population structure of the recently introduced Asian clam, Potamocorbula amurensis, in San Francisco Bay was described using starch gel electrophoresis at eight presumptive loci. Specimens were taken from five environmentally distinct sites located throughout the bay. The population maintains a high degree of genetic variation, with a mean heterozygosity of 0.295, a mean...
Authors
T. F. Duda

Hydrology of, and water quality in, the open burning area and vicinity, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, 1989-90 Hydrology of, and water quality in, the open burning area and vicinity, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, 1989-90

This report presents the results of a study to determine whether shallow ground water at Picatinny Arsenal Morris County, New Jersey, has been con- taminated as a result of operations at the open burning area, which is used for burning of waste explosives and materials contaminated with explosives. Results of previous investigations indicate that the soil in this area is contaminated...
Authors
D. A. Storck

'The Kesterson effect' 'The Kesterson effect'

Hypothesized to be derived from Cretaceous marine sedimentary rocks, selenium contamination of the Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge is traced through irrigation drainage to the source bedrock of the California Coast Ranges. This biogeochemical pathway of selenium is defined here as the 'Kesterson effect.' At the refuge ponds, this effect culminated in 1983 in a 64% rate of deformity...
Authors
T. S. Presser

Degradation of trifluoroacetate in oxic and anoxic sediments Degradation of trifluoroacetate in oxic and anoxic sediments

THE deleterious effect of chlorofluorocarbons on stratospheric ozone has led to international cooperation to end their use. The search for acceptable alternatives has focused on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) which are attractive because they have relatively short atmospheric residence times. HFCs and HCFCs are attacked by tropospheric hydroxyl radicals...
Authors
P.T. Visscher, C.W. Culbertson, R.S. Oremland

Studies of the Reactivity of the Ferrihydrite Surface by Iron Isotopic Exchange and Mössbauer Spectroscopy Studies of the Reactivity of the Ferrihydrite Surface by Iron Isotopic Exchange and Mössbauer Spectroscopy

Two-line ferrihydrite is an important adsorbent of many toxics in natural and anthropogenic systems; however, the specific structural sites responsible for the high adsorption capacity are not well understood. A combination of chemical and spectroscopic techniques have been employed in this study to gain further insight into the structural nature of sites at the ferrihydrite surface. The...
Authors
Brigid A. Rea, James A. Davis, Glenn A. Waychunas

Welded tuff porosity characterization using mercury intrusion, nitrogen and ethylene glycol monoethyl ether sorption and epifluorescence microscopy Welded tuff porosity characterization using mercury intrusion, nitrogen and ethylene glycol monoethyl ether sorption and epifluorescence microscopy

Porosity of welded tuff from Snowshoe Mountain, Colorado, was characterized by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), nitrogen sorption porosimetry, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGME) gas phase sorption and epifluorescence optical microscopy. Crushed tuff of two particle-size fractions (1-0.3 mm and less than 0.212 mm), sawed sections of whole rock and crushed tuff that had been...
Authors
M.M. Reddy, H.C. Claassen, D.W. Rutherford, C. T. Chiou
Was this page helpful?