Publications
Dive into our publications and explore the science from the Environmental Health Program (Toxic Substances Hydrology and Contaminant Biology).
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Errors and parameter estimation in precipitation-runoff modeling: 2. Case study Errors and parameter estimation in precipitation-runoff modeling: 2. Case study
A case study is presented which illustrates some of the error analysis, sensitivity analysis, and parameter estimation procedures reviewed in the first part of this paper. It is shown that those procedures, most of which come from statistical nonlinear regression theory, are invaluable in interpreting errors in precipitation-runoff modeling and in identifying appropriate calibration...
Authors
Brent M. Troutman
Field determination of the three-dimensional hydraulic conductivity tensor of anisotropic media: 2. Methodology and application to fractured rocks Field determination of the three-dimensional hydraulic conductivity tensor of anisotropic media: 2. Methodology and application to fractured rocks
The analytical solutions developed in the first paper can be used to interpret the results of cross-hole tests conducted in anisotropic porous or fractured media. In the particular case where the injection and monitoring intervals are short relative to the distance between them, the test results can be analyzed graphically. From the transient variation of hydraulic head in a given...
Authors
Paul A. Hsieh, Shlomo P. Neuman, Gary K. Stiles, Eugene S. Simpson
Temporal fluctuations in grain size, organic materials and iron concentrations in intertidal surface sediment of San Francisco Bay Temporal fluctuations in grain size, organic materials and iron concentrations in intertidal surface sediment of San Francisco Bay
The physical and chemical characteristics of the oxidized surface sediment in an estuary fluctuate temporally in response to physical forces and apparently-fluctuating inputs. These characteristics, which include grain size and concentrations of organic materials and iron, will influence both trace-metal geochemistry and bioavailability. Temporal trends in the abundance of fine particles...
Authors
E. A. Thomson-Becker, Samuel N. Luoma
Statistical evaluation of an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric method for routine water quality testing Statistical evaluation of an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric method for routine water quality testing
In an interlaboratory test, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was compared with flame atomic absorption spectrometry and molecular absorption spectrophotometry for the determination of 17 major and trace elements in 100 filtered natural water samples. No unacceptable biases were detected. The analysis precision of ICP-AES was found to be equal to or better...
Authors
J.R. Garbarino, B. E. Jones, G.P. Stein
Geophysical techniques for reconnaissance investigations of soils and surficial deposits in mountainous terrain Geophysical techniques for reconnaissance investigations of soils and surficial deposits in mountainous terrain
Two techniques were assessed for their capabilities in reconnaissance studies of soil characteristics: depth to the water table and depth to bedrock beneath surficial deposits in mountainous terrain. Ground-penetrating radar had the best near-surface resolution in the upper 2 m of the profile and provided continuous interpretable imagery of soil profiles and bedrock surfaces. Where thick...
Authors
C.G. Olson, J.A. Doolittle
Isolation of anaerobic oxalate-degrading bacteria from freshwater lake sediments Isolation of anaerobic oxalate-degrading bacteria from freshwater lake sediments
Enrichment cultures that anaerobically degraded oxalate were obtained from lake sediment inocula. From these, 5 pure cultures of anaerobic oxalate-degrading bacteria were isolated and partially characterized. The isolates were Gram-negative, non-sporeforming, non-motile, obligate anaerobes. Oxalate was required for growth and was stoichiometrically converted to formate; 14CO2 was also...
Authors
R. L. Smith, F.E. Strohmaier, Ronald S. Oremland
Modeling the rate-controlled sorption of hexavalent chromium Modeling the rate-controlled sorption of hexavalent chromium
Sorption of chromium VI on the iron-oxide- and hydroxide-coated surface of alluvial material was numerically simulated with rate-controlled reactions. Reaction kinetics and diffusional processes, in the form of film, pore, and particle diffusion, were simulated and compared with experimental results. The use of empirically calculated rate coefficients for diffusion through the reacting...
Authors
D.B. Grove, Kenneth G. Stollenwerk
Geochemical investigations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins in the subsurface environment at an abandoned wood-treatment facility Geochemical investigations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins in the subsurface environment at an abandoned wood-treatment facility
The discharge of effluents containing creosote and pentachlorophenol into two unlined surface impoundments at a wood-treatment facility in Pensacola, Florida, resulted in contamination of the underlying sand and gravel aquifer. These wastes contained significant amounts of chlorinated dioxins, such as isomers of hexa- and heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin...
Authors
W. E. Pereira, C.E. Rostad, M.E. Sisak
Adsorption and desorption of hexavalent chromium in an alluvial aquifer near Telluride, Colorado Adsorption and desorption of hexavalent chromium in an alluvial aquifer near Telluride, Colorado
A laboratory investigation of reactions between hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] and alluvium was conducted to evaluate reactions of Cr(VI) contaminating an alluvial aquifer near Telluride, CO and to determine the mechanisms responsible for these reactions. Uncontaminated alluvium and groundwater (spiked with CrO42−) from the study site were used in batch and column experiments. Results of...
Authors
Kenneth G. Stollenwerk, D.B. Grove
Reduction of hexavalent chromium in water samples acidified for preservation Reduction of hexavalent chromium in water samples acidified for preservation
Reduction of hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), in water samples, preserved by standard techniques, was investigated. The standard preservation technique for water samples that are to be analyzed for Cr(VI) consists of filtration through a 0.45‐µm membrane, acidification to a pH 2, and storage in plastic bottles. Batch experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of H+ concentration, NO2...
Authors
Kenneth G. Stollenwerk, D.B. Grove
Separation of solute and particulate vectors of heavy metal uptake in controlled suspension-feeding experiments with Macoma balthica Separation of solute and particulate vectors of heavy metal uptake in controlled suspension-feeding experiments with Macoma balthica
Radioisotope labelling experiments with the estuarine clam, Macoma balthica, are described, in which a filter chamber device was used to separate solute metal uptake from uptake, of metals associated with suspended bacteria. Solute uptake contributed a majority of the 14-day total body burdens of 65Zn and 109Cd, whereas 57Co uptake largely resulted from ingestion of isotope-laden...
Authors
Ronald W. Harvey, Samuel N. Luoma
Effect of adherent bacteria and bacterial extracellular polymers upon assimilation by Macoma balthica of sediment-bound Cd, Zn and Ag Effect of adherent bacteria and bacterial extracellular polymers upon assimilation by Macoma balthica of sediment-bound Cd, Zn and Ag
Effects of adherent bacteria and bacterial extracellular polymer (exopolymer) upon uptake of particle-bound Cd, Zn and Ag by the deposit-feeding clam Macoma balthica were studied in the laboratory. Amorphous iron oxyhydroxide and unaltered and alkaline-extracted sediments were used as model particulates in separate, controlled deposit-feeding experiments. In general, amounts of metal...
Authors
Ronald W. Harvey, Samuel N. Luoma