This edition of the GeoHEALTH—USGS Newsletter features recent research from the Environmental Health Toxic Substances Hydrology and Contaminant Biology Programs.
Featured Articles
Featured Articles
-
Study Highlights the Complexity of Chemical Mixtures in United States Streams
A new study highlights the complexity of chemical mixtures in streams and advances the understanding of wildlife and human exposure to complex chemical mixtures.
-
Understanding Chemical and Microbial Contaminants in Public Drinking Water
Collaborative joint agency study provides nationally consistent and rigorously quality-assured datasets on a wide range of chemical and microbial contaminants present in source and treated public drinking water supplies. Tap water was not analyzed in this study.
-
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances From Firefighting and Domestic Wastewater Remain in Groundwater for Decades
New study explores the persistence and transport of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) that originated from both firefighting and domestic wastewater sources. Although the fire training area and wastewater facility were decommissioned over 20 years ago, both sites continue to be sources of PFASs to groundwater.
-
New Method Improves Measurement of Bullet Fragments in Culled Varmints
A creative combination of radiography and techniques borrowed from meat processing and gold prospecting led to a better method for determining the lead content in ground squirrels shot by hunters to evaluate potential exposure risk to avian scavengers such as golden eagles ( Aquila chrysaetos ).
-
Assessing Contaminant Hazards Without a Critter—Advancements in Alternatives to Animal Toxicity Testing
During the past two decades, great strides have been made toward the development and use of ecotoxicity testing methods that reduce animal use or replace animals altogether with in vitro tests or in silico models.
-
Frequent Fliers—Web-Based Tool Aids in Understanding the Role of Wild Birds in Transmission of Avian Influenza
This visualization tool helps researchers and public health officials see how relations between poultry density and waterfowl migration routes affect the threat of avian influenza to people and the poultry industry.
-
Examining Shifts in Stream Microbial Communities Exposed to Oil and Gas Wastewaters
Shifts in the overall microbial community structure were present in stream sediments that contained chemicals associated with unconventional oil and gas wastewaters. This work is part of a long-term study designed to understand persistence of chemicals from oil and gas wastewaters in sediments and water and how those factors might be related to exposures and adverse health effects, if any, on...
-
Trace Levels of Organic Chemicals Limited to Local Reaches of a Stream near an Oil and Gas Wastewater Disposal Facility
Organic contaminants that were present in Wolf Creek near a wastewater disposal facility were not evident farther downstream where Wolf Creek enters the New River. Wolf Creek and the New River are used for drinking water and recreational purposes.
-
Nitrate Addition Enhances Arsenic Immobilization in Groundwater
The addition of nitrate in a low oxygen groundwater resulted in the immobilization of naturally occurring dissolved arsenic and the conversion of nitrate to innocuous nitrogen gas.
-
Scientists Start at the Base of the Food Chain to Understand Contaminant Affects on Energy Cycling in Streams
Study examines the potential adverse effects of fungicides on leaf decomposition by microbes and aquatic invertebrates.
-
Low Levels of Contaminants Found in Great Lakes Tree Swallow Nestlings
Tree swallow nestlings at most study sites in the Great Lakes basin were minimally exposed to organic contaminants.
-
Fish Diets Switch From Aquatic to Terrestrial Insects in Streams Effected By Metal Contamination
A riparian zone rich in terrestrial insects can provide an alternate food source for fish in metal-impacted watersheds.
-
Human and Bovine Virus Prevalence in Some Great Lakes Tributaries Influenced by Watershed-Specific and Seasonal Characteristics
Human enteric and bovine-specific viruses were detected in eight Great Lakes tributaries. Presence and concentration of human viruses increased in watersheds with greater than 25 percent urban influence and more than 2,900 people per square kilometer. Similarly, bovine viruses increased in watersheds having greater than 40 percent agricultural land influence and cattle densities greater than 50...
-
Presidential Early Career Award Given to Environmental Health Researcher Diann Prosser
Dr. Diann J. Prosser was awarded the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).
-
USGS Scientist Receives Award for Assistance with National Wetlands Assessment
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist Dr. Keith A. Loftin received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Water's Achievement in Science and Technology Award for his contributions to the National Wetlands Condition Assessment.
This edition of the GeoHEALTH—USGS Newsletter features recent research from the Environmental Health Toxic Substances Hydrology and Contaminant Biology Programs.
Featured Articles
Featured Articles
-
Study Highlights the Complexity of Chemical Mixtures in United States Streams
A new study highlights the complexity of chemical mixtures in streams and advances the understanding of wildlife and human exposure to complex chemical mixtures.
-
Understanding Chemical and Microbial Contaminants in Public Drinking Water
Collaborative joint agency study provides nationally consistent and rigorously quality-assured datasets on a wide range of chemical and microbial contaminants present in source and treated public drinking water supplies. Tap water was not analyzed in this study.
-
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances From Firefighting and Domestic Wastewater Remain in Groundwater for Decades
New study explores the persistence and transport of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) that originated from both firefighting and domestic wastewater sources. Although the fire training area and wastewater facility were decommissioned over 20 years ago, both sites continue to be sources of PFASs to groundwater.
-
New Method Improves Measurement of Bullet Fragments in Culled Varmints
A creative combination of radiography and techniques borrowed from meat processing and gold prospecting led to a better method for determining the lead content in ground squirrels shot by hunters to evaluate potential exposure risk to avian scavengers such as golden eagles ( Aquila chrysaetos ).
-
Assessing Contaminant Hazards Without a Critter—Advancements in Alternatives to Animal Toxicity Testing
During the past two decades, great strides have been made toward the development and use of ecotoxicity testing methods that reduce animal use or replace animals altogether with in vitro tests or in silico models.
-
Frequent Fliers—Web-Based Tool Aids in Understanding the Role of Wild Birds in Transmission of Avian Influenza
This visualization tool helps researchers and public health officials see how relations between poultry density and waterfowl migration routes affect the threat of avian influenza to people and the poultry industry.
-
Examining Shifts in Stream Microbial Communities Exposed to Oil and Gas Wastewaters
Shifts in the overall microbial community structure were present in stream sediments that contained chemicals associated with unconventional oil and gas wastewaters. This work is part of a long-term study designed to understand persistence of chemicals from oil and gas wastewaters in sediments and water and how those factors might be related to exposures and adverse health effects, if any, on...
-
Trace Levels of Organic Chemicals Limited to Local Reaches of a Stream near an Oil and Gas Wastewater Disposal Facility
Organic contaminants that were present in Wolf Creek near a wastewater disposal facility were not evident farther downstream where Wolf Creek enters the New River. Wolf Creek and the New River are used for drinking water and recreational purposes.
-
Nitrate Addition Enhances Arsenic Immobilization in Groundwater
The addition of nitrate in a low oxygen groundwater resulted in the immobilization of naturally occurring dissolved arsenic and the conversion of nitrate to innocuous nitrogen gas.
-
Scientists Start at the Base of the Food Chain to Understand Contaminant Affects on Energy Cycling in Streams
Study examines the potential adverse effects of fungicides on leaf decomposition by microbes and aquatic invertebrates.
-
Low Levels of Contaminants Found in Great Lakes Tree Swallow Nestlings
Tree swallow nestlings at most study sites in the Great Lakes basin were minimally exposed to organic contaminants.
-
Fish Diets Switch From Aquatic to Terrestrial Insects in Streams Effected By Metal Contamination
A riparian zone rich in terrestrial insects can provide an alternate food source for fish in metal-impacted watersheds.
-
Human and Bovine Virus Prevalence in Some Great Lakes Tributaries Influenced by Watershed-Specific and Seasonal Characteristics
Human enteric and bovine-specific viruses were detected in eight Great Lakes tributaries. Presence and concentration of human viruses increased in watersheds with greater than 25 percent urban influence and more than 2,900 people per square kilometer. Similarly, bovine viruses increased in watersheds having greater than 40 percent agricultural land influence and cattle densities greater than 50...
-
Presidential Early Career Award Given to Environmental Health Researcher Diann Prosser
Dr. Diann J. Prosser was awarded the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).
-
USGS Scientist Receives Award for Assistance with National Wetlands Assessment
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist Dr. Keith A. Loftin received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Water's Achievement in Science and Technology Award for his contributions to the National Wetlands Condition Assessment.