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Publications

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

Filter Total Items: 16731

Bioindicators of contaminant exposure and effect in aquatic and terrestrial monitoring Bioindicators of contaminant exposure and effect in aquatic and terrestrial monitoring

Bioindicators of contaminant exposure presently used in environmental monitoring arc discussed. Some have been extensively field-validated and arc already in routine application. Included are (1) inhibition of brain or blood cholinesterase by anticholinesterase pesticides, (2) induction of hepatic microsomal cytochromes P450 by chemicals such as PAHs and PCBs, (3) reproductive problems...
Authors
Mark J. Melancon

Mineral resource of the month: sulfur Mineral resource of the month: sulfur

Since domestic sulfur production peaked at nearly 11 million metric tons in 1974, the sulfur industry has undergone dramatic change. In 1974, mined sulfur produced using the Frasch hot water method provided 8 million tons of sulfur, representing 75 percent of total elemental sulfur production. (In the Frasch process, hot water is injected directly into the sulfur-containing mineral...
Authors
Joyce A. Ober

Hierarchical models and the analysis of bird survey information Hierarchical models and the analysis of bird survey information

Management of birds often requires analysis of collections of estimates. We describe a hierarchical modeling approach to the analysis of these data, in which parameters associated with the individual species estimates are treated as random variables, and probability statements are made about the species parameters conditioned on the data. A Markov-Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) procedure is...
Authors
J.R. Sauer, W.A. Link

Landscape change in the southern Piedmont: challenges, solutions, and uncertainty across scales Landscape change in the southern Piedmont: challenges, solutions, and uncertainty across scales

The southern Piedmont of the southeastern United States epitomizes the complex and seemingly intractable problems and hard decisions that result from uncontrolled urban and suburban sprawl. Here we consider three recurrent themes in complicated problems involving complex systems: (1) scale dependencies and cross-scale, often nonlinear relationships; (2) resilience, in particular the...
Authors
M.J. Conroy, Craig R. Allen, J.T. Peterson, L.J. Pritchard, C. T. Moore

Camping impact management on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail Camping impact management on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail

This report addresses the management of overnight use and associated impacts along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.). This effort was initiated in response to agency and Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC) management concerns regarding the resource and social impacts of increasing overnight visitation, particularly in high use areas. Report findings and recommendations are...
Authors
J. L. Marion

Amphibian decline: An integrated analysis of multiple stressor effects Amphibian decline: An integrated analysis of multiple stressor effects

Capturing the attention and imagination of the public and the scientific community alike, the mysterious decline in amphibian populations drew scientists and resource managers from ecotoxicology and chemistry, ecology and field biology, conservation biology, and natural resource policy to a SETAC–Johnson Foundation workshop. Facilitating environmental stewardship, increasing capacity of...

Ecosystem history of southern and central Biscayne Bay: Summary report on sediment core analyses Ecosystem history of southern and central Biscayne Bay: Summary report on sediment core analyses

During the last century, the environs of Biscayne Bay have been greatly affected by anthropogenic alteration through urbanization of the Miami/Dade County area. The sources, timing, delivery, and quality of freshwater flow into the Bay have been changed by construction of a complex canal system that controls movement of water throughout south Florida. Changes in shoreline and sub-aquatic
Authors
G. Lynn Wingard, Thomas M. Cronin, G. S. Dwyer, S. E. Ishman, Debra A. Willard, C. W. Holmes, C.E. Bernhardt, C.P. Williams, M. E. Marot, J.B. Murray, R.G. Stamm, J.H. Murray, C. Budet

Measured temperature and pressure dependence of compressional (Vp) and shear (Vs) wave speeds in compacted, polycrystalline ice lh Measured temperature and pressure dependence of compressional (Vp) and shear (Vs) wave speeds in compacted, polycrystalline ice lh

We report on laboratory measurements of compressional- and shear-wave speeds in a compacted, polycrystalline ice-Ih sample. The sample was made from triply distilled water that had been frozen into single crystal ice, ground into small grains, and sieved to extract the 180–250 µm diameter fraction. Porosity was eliminated from the sample by compacting the granular ice between a...
Authors
M.B. Helgerud, W.F. Waite, S. H. Kirby, A. Nur

Responses of infaunal populations to benthoscape structure and the potential importance of transition zones Responses of infaunal populations to benthoscape structure and the potential importance of transition zones

Relationships between population abundance and seafloor landscape, or benthoscape, structure were examined for 16 infaunal taxa in eastern Long Island Sound. Based on analyses of a side-scan sonar mosaic, the 19.4-km2 study area was comprised of six distinct large-scale (> km2) benthoscape elements, with varying levels of mesoscale (km2-m2) and small-scale ( m2) physical and biological...
Authors
R.N. Zajac, R. S. Lewis, L.J. Poppe, D.C. Twichell, J. Vozarik, M. L. DiGiacomo-Cohen

Spectral reflectance properties (0.4-2.5 μm) of secondary Fe-oxide, Fe-hydroxide, and Fe-sulphate-hydrate minerals associated with sulphide-bearing mine wastes Spectral reflectance properties (0.4-2.5 μm) of secondary Fe-oxide, Fe-hydroxide, and Fe-sulphate-hydrate minerals associated with sulphide-bearing mine wastes

Diffuse reflectance spectra of 15 mineral species commonly associated with sulphide-bearing mine wastes show diagnostic absorption bands related to electronic processes involving ferric and/or ferrous iron, and to vibrational processes involving water and hydroxyl. Many of these absorption bands are relatively broad and overlapping; however, spectral analysis methods, including continuum...
Authors
J.K. Crowley, D.E. Williams, J. M. Hammarstrom, N. Piatak, I.-M. Chou, J.C. Mars
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