Publications
USGS research activities relevant to Alaska have yielded more than 9400 historical publications. This page features some of the most recent newsworthy research findings.
Filter Total Items: 3110
An image-processing program for automated counting An image-processing program for automated counting
An image-processing program developed by the National Institute of Health, IMAGE, was modified in a cooperative project between remote sensing specialists at the Ohio State University Center for Mapping and scientists at the Alaska Science Center to facilitate estimating numbers of black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) in flocks at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. The modified program...
Authors
D.J. Cunningham, W.H. Anderson, R.M. Anthony
Breeding populations of northern pintails have similar mitochondrial DNA Breeding populations of northern pintails have similar mitochondrial DNA
Northern pintails (Anas acuta) are highly nomadic, which may result in high levels of gene flow among nesting areas. To assess the extent of genetic differentiation among nesting areas, we analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation in northern pintail females from three regions: Alaska, California, and midcontinent prairies and parklands. Abundant mtDNA variation was evident (20...
Authors
M. A. Cronin, J.B. Grand, Daniel Esler, D.V. Derksen, K.T. Scribner
Mitochondrial-DNA variation among subspecies and populations of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) Mitochondrial-DNA variation among subspecies and populations of sea otters (Enhydra lutris)
We used restriction-enzyme analysis of polymerase-chain reaction-amplified, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to assess genetic differentiation of subspecies and populations of sea otters, Enhydra lutris, throughout the range of the species. There were several haplotypes of mtDNA in each subspecies and geographically separate populations. MtDNA sequence divergence of haplotypes of sea otters was...
Authors
Matthew A. Cronin, James L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey, James A. Estes, John C. Patton
Occurrence of selected contaminants in water, fish tissue, and streambed sediments in central Nebraska, 1992-95 Occurrence of selected contaminants in water, fish tissue, and streambed sediments in central Nebraska, 1992-95
Surface and ground water in Nebraska may contain contaminants resulting from human activities. For purposes of this publication, a contaminant is any element or compound whose presence may affect the water's suitability for certain uses. For example, herbicide concentrations may exceeed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) Health Advisory Levels (HAL) for drinking water or...
Authors
Steven A. Frenzel
Balancing the three R's (regulation, research, and restoration) on the Kenai River, Alaska Balancing the three R's (regulation, research, and restoration) on the Kenai River, Alaska
The Kenai River is Alaska’s most popular salmon sport fishery. By attracting fishermen, the river contributes about $40 million annually to the local economy. Much of the fishing effort is in pursuit of the river’s chinook salmon, which are among the largest in the world. Many people benefit from the river through its numerous recreational opportunities or by making a living providing...
Authors
Joseph M. Dorava, Gary S. Liepitz
Alaska resource data file: Mount Michelson quadrangle Alaska resource data file: Mount Michelson quadrangle
No abstract available.
Authors
J. S. Kelly
Alaska resource data file: Umiat quadrangle Alaska resource data file: Umiat quadrangle
No abstract available.
Authors
John Stewart Kelley
Alaska resource data file: Holy Cross quadrangle Alaska resource data file: Holy Cross quadrangle
No abstract available.
Authors
W. J. Keith, Marti L. Miller
Alaska resource data file: Iditarod quadrangle Alaska resource data file: Iditarod quadrangle
No abstract available.
Authors
W. J. Keith, Marti L. Miller
Explanation of fields used in the Alaska Resource Data File of mines, prospects, and mineral occurrences in Alaska Explanation of fields used in the Alaska Resource Data File of mines, prospects, and mineral occurrences in Alaska
Descriptions of mines, prospects, and mineral occurrences in the Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF) are published for individual U.S. Geological Survey 1:250,000 scale quadrangles in Alaska (see accompanying map) and are available for downloading from USGS World Wide Web site: http://www-rnrs-ak.wr.usgs.gov/ardf. These descriptions are divided into a number of fields which describe...
Authors
Water Resources Division U.S. Geological Survey
How many seabirds were killed by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill? How many seabirds were killed by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill?
After the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 24 March 1989, 36,115 dead seabirds were recovered from beaches and processed at morgues. Most or all of 1,888 live oiled seabirds brought to rehabilitation centers also died and about 3,260 oiled carcasses were never delivered to morgues. Of these 41,263 carcasses accounted for, we estimated conservatively that only 30,000 were killed by oil pollution...
Authors
John F. Piatt, R. Glenn Ford
Mass and body-dimension relationships of polar bears in northern Alaska Mass and body-dimension relationships of polar bears in northern Alaska
Models developed from morphometric parameters are useful for estimating body mass (M) of captured wild ursids. The accuracy of those models, however, may depend on sex, season, and geographic location of the population. We tested the suitability of reported models to predict mass of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) captured in northern Alaska, but found that models developed for other...
Authors
George M. Durner, Steven C. Amstrup