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.
Images
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.
![A bird dives underwater in a tank.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/DivingDuck.jpg?itok=G25Ta75U)
Long-tailed duck diving for underwater hearing testing in an experimental chamber in which the birds’ diving behavior can be studied under various environmental conditions.
Long-tailed duck diving for underwater hearing testing in an experimental chamber in which the birds’ diving behavior can be studied under various environmental conditions.
![a bird egg is held up to a light to see inside the egg.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/GreyCatbirdEggCandling-Karouna.jpg?itok=7u3afv2B)
Candling (the process of using light to help determine the quality of an egg) of a grey catbird egg to determine viability.
Candling (the process of using light to help determine the quality of an egg) of a grey catbird egg to determine viability.
![Bird (surf scoter) places its beak in underwater pipes.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/SurfScoterHearingTest-McGrew.png?itok=YCl2quMz)
Surf Scoter completing an underwater behavioral hearing test in an experimental chamber in which the birds’ diving behavior can be studied under various environmental conditions.
Surf Scoter completing an underwater behavioral hearing test in an experimental chamber in which the birds’ diving behavior can be studied under various environmental conditions.
Composite image showing five life stages of a Long-tailed duck, from hatch to subadult.
Composite image showing five life stages of a Long-tailed duck, from hatch to subadult.
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.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/NontargetAnalysisLCHRMS.png?itok=SU_N6IC0)
Suspect screening/non-target analysis is done with LC-HRMS at the Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL) in Sacramento, CA.
Photo credit: Michelle Hladik
Suspect screening/non-target analysis is done with LC-HRMS at the Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL) in Sacramento, CA.
Photo credit: Michelle Hladik
![Bumble bees in sample containers on a tray.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/BeesforResidueAnalysis.png?itok=wvgGOGK-)
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.
![Juvenile Coho Salmon in a tank.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/6ppd-quinone_thumbnail.png?itok=CETZJ5LC)
Juvenile Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) behavior is assessed following exposure to 6PPD-quinone, a derivative of the compound 6PPD which is used in tires to prevent wear.
Juvenile Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) behavior is assessed following exposure to 6PPD-quinone, a derivative of the compound 6PPD which is used in tires to prevent wear.
![Conceptual diagram showing sources, movement and fate of microplastic particles in the environment.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/USGS_MicroplasticsDiagram.png?itok=gaeT4RUX)
Due to multiple reasons including the widespread use of microplastics, their environmental persistence, the global connectedness of aquatic environments, and the long-range transport of microplastics, these particles have been documented in every environmental compartment (e.g., air, water, soils).
Due to multiple reasons including the widespread use of microplastics, their environmental persistence, the global connectedness of aquatic environments, and the long-range transport of microplastics, these particles have been documented in every environmental compartment (e.g., air, water, soils).
The USGS One Health approach addresses the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
The USGS One Health approach addresses the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
![Instrumentation set up in a valley near a mountain.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/thumbnail_Cement_DTS_solar.jpg?itok=ILxwqWgq)
A fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing monitoring array installed along Cement Creek near Silverton, Colorado.
linkA long-term fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing monitoring array installed along Cement Creek near Silverton CO to track acid mine influenced groundwater discharge to the creek over time.
A fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing monitoring array installed along Cement Creek near Silverton, Colorado.
linkA long-term fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing monitoring array installed along Cement Creek near Silverton CO to track acid mine influenced groundwater discharge to the creek over time.
Image of pipettors used in the laboratory. Pipettes are stored on charging docking stations.
Image of pipettors used in the laboratory. Pipettes are stored on charging docking stations.
![Two scientists walk alongside a boat in the water near the coast.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/thumbnail_PXL_20220830_151926382.jpg?itok=jtb8ynFt)
Eric White and Patrick Scordato of the USGS float an electromagnetic imaging tool along a coastal area in Massachusetts to identify terrestrial groundwater discharge that may be impacted by PFAS contamination.
Eric White and Patrick Scordato of the USGS float an electromagnetic imaging tool along a coastal area in Massachusetts to identify terrestrial groundwater discharge that may be impacted by PFAS contamination.
![Colored pencil illustration of a spiral showing the stages of mineral production lifecycle](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/mine.lifecycle.siebers.jpg?itok=HZ6a2CX0)
Artistic rendition of the mineral lifecycle from a natural state through to exploration, permitting, mining, and reclamation. Designed for the Minerals Lifecycle Integrated Science Team to depict one aspect of their science focus.
Artistic rendition of the mineral lifecycle from a natural state through to exploration, permitting, mining, and reclamation. Designed for the Minerals Lifecycle Integrated Science Team to depict one aspect of their science focus.
![Diagram showing potential sources of contaminants in food processing waste](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/food%20IST%20diagram_0.png?itok=juKz2zgh)
Contaminant releases can be associated with all steps of the food production process. The Food IST answers questions about what contaminants are released, if wildlife and humans are exposed, and if there are health hazards associated with exposure to wildlife
Contaminant releases can be associated with all steps of the food production process. The Food IST answers questions about what contaminants are released, if wildlife and humans are exposed, and if there are health hazards associated with exposure to wildlife
![PFAS circular report cover](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/PFAS%20cir1490_cover.png?itok=thOKxR-j)
This image is the report cover from a USGS Report Circular 1490.
This image is the report cover from a USGS Report Circular 1490.
![Picture showing satellite data for a lake](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/Milford_v3.png?itok=nlYaWyoE)
Small stream running through an agricultural area in Iowa with crops surrounding it.
Small stream running through an agricultural area in Iowa with crops surrounding it.
![Scientist standing in a laboratory next to an instrument](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/20210701_124236.jpg?itok=IDukUDpQ)
USGS scientist standing near the high-resolution mass spectrometer at the U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center. The instrument will be used for analyses of PFAS in plasma and tissue samples. Any display of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
USGS scientist standing near the high-resolution mass spectrometer at the U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center. The instrument will be used for analyses of PFAS in plasma and tissue samples. Any display of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
![High resolution mass spectrometer in laboratory](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/20210701_124804.jpg?itok=z-yTD9IF)
High resolution mass spectrometer at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center. Any display of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
High resolution mass spectrometer at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center. Any display of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.