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Publications

The following list of California Water Science Center publications includes both official USGS publications and journal articles authored by our scientists.

Filter Total Items: 1734

Spatial and temporal variability in South San Francisco Bay (USA). II. Temporal changes in salinity, suspended sediments, and phytoplankton biomass and productivity over tidal time scales

Short-term variability of a conservative quantity (salinity) and two nonconservative quantities (chlorophyll a, suspended particulate matter) was measured across a sampling grid in the South San Francisco Bay estuary. Surface measurements were made every 2 h at each of 29 (or 38) sites, on four different dates representing a range of tidal current regimes over the neap-spring cycle. From the distr
Authors
J. E. Cloern, T.M. Powell, L.M. Huzzey

Trace metal associations in the water column of South San Francisco Bay, California

Spatial distributions of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) were followed along a longitudinal gradient of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in South San Francisco Bay (herein referred to as the South Bay). Dissolved Cu, Zn and Cd concentrations ranged from 24 to 66 nM, from 20 to 107 nM and from 1·2 to 4·7 nM, respectively, in samples collected on five dates beginning with the spring phytoplank
Authors
J.S. Kuwabara, Cecily C.Y. Chang, J. E. Cloern, T. L. Fries, J.A. Davis, S. N. Luoma

Spatial and temporal variability in South San Francisco Bay (USA). I. Horizontal distributions of salinity, suspended sediments, and phytoplankton biomass and productivity

The horizontal pattern of mesoscale (1–4 km) variability in salinity was a poor predictor of mesoscale patterns in chlorophyll a, suspended particulate matter, and daily primary productivity in the South San Francisco Bay estuary during spring 1987. The tidally-averaged salinity distribution varied over weekly time scales, reflecting inputs of freshwater as well as transport processes. Spatial dis
Authors
T.M. Powell, J. E. Cloern, L.M. Huzzey

Organic markers as source discriminants and sediment transport indicators in south San Francisco Bay, California

Sediment samples from nearshore sites in south San Francisco Bay and from streams flowing into that section of the Bay have been characterized in terms of their content of biogenic and anthropogenic molecular marker compounds. The distributions, input sources, and applicability of these compounds in determining sediment movement are discussed. By means of inspection and multivariate analysis, the
Authors
F. D. Hostettler, J. B. Rapp, K. A. Kvenvolden, N L. Samuel

Relation of salinity and selenium in shallow groundwater to hydrologic and geochemical processes, Western San Joaquin Valley, California

Salinity and selenium concentrations in shallow groundwater of the western San Joaquin Valley, California, are related to the geomorphology and hydrology of the alluvial fans. The highest salinity and selenium concentrations in shallow groundwater occur in alluvium deposited by ephemeral streams and at the margins of the major alluvial fans, where there were naturally saline, fine-grained soils. L
Authors
S. J. Deverel, S.K. Gallanthine

Contaminants in foods of aquatic birds at Kesterson Reservoir, California, 1985

Plants, aquatic insects, and mosquitofish were collected from Kesterson Reservoir, Merced County, California, and a nearby reference site (Volta Wildlife Area) to compare concentrations of three contaminants found in 1985 with those reported in 1983 and 1984. Mean selenium concentrations in food-chain organisms from sites at Kesterson in 1985 ranged from 27.0 ug/g dry weight in water boatman to 1
Authors
R. L. Hothem, H. M. Ohlendorf

Solubility of jarosite solid solutions precipitated from acid mine waters, Iron Mountain, California

Because of the common occurrence of 15 to 25 mole percent hydronium substitution on the alkali site in jarosites, it is necessary to consider the hydronium content of jarosites in any attempt at rigorous evaluation of jarosite solubility or of the saturation state of natural waters with respect to jarosite. A Gibbs free energy of 3293.5±2.1 kJ mol-1 is recommended for a jarosite solid solution of
Authors
Charles N. Alpers, D. Kirk Nordstrom, J. W. Ball

Nonparametric statistical methods for comparing two sites based on data with multiple nondetect limits

As concern over the effects of trace amounts of pollutants has increased, so has the need for statistical methods that deal appropriately with data that include values reported as “less than” the detection limit. It has become increasingly common for water quality data to include censored values that reflect more than one detection limit for a single analyte. For such multiply censored data sets,
Authors
Steven P. Millard, Steven J. Deverel

Trace element residues in bluegills and common carp from the lower San Joaquin River, California, and its tributaries

Whole-body samples of bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) from the San Joaquin River and two tributaries (Merced River and Salt Slough) were analyzed to determine if the concentrations of any of nine elements were elevated as a result of exposure of the fish to agricultural subsurface (tile) drainage water. Highest concentrations (μg/g dry weight) detected were as fol
Authors
Michael K. Saiki, Thomas W. May

Effects of spatial orientation of multiple plate artificial substrates on invertebrate colonization

Jumbo multiple plate samplers were suspended in a river at 0.3 and 1 m depth in one of three orientations: interplate spaces closed to downwelling light and open to flow, open to light and flow, or open to light and closed to flow. Mean numbers of colonizing taxa and individuals were not significantly different among orientations after eight weeks of submergence. All variables tested decreased sig
Authors
K. V. Slack, R. F. Ferreira, R.C. Averert, S.S. Kennelly

Osmotic potential and projected drought tolerance of four phreatophytic shrub species in Owens Valley, California

A large part of the water used by plant communities growing on the floor of Owens Valley, California, is derived from a shallow unconfined aquifer. Fluctuations in the water table caused by groundwater withdrawal may result in periods when this water supply is not accessible to plants. The capacity of the plants to adapt to these periods of water loss depend on the availability of water stored in
Authors
Peter D. Dileanis, D.P. Groeneveld

Phytoplankton growth rates in a light-limited environment, San Francisco Bay

Phytoplankton cells reside in a turbulent medium partitioned into an upper photic zone that sustains photosynthesis, and a lower aphotic zone that does not. In estuaries, vertical mixing rates between these 2 zones can be rapid (< 1 generation time) because of tidal stirring and because the mixing depth is generally shallow. Moreover, the photic depth is characteristically shallow in estuaries bec
Authors
Andrea E. Alpine, James E. Cloern