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
In situ bacterial selenate reduction in the agricultural drainage systems of western Nevada In situ bacterial selenate reduction in the agricultural drainage systems of western Nevada
Dissimilatory in situ selenate reduction to elemental selenium in sediments from irrigated agricultural drainage regions of western Nevada was measured at ambient Se oxyanion concentrations. Selenate reduction was rapid, with turnover rate constants ranging from 0.04 to 1.8 h-1 at total Se concentrations in pore water of 13 to 455 nM. Estimates of removal rates of selenium oxyanions were...
Authors
R.S. Oremland, N.A. Steinberg, T. S. Presser, L.G. Miller
Balloon and core sampling for determining bulk density of alluvial desert soil Balloon and core sampling for determining bulk density of alluvial desert soil
Samples were collected from major strata in the upper 5 m of an alluvial soil profile in the Amargosa Desert of southern Nevada to compare rubber-balloon and drive-core bulk-density measurement methods. For strate where the fine soil was
Authors
Brian J. Andraski
Herbicides in surface waters of the midwestern United States: The effect of spring flush Herbicides in surface waters of the midwestern United States: The effect of spring flush
Approximately three-fourths of all preemergent herbicides used in the United States are applied to row crops over a 12-state area, called the "corn belt" (I). The application of these compounds may cause widespread degradation of water quality (2). Because herbicides are water soluble, there is the potential for leaching into groundwater and surface water (3, 4), as well as aerial...
Authors
E.M. Thurman, D. A. Goolsby, M. T. Meyer, D.W. Kolpin
Testing a method-of-characteristics model of three-dimensional solute transport in ground water Testing a method-of-characteristics model of three-dimensional solute transport in ground water
A new three-dimensional model of solute transport in groundwater that is based on a widely used two-dimensional method of characteristics model and is coupled to a modular finite-difference flow model is under development. The model's accuracy for ideal aquifers having homogeneous properties, uniform boundary conditions, and steady flow along a grid direction is demonstrated by...
Authors
Daniel J. Goode, Leonard F. Konikow
Selectivity and effectiveness of extractants used to release metals associated with organic matter Selectivity and effectiveness of extractants used to release metals associated with organic matter
Partial extraction procedures can be used to release metals associated with organic matter in natural materials. Reagents commonly employed for this purpose include hydrogen peroxide, Na hypochlorite and Na pyrophosphate. This study tested the selectivity of these reagents by comparing the amount of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu they released from sulfide and oxide minerals and determined the...
Authors
C. S.E. Papp, L.H. Filipek, K. S. Smith
Large-scale distribution of metal contamination in the fine-grained sediments of the Clark Fork River, Montana, U.S.A. Large-scale distribution of metal contamination in the fine-grained sediments of the Clark Fork River, Montana, U.S.A.
Historic discharges from the mining and smelting complex at the head-waters of the Clark Fork River have resulted in elevated Ag, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations in the
Authors
E.V. Axtmann, S. N. Luoma
Selected hydrologic data for the upper Arkansas River basin, Colorado, 1986-89 Selected hydrologic data for the upper Arkansas River basin, Colorado, 1986-89
No abstract available.
Authors
Gregory A. Wetherbee, Briant A. Kimball, Wendy S. Maura
Selected meteorological data for an arid site near Beatty, Nye County, Nevada, calendar year 1986 Selected meteorological data for an arid site near Beatty, Nye County, Nevada, calendar year 1986
Selected meteorological data were collected at a study site adjacent to a low-level radioactive-waste burial facility near Beatty, Nevada, for calendar year 1986. Data were collected in support of an ongoing study to estimate the potential for downward movement of radionuclides into the unsaturated sediments beneath waste-burial trenches at the facility. The data include air temperature...
Authors
James L. Wood, Jeffrey M. Fischer
Reconnaissance investigation of water quality, bottom sediment, and biota associated with irrigation drainage in the middle Rio Grande Valley and Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, 1988-89 Reconnaissance investigation of water quality, bottom sediment, and biota associated with irrigation drainage in the middle Rio Grande Valley and Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, 1988-89
No abstract available.
Authors
Kim Ong, T.F. O’Brien, M.D. Rucker
Partitioning of elements between two size sediment fractions in samples from nineteen areas of the Western United States Partitioning of elements between two size sediment fractions in samples from nineteen areas of the Western United States
No abstract available.
Authors
R. C. Severson, K. C. Stewart, Thelma F. Harms
Uptake and physiological antagonism of selenium and sulfur in alfalfa and wheat under field conditions, San Joaquin Valley, California Uptake and physiological antagonism of selenium and sulfur in alfalfa and wheat under field conditions, San Joaquin Valley, California
No abstract available.
Authors
R. C. Severson, L. P. Gough, J.G. Crock, D.L. Fey, P. L. Hageman, A.H. Love, T.R. Peacock
Plan to evaluate the effects of hydrogeologic conditions and human activities on water quality in the coastal plain of New York and New Jersey Plan to evaluate the effects of hydrogeologic conditions and human activities on water quality in the coastal plain of New York and New Jersey
No abstract available.
Authors
E. F. Vowinkel, S. F. Siwiec