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: 3785
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
Testing mixing models of old and young groundwater in a tropical lowland rain forest with environmental tracers Testing mixing models of old and young groundwater in a tropical lowland rain forest with environmental tracers
We tested three models of mixing between old interbasin groundwater flow (IGF) and young, locally derived groundwater in a lowland rain forest in Costa Rica using a large suite of environmental tracers. We focus on the young fraction of water using the transient tracers CFC‐11, CFC‐12, CFC‐113, SF6, 3H, and bomb 14C. We measured 3He, but 3H/3He dating is generally problematic due to the...
Authors
D. Kip Solomon, David P. Genereux, Niel Plummer, Eurybiades Busenberg
Chemical fractionation of Cu and Zn in stormwater, roadway dust and stormwater pond sediments Chemical fractionation of Cu and Zn in stormwater, roadway dust and stormwater pond sediments
This study evaluated the chemical fractionation of Cu and Zn from source to deposition in a stormwater system. Cu and Zn concentrations and chemical fractionation were determined for roadway dust, roadway runoff and pond sediments. Stormwater Cu and Zn concentrations were used to generate cumulative frequency distributions to characterize potential exposure to pond-dwelling organisms...
Authors
Kimberly M. Camponelli, Steven M. Lev, Joel W. Snodgrass, Edward R. Landa, Ryan E. Casey
Use and environmental occurrence of pharmaceuticals in freestall dairy farms with manured forage fields Use and environmental occurrence of pharmaceuticals in freestall dairy farms with manured forage fields
Environmental releases of antibiotics from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are of increasing regulatory concern. This study investigates the use and occurrence of antibiotics in dairy CAFOs and their potential transport into first-encountered groundwater. On two dairies we conducted four seasonal sampling campaigns, each across 13 animal production and waste management...
Authors
Naoko Watanabe, Brian A. Bergamaschi, Keith A. Loftin, Michael T. Meyer, Thomas Harter
Stimulation of methane generation from nonproductive coal by addition of nutrients or a microbial consortium Stimulation of methane generation from nonproductive coal by addition of nutrients or a microbial consortium
Biogenic formation of methane from coal is of great interest as an underexploited source of clean energy. The goal of some coal bed producers is to extend coal bed methane productivity and to utilize hydrocarbon wastes such as coal slurry to generate new methane. However, the process and factors controlling the process, and thus ways to stimulate it, are poorly understood. Subbituminous...
Authors
Elizabeth Jones, Mary A. Voytek, M.D. Corum, William H. Orem
A role for analytical chemistry in advancing our understanding of the occurrence, fate, and effects of Corexit Oil Dispersants A role for analytical chemistry in advancing our understanding of the occurrence, fate, and effects of Corexit Oil Dispersants
On April 24, 2010, the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig resulted in the release of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. As of July 19, 2010, the federal government's Deepwater Horizon Incident Joint Information Center estimates the cumulative range of oil released is 3,067,000 to 5,258,000 barrels, with a relief well to be completed in early August. By comparison, the Exxon Valdez oil...
Authors
Ben Place, Brian Anderson, Abdou Mekebri, Edward T. Furlong, James L. Gray, Ron Tjeerdema, Jennifer Field
Total mercury, methylmercury, and selected elements in soils of the Fishing Brook watershed, Hamilton County, New York, and the McTier Creek watershed, Aiken County, South Carolina, 2008 Total mercury, methylmercury, and selected elements in soils of the Fishing Brook watershed, Hamilton County, New York, and the McTier Creek watershed, Aiken County, South Carolina, 2008
Mercury is an element of on-going concern for human and aquatic health. Mercury sequestered in upland and wetland soils represents a source that may contribute to mercury contamination in sensitive ecosystems. An improved understanding of mercury cycling in stream ecosystems requires identification and quantification of mercury speciation and transport dynamics in upland and wetland...
Authors
Laurel G. Woodruff, William F. Cannon, Christopher D. Knightes, Francis H. Chapelle, Paul M. Bradley, Douglas A. Burns, Mark E. Brigham, Mark A. Lowery