Publications
These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.
Filter Total Items: 16874
Graphite Graphite
Graphite is a form of pure carbon that normally occurs as black crystal flakes and masses. It has important properties, such as chemical inertness, thermal stability, high electrical conductivity, and lubricity (slipperiness) that make it suitable for many industrial applications, including electronics, lubricants, metallurgy, and steelmaking. For some of these uses, no suitable...
Authors
Gilpin R. Robinson, Jane M. Hammarstrom, Donald W. Olson
Nanoscale geochemical and geomechanical characterization of dispersed organic matter in shale by infrared nanoscopy Nanoscale geochemical and geomechanical characterization of dispersed organic matter in shale by infrared nanoscopy
Solid organic matter (OM) plays an essential role in the generation, migration, storage, and production of hydrocarbons from economically important shale rock formations. Electron microscopy images have documented spatial heterogeneity in the porosity of OM at nanoscale, and bulk spectroscopy measurements have documented large variation in the chemical composition of OM during petroleum...
Authors
Jin Yang, Javin J. Hatcherian, Paul C. Hackley, Andrew Pomerantz
Forecasting stream habitat and Brook Trout responses to climate change in Catoctin Mountain Park Forecasting stream habitat and Brook Trout responses to climate change in Catoctin Mountain Park
Anticipating and mitigating the effects of climate change is a fundamental challenge for natural resource conservation. In this report, we respond to research needs identified by Catoctin Mountain Park (CATO) for native Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) conservation and management as part of the US Geological Survey (USGS) Natural Resources Preservation Program in FY15-16. We addressed...
Authors
Nathaniel P. Hitt, Craig D. Snyder, Erin Snook, Zachary C. Johnson, Matthew Morgan
Microsatellite marker development from next-generation sequencing in the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) and cross-amplification in the eastern cottontail (S. floridanus) Microsatellite marker development from next-generation sequencing in the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) and cross-amplification in the eastern cottontail (S. floridanus)
Objective
Authors
Tim L. King, Michael S. Eackles, Aaron Aunins, Thomas J. McGreevy, Thomas P. Husband, Anthony Tur, Adrienne I. Kovach
Generalized hydrogeologic framework and groundwater budget for a groundwater availability study for the glacial aquifer system of the United States Generalized hydrogeologic framework and groundwater budget for a groundwater availability study for the glacial aquifer system of the United States
The glacial aquifer system groundwater availability study seeks to quantify (1) the status of groundwater resources in the glacial aquifer system, (2) how these resources have changed over time, and (3) likely system response to future changes in anthropogenic and environmental conditions. The glacial aquifer system extends from Maine to Alaska, although the focus of this report is the...
Authors
Howard W. Reeves, Randall E. Bayless, Robert W. Dudley, Daniel T. Feinstein, Michael N. Fienen, Christopher J. Hoard, Glenn A. Hodgkins, Sharon L. Qi, Jason L. Roth, Jared J. Trost
Are ranger patrols effective in reducing poaching-related threats within protected areas? Are ranger patrols effective in reducing poaching-related threats within protected areas?
Poaching is one of the greatest threats to wildlife conservation world-wide. However, the spatial and temporal patterns of poaching activities within protected areas, and the effectiveness of ranger patrols and ranger posts in mitigating these threats, are relatively unknown.We used 10 years (2006–2015) of ranger-based monitoring data and dynamic multi-season occupancy models to quantify...
Authors
Jennnifer F. Moore, Felix Mulindahabi, Michel K. Masozera, James D. Nichols, James E. Hines, Ezechiel Turikunkiko, Madan K. Oli
Environmental characteristics and utilization potential of metallurgical slag Environmental characteristics and utilization potential of metallurgical slag
Slag, an abundant byproduct from the pyrometallurgical processing of ores, can be an environmental liability or a valuable resource. The most common environmental impact of slag is from the leaching of potentially toxic elements, acidity, or alkalinity that may impact nearby soils and surface water and groundwater. Factors that influence its environmental behavior include physical...
Authors
Nadine M. Piatak
Lead and strontium isotopes as monitors of anthropogenic contaminants in the surficial environment Lead and strontium isotopes as monitors of anthropogenic contaminants in the surficial environment
Isotopic discrimination can be an effective tool in establishing a direct link between sources of Pb contamination and the presence of anomalously high concentrations of Pb in waters, soils, and organisms. Residential wells supplying water containing up to 1600 ppb Pb to houses built on the former Mohr orchards commercial site, near Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States, were evaluated...
Authors
Robert A. Ayuso, Nora K. Foley
New method to integrate remotely sensed hydrothermal alteration mapping into quantitative mineral resource assessments New method to integrate remotely sensed hydrothermal alteration mapping into quantitative mineral resource assessments
Hydrothermal alteration data mapped using the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) were compiled into hydrothermal alteration polygons for use in an assessment of porphyry copper mineral resource potential in the southwestern United States. Hydrothermal alteration polygons along with geochemistry, gravity and magnetic, lithologic, and deposit and...
Authors
John C. Mars, Jane M. Hammarstrom, Gilpin R. Robinson, Stephen Ludington, Lukas Zurcher, Helen W. Folger, Mark E. Gettings, Federico Solano, Thomas Kress
The efficacy of combined educational and site management actions in reducing off-trail hiking in an urban-proximate protected area The efficacy of combined educational and site management actions in reducing off-trail hiking in an urban-proximate protected area
Park and protected area managers are tasked with protecting natural environments, a particularly daunting challenge in heavily visited urban-proximate areas where flora and fauna are already stressed by external threats. In this study, an adaptive management approach was taken to reduce extensive off-trail hiking along a popular trail through an ecologically diverse and significant area...
Authors
Karen S. Hockett, Jeffrey L. Marion, Yu-Fai Leung
Geomechanical analysis of initial stage of gas production from interbedded hydrate-bearing sediment Geomechanical analysis of initial stage of gas production from interbedded hydrate-bearing sediment
Geomechanical stability of marine hydrate reservoirs during gas production by depressurization is the focus of this study. The reservoir considered here consists of thin hydrate rich sandy layers interbedded with mud layers. Because of the input parameter uncertainties involved, it is prudent from a geomechanical perspective to estimate the likely bounds of potential responses. A...
Authors
Jeen-Shang Lin, Shun Uchida, Evgeniy Myshakin, Yongkoo Seol, Jonny Rutqvist, Ray Boswell, William F. Waite, Junbong Jang, Timothy S. Collett
First evidence that paired Roseate Terns may travel together during spring migration First evidence that paired Roseate Terns may travel together during spring migration
A mated pair of colorbanded Roseate Terns from the Northwest Atlantic Ocean breeding population was photographed on 12 May 2010 while staging near Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. This represents the first evidence that mated pairs of this species may travel together during their northward spring migration
Authors
Jeffrey A. Spendelow, Gabriel Lugo