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Publications

Publications from USGS science centers throughout the Southeast Region.

Filter Total Items: 10361

Determining the size of American alligators using hind-foot track length Determining the size of American alligators using hind-foot track length

Size distribution information is useful for crocodilian management, but can be hard to obtain. Indirect and less costly demographic inferences made from track measurements may be valuable for management decisions. We related hind-foot lengths (HF) with total length (TL) to determine if we could indirectly assess alligator size using track length. Regression showed that HF was an...
Authors
Philip M. Wilkinson, Kenneth G. Rice

Estimating sighting proportions of American alligator nests during helicopter survey Estimating sighting proportions of American alligator nests during helicopter survey

Proportions of American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) nests sighted during aerial survey in Florida were estimated based upon multiple surveys by different observers. We compared sighting proportions across habitats, nesting seasons, and observer experience levels. The mean sighting proportion across all habitats and years was 0.736 (SE=0.024). Survey counts corrected by the...
Authors
Kenneth G. Rice, H. Franklin Percival, Allan R. Woodward

An in vivo model fish system to test chemical effects on sexual differentiation and development: exposure to ethinyl estradiol An in vivo model fish system to test chemical effects on sexual differentiation and development: exposure to ethinyl estradiol

A model system was characterized which may be used as an in vivo screen for effects of chemicals or environmental mixtures on sexual differentiation and development of reproductive organs and gametes. We evaluated the effects of a model environmental estrogen, ethinyl estradiol (EE2), on the d-rR strain of medaka, Oryzias latipes, using a nano-injection exposure. Gonad histopathology...
Authors
Diana M. Papoulias, Douglas B. Noltie, Donald E. Tillitt

Photoenhanced toxicity of weathered oil to Mysidopsis bahia Photoenhanced toxicity of weathered oil to Mysidopsis bahia

The toxicity of a water-accommodated fraction (WAF) prepared from weathered oil was assessed in a 7-day static renewal test with Mysidopsis bahia. Weathered oil was collected from the 5 x monitoring well at the Guadalupe oil field. Solar ultraviolet and visible light intensities were measured in various habitats in the vicinity of the weathered oil sample collection site, and the...
Authors
L. Cleveland, E. E. Little, R.D. Calfee, M.G. Barron

A passive integrative sampler for mercury vapor in air and neutral mercury species in water A passive integrative sampler for mercury vapor in air and neutral mercury species in water

A passive integrative mercury sampler (PIMS) based on a sealed polymeric membrane was effective for the collection and preconcentration of Hg0. Because the Hg is both oxidized and stabilized in the PIMS, sampling intervals of weeks to months are possible. The effective air sampling rate for a 15 x 2.5 cm device was about 21-equivalents/day (0.002 m3/day) and the detection limit for 4...
Authors
W. G. Brumbaugh, J. D. Petty, T.W. May, J.N. Huckins

Finding minimal herbicide concentrations in ground water? Try looking for their degradates Finding minimal herbicide concentrations in ground water? Try looking for their degradates

Extensive research has been conducted regarding the occurrence of herbicides in the hydrologic system, their fate, and their effects on human health and the environment. Few studies, however, have considered herbicide transformation products (degradates). In this study of Iowa ground water, herbicide degradates were frequently detected. In fact, herbicide degradates were eight of the 10...
Authors
D.W. Kolpin, E.M. Thurman, S. M. Linhart

Spatial variation in fish assemblages across a beaver-influenced successional landscape Spatial variation in fish assemblages across a beaver-influenced successional landscape

Beavers are increasingly viewed as “ecological engineers,” having broad effects on physical, chemical, and biological attributes of north-temperate landscapes. We examine the influence of both local successional processes associated with beaver activity and regional geomorphic boundaries on spatial variation in fish assemblages along the Kabetogama Peninsula in Voyageurs National Park...
Authors
I.J. Schlosser, L.W. Kallemeyn

Comparing polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations and patterns in the Saginaw River using sediment, caged fish, and semipermeable membrane devices Comparing polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations and patterns in the Saginaw River using sediment, caged fish, and semipermeable membrane devices

Three techniques of assessing bioavailable polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Saginaw River, MI, were compared: sediments, caged fish, and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs). SPMDs and caged fish were placed in the river for 28 days at five sites where sediments were also sampled. The samples were analyzed for PCB congeners to determine concentrations and patterns. Total PCB
Authors
K. R. Echols, R.W. Gale, T.R. Schwartz, J.N. Huckins, L.L. Williams, J.C. Meadows, D. Morse, J. D. Petty, C.E. Orazio, D. E. Tillitt

Assessment of the photoenhanced toxicity of a weathered oil to the tidewater silverside Assessment of the photoenhanced toxicity of a weathered oil to the tidewater silverside

Studies were conducted to determine the interactive toxicity of a water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of a weathered middle distillate petroleum and solar radiation to an estuarine organism, the tidewater silverside (Menidia beryllina). Juvenile silversides were monitored for survival and growth during a 7-d static renewal exposure to dilutions of WAFs of an environmentally weathered oil...
Authors
Edward E. Little, Laverne Cleveland, Robin D. Calfee, Mace G. Barron

Hazard assessment of selenium and other trace elements in wild larval razorback sucker from the Green River, Utah Hazard assessment of selenium and other trace elements in wild larval razorback sucker from the Green River, Utah

Contaminant investigations of the Green River in northeastern Utah have documented selenium contamination at sites receiving irrigation drainage. The Green River provides critical habitat for four endangered fishes including the largest extant riverine population of endangered razorback sucker. Although 2175 larval razorback suckers were collected from the river between 1992 and 1996...
Authors
S. J. Hamilton, R.T. Muth, B. Waddell, T.W. May

Considerations involved with the use of semipermeable membrane devices for monitoring environmental contaminants Considerations involved with the use of semipermeable membrane devices for monitoring environmental contaminants

Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) are used with increasing frequency, and throughout the world as samplers of organic contaminants. The devices can be used to detect a variety of lipophilic chemicals in water, sediment/soil, and air. SPMDs are designed to sample nonpolar, hydrophobic chemicals. The maximum concentration factor achievable for a particular chemical is proportional to...
Authors
J. D. Petty, C.E. Orazio, J.N. Huckins, R.W. Gale, J.A. Lebo, J.C. Meadows, K. R. Echols, W.L. Cranor
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