Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Multimedia

One-stop collection of videos, photography, and audio. All items in this gallery are considered public domain unless otherwise noted.

Images

A diagram of PFAS fate and transport
PFAS Fate Transport Diagram
PFAS Fate Transport Diagram
PFAS Fate Transport Diagram

Environmental fate and transport of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS can be from direct and indirect releases or emissions of PFAS from producers or industrial facilities manufacturing PFAS (outlined in red). Primary sources (outlined in orange) include consumer goods, PFAS-containing firefighting foams, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants.

Environmental fate and transport of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS can be from direct and indirect releases or emissions of PFAS from producers or industrial facilities manufacturing PFAS (outlined in red). Primary sources (outlined in orange) include consumer goods, PFAS-containing firefighting foams, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants.

Car parked next to a storm drain in the rain with water washing debris into the drain.
Car parked near an urban storm drain in Virginia.
Car parked near an urban storm drain in Virginia.
Car parked near an urban storm drain in Virginia.

Urban stormwater drains are used to channel runoff from precipitation away from roads for treatment and to prevent flooding. Contaminants in water can also be transported through stormwater systems in rain and snowmelt runoff. 

Urban stormwater drains are used to channel runoff from precipitation away from roads for treatment and to prevent flooding. Contaminants in water can also be transported through stormwater systems in rain and snowmelt runoff. 

Black bottles sit on a lab counter with tubes to other lab equipment.
Water samples are extracted for pesticides.
Water samples are extracted for pesticides.
Water samples are extracted for pesticides.

Water samples are extracted for pesticides at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory.

Photo credit: Elisabeth LaBarbera

Water samples are extracted for pesticides at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory.

Photo credit: Elisabeth LaBarbera

Bumble bees in sample containers on a tray.
Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis.
Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis.
Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis.

Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL), California.

Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL), California.

yellow liquid samples in tubes on a lab table.
Biosolids Analysis.
Biosolids Analysis.
Biosolids Analysis.

Co-extracted matrix is removed from biosolids prior to analysis at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL).

Photo Credit: Gabby Black.

Co-extracted matrix is removed from biosolids prior to analysis at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL).

Photo Credit: Gabby Black.

Analytical laboratory machines site on top of a lab table.
Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS).
Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS).
Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS).

Suspect screening/non-target analysis is done with LC-HRMS at the Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL) in Sacramento, CA.

Photo credit: Michelle Hladik

Videos

The Animated Nitrogen Cycle - a diagram with many arrows and elements are shown. The Animated Nitrogen Cycle (AD)
The Animated Nitrogen Cycle (AD)
The Animated Nitrogen Cycle (AD)

This animation of the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle illustrates the main steps of the cycle in air, water, and soils. The video explains and connects the many forms of nitrogen, such as ammonia, ammonium, hydroxylamine, nitrite, nitrate, nitrous oxide, and nitrogen dioxide, and explains the role of nitrate in nitric oxide signaling in the human body.

This animation of the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle illustrates the main steps of the cycle in air, water, and soils. The video explains and connects the many forms of nitrogen, such as ammonia, ammonium, hydroxylamine, nitrite, nitrate, nitrous oxide, and nitrogen dioxide, and explains the role of nitrate in nitric oxide signaling in the human body.

The Animated Nitrogen Cycle - a diagram with many arrows and elements are shown. The Animated Nitrogen Cycle
The Animated Nitrogen Cycle
The Animated Nitrogen Cycle

This animation of the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle illustrates the main steps of the cycle in air, water, and soils. The video explains and connects the many forms of nitrogen, such as ammonia, ammonium, hydroxylamine, nitrite, nitrate, nitrous oxide, and nitrogen dioxide, and explains the role of nitrate in nitric oxide signaling in the human body.

This animation of the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle illustrates the main steps of the cycle in air, water, and soils. The video explains and connects the many forms of nitrogen, such as ammonia, ammonium, hydroxylamine, nitrite, nitrate, nitrous oxide, and nitrogen dioxide, and explains the role of nitrate in nitric oxide signaling in the human body.

Juvenile Coho Salmon in a tank. Coho Salmon 6PPD-Q Exposure Study
Coho Salmon 6PPD-Q Exposure Study
Coho Salmon 6PPD-Q Exposure Study

Juvenile Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) exhibiting abnormal behaviors associated with exposure to 6PPD-quinone, a derivative of the compound 6PPD which is used in tires to prevent wear.

Juvenile Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) exhibiting abnormal behaviors associated with exposure to 6PPD-quinone, a derivative of the compound 6PPD which is used in tires to prevent wear.

U.S. Geological Survey. Laboratory for the Analysis of Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) USGS Laboratory for the Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
USGS Laboratory for the Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
USGS Laboratory for the Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

The U.S. Geological Survey laboratory for the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) uses cutting-edge techniques to analyze environmental samples including tissues, plasma, water, and soils to undertake and support research projects across the country.

The U.S. Geological Survey laboratory for the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) uses cutting-edge techniques to analyze environmental samples including tissues, plasma, water, and soils to undertake and support research projects across the country.

PAHs/Coal Tar Sealants Effects on Environment & Human Health
PAHs/Coal Tar Sealants Effects on Environment & Human Health
PAHs/Coal Tar Sealants Effects on Environment & Human Health

Webinar on USGS research findings on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) contamination associated with coal-tar-based sealants and implications for environmental and human health. Dr.

Webinar on USGS research findings on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) contamination associated with coal-tar-based sealants and implications for environmental and human health. Dr.

Trends in Nutrients and Pesticides in the Nation's Rivers

Congressional Briefing at the Capitol Visitors Center on April 11, 2014. The briefing focuses on the Mississippi River Basin, which covers about 40% of the nation and represents a wide range of important climatic, agricultural, and urban influences that are present throughout the country.

Congressional Briefing at the Capitol Visitors Center on April 11, 2014. The briefing focuses on the Mississippi River Basin, which covers about 40% of the nation and represents a wide range of important climatic, agricultural, and urban influences that are present throughout the country.