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Publications

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

Filter Total Items: 16904

Tectonic controls on nearshore sediment accumulation and submarine canyon morphology offshore La Jolla, Southern California Tectonic controls on nearshore sediment accumulation and submarine canyon morphology offshore La Jolla, Southern California

CHIRP seismic and swath bathymetry data acquired offshore La Jolla, California provide an unprecedented three-dimensional view of the La Jolla and Scripps submarine canyons. Shore-parallel patterns of tectonic deformation appear to control nearshore sediment thickness and distribution around the canyons. These shore-parallel patterns allow the impact of local tectonic deformation to be...
Authors
Nicolas Le Dantec, Leah J. Hogarth, Neal W. Driscoll, Jeffrey M. Babcock, Walter A. Barnhardt, William C. Schwab

Host‐seeking activity and avian host preferences of mosquitoes associated with West Nile virus transmission in the northeastern U.S.A. Host‐seeking activity and avian host preferences of mosquitoes associated with West Nile virus transmission in the northeastern U.S.A.

Mosquito host‐seeking activity was studied using a custom‐designed trap to explore: (1) at which time interval of the night adult mosquito abatement would be most effective, and (2) if there exists an avian‐specific host‐seeking preference. Overnight trials using traps baited with dry ice showed that Aedes taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann) was most active at dusk and was then captured...
Authors
Channsotha Suom, Howard S. Ginsberg, Andrew Bernick, Coby Klein, P. A. Buckley, Christa Salvatore, Roger A. LeBrun

Industrial sand and gravel Industrial sand and gravel

Domestic production of industrial sand and gravel in 2009 was about 27 Mt (30 million st), declining by 10 percent compared with 2008. Certain end uses of industrial sand and gravel, such as foundry and glassmaking sand, may have declined by a factor greater than 10 percent in 2009. U.S. apparent consumption was 24.7 Mt (27.2 million st) in 2009, down by 10 percent from the previous year...
Authors
T.P. Dolley

Fluorspar Fluorspar

Statistics on fluorspar consumption, prices, and trade in 2009 are presented. Information on the mine developments and closures and on the outlook for the sector is provided.
Authors
M. Miller

Potash Potash

In 2009, the world potash market deteriorated as world demand, trade and sales fell dramatically. After potash prices reached record high levels in 2008, many consumers and dealers delayed purchases until the price dropped. Potash prices did not recede as quickly as other fertilizer commodities, which led to further increases in potash stocks. In 2009, high stocks and lower demand...
Authors
S.M. Jasinski

Earth mineral resource of the month: asbestos Earth mineral resource of the month: asbestos

The article discusses the characteristics and feature of asbestos. According to the author, asbestos is a generic name for six needle-shaped minerals that possess high tensile strengths, flexibility, and resistance to chemical and thermal degradation. These minerals are actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, chrysolite, crocilodite and tremolite. Asbestos is used for strengthening concrete...
Authors
Robert L. Virta

Mineral resource of the Month: Clay Mineral resource of the Month: Clay

Clays were one of the first mineral commodities used by people. Clay pottery has been found in archeological sites that are 12,000 years old, and clay figurines have been found in sites that are even older.
Authors
Robert L. Virta

Common clay and shale: a look at 2009 activity Common clay and shale: a look at 2009 activity

An overview of clay and shale production, consumption, and prices in 2009 is presented. The industry has seen 15 to 20 percent declines during the past two years, yet producers still expect sales to decline in 2010.
Authors
R.L. Virta

Predictors of occurrence of the aquatic macrophyte Podostemum ceratophyllum in a southern Appalachian River Predictors of occurrence of the aquatic macrophyte Podostemum ceratophyllum in a southern Appalachian River

The aquatic macrophyte Podostemum ceratophyllum (Hornleaf Riverweed) commonly provides habitat for invertebrates and fishes in flowing-water portions of Piedmont and Appalachian streams in the eastern US. We quantified variation in percent cover by P. ceratophyllum in a 39-km reach of the Conasauga River, TN and GA, to test the hypothesis that cover decreased with increasing non-forest...
Authors
Jane E. Argentina, Mary Freeman, Byron J. Freeman

Deterring off-trail hiking in protected natural areas: Evaluating options with surveys and unobtrusive observation: Final report Deterring off-trail hiking in protected natural areas: Evaluating options with surveys and unobtrusive observation: Final report

This report presents the results of research conducted on the 96-acre Bear Island along the Billy Goat Trail, Section A (BGT) that evaluated visitor motivations for off-trail hiking and the efficacy of four treatments designed to reduce this activity. This research was prompted by concerns about the impact of an extensive informal (visitor-created) trail network on Bear Island, because...
Authors
K.A. Hockett, Y.F. Clark, J.L. Leung, L. Park

Certhiasomus, a new genus of woodcreeper (Aves: Passeriformes: Dendrocolaptidae) Certhiasomus, a new genus of woodcreeper (Aves: Passeriformes: Dendrocolaptidae)

Phylogenetic analysis of the family Dendrocolaptidae (Aves: Passeriformes) indicates that the two species traditionally placed in the genus Deconychura are not sister taxa. Certhiasomus, a new genus of woodcreeper, is described for one of these species, C. stictolaemus.
Authors
Elizabeth Derryberry, Santiago Claramunt, R. Terry Chesser, Alexandre Aleixo, Joel Cracraft, Robert G. Moyle, Robb T. Brumfield
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