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Publications

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

Filter Total Items: 3785

Bioaccumulation of selenium from natural geologic sources in western states and its potential consequences Bioaccumulation of selenium from natural geologic sources in western states and its potential consequences

Ecological impacts of water-quality problems have developed in the western United States resulting from the disposal of seleniferous agricultural wastewater in wetland areas. Overt effects of selenium toxicosis occurred at five areas where deformities of wild aquatic birds were similar to those first observed at Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge in the west-central San Joaquin Valley of
Authors
T. S. Presser, M. A. Sylvester, W. H. Low

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

Distribution and transport of selected anthropogenic organic compounds on Mississippi River suspended sediment (U.S.A.), May/June 1988 Distribution and transport of selected anthropogenic organic compounds on Mississippi River suspended sediment (U.S.A.), May/June 1988

The distribution and transport of selected hydrophobic halogenated organic compounds on suspended sediment from the lower Mississippi River were determined using discharge-weighted sampling with concurrent discharge measurements. Trends in compound concentration from upstream to downstream and the effects of selected tributaries were determined. The compounds identified on the suspended...
Authors
C.E. Rostad, W. E. Pereira, T.J. Leiker

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

Preferential dealkylation reactions of s-triazine herbicides in the unsaturated zone Preferential dealkylation reactions of s-triazine herbicides in the unsaturated zone

The preferential dealkylation pathways of the s-triazine herbicides, atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine), propazine [2-chloro-4,6-bis(isopropylamino)-s-triazine], and simazine [2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine], and two monodealkylated triazine metabolites, deisopropylatrazine (DIA: 2-amino-4-chloro-6-ethylamino-s-triazine) and deethylatrazine (DEA: 2...
Authors
M. S. Mills, Thurman E. Michael

Reduction of nonpoint source contamination of surface water and groundwater by starch encapsulation of herbicides Reduction of nonpoint source contamination of surface water and groundwater by starch encapsulation of herbicides

The loss of the preemergent herbicide atrazine in surface runoff from experimental field plots growing corn (Zea mays L.) was significantly reduced using a starchencapsulated formulation versus a conventional powdered formulation. Field edge losses of starch-encapsulated atrazine were described as following a Rayleigh distribution totaling 1.8% of applied herbicide compared to...
Authors
M. S. Mills, E.M. Thurman

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

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
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