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
An improved method for field extraction and laboratory analysis of large, intact soil cores An improved method for field extraction and laboratory analysis of large, intact soil cores
Various methods have been proposed for the extraction of large, undisturbed soil cores and for subsequent analysis of fluid movement within the cores. The major problems associated with these methods are expense, cumbersome field extraction, and inadequate simulation of unsaturated flow conditions. A field and laboratory procedure is presented that is economical, convenient, and...
Authors
J.A. Tindall, K. Hemmen, J.F. Dowd
Determination of selenium bioavailability to a benthic bivalve from particulate and solute pathways Determination of selenium bioavailability to a benthic bivalve from particulate and solute pathways
No abstract available.
Authors
S. N. Luoma, C. Johns, N.S. Fisher, N.A. Steinberg, R.S. Oremland, J.R. Reinfelder
Dissolution of aragonite-strontianite solid solutions in nonstoichiometric Sr (HCO3)2-Ca (HCO3)2-CO2-H2O solutions Dissolution of aragonite-strontianite solid solutions in nonstoichiometric Sr (HCO3)2-Ca (HCO3)2-CO2-H2O solutions
Synthetic strontianite-aragonite solid-solution minerals were dissolved in CO2-saturated non-stoichiometric solutions of Sr(HCO3)2 and Ca(HCO3)2 at 25°C. The results show that none of the dissolution reactions reach thermodynamic equilibrium. Congruent dissolution in Ca(HCO3)2 solutions either attains or closely approaches stoichiometric saturation with respect to the dissolving solid...
Authors
Niel Plummer, E. Busenberg, P. D. Glynn, A.E. Blum
GIS-assisted regression analysis to identify sources of selenium in streams GIS-assisted regression analysis to identify sources of selenium in streams
Using a geographic information system, a regression model has been developed to identify and to assess potential sources of selenium in the Kendrick Reclamation Project Area, Wyoming. A variety of spatially distributed factors was examined to determine which factors are most likely to affect selenium discharge in tributaries to the North Platte River. Areas of Upper Cretaceous Cody Shale...
Authors
Randolph B. See, David L. Naftz, Charles L. Qualls
Applying the DRASTIC model: A review of county-scale maps Applying the DRASTIC model: A review of county-scale maps
The potential for contamination of ground water has become an issue of great concern to citizens and government alike, especially in the last decade. Numerous methods for assessing ground water vulnerability to contamination have been proposed and used. These methods include field-scale deterministic models that predict the rate of migration and fate of specific chemicals, and regional...
Authors
David R. Soller
Comparison of purge and trap GC/MS and purgeable organic chloride analysis for monitoring volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons Comparison of purge and trap GC/MS and purgeable organic chloride analysis for monitoring volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons
A combined field and laboratory study was conducted to compare purge and trap gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (PT‐GC/MS) and purgeable organic chloride (POC1) analysis for measuring volatile chlorinated hydro‐carbons (VCH) in ground water. Distilled‐water spike and recovery experiments using 10 VCH indicate that at concentrations greater than 1 /ig/1 recovery is more than 80 percent...
Authors
Larry B. Barber, E. Michael Thurman, Yoshi Takahashi, Mary C. Noriega
Ammonia fixation by humic substances: A nitrogen-15 and carbon-13 NMR study Ammonia fixation by humic substances: A nitrogen-15 and carbon-13 NMR study
The process of ammonia fixation has been studied in three well characterized and structurally diverse fulvic and humic acid samples. The Suwannee River fulvic acid, and the IHSS peat and leonardite humic acids, were reacted with 15N-labelled ammonium hydroxide, and analyzed by liquid phase 15N NMR spectrometry. Elemental analyses and liquid phase 13C NMR spectra also were recorded on the...
Authors
K. A. Thorn, M.A. Mikita
Consumption of freons CFC-11 and CFC-12 by anaerobic sediments and soils Consumption of freons CFC-11 and CFC-12 by anaerobic sediments and soils
A variety of anaerobic sediments and soils consumed CFC-11 (CFCl3) and CFC-12 (CF2Cl2). An aerobic soil did not. Active microbial metabolism was required for CFC-12 uptake in all of the sediments examined. CFC-11 uptake was faster in the presence of microbial activity, but reduced components in the sediments also resulted in nonenzymatic CFC-11 consumption in most instances. CFC-12...
Authors
Derek R. Lovley, J.C. Woodward
Effect of water saturation in soil organic matter on the partition of organic compounds Effect of water saturation in soil organic matter on the partition of organic compounds
No abstract available.
Authors
D.W. Rutherford, G.T. Chlou
Inhibition of existing denitrification enzyme activity by chloramphenicol Inhibition of existing denitrification enzyme activity by chloramphenicol
Chloramphenicol completely inhibited the activity of existing denitrification enzymes in acetylene-block incubations with (i) sediments from a nitrate-contaminated aquifer and (ii) a continuous culture of denitrifying groundwater bacteria. Control flasks with no antibiotic produced significant amounts of nitrous oxide in the same time period. Amendment with chloramphenicol after nitrous...
Authors
M. H. Brooks, R. L. Smith, D.L. Macalady
The determination and fate of unstable constituents of contaminated groundwater The determination and fate of unstable constituents of contaminated groundwater
No abstract available
Authors
M.J. Baedecker, M. Cozzarelli