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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: 3784

Big Soda Lake (Nevada). 1. Pelagic bacterial heterotrophy and biomass Big Soda Lake (Nevada). 1. Pelagic bacterial heterotrophy and biomass

Bacterial activities and abundance were measured seasonally in the water column of meromictic Big Soda Lake which is divided into three chemically distinct zones: aerobic mixolimnion, anaerobic mixolimnion, and anaerobic monimolimnion. Bacterial abundance ranged between 5 and 52 x 106 cells ml−1, with highest biomass at the interfaces between these zones: 2–4 mg C liter−1 in the...
Authors
Jon P. Zehr, Ronald W. Harvey, Ronald S. Oremland, James E. Cloern, Leah H. George, Judith L. Lane

Chemical reactions simulated by ground-water-quality models Chemical reactions simulated by ground-water-quality models

Recent literature concerning the modeling of chemical reactions during transport in ground water is examined with emphasis on sorption reactions. The theory of transport and reactions in porous media has been well documented. Numerous equations have been developed from this theory, to provide both continuous and sequential or multistep models, with the water phase considered for both...
Authors
David B. Grove, Kenneth G. Stollenwerk

Sources and flux of natural gases from Mono Lake, California Sources and flux of natural gases from Mono Lake, California

The ability to identify a formation mechanism for natural gas in a particular environment requires consideration of several geochemical factors when there are multiple sources present. Four primary sources of methane have been identified in Mono Lake. Two of these sources were associated with numerous natural gas seeps which occur at various locations in the lake and extend beyond its...
Authors
Ronald S. Oremland, L.G. Miller, Michael J. Whiticar

Determination of alkylbenzenesulfonate surfactants in groundwater using macroreticular resins and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry Determination of alkylbenzenesulfonate surfactants in groundwater using macroreticular resins and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry

Alkylbenzenesulfonate surfactants were determined in groundwater at concentrations as low as 0.3 mg/L. The method uses XAD-8 resin for concentration, followed by elution with methanol, separation of anionic and nonionic surfactants by anion exchange, quantitation by titration, and identification by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. Laboratory standards and field samples...
Authors
E. Michael Thurman, T. Willoughby, Larry B. Barber, Kevin A. Thorn

Creosote compounds in snails obtained from Pensacola Bay, Florida, near an onshore hazardous-waste site Creosote compounds in snails obtained from Pensacola Bay, Florida, near an onshore hazardous-waste site

Snails, Thais haemostoma, were collected from two areas offshore in Pensacola Bay, Florida, near an onshore hazardous-waste site. Tissue from the snails was extracted to isolate the lipophilic compounds and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Along with naturally occurring compounds, the snail tissue contained large concentrations of polycyclic aromatic compounds, such as
Authors
Colleen E. Rostad, W. E. Pereira

Fate and movement of azaarenes and their anaerobic biotransformation products in an aquifer contaminated by wood-treatment chemicals Fate and movement of azaarenes and their anaerobic biotransformation products in an aquifer contaminated by wood-treatment chemicals

Infiltration of wastes containing creosote and pentachlorophenol from surface impoundments at an abandoned wood-treatment facility near Pensacola, Florida, resulted in contamination of the underlying sand and gravel aquifer. Pond sludges and sediments near the source were contaminated with 2- to 5-ring azaarenes having log Kow values of from 2.0 to 5.6. However, the ground water...
Authors
W. E. Pereira, C.E. Rostad, D.M. Updegraff, J.L. Bennett

Formation of methane and carbon dioxide from dimethylselenide in anoxic sediments and by a methanogenic bacterium Formation of methane and carbon dioxide from dimethylselenide in anoxic sediments and by a methanogenic bacterium

Anaerobic San Francisco Bay salt marsh sediments rapidly metabolized [14C]dimethylselenide (DMSe) to 14CH4 and 14CO2. Addition of selective inhibitors (2-bromoethanesulfonic acid or molybdate) to these sediments indicated that both methanogenic and sulfate-respiring bacteria could degrade DMSe to gaseous products. However, sediments taken from the selenium-contaminated Kesterson Wildlife...
Authors
Ronald S. Oremland, Jon P. Zehr

A new formula for the analytical solution of the radial dispersion problem A new formula for the analytical solution of the radial dispersion problem

A new formula is presented for the analytical solution of the radial dispersion problem, which analyzes the dispersive transport of a tracer in radial flow from a recharge well. This formula is simpler than a solution presented by previous investigators, but the two solutions are shown to be equivalent. Because the analytical solution consists of an integral of an oscillatory function...
Authors
Paul A. Hsieh

Chemical qualities of water that contribute to human health in a positive way Chemical qualities of water that contribute to human health in a positive way

The emphasis on harmful substances that may occur in potable waters has almost obscured the fact that important beneficial constituents are commonly present. The chemical substances in water that make positive contributions to human health act mainly in two ways: (i) nutritionally, by supplying essential macro and micro elements that the diet (excluding water) may not provide in adequate...
Authors
Howard C. Hopps
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