Integrated Science Teams
Biologists, ecologists, toxicologists, hydrologists, chemists, and geographers work together in the field and laboratories across the United States
Biologists, ecologists, toxicologists, hydrologists, chemists, and geographers work together in the field and laboratories across the United States
Questions We Answer
Examples of how specialized teams of scientists answer high priority environmental health science questions.
Examples of how specialized teams of scientists answer high priority environmental health science questions.
Featured Science Activities
Science activities are summarized in a series of feature articles
Science activities are summarized in a series of feature articles
Contaminant Biology
Science Centers and scientists supported by Contaminant Biology develop and apply advanced laboratory methods, field investigations, and modeling capabilities to understand toxicity and effects of environmental contaminant and pathogen exposure.
Featured Science Activities
Featured Science Activities
Our Featured Science Articles highlight Environmental Health Program science activities.
GeoHEALTH-USGS
GeoHEALTH-USGS
The GeoHEALTH–USGS Newsletter—published since 2004—provides information on USGS science activities pertinent to safeguarding the health of fish, wildlife, domesticated animals, and people from environmental exposures to contaminants and pathogens.
News
USGS partners with Havasupai Tribe to identify potential contaminant exposure pathways from Grand Canyon uranium mining
USGS partners with Havasupai Tribe to identify potential contaminant exposure pathways from Grand Canyon uranium mining
GeoHEALTH—USGS Newsletter, July 2023
GeoHEALTH—USGS Newsletter, July 2023
Publications
Integrated science for the study of microplastics in the environment—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey
Executive SummaryEvidence of the widespread occurrence of microplastics throughout our environment and exposure to humans and other organisms over the past decade has led to questions about the possibility of health hazards and mitigation of exposures. This document discusses nanoplastics as well as microplastics (referred to solely as microplastics); the microplastics have a range from 1 micromet
Global mercury concentrations in biota: Their use as a basis for a global biomonitoring framework
An important provision of the Minamata Convention on Mercury is to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the adopted measures and its implementation. Here, we describe for the first time currently available biotic mercury (Hg) data on a global scale to improve the understanding of global efforts to reduce the impact of Hg pollution on people and the environment. Data from the peer-reviewed lit
Wildfire burn severity and stream chemistry influence aquatic invertebrate and riparian avian mercury exposure in forested ecosystems
Terrestrial soils in forested landscapes represent some of the largest mercury (Hg) reserves globally. Wildfire can alter the storage and distribution of terrestrial-bound Hg via reemission to the atmosphere or mobilization in watersheds where it may become available for methylation and uptake into food webs. Using data associated with the 2007 Moonlight and Antelope Fires in California, we examin
Science
USGS Science Opportunities Related to the Nationally Relevant Study of Microplastics
USGS recently (2024) released a strategic vision document that identifies science gaps and prioritizes research relevant to the mission, expertise, and capabilities of the USGS. The intention is for USGS and stakeholders to use this as a starting part for planning, prioritizing, and designing microplastic research projects.
U.S. Geological Survey Develops Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Sampling Guide
USGS scientist’s published a Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) sampling guide for personnel involved with Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) activities. This guide introduces individuals involved in NRDAR efforts and other investigators to key concepts and considerations when sampling different environmental media for PFAS.
Human-Related Compounds in Water Sources in the Grand Canyon Help Identify Water Flow Pathways and Highlight Potential Water Quality Changes
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists investigated the movement of human-generated chemicals, such as pharmaceuticals and per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), in groundwater along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This research led to a better understanding of the movement of wastewater into groundwater, of complex underground flow patterns, and of chemicals present in springs near...