Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Publications

These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.

Filter Total Items: 16780

The simulated effects of wastewater-management actions on the hydrologic system and nitrogen-loading rates to wells and ecological receptors, Popponesset Bay Watershed, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

The discharge of excess nitrogen into Popponesset Bay, an estuarine system on western Cape Cod, has resulted in eutrophication and the loss of eel grass habitat within the estuaries. Septic-system return flow in residential areas within the watershed is the primary source of nitrogen. Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for nitrogen have been assigned to the six estuaries that compose the system, an
Authors
Donald A. Walter

Observations on the crystallization of spodumene from aqueous solutions in a hydrothermal diamond-anvil cell

Crystallization experiments were conducted in a new type of hydrothermal diamond-anvil cell (HDAC; type V) using LiAlSi2O6 (S) gel and H2O (W) as starting materials. A total of 21 experiments were performed at temperatures up to 950°C and pressures up to 788 MPa. In the samples with relatively low W/S ratios, many small crystals formed in the melt phase during cooling. In those with high W/S ratio
Authors
Jianking Li, I-Ming Chou, Shunda Yuan, Robert A. Burruss

Quaternary geophysical framework of the northeastern North Carolina coastal system

The northeastern North Carolina coastal system, from False Cape, Virginia, to Cape Lookout, North Carolina, has been studied by a cooperative research program that mapped the Quaternary geologic framework of the estuaries, barrier islands, and inner continental shelf. This information provides a basis to understand the linkage between geologic framework, physical processes, and coastal evolution a
Authors
E. R. Thieler, D. S. Foster, D. J. Mallinson, E. A. Himmelstoss, J. E. McNinch, J. H. List, E. S. Hammar-Klose

Porphyry copper assessment of Europe, exclusive of the Fennoscandian Shield: Chapter K in Global mineral resource assessment

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collaborated with European geologists to assess resources in porphyry copper deposits in Europe, exclusive of Scandinavia (Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland) and Russia. Porphyry copper deposits in Europe are Paleozoic and Late Cretaceous to Miocene in age. A number of the 31 known Phanerozoic deposits contain more than 1 million metric tons of contained copper
Authors
David M. Sutphin, Jane M. Hammarstrom, Lawrence J. Drew, Duncan E. Large, Byron R. Berger, Connie Dicken, Michael W. DeMarr, Mario with contributions from Billa, Joseph A. Briskey, Daniel Cassard, Andor Lips, Zdeněk Pertold, Emilian Roşu

Expression analysis and identification of antimicrobial peptide transcripts from six North American frog species

Frogs secrete antimicrobial peptides onto their skin. We describe an assay to preserve and analyze antimicrobial peptide transcripts from field-collected skin secretions that will complement existing methods for peptide analysis. We collected skin secretions from 4 North American species in the field in California and 2 species in the laboratory. Most frogs appeared healthy after release; however,
Authors
Laura S. Robertson, Gary M. Fellers, Jamie Marie Marranca, Patrick M. Kleeman

Relationships between nutrient enrichment, pleurocerid snail density and trematode infection rate in streams

Summary 1. Nutrient enrichment is a widespread environmental problem in freshwater ecosystems. Eutrophic conditions caused by nutrient enrichment may result in a higher prevalence of infection by trematode parasites in host populations, due to greater resource availability for the molluscan first intermediate hosts. 2. This study examined relationships among land use, environmental variables ind
Authors
Serena Ciparis, Deborah D. Iwanowicz, J. Reese Voshell

Effects of sampling conditions on DNA-based estimates of American black bear abundance

DNA-based capture-mark-recapture techniques are commonly used to estimate American black bear (Ursus americanus) population abundance (N). Although the technique is well established, many questions remain regarding study design. In particular, relationships among N, capture probability of heterogeneity mixtures A and B (pA and pB, respectively, or p, collectively), the proportion of each mixture (
Authors
Jared S. Laufenberg, Frank T. van Manen, Joseph D. Clark

Field calibration and validation of remote-sensing surveys

The Optical Collection Suite (OCS) is a ground-truth sampling system designed to perform in situ measurements that help calibrate and validate optical remote-sensing and swath-sonar surveys for mapping and monitoring coastal ecosystems and ocean planning. The OCS system enables researchers to collect underwater imagery with real-time feedback, measure the spectral response, and quantify the water
Authors
Shachak Pe'eri, Andy McLeod, Paul Lavoie, Seth D. Ackerman, James Gardner, Christopher Parrish

Preventing the trade of conflict diamonds and supporting artisanal mining

Because of this association between the richness of a deposit and its geomorphology, high-resolution DEMs are a critical dataset in developing alluvial geomorphic models of the deposit zones.
Authors
Peter G. Chirico, Katherine C. Malpeli

Delivering integrated HAZUS-MH flood loss analyses and flood inundation maps over the Web

Catastrophic flooding is responsible for more loss of life and damages to property than any other natural hazard. Recently developed flood inundation mapping technologies make it possible to view the extent and depth of flooding on the land surface over the Internet; however, by themselves these technologies are unable to provide estimates of losses to property and infrastructure. The Federal Emer
Authors
Paul P. Hearn,, Herbert E. Longenecker, John J. Aguinaldo, Ami N. Rahav

Nitrogen

The article presents an overview of the nitrogen chemical market as of July 2013, including the production of ammonia compounds. Industrial uses for ammonia include fertilizers, explosives, and plastics. Other topics include industrial capacity of U.S. ammonia producers CF Industries Holdings Inc., Koch Nitrogen Co., PCS Nitrogen, Inc., and Agrium Inc., the impact of natural gas prices on the nitr
Authors
Lori E. Apodaca

Peat

The article looks at the U.S. peat market as of July 2013. Peat is produced from deposits of plant organic materials in wetlands and includes varieties such as reed-sedge, sphagnum moss, and humus. Use for peat include horticultural soil additives, filtration, and adsorbents. Other topics include effects of environmental protection regulations on peat extraction, competition from products such as
Authors
Lori E. Apodaca