Images

Cement Creek following storm event in July, 2004. Note the orange discoloration of the stream derived from weathering of bedrocks and from mined areas. This type of event happens frequently in the Animas Watershed near Silverton, Colorado. View is to the south, with Kendall Mountain in the distance.

Photo of Foster's Tern (Sterna forsteri) while hunting. Forster’s terns are among the most at-risk wildlife species to mercury toxicity in western North America.

Hilltop view of the Ravenswood ponds (right side of levee) in South San Francisco Bay. These former salt-production ponds were subsequently slated for a major wetland restoration project. 

Municipal biosolids being loaded onto spreader for land application

Potential pathways for veterinary medicines in soil and water

USGS researchers Jennifer Agee and Le Kieu sampling surface sediment in a vegetated Louisiana saltmarsh. Photographer: M. Marvin-DiPasquale.

USGS scientists collecting water-quality samples for the analysis of wastewater related contaminants, Boulder Creek, Colorado.

Map showing the location of the total chlorinated ethene plume and monitoring wells at Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia. The map showes the location of the plume prior to a series of in situ oxidation source-removal actions. Figure 17 from USGS WRIR 03-4057.

This photo shows a road salt storage stockpile that is awaiting use for pavement deicing, Port of Milwaukee, WI. The use of salt to deice pavement can be harmful to aquatic life in urban streams. The USGS is involved in studies that focus on the influence of winter runoff on aquatic ecosystems.

Picture showing equipment used to collect water for analyses of viruses.

USGS scientist performing a routine calibration of an instrument used to collect air samples at a gasoline spill site in Galloway Township, New Jersey. The air samples were analyzed for volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Salt scar near Lake Skiatook, Oklahoma, caused by a produced-water spill

Plant foliage samples being placed in direct sunlight for water extraction by solar distillation. Water vapor released from the foliage condenses as liquid on the inside surface of the sample bag.

The abandoned Silver Ledge mine in the Upper Animas River watershed, Colorado. The Animas River watershed was one of two pilot watersheds studied as part of the USGS Abandoned Mine Lands Initiative.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists conducted a unique study, which demonstrated that the ecology of natural groundwater bacteria changed after exposure of the bacteria to the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX).

The red color is due to the abundance of this organism; the red is due to the presence of astaxanthin, a pigment in the cells.

Red and Bonita Mine located approximately .4 miles from the Gold King Mine.

Red and Bonita Mine located approximately .4 miles from the Gold King Mine.

Photograph showing natural iron-rich acidic spring flowing into Cement Creek near Silverton, Colorado.  Similar natural springs contribute water to Cement Creek and other tributaries of the upper Animas River. 

You may notice a green, red or brown film on your favorite boating or swimming area in the summer. This coloring could mean that the water is affected by harmful algal blooms. Harmful algal blooms are an accumulation of tiny organisms known as algae and can release harmful toxins into the environment.

You may notice a green, red or brown film on your favorite boating or swimming area in the summer. This coloring could mean that the water is affected by harmful algal blooms. Harmful algal blooms are an accumulation of tiny organisms known as algae and can release harmful toxins into the environment.