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: 3784
Biodegration of chlorinated ethenes Biodegration of chlorinated ethenes
Biodegradation of chlorinated ethenes by naturally occurring or artificially enhanced processes is an important component of current site remediation strategies. At this writing, several microbial mechanisms for chlorinated ethene transformation and degradation have been identified. The purpose of this chapter is to briefly summarize the current understanding of those processes that lead...
Authors
Paul M. Bradley, Francis H. Chapelle
Ecology of amphibians and reptiles in a nutshell Ecology of amphibians and reptiles in a nutshell
No abstract available.
Authors
Greg Linder, C. Lehman, Joseph R. Bidwell
Epilogue: Ecotoxicology of amphibians and reptiles-where should be going and how do we get there? Epilogue: Ecotoxicology of amphibians and reptiles-where should be going and how do we get there?
No abstract available.
Authors
Greg Linder, C. Bishop, S. Krest, D. W. Sparling
Physiological ecology of amphibians and reptiles: Natural history and life history attributes framing chemical exposure in the field Physiological ecology of amphibians and reptiles: Natural history and life history attributes framing chemical exposure in the field
No abstract available.
Authors
Greg Linder, B. Palmer, Edward E. Little, Christopher L. Rowe, Paula F. P. Henry
A methodology for ecosystem-scale modeling of selenium A methodology for ecosystem-scale modeling of selenium
The main route of exposure for selenium (Se) is dietary, yet regulations lack biologically based protocols for evaluations of risk. We propose here an ecosystem-scale model that conceptualizes and quantifies the variables that determinehow Se is processed from water through diet to predators. This approach uses biogeochemical and physiological factors from laboratory and field studies...
Authors
Theresa S. Presser, Samuel N. Luoma
Source water controls on the character and origin of dissolved organic matter in streams of the Yukon River basin, Alaska Source water controls on the character and origin of dissolved organic matter in streams of the Yukon River basin, Alaska
Climate warming and permafrost degradation at high latitudes will likely impact watershed hydrology, and consequently, alter the concentration and character of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in northern rivers. We examined seasonal variation of DOC chemistry in 16 streams of the Yukon River basin, Alaska. Our primary objective was to evaluate the relationship between source water...
Authors
Jonathan A. O’Donnell, George R. Aiken, Evan S. Kane, Jeremy B. Jones
Cyanotoxin mixtures and taste-and-odor compounds in cyanobacterial blooms from the midwestern united states Cyanotoxin mixtures and taste-and-odor compounds in cyanobacterial blooms from the midwestern united states
The mixtures of toxins and taste-and-odor compounds present during cyanobacterial blooms are not well characterized and of particular concern when evaluating potential human health risks. Cyanobacterial blooms were sampled in twenty-three Midwestern United States lakes and analyzed for community composition, thirteen cyanotoxins by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and immunoassay...
Authors
Jennifer L. Graham, Keith A. Loftin, Michael T. Meyer, Andrew C. Ziegler
Anthropogenic tracers, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and endocrine disruption in Minnesota lakes Anthropogenic tracers, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and endocrine disruption in Minnesota lakes
Concentrations of endocrine disrupting chemicals and endocrine disruption in fish were determined in 11 lakes across Minnesota that represent a range of trophic conditions and land uses (urban, agricultural, residential, and forested) and in which wastewater treatment plant discharges were absent. Water, sediment, and passive polar organic integrative samplers (POCIS) were analyzed for...
Authors
J.H. Writer, L. B. Barber, G.K. Brown, Howard E. Taylor, R.L. Kiesling, M.L. Ferrey, N.D. Jahns, S.E. Bartell, H.L. Schoenfuss
A shallow subsurface controlled release facility in Bozeman, Montana, USA, for testing near surface CO2 detection techniques and transport models A shallow subsurface controlled release facility in Bozeman, Montana, USA, for testing near surface CO2 detection techniques and transport models
A controlled field pilot has been developed in Bozeman, Montana, USA, to study near surface CO2 transport and detection technologies. A slotted horizontal well divided into six zones was installed in the shallow subsurface. The scale and CO2 release rates were chosen to be relevant to developing monitoring strategies for geological carbon storage. The field site was characterized before...
Authors
L.H. Spangler, L.M. Dobeck, K.S. Repasky, A.R. Nehrir, S.D. Humphries, C.J. Keith, J.A. Shaw, J.H. Rouse, A.B. Cunningham, S.M. Benson, C.M. Oldenburg, J.L. Lewicki, A.W. Wells, J.R. Diehl, B.R. Strazisar, J.E. Fessenden, T.A. Rahn, J.E. Amonette, J.L. Barr, W.L. Pickles, J.D. Jacobson, E. A. Silver, E.J. Male, H.W. Rauch, K.S. Gullickson, R. Trautz, Yousif K. Kharaka, J. Birkholzer, L. Wielopolski
Effects of altered groundwater chemistry upon the pH-dependency and magnitude of bacterial attachment during transport within an organically contaminated sandy aquifer Effects of altered groundwater chemistry upon the pH-dependency and magnitude of bacterial attachment during transport within an organically contaminated sandy aquifer
The effects of a dilute (ionic strength = 5 × 10−3 M) plume of treated sewage, with elevated levels (3.9 mg/L) of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), upon the pH-dependency and magnitude of bacterial transport through an iron-laden, quartz sand aquifer (Cape Cod, MA) were evaluated using sets of replicate, static minicolumns. Compared with uncontaminated groundwater, the plume chemistry...
Authors
Ronald W. Harvey, David W. Metge, Larry B. Barber, George R. Aiken
Comparison of transport and attachment behaviors of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and oocyst-sized microspheres being advected through three minerologically different granular porous media Comparison of transport and attachment behaviors of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and oocyst-sized microspheres being advected through three minerologically different granular porous media
In order to gain more information about the fate of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in tropical volcanic soils, the transport and attachment behaviors of oocysts and oocyst-sized polystyrene microspheres were studied in the presence of two soils. These soils were chosen because of their differing chemical and physical properties, i.e., an organic-rich (43–46% by mass) volcanic ash-derived...
Authors
Arvind Mohanram, Chittaranjan Ray, Ronald W. Harvey, David W. Metge, Joseph N. Ryan, Jon Chorover, D. D. Eberl