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

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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

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

Character of shell beds flanking Herod Point Shoal, southeastern Long Island Sound, New York Character of shell beds flanking Herod Point Shoal, southeastern Long Island Sound, New York

High biogenic productivity, strong tidal currents, shoal topography, and short transport distances combine to favor shell-bed formation along the lower flanks of a cape-associated shoal off Herod Point on Long Island, New York. This shell bed has a densely packed, clast-supported fabric composed largely of undegraded surf clam (Spisula solidissima) valves. It is widest along the central...
Authors
Lawrence J. Poppe, S. Jeffress Williams, Ivar G. Babb

Inside the crater, outside the crater: Stratigraphic details of the margin of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure, Virginia, USA Inside the crater, outside the crater: Stratigraphic details of the margin of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure, Virginia, USA

Two cores at the outer margin of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure show significant structural and depositional variations that illuminate its history. Detailed stratigraphy of the Watkins School core reveals that this site is outside the disruption boundary of the crater with respect to its lower part (nonmarine Cretaceous Potomac Formation), but just inside the boundary with respect...
Authors
Lucy E. Edwards, David S. Powars, J. Wright Horton,, Gregory Gohn, Jean Self-Trail, R. J. Litwin

USGS-NPS Servicewide Benthic Mapping Program (SBMP) workshop report USGS-NPS Servicewide Benthic Mapping Program (SBMP) workshop report

Executive Summary The National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Program recently allocated funds to initiate a benthic mapping program in ocean and Great Lakes parks in alignment with the NPS Ocean Park Stewardship 2007-2008 Action Plan. Seventy-four (ocean and Great Lakes) parks, spanning more than 5,000 miles of coastline, many affected by increasing coastal storms and...
Authors
Christopher S. Moses, Amar Nayagandhi, John Brock, Rebecca Beavers

Comparison of atmospheric mercury speciation and deposition at nine sites across central and eastern North America Comparison of atmospheric mercury speciation and deposition at nine sites across central and eastern North America

This study presents >5 cumulative years of tropospheric mercury (Hg) speciation measurements, over the period of 2003–2009, for eight sites in the central and eastern United States and one site in coastal Puerto Rico. The purpose of this research was to identify local and regional processes that impact Hg speciation and deposition (wet + dry) across a large swath of North America. Sites...
Authors
Mark A. Engle, Michael T. Tate, David P. Krabbenhoft, James J Schauer, Allan Kolker, James B. Shanley, Michael Bothner

Increasing precision of turbidity-based suspended sediment concentration and load estimates Increasing precision of turbidity-based suspended sediment concentration and load estimates

Turbidity is an effective tool for estimating and monitoring suspended sediments in aquatic systems. Turbidity can be measured in situ remotely and at fine temporal scales as a surrogate for suspended sediment concentration (SSC), providing opportunity for a more complete record of SSC than is possible with physical sampling approaches. However, there is variability in turbidity-based...
Authors
John D. Jastram, Carl E. Zipper, Lucian W. Zelanzny, Kenneth Hyer

Effects of groundwater-flow paths on nitrate concentrations across two riparian forest corridors Effects of groundwater-flow paths on nitrate concentrations across two riparian forest corridors

Groundwater levels, apparent age, and chemistry from field sites and groundwater-flow modeling of hypothetical aquifers collectively indicate that groundwater-flow paths contribute to differences in nitrate concentrations across riparian corridors. At sites in Virginia (one coastal and one Piedmont), lowland forested wetlands separate upland fields from nearby surface waters (an estuary...
Authors
Gary K. Speiran
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