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
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
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
Phytoestrogens and mycotoxins in Iowa streams: An examination of underinvestigated compounds in agricultural basins Phytoestrogens and mycotoxins in Iowa streams: An examination of underinvestigated compounds in agricultural basins
This study provides the first broad-scale investigation on the spatial and temporal occurrence of phytoestrogens and mycotoxins in streams in the United States. Fifteen stream sites across Iowa were sampled five times throughout the 2008 growing season to capture a range of climatic and crop-growth conditions. Basin size upstream from sampling sites ranged from 7 km2 to >836,000 km2...
Authors
Dana W. Kolpin, Corinne C. Hoerger, Michael T. Meyer, Felix E. Wettstein, Laura E. Hubbard, Thomas D. Bucheli
Influence of hummocks and emergent vegetation on hydraulic performance in a surface flow wastewater treatment wetland Influence of hummocks and emergent vegetation on hydraulic performance in a surface flow wastewater treatment wetland
A series of tracer experiments were conducted biannually at the start and end of the vegetation growing season in a surface flow wastewater treatment wetland located near Phoenix, AZ. Tracer experiments were conducted prior to and following reconfiguration and replanting of a 1.2 ha treatment wetland from its original design of alternating shallow and deep zones to incorporate hummocks...
Authors
Steffanie H. Keefe, Joan S. Daniels, Robert L. Runkel, Roland D. Wass, Eric A. Stiles, Larry B. Barber
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
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
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
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
Isotope reference materials Isotope reference materials
Measurement of the same isotopically homogeneous sample by any laboratory worldwide should yield the same isotopic composition within analytical uncertainty. International distribution of light element isotopic reference materials by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology enable laboratories to achieve this goal.
Authors
Tyler B. Coplen