Publications
This list of Water Resources Mission Area publications includes both official USGS publications and journal articles authored by our scientists. A searchable database of all USGS publications can be accessed at the USGS Publications Warehouse.
Filter Total Items: 19116
Why are diverse relationships observed between phytoplankton biomass and transport time? Why are diverse relationships observed between phytoplankton biomass and transport time?
Transport time scales such as flushing time and residence time are often used to explain variability in phytoplankton biomass. In many cases, empirical data are consistent with a positive phytoplankton‐transport time relationship (i.e., phytoplankton biomass increases as transport time increases). However, negative relationships, varying relationships, or no significant relationship may...
Authors
Lisa V. Lucas, Janet K. Thompson, Larry R. Brown
Nutrient dynamics Nutrient dynamics
This chapter focuses on the variability and trends in chemical concentrations and fluxes at Mirror Lake during the period 1981–2000. It examines the water and chemical budgets of Mirror Lake to identify and understand better long-term trends in the chemical characteristics of the lake. It also identifies the causes of changes in nutrient concentrations and examines the contribution of...
Authors
Gene E. Likens, James W. LaBaugh, Donald C. Buso, Darren Bade
Comparison of groundwater flow in Southern California coastal aquifers Comparison of groundwater flow in Southern California coastal aquifers
Development of the coastal aquifer systems of Southern California has resulted in overdraft, changes in streamflow, seawater intrusion, land subsidence, increased vertical flow between aquifers, and a redirection of regional flow toward pumping centers. These water-management challenges can be more effectively addressed by incorporating new understanding of the geologic, hydrologic, and
Authors
Randall T. Hanson, John A. Izbicki, Eric G. Reichard, Brian D. Edwards, Michael Land, Peter Martin
Hydrologic conditions and a firm-yield assessment for J.B. Converse Lake, Mobile County, Alabama, 1991-2006 Hydrologic conditions and a firm-yield assessment for J.B. Converse Lake, Mobile County, Alabama, 1991-2006
J.B. Converse (Converse) Lake is the primary source of drinking water for the city of Mobile, Alabama. Concerns regarding the ability of the reservoir to meet current and future water demands during drought conditions have prompted this study. The 1991 through 2006 water years included a drought that occurred during 2000, and drought conditions currently (2007) are affecting the area. To...
Authors
Carl S. Carlson, Stacey A. Archfield
In a supporting role: soil and the cinema In a supporting role: soil and the cinema
No abstract available
Authors
Edward R. Landa
Approaches to modeling weathered regolith Approaches to modeling weathered regolith
Sustainable soils are a requirement for maintaining human civilizations (Carter and Dale 1974; Lal 1989). However, as the “most complicated biomaterial on the planet” (Young and Crawford 2004), soils represent one of the most difficult systems to understand and model with respect to chemical, physical, and biological coupling over time (Fig. 1). Despite the complexity of these...
Authors
Susan L. Brantley, Arthur F. White
Assessing the occurrence and distribution of pyrethroids in water and suspended sediments Assessing the occurrence and distribution of pyrethroids in water and suspended sediments
The distribution of pyrethroid insecticides in the environment was assessed by separately measuring concentrations in the dissolved and suspended sediment phases of surface water samples. Filtered water was extracted by HLB solid-phase extraction cartridges, while the sediment on the filter was sonicated and cleaned up using carbon and aluminum cartridges. Detection limits for the 13...
Authors
M.L. Hladik, K.M. Kuivila
A new syringe pump apparatus for the retrieval and temporal analysis of helium in groundwaters and geothermal fluids A new syringe pump apparatus for the retrieval and temporal analysis of helium in groundwaters and geothermal fluids
We present details of a newly designed syringe pump apparatus for the retrieval and temporal analysis of helium (SPARTAH). The device is composed of a commercially available syringe pump connected to coils of Cu tubing, which interface the syringe and the groundwater or geothermal wellhead. Through test deployments at geothermal wells in Iceland and California, we show that well fluids...
Authors
P.H. Barry, David R. Hilton, M.D. Tryon, K. M. Brown, J.T. Kulongoski
Distribution limits of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis: a case study in the Rocky Mountains, USA Distribution limits of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis: a case study in the Rocky Mountains, USA
Knowledge of the environmental constraints on a pathogen is critical to predicting its dynamics and effects on populations. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), an aquatic fungus that has been linked with widespread amphibian declines, is ubiquitous in the Rocky Mountains. As part of assessing the distribution limits of Bd in our study area, we sampled the water column and sediments for...
Authors
Blake R. Hossack, Erin L. Muths, Chauncey W. Anderson, Julie D. Kirshtein, P. Stephen Corn
Regional nutrient trends in streams and rivers of the United States, 1993-2003 Regional nutrient trends in streams and rivers of the United States, 1993-2003
Trends in flow-adjusted concentrations (indicators of anthropogenic changes) and observed concentrations (indicators of natural and anthropogenic changes) of total phosphorus and total nitrogen from 1993 to 2003 were evaluated in the eastern, central, and western United States by adapting the Regional Kendall trend test to account for seasonality and spatial correlation. The only...
Authors
Lori A. Sprague, David L. Lorenz
Using nitrate dual isotopic composition (δ15N and δ18O) as a tool for exploring sources and cycling of nitrate in an estuarine system: Elkhorn Slough, California Using nitrate dual isotopic composition (δ15N and δ18O) as a tool for exploring sources and cycling of nitrate in an estuarine system: Elkhorn Slough, California
Nitrate (NO3−) concentrations and dual isotopic composition (δ15N and δ18O) were measured during various seasons and tidal conditions in Elkhorn Slough to evaluate mixing of sources of NO3− within this California estuary. We found the isotopic composition of NO3− was influenced most heavily by mixing of two primary sources with unique isotopic signatures, a marine (Monterey Bay) and...
Authors
Scott D. Wankel, Carol Kendall, Adina Paytan