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Publications

These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.

Filter Total Items: 16731

Micropaleontologic record of Quaternary paleoenvironments in the Central Albemarle Embayment, North Carolina, U.S.A. Micropaleontologic record of Quaternary paleoenvironments in the Central Albemarle Embayment, North Carolina, U.S.A.

To understand the temporal and spatial variation of eustatic sea-level fluctuations, glacio–hydro–isostacy, tectonics, subsidence, geologic environments and sedimentation patterns for the Quaternary of a passive continental margin, a nearly complete stratigraphic record that is fully integrated with a three dimensional chronostratigraphic framework, and paleoenvironmental information are...
Authors
Stephen J. Culver, Kathleen M. Farrell, David J. Mallinson, Debra A. Willard, Benjamin P. Horton, Stanley R. Riggs, E. Robert Thieler, John F. Wehmiller, Peter Parham, Scott W. Snyder, Caroline Hillier

2-D inner-shelf current observations from a single VHF WEllen RAdar (WERA) station 2-D inner-shelf current observations from a single VHF WEllen RAdar (WERA) station

The majority of High Frequency (HF) radars used worldwide operate at medium to high frequencies (8 to 30 MHz) providing spatial resolutions ranging from 3 to 1.5 km and ranges from 150 to 50 km. This paper presents results from the deployment of a single Very High Frequency (VHF, 48 MHz) WEllen RAdar (WERA) radar with spatial resolution of 150 m and range 10-15 km, used in the nearshore...
Authors
G. Voulgaris, N. Kumar, K.-W. Gurgel, John C. Warner, Jeffrey H. List

Glacial flour dust storms in the Gulf of Alaska: hydrologic and meteorological controls and their importance as a source of bioavailable iron Glacial flour dust storms in the Gulf of Alaska: hydrologic and meteorological controls and their importance as a source of bioavailable iron

Iron is an essential micronutrient that limits primary productivity in much of the ocean, including the Gulf of Alaska (GoA). However, the processes that transport iron to the ocean surface are poorly quantified. We combine satellite and meteorological data to provide the first description of widespread dust transport from coastal Alaska into the GoA. Dust is frequently transported from...
Authors
John Crusius, A.W. Schroth, S. Gasso, C.M. Moy, R.C. Levy, M. Gatica

Fish community and bioassessment responses to stream network position Fish community and bioassessment responses to stream network position

If organisms move beyond the boundaries of local sampling units, regional metacommunity dynamics could undermine the ability of bioassessment studies to characterize local environmental quality. We tested the prediction that fish dispersal influences local fish community structure and bioassessment metrics as a function of site position within stream networks. We evaluated fish community...
Authors
N.P. Hitt, P. L. Angermeier

Cruise ships as a source of avian mortality during fall migration Cruise ships as a source of avian mortality during fall migration

AAvian mortality during fall migration has been studied at many anthropogenic structures, most of which share the common feature of bright lighting. An additional, unstudied source of avian mortality during fall migration is recreational cruise ships that are brightly lit throughout the night. I documented a single mortality event of eight Common Yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas) on one...
Authors
Carol I. Bocetti

Copper localization, elemental content, and thallus colour in the copper hyperaccumulator lichen Lecanora sierrae from California Copper localization, elemental content, and thallus colour in the copper hyperaccumulator lichen Lecanora sierrae from California

An unusual dark blue-green lichen, Lecanora sierrae, was discovered over 30 years ago by Czehura near copper mines in the Lights Creek District, Plumas County, Northern California. Using atomic absorption spectroscopy, Czehura found that dark green lichen samples from Warren Canyon contained 4% Cu in ash and suggested that its colour was due to copper accumulation in the cortex. The...
Authors
O. W. Purvis, J. P. Bennett, J. Spratt

Evaluation of single and two-stage adaptive sampling designs for estimation of density and abundance of freshwater mussels in a large river Evaluation of single and two-stage adaptive sampling designs for estimation of density and abundance of freshwater mussels in a large river

Reliable estimates of abundance are needed to assess consequences of proposed habitat restoration and enhancement projects on freshwater mussels in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR). Although there is general guidance on sampling techniques for population assessment of freshwater mussels, the actual performance of sampling designs can depend critically on the population density and...
Authors
D. R. Smith, J. T. Rogala, B. R. Gray, S. J. Zigler, T.J. Newton

Soil and periphyton indicators of anthropogenic water-quality changes in a rainfall-driven wetland Soil and periphyton indicators of anthropogenic water-quality changes in a rainfall-driven wetland

Surface soils and periphyton communities were sampled across an oligotrophic, soft-water wetland to document changes associated with pulsed inputs of nutrient- and mineral-rich canal drainage waters. A gradient of canal-water influence was indicated by the surface-water specific conductance, which ranged between 743 and 963 μS cm−1 in the canals to as low as 60 μS cm−1 in the rainfall...
Authors
P.V. McCormick

Formal and informal trail monitoring protocols and baseline conditions: Great Falls Park and Potomac Gorge. Final research report Formal and informal trail monitoring protocols and baseline conditions: Great Falls Park and Potomac Gorge. Final research report

This report presents the results of research on the conditions of formal and informal (visitorcreated) trails conducted within the Great Falls Park (GFP) portion of George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP), Virginia, and the adjacent Maryland portions of the C&O Canal National Historical Park (CHOH). This research was prompted primarily by concerns about the impact of extensive informal...
Authors
Jeremy Wimpey, Jeffrey L. Marion

Industrial diamond Industrial diamond

Estimated world production of natural and synthetic industrial diamond was about 4.44 billion carats in 2010. Natural industrial diamond deposits have been found in more than 35 countries, and synthetic industrial diamond is produced in at least 15 countries.
Authors
D.W. Olson

Gemstones Gemstones

The estimated value of natural gemstones produced from U.S. deposits during 2010 was $8.5 million, a slight increase from 2009. U.S. gemstone production included agate, amber, beryl, coral, garnet, jade, jasper, opal, pearl, quartz, sapphire, shell, topaz, tourmaline, turquoise and many other gem materials.
Authors
D.W. Olson
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