Publications
Dive into our publications and explore the science from the Environmental Health Program (Toxic Substances Hydrology and Contaminant Biology).
Filter Total Items: 3785
Redox transformations and transport of cesium and iodine (-1, 0, +5) in oxidizing and reducing zones of a sand and gravel aquifer Redox transformations and transport of cesium and iodine (-1, 0, +5) in oxidizing and reducing zones of a sand and gravel aquifer
Tracer tests were performed in distinct biogeochemical zones of a sand and gravel aquifer in Cape Cod, MA, to study the redox chemistry (I) and transport (Cs, I) of cesium and iodine in a field setting. Injection of iodide (I -) into an oxic zone of the aquifer resulted in oxidation of I - to molecular iodine (I2) and iodate (IO3-) over transport distances of several meters. Oxidation is
Authors
Patricia M. Fox, Douglas B. Kent, James A. Davis
Mixing effects on apparent reaction rates and isotope fractionation during denitrification in a heterogeneous aquifer Mixing effects on apparent reaction rates and isotope fractionation during denitrification in a heterogeneous aquifer
Gradients in contaminant concentrations and isotopic compositions commonly are used to derive reaction parameters for natural attenuation in aquifers. Differences between field‐scale (apparent) estimated reaction rates and isotopic fractionations and local‐scale (intrinsic) effects are poorly understood for complex natural systems. For a heterogeneous alluvial fan aquifer, numerical...
Authors
Christopher T. Green, J.K. Bohlke, Barbara A. Bekins, Steven P. Phillips
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil of the Canadian River floodplain in Oklahoma Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil of the Canadian River floodplain in Oklahoma
The accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in soil, plants, and water may impart negative effects on ecosystem and human health. We quantified the concentration and distribution of 41 PAH (n = 32), organic C, total N, and S (n = 140) and investigated PAH sources using a chronosequence of floodplain soils under a natural vegetation succession. Soil samples were collected...
Authors
F. Sartori, T.L. Wade, J.L. Sericano, B.P. Mohanty, Karen A. Smith
Estimating natural background groundwater chemistry, Questa molybdenum mine, New Mexico Estimating natural background groundwater chemistry, Questa molybdenum mine, New Mexico
This 2 1/2 day field trip will present an overview of a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) project whose objective was to estimate pre-mining groundwater chemistry at the Questa molybdenum mine, New Mexico. Because of intense debate among stakeholders regarding pre-mining groundwater chemistry standards, the New Mexico Environment Department and Chevron Mining Inc. (formerly Molycorp) agreed...
Authors
Phillip L. Verplanck, D. Kirk Nordstrom, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Bruce M. Walker
Zinc isotopic composition of particulate matter generated during the combustion of coal and coal + tire-derived fuels Zinc isotopic composition of particulate matter generated during the combustion of coal and coal + tire-derived fuels
Atmospheric Zn emissions from the burning of coal and tire-derived fuel (TDF) for power generation can be considerable. In an effort to lay the foundation for tracking these contributions, we evaluated the Zn isotopes of coal, a mixture of 95 wt % coal + 5 wt % TDF, and the particulate matter (PM) derived from their combustion in a power-generating plant. The average Zn concentrations...
Authors
D.M. Borrok, R. Giere, M. Ren, E. R. Landa
Source and fate of inorganic solutes in the Gibbon River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. II. Trace element chemistry Source and fate of inorganic solutes in the Gibbon River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. II. Trace element chemistry
The Gibbon River in Yellowstone National Park receives inflows from several geothermal areas, and consequently the concentrations of many trace elements are elevated compared to rivers in non-geothermal watersheds. Water samples and discharge measurements were obtained from the Gibbon River and its major tributaries near Norris Geyser Basin under the low-flow conditions of September 2006...
Authors
R. Blaine McCleskey, D. Kirk Nordstrom, David D. Susong, James W. Ball, Howard E. Taylor
Fate of trace organic compounds during vadose zone soil treatment in an onsite wastewater system Fate of trace organic compounds during vadose zone soil treatment in an onsite wastewater system
During onsite wastewater treatment, trace organic compounds are often present in the effluents applied to subsurface soils for advanced treatment during vadose zone percolation and groundwater recharge. The fate of the endocrine-disrupting surfactant metabolites 4-nonylphenol (NP), 4-nonylphenolmonoethoxylate (NP1EO), and 4-nonylphenolmonoethoxycarboxylate (NP1EC), metal-chelating agents
Authors
K.E. Conn, R.L. Siegrist, Larry B. Barber, Michael T. Meyer
Caution on the use of liquid nitrogen traps in stable hydrogen isotope-ratio mass spectrometry Caution on the use of liquid nitrogen traps in stable hydrogen isotope-ratio mass spectrometry
An anomalous stable hydrogen isotopic fractionation of 4 ‰ in gaseous hydrogen has been correlated with the process of adding liquid nitrogen (LN2) to top off the dewar of a stainless-steel water trap on a gaseous hydrogen-water platinum equilibration system. Although the cause of this isotopic fractionation is unknown, its effect can be mitigated by (1) increasing the capacity of any...
Authors
Tyler B. Coplen, Haiping Qi
An approach to quantify sources, seasonal change, and biogeochemical processes affecting metal loading in streams: Facilitating decisions for remediation of mine drainage An approach to quantify sources, seasonal change, and biogeochemical processes affecting metal loading in streams: Facilitating decisions for remediation of mine drainage
Historical mining has left complex problems in catchments throughout the world. Land managers are faced with making cost-effective plans to remediate mine influences. Remediation plans are facilitated by spatial mass-loading profiles that indicate the locations of metal mass-loading, seasonal changes, and the extent of biogeochemical processes. Field-scale experiments during both low-...
Authors
B. A. Kimball, R.L. Runkel, K. Walton-Day
In situ measurements of volatile aromatic hydrocarbon biodegradation rates in groundwater In situ measurements of volatile aromatic hydrocarbon biodegradation rates in groundwater
Benzene and alkylbenzene biodegradation rates and patterns were measured using an in situ microcosm in a crude-oil contaminated aquifer near Bemidji, Minnesota. Benzene-D6, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-, m- and p-xylenes and four pairs of C3- and C4-benzenes were added to an in situ microcosm and studied over a 3-year period. The microcosm allowed for a mass-balance approach and...
Authors
I.M. Cozzarelli, B.A. Bekins, R.P. Eganhouse, E. Warren, H.I. Essaid
Multiple well-shutdown tests and site-scale flow simulation in fractured rocks Multiple well-shutdown tests and site-scale flow simulation in fractured rocks
A new method was developed for conducting aquifer tests in fractured-rock flow systems that have a pump-and-treat (P&T) operation for containing and removing groundwater contaminants. The method involves temporary shutdown of individual pumps in wells of the P&T system. Conducting aquifer tests in this manner has several advantages, including (1) no additional contaminated water is...
Authors
Claire R. Tiedeman, Pierre J. Lacombe, Daniel J. Goode
Comparison of XAD with other dissolved lignin isolation techniques and a compilation of analytical improvements for the analysis of lignin in aquatic settings Comparison of XAD with other dissolved lignin isolation techniques and a compilation of analytical improvements for the analysis of lignin in aquatic settings
This manuscript highlights numerous incremental improvements in dissolved lignin measurements over the nearly three decades since CuO oxidation of lignin phenols was first adapted for environmental samples. Intercomparison of the recovery efficiency of three common lignin phenol concentration and isolation techniques, namely XAD, C18with both CH3OH (C18M) and CH3CN (C18A) used...
Authors
Robert G. M. Spencer, George R. Aiken, Rachael Y. Dyda, Kenna D. Butler, Brian A. Bergamaschi, Peter J. Hernes