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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

Adsorption of benzene, toluene, and xylene by two tetramethylammonium-smectites having different charge densities Adsorption of benzene, toluene, and xylene by two tetramethylammonium-smectites having different charge densities

A high-charge smectite from Arizona [cation-exchange capacity (CEC) = 120 meq/100 g] and a low-charge smectite from Wyoming (CEC = 90 meq/100 g) were used to prepare homoionic tetramethylammonium (TMA)-clay complexes. The adsorption of benzene, toluene, and o-xylene as vapors by the dry TMA-clays and as solutes from water by the wet TMA-clays was studied. The adsorption of the organic...
Authors
Jiunn-Fwu Lee, Max M. Mortland, Cary T. Chiou, Daniel E. Kite, Stephen A. Boyd

Reaction paths and equilibrium end-points in solid-solution aqueous-solution systems Reaction paths and equilibrium end-points in solid-solution aqueous-solution systems

Equations are presented describing equilibrium in binary solid-solution aqueous-solution (SSAS) systems after a dissolution, precipitation, or recrystallization process, as a function of the composition and relative proportion of the initial phases. Equilibrium phase diagrams incorporating the concept of stoichiometric saturation are used to interpret possible reaction paths and to...
Authors
P. D. Glynn, E.J. Reardon, Niel Plummer, E. Busenberg

Distribution and transport of sediment-bound metal contaminants in the Rio Grande de Tarcoles, Costa Rica (Central America) Distribution and transport of sediment-bound metal contaminants in the Rio Grande de Tarcoles, Costa Rica (Central America)

A reconnaissance survey of the extent of metal contamination in the Rio Grande de Tarcoles river system of Costa Rica indicated high levels of chromium (Cr) in the fine-grain bed sediments (
Authors
C. C. Fuller, J.A. Davis, D.J. Cain, P. J. Lamothe, T.L.G. Fries Fernandez, J.A. Vargas, M.M. Murillo

Prediction of stream volatilization coefficients Prediction of stream volatilization coefficients

Equations are developed for predicting the liquid-film and gas-film reference-substance parameters for quantifying volatilization of organic solutes from streams. Molecular weight and molecular-diffusion coefficients of the solute are used as correlating parameters. Equations for predicting molecular-diffusion coefficients of organic solutes in water and air are developed, with molecular...
Authors
Ronald E. Rathbun

Occurrence, distributions, and transport of herbicides and their degradation products in the lower Mississippi river and its tributaries Occurrence, distributions, and transport of herbicides and their degradation products in the lower Mississippi river and its tributaries

The Mississippi River and its tributaries drain extensive agricultural regions of the midcontinental United States, where large amounts of herbicides are applied as weed control agents on crops such as corn and soybeans. Studies being conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey along the lower Mississippi River and its major tributaries, representing a 1930-km river reach, have confirmed...
Authors
W. E. Pereira

Influence of seasonal growth, age, and environmental exposure on Cu and Ag in a bivalve indicator, Macoma balthica, in San Francisco Bay Influence of seasonal growth, age, and environmental exposure on Cu and Ag in a bivalve indicator, Macoma balthica, in San Francisco Bay

Temporal and spatial variations in Cu and Ag in the deposit-feeding clam Macoma balthica and in surficial sediments were analysed at 8 stations in San Francisco Bay at near-monthly intervals for periods ranging from 3 to 10 yr during 1977 to 1986. Strong seasonal variations in metal concentrations of M. balthica were associated with seasonal variations in soft tissue weight. Aperiodic...
Authors
Daniel J. Cain, Samuel N. Luoma

Solid-solution aqueous-solution equilibria: Thermodynamic theory and representation Solid-solution aqueous-solution equilibria: Thermodynamic theory and representation

Thorstenson and Plummer's (1977) "stoichiometric saturation' model is reviewed, and a general relation between stoichiometric saturation Kss constants and excess free energies of mixing is derived for a binary solid-solution B1-xCxA: GE = RT[ln Kss - xln(xKCA) - (l-x)ln((l-x)KBA)]. This equation allows a suitable excess free energy function, such as Guggenheim's (1937) sub-regular...
Authors
P. D. Glynn, E.J. Reardon

Arsenic in benthic bivalves of San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta Arsenic in benthic bivalves of San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta

Arsenic concentrations were determined in fine-grained, oxidized, surface sediments and in two benthic bivalves, Corbicula sp. and Macoma balthica, within San Francisco Bay, the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta, and selected rivers not influenced by urban or industrial activity. Arsenic concentrations in all samples were characteristic of values reported for uncontaminated estuaries...
Authors
C. Johns, S. N. Luoma

Fe(III)-reducing bacteria in deeply buried sediments of the Atlantic Coastal Plain Fe(III)-reducing bacteria in deeply buried sediments of the Atlantic Coastal Plain

The possibility that microorganisms are catalyzing the ongoing reduction of Fe(III) in the sediments of deep (20-250 m) aquifers was investigated. Acetate-oxidizing, Fe(III)-reducing bacteria were recovered from deep subsurface sediments, but only from sediments in which it appeared that Fe(III) reduction was the terminal electron-accepting process for oxidation of organic matter. The Fe...
Authors
Derek R. Lovley, F. H. Chapelle, Elizabeth J.P. Phillips

Transformation of Monoaromatic hydrocarbons to organic acids in anoxic groundwater environment Transformation of Monoaromatic hydrocarbons to organic acids in anoxic groundwater environment

The transformation of benzene and a series of alkylbenzenes was studied in anoxic groundwater of a shallow glacial-outwash aquifer near Bemidji, Minnesota, U.S.A. Monoaromatic hydrocarbons, the most water-soluble components of crude oil, were transported downgradient of an oil spill, forming a plume of contaminated groundwater. Organic acids that were not original components of the oil...
Authors
I.M. Cozzarelli, R.P. Eganhouse, M.J. Baedecker

The surface area of soil organic matter The surface area of soil organic matter

The previously reported surface area for soil organic matter (SOM) of 560-800 m2/g as determined by the ethylene glycol (EG) retention method was reexamined by the standard BET method based on nitrogen adsorption at liquid nitrogen temperature. Test samples consisted of two high organic content soils, a freeze-dried soil humic acid, and an oven-dried soil humic acid. The measured BET...
Authors
C. T. Chiou, J.-F. Lee, S.A. Boyd
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