Publications
These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.
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Coastal vulnerability assessment of Gulf Islands National Seashore (GUIS) to sea-level rise Coastal vulnerability assessment of Gulf Islands National Seashore (GUIS) to sea-level rise
A coastal vulnerability index (CVI) was used to map the relative vulnerability of the coast to future sea-level rise within Gulf Islands National Seashore (GUIS) in Mississippi and Florida. The CVI ranks the following in terms of their physical contribution to sea-level rise-related coastal change: geomorphology, regional coastal slope, rate of relative sea-level rise, shoreline change...
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, Erika S. Hammar-Klose, E. Robert Thieler, S. Jeffress Williams
Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends (BEST) Program: Environmental contaminants and their effects on fish in the Rio Grande Basin Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends (BEST) Program: Environmental contaminants and their effects on fish in the Rio Grande Basin
We collected, examined, and analyzed 368 fish of seven species from 10 sites in the Rio Grande Basin (RGB) during late 1997 and early 1998. Four sites were National Contaminant Biomonitoring Program (NCBP) stations where organochlorine ad elemental contaminants in fish had been monitored from 1969 and through 1986. The other six were USGS-National Stream Quantity Accounting Network...
Authors
Christopher J. Schmitt, Gail M. Dethloff, Jo Ellen Hinck, Timothy M. Bartish, Vicki Blazer, James J. Coyle, Nancy D. Denslow, Donald E. Tillitt
Changes in streamflow and water quality in selected nontidal sites in the Chesapeake Bay Basin, 1985-2003 Changes in streamflow and water quality in selected nontidal sites in the Chesapeake Bay Basin, 1985-2003
Water-quality and streamflow data from 33 sites in nontidal portions of the Chesapeake Bay Basin were analyzed to document annual nutrient and sediment loads and trends for 1985 through 2003 as part of an annual evaluation of water-quality conditions by the Chesapeake Bay Program. As part of this study, different trend tests and methodologies were evaluated for future use in assessment...
Authors
Michael J. Langland, Scott Phillips, Jeff P. Raffensperger, Douglas Moyer
Determining sources of water and contaminants to wells in a carbonate aquifer near Martinsburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania, by use of geochemical indicators, analysis of anthropogenic contaminants, and simulation of ground-water flow Determining sources of water and contaminants to wells in a carbonate aquifer near Martinsburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania, by use of geochemical indicators, analysis of anthropogenic contaminants, and simulation of ground-water flow
Water supply for the Borough of Martinsburg, Pa., is from two well fields (Wineland and Hershberger) completed in carbonate-bedrock aquifers in the Morrison Cove Valley. Water supply is plentiful; however, waters with high concentrations of nitrate are a concern. This report describes the sources of water and contaminants to the supply wells. A review of previous investigations was used...
Authors
Bruce D. Lindsey, Michele L. Koch
Myxobolus cerebralis internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) sequences support recent spread of the parasite to North America and within Europe Myxobolus cerebralis internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) sequences support recent spread of the parasite to North America and within Europe
Molecular approaches for resolving relationships among the Myxozoa have relied mainly on small subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence analysis. This region of the gene is generally used for higher phylogenetic studies, and the conservative nature of this gene may make it inadequate for intraspecific comparisons. Previous intraspecific studies of Myxobolus cerebralis based on...
Authors
Christopher M. Whipps, M. El-Matbouli, R.P. Hedrick, V. Blazer, M.L. Kent
A specimen of the Varied Thrush from Florida A specimen of the Varied Thrush from Florida
No abstract available.
Authors
G.E. Woolfenden, Richard C. Banks
Zinc and lead poisoning in wild birds in the Tri-State Mining District (Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri) Zinc and lead poisoning in wild birds in the Tri-State Mining District (Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri)
contaminated with Pb, Cd, and Zn from mining, milling and smelting. Metals have been dispersed heterogeneously throughout the District in the form of milled mine waste ('chat'), as flotation tailings and from smelters as aerial deposition or slag. This study was conducted to determine if the habitat has been contaminated to the extent that the assessment populations of wild birds are...
Authors
W. N. Beyer, J. Dalgam, S. Dudding, J.B. French, R. Mateo, J. Miesner, L. Sileo, J. Spann
Drought responses of freshwater mussels (Unionidae) in coastal plain tributaries of the Flint River basin, Georgia Drought responses of freshwater mussels (Unionidae) in coastal plain tributaries of the Flint River basin, Georgia
During extreme drought conditions, mussel survival and habitat conditions were monitored weekly at nine locations representing a gradient in stream size in the lower Flint River basin, Georgia, USA. Cumulative unionid mortality ranged from 13 to 93% among sites, and was associated with low flow velocity (below 0.01 m/s) and dissolved oxygen concentrations below 5 mg/L. Species...
Authors
P.M. Gagnon, S.W. Golladay, W.K. Michener, Mary C. Freeman
Phylogenetic relationships of the endangered Shenandoah salamander (Plethodon shenandoah) and other salamanders of the Plethodon cinereus group (Caudata: Plethodontidae) Phylogenetic relationships of the endangered Shenandoah salamander (Plethodon shenandoah) and other salamanders of the Plethodon cinereus group (Caudata: Plethodontidae)
The Shenandoah salamander (Plethodon shenandoah), known from isolated talus slopes on three of the highest mountains in Shenandoah National Park, is listed as state-endangered in Virginia and federally endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. A 1999 paper by G. R. Thurow described P. shenandoah-like salamanders from three localities further south in the Blue Ridge Physiographic...
Authors
J.W. Sites, M. Morando, R. Highton, F. Huber, R.E. Jung
The relationship between species detection probability and local extinction probability The relationship between species detection probability and local extinction probability
In community-level ecological studies, generally not all species present in sampled areas are detected. Many authors have proposed the use of estimation methods that allow detection probabilities that are 1 and that are heterogeneous among species. These methods can also be used to estimate community-dynamic parameters such as species local extinction probability and turnover rates...
Authors
R. Alpizar-Jara, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines, J.R. Sauer, K. H. Pollock, C.S. Rosenberry
Dynamic use of wetlands by black ducks and mallards: Evidence against competitive exclusion Dynamic use of wetlands by black ducks and mallards: Evidence against competitive exclusion
The decline of the American black duck (Anas rubripes) has been attributed to competition from mallards (A. platyrhynchos) that led to exclusive use of fertile wetlands by mallards. Data from annual breeding waterfowl surveys provide instantaneous, single observations of breeding pairs, which are used to estimate breeding population size and evaluate the condition of habitat. Data from...
Authors
D.G. McAuley, D.A. Clugston, J. R. Longcore
Tumor prevalence and biomarkers of exposure in brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) from Back River, Furnace Creek, and Tuckahoe River, Maryland Tumor prevalence and biomarkers of exposure in brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) from Back River, Furnace Creek, and Tuckahoe River, Maryland
Brown bullheads (Ameiurus nebulosus) were collected from 2 locations near Baltimore, Maryland, Back River and Furnace Creek, and 1 (reference) location, Tuckahoe River, to compare the prevalence of tumors (liver and skin) and visible skin lesions (fin erosion and abnormal barbels). Cytochrome P450 activity measured as ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase, biliary PAH-like fluorescent metabolites...
Authors
A.E. Pinkney, J.C. Harshbarger, E.B. May, M. J. Melancon