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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

Groundwater transport of strontium 90 in a glacial outwash environment Groundwater transport of strontium 90 in a glacial outwash environment

As part of the investigation of groundwater contamination at a uranium-scrap recovery plant at Wood River Junction, Rhode Island, laboratory experiments led to the development of a model for predicting the transport of strontium 90 in glacial outwash sediments based on an approximate mechanism for ion exchange. The multicomponent system was simplified to two components by regarding all
Authors
Kenneth L. Kipp, Kenneth G. Stollenwerk, David B. Grove

Modeling contamination of shallow unconfined aquifers through infiltration beds Modeling contamination of shallow unconfined aquifers through infiltration beds

We model the transport of a simply reactive contaminant through an infiltration bed and underlying shallow, one-dimensional, unconfined aquifer with a plane, steeply sloping bottom in the assumed absence of dispersion and downgradient dilution. The effluent discharge and ambient groundwater flow under the infiltration beds are presumed to form a vertically mixed plume marked by an...
Authors
D.W. Ostendorf

Predictive accuracy of a ground-water model--Lessons from a postaudit Predictive accuracy of a ground-water model--Lessons from a postaudit

Hydrogeologic studies commonly include the development, calibration, and application of a deterministic simulation model. To help assess the value of using such models to make predictions, a postaudit was conducted on a previously studied area in the Salt River and lower Santa Cruz River basins in central Arizona. A deterministic, distributed-parameter model of the ground-water system in...
Authors
Leonard F. Konikow

Controlled and renewable release of phosphorous in soils from mixtures of phosphate rock and NH4-exchanged clinoptilolite Controlled and renewable release of phosphorous in soils from mixtures of phosphate rock and NH4-exchanged clinoptilolite

A controlled and renewable release fertilization system is proposed that employs NH4 saturated clinoptilolite to aid in the dissolution of phosphate rock (apatite), and thereby to release soluble N, P, and exchangeable Ca for uptake by plants. The system is based on the principle that exchangers can sequester Ca ions released by the dissolution of apatite, thereby leading to further...
Authors
T.-M. Lai, D. D. Eberl

Physio-chemical processes affecting copper, tin and zinc toxicity to algae: A review Physio-chemical processes affecting copper, tin and zinc toxicity to algae: A review

This chapter focuses on the physic-chemical processes affecting copper, zinc, and tin toxicity to algae. Both Cu and Zn are essential algal micronutrients, cofactors in numerous biochemical processes. The availability of a nutrient or toxic substance can be significantly affected by precipitation. Methods for modeling the effects of adsorption–desorption reactions have been previously...
Authors
James S. Kuwabara

Simulation of fluid flow and energy transport processes associated with high-level radioactive waste disposal in unsaturated alluvium Simulation of fluid flow and energy transport processes associated with high-level radioactive waste disposal in unsaturated alluvium

Many parts of the Great Basin have thick zones of unsaturated alluvium which might be suitable for disposing of high-level radioactive wastes. A mathematical model accounting for the coupled transport of energy, water (vapor and liquid), and dry air was used to analyze one-dimensional, vertical transport above and below an areally extensive repository. Numerical simulations were...
Authors
David W. Pollock

Snow chemistry of the Cascade-Sierra Nevada Mountains Snow chemistry of the Cascade-Sierra Nevada Mountains

This investigation assesses geographic variations in atmospheric deposition in Washington, Oregon, and California using snow cores from the Cascade-Sierra Nevada Mountains, collected from late February to mid-March 1983. A statistical analysis of the analytical and sampling precision was made. The snowpack in the higher Cascades and Sierra Nevada is not strongly influenced by...
Authors
L.B. Laird, Howard E. Taylor, V. C. Kennedy

Aqueous dissolution, solubilities and thermodynamic stabilities of common aluminosilicate clay minerals: Kaolinite and smectites Aqueous dissolution, solubilities and thermodynamic stabilities of common aluminosilicate clay minerals: Kaolinite and smectites

Determinations of the aqueous solubilities of kaolinite at pH 4, and of five smectite minerals in suspensions set between pH 5 and 8, were undertaken with mineral suspensions adjusted to approach equilibrium from over- and undersaturation. After 1,237 days, Dry Branch, Georgia kaolinite suspensions attained equilibrium solubility with respect to the kaolinite, for which Keq = (2.72 ± 0...
Authors
Howard M. May, D.G. Klnniburgh, P.A. Helmke, Melanie L. Jackson

Influence of irrigation on salinity and nitrate in a stream-aquifer system Influence of irrigation on salinity and nitrate in a stream-aquifer system

Changes in salinity and nitrate concentration in groundwater and surface water in the semiarid Arkansas River valley of southeastern Colorado, USA were related primarily to irrigation practices. Water is applied to fields by flood irrigation through ditches and furrows. Irrigation water is derived in nearly equal amounts from surface water and groundwater pumped from the shallow alluvial...
Authors
Leonard F. Konikow, M.A. Person
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