GeoHEALTH - USGS Newsletter - Issue April 2025
The Environmental Health Program integrates multi-disciplinary research to tackle the environmental challenges that impact the nation's natural resource assets. By providing comprehensive research and data, the program assesses both actual and perceived risks associated with environmental contaminants and pathogens while supporting variety of uses of our natural resources.
Environmental Health: Science to Support Natural Resource Use
The Environmental Health Program integrates multi-disciplinary research to tackle the environmental challenges that impact the nation's natural resource assets. By providing comprehensive research and data, the program assesses both actual and perceived risks associated with environmental contaminants and pathogens while supporting variety of uses of our natural resources.
USGS Research on 6PPD-quinone: Where the Rubber Meets the Road
Stormwater and road runoff are recognized forms of pollution that can contain chemicals harmful to fish and other aquatic animals. This includes 6PPD-quinone, the oxidized form of the chemical compound 6PPD that is used to prevent tires from degrading and cracking, ensuring driver safety. As 6PPD-quinone sheds from tires during normal wear it can enter streams in stormwater runoff.
Understanding Algal Bloom Dynamics in Lake Okeechobee
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting studies to better understand algal bloom dynamics to enhance lake management. Recent research, in Lake Okeechobee, Florida, focused on phytoplankton community and abundance. Phytoplankton can be a potential driver of harmful algal blooms (HABs).
The Environmental Health Program's Source-to-Receptor Strategic Approach
Is a framework used to understand the sources, occurrence, fate and transport of contaminants in the environment, and enables natural resource managers to understand when, where, and how humans and wildlife may be exposed to contaminants.
Revolutionizing Water Quality Assessment: Chemical Pollutants Alter Bacterial Metabolism
USGS scientists have advanced methods to measure bacterial activity in environmental waters. Their research showed that when bacteria naturally in the water are exposed to substances like pharmaceuticals, herbicides, and antimicrobials, their normal functions are disrupted. This finding suggests that monitoring bacterial activity could provide early warnings about potential problems with water quality.
Decoding Harmful Algal Blooms: Unraveling the Mystery
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a significant environmental concern due to their potential effects on health, ecosystems, and economies. Algal toxins, which are toxic compounds produced by certain species of cyanobacteria and algae, are commonly linked to these blooms. It's important to note that algal toxins can still be present even when a bloom is not visible, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and awareness. Ingestion or contact with these toxins can lead to a range of health effects including skin irritations and rashes, gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory distress, and neurological effects. Pets and livestock can also be severely affected by algal toxins, which may lead to sudden illness or death after exposure to contaminated water.
Natural Solutions for Reducing PFOS Pollution in Our Environment
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 14,000 different man-made compounds that are widely used in various industrial and consumer products and linked to various health issues. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is a persistent synthetic chemical within the PFAS group, recognized for its widespread use and persistence in the environment. The U.S. Geological Survey is investigating whether bioremediation may be a sustainable approach to reduce PFOS and other PFAS contaminants in the environment.
Life Cycle of Critical Minerals: A Balanced Approach to Meeting Our Nation's Resource Demands
Critical minerals are essential to the Nation’s economy and security. Demand for critical minerals is increasing, and it is essential to balance the societal need for these minerals with efforts to understand the effects of mining on other natural resources and to develop techniques to minimize these effects. The USGS Minerals Resources Life Cycle Integrated Science Team (IST) focuses on the life cycle of mineral resources in the environment.
Increasing Efficiency During the Life Cycle of Energy Development: Key Strategies for Improving the Utilization of Our Nation's Energy Resources
Energy development is critical to American energy independence and provides economic benefits to local communities. Scientific information is needed to aid in the sustainable development of energy resources. Sustainable energy development can include strategies for protecting environmental health and ecological services that benefit local communities. The USGS Environmental Health Program, Energy Resources Lifecycle Integrated Science Team works to inform best practices for energy development in a manner that supports development while minimizing risks to humans and other organisms. Scientific data are provided to expand understanding of the environmental transport, fate, exposure pathways, and potential biological effects of prioritized contaminants associated with energy development.
