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Integrated Science Teams

Hydrologists, geologists, chemists, biologists, and geographers work together in the field and laboratories across the United States

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Core Technology Team

Descriptions of specialized capabilities across the United States

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Featured Science Activities

Science activities are summarized in a series of feature articles

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Questions We Answer

Examples of how specialized teams of scientists answer high priority environmental health science questions.

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Toxic Substances Hydrology

Science Centers and scientists supported by Toxic Substances Hydrology develop and apply advanced analytical methods, field investigations, laboratory studies, and modeling capabilities to understand sources, movement, and exposure pathways of chemical and microbial contaminants in the environment. They are integrated in the Ecosystems Mission Area as the Environmental Health Program.

Featured Science Activities

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Our Featured Science Articles Highlight Environmental Health Program Science Activities.

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GeoHEALTH-USGS

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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.

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News

USGS EcoNews | Winter 2024 - Vol. 5 | Issue 1

GeoHEALTH—USGS Newsletter, July 2023

GeoHEALTH—USGS Newsletter, July 2023

Unintended consequences: New research shows all California condor flocks have been exposed to anticoagulant rodenticides

Unintended consequences: New research shows all California condor flocks have been exposed to anticoagulant rodenticides

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Publications

Distribution of ancient carbon in groundwater and soil gas from degradation of petroleum near the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i

The groundwater below the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (the facility) in Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, contains fuel compounds from past spills. This study used carbon-14 analyses to distinguish fuel-derived carbon from background carbon, along with other biodegradation indicators, to address two goals: (1) determine the extent and migration direction of groundwater affected by residual fuel below the fa

Authors
Jared J. Trost, Barbara A. Bekins, Jeanne B. Jaeschke, Geoffrey N. Delin, Daniel A Sinclair, James K Stack, Rylen K. Nakama, Uli'i M. Miyajima, Lhiberty D. Pagaduan, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Pacific Islands Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory

Interdisciplinary science approach for harmful algal blooms (HABs) and algal toxins—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey

Executive SummaryAlgal blooms in water, soils, dusts, and the environment have captured national attention because of concerns associated with exposure to algal toxins for humans and animals. Algal blooms naturally occur in all surface-water types and are important primary producers for aquatic ecosystems. However, excessive algae growth can be associated with many harmful effects ranging from aes
Authors
Victoria G. Christensen, Christopher J. Crawford, Robert J. Dusek, Michael J. Focazio, Lisa Reynolds Fogarty, Jennifer L. Graham, Celeste A. Journey, Mari E. Lee, James H. Larson, Sarah M. Stackpoole, Viviana Mazzei, Emily J. Pindilli, Barnett A. Rattner, E. Terrence Slonecker, Kristen B. McSwain, Timothy J. Reilly, Ashley E. Lopez
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Kansas Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Landsat Missions

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
Authors
Deborah D. Iwanowicz, Austin K. Baldwin, Larry B. Barber, Vicki S. Blazer, Steven R. Corsi, Joseph W. Duris, Shawn C. Fisher, Michael Focazio, Sarah E. Janssen, Jeramy Roland Jasmann, Dana W. Kolpin, Johanna M. Kraus, Rachael F. Lane, Mari E. Lee, Kristen B. McSwain, Timothy D. Oden, Timothy J. Reilly, Andrew R. Spanjer
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center
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Science

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Recently hatched Gadwall duckling

Estimating Methylmercury Injury to Birds—“The Bird Mercury Tool”

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists have developed a tool that can be used by practitioners to help interpret injury to birds caused by methylmercury contamination. This tool was developed from a comprehensive review of 168 studies and summarizing data on the effects of methylmercury on birds.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
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Estimating Methylmercury Injury to Birds—“The Bird Mercury Tool”

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists have developed a tool that can be used by practitioners to help interpret injury to birds caused by methylmercury contamination. This tool was developed from a comprehensive review of 168 studies and summarizing data on the effects of methylmercury on birds.
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Harmful algal blooms turn water in Milford lake emerald green

U.S. Geological Survey Science Opportunities Related to the Nationally Relevant Study of Harmful Algal Blooms and Algal Toxins

In 2024, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a strategic vision document identifying harmful algal bloom (HAB) and algal toxin science gaps, while prioritizing research relevant to the mission, expertise, and capabilities of the USGS. The intention is for USGS and stakeholders to use this document as a starting point for planning, prioritizing, and designing future HAB and algal toxin...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
link

U.S. Geological Survey Science Opportunities Related to the Nationally Relevant Study of Harmful Algal Blooms and Algal Toxins

In 2024, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a strategic vision document identifying harmful algal bloom (HAB) and algal toxin science gaps, while prioritizing research relevant to the mission, expertise, and capabilities of the USGS. The intention is for USGS and stakeholders to use this document as a starting point for planning, prioritizing, and designing future HAB and algal toxin...
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link
Conceptual diagram showing sources, movement and fate of microplastic particles in the environment.

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.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
link

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.
Learn More
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