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
Use of colloid filtration theory in modeling movement of bacteria through a contaminated sandy aquifer Use of colloid filtration theory in modeling movement of bacteria through a contaminated sandy aquifer
\A filtration model commonly used to describe removal of colloids during packed-bed filtration in water treatment applications was modified for describing downgradient transport of bacteria in sandy, aquifer sediments. The modified model was applied to the results of a small-scale (7 m), natural-gradient tracer test and to observations of an indigenous bacterial population moving...
Authors
R.W. Harvey, S. P. Garabedian
Formation and transport of deethylatrazine in the soil and vadose zone Formation and transport of deethylatrazine in the soil and vadose zone
Atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine) and two degradation products were monitored at seven depths in the soil and vadose zone throughout the growing season in two experimental plots in which corn (Zea mays L.) was grown. The soils in these plots were a Kimo silty clay loam (clayey over loamy, montmorillonitic, mesic, Fluvaquentic Hapludoll) and a Eudora silt loam...
Authors
C.D. Adams, E.M. Thurman
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
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
The chemistry of iron, aluminum, and dissolved organic material in three acidic, metal-enriched, mountain streams, as controlled by watershed and in-stream processes The chemistry of iron, aluminum, and dissolved organic material in three acidic, metal-enriched, mountain streams, as controlled by watershed and in-stream processes
Several studies were conducted in three acidic, metal-enriched, mountain streams, and the results are discussed together in this paper to provide a synthesis of watershed and in-stream processes controlling Fe, Al, and DOC (dissolved organic carbon) concentrations. One of the streams, the Snake River, is naturally acidic; the other two, Peru Creek and St. Kevin Gulch, receive acid mine...
Authors
Diane M. McKnight, Kenneth E. Bencala
Discussion of “Gas‐Transfer Measurements Using Headspace Analysis of Propane” by John R. Thene and John S. Gulliver (November/December, 1990, Vol. 116, No. 6) Discussion of “Gas‐Transfer Measurements Using Headspace Analysis of Propane” by John R. Thene and John S. Gulliver (November/December, 1990, Vol. 116, No. 6)
No abstract available.
Authors
Ronald E. Rathbun
Comment on "Temperature dependence of the aqueous solubilities of highly chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins" Comment on "Temperature dependence of the aqueous solubilities of highly chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins"
No abstract available.
Authors
Cary T. Chiou, Milton Manes
Stoichiometry of mineral reactions from mass balance computations for acid mine waters, Iron Mountain, California Stoichiometry of mineral reactions from mass balance computations for acid mine waters, Iron Mountain, California
No abstract available.
Authors
Charles N. Alpers, D. Kirk Nordstrom
Use of tree-ring chemistry to document historical ground-water contamination events Use of tree-ring chemistry to document historical ground-water contamination events
The annual growth rings of tulip trees (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) appear to preserve a chemical record of ground-water contamination at a landfill in Maryland. Zones of elevated iron and chlorine concentrations in growth rings from trees immediately downgradient from the landfill are closely correlated temporally with activities in the landfill expected to generate iron and chloride
Authors
Don A. Vroblesky, Thomas M. Yanosky
Hazardous wastes from large-scale metal extraction. A case study Hazardous wastes from large-scale metal extraction. A case study
No abstract available
Authors
Johnnie N. Moore, Samuel N. Luoma
Solute transport with multisegment, equilibrium-controlled reactions: A feed forward simulation method Solute transport with multisegment, equilibrium-controlled reactions: A feed forward simulation method
The feed forward method (FF method) is one of the ways of formulating operational equations which simulate transport of solutes influenced by equilibrium-controlled reaction networks. The FF method provides increased solution efficiency by adapting its formulations to some of the network's fundamental features. In this study the FF method is further developed by adapting and testing it...
Authors
Jacob Rubin
Measurement of in situ rates of selenate removal by dissimilatory bacterial reduction in sediments Measurement of in situ rates of selenate removal by dissimilatory bacterial reduction in sediments
A radioisotope method for measurement of bacteria respiratory reduction of selenate to elemental selenium in aquatic sediments was devised. Sediments were labeled with [75Se]selenate, incubated, and washed, and 75Se0(s) was determined as counts remaining in the sediments. Core profiles of selenate reduction, sulfate reduction, and denitrification were made simultaneously in the sediments...
Authors
Ronald S. Oremland, Nisan A. Steinberg, Ann S. Maest, Laurence G. Miller, James T. Hollibaugh