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Publications

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

Filter Total Items: 16785

Simulation of Groundwater Mounding Beneath Hypothetical Stormwater Infiltration Basins

Groundwater mounding occurs beneath stormwater management structures designed to infiltrate stormwater runoff. Concentrating recharge in a small area can cause groundwater mounding that affects the basements of nearby homes and other structures. Methods for quantitatively predicting the height and extent of groundwater mounding beneath and near stormwater Finite-difference groundwater-flow simu
Authors
Glen B. Carleton

Using a composite grid approach in a complex coastal domain to estimate estuarine residence time

We investigate the processes that influence residence time in a partially mixed estuary using a three-dimensional circulation model. The complex geometry of the study region is not optimal for a structured grid model and so we developed a new method of grid connectivity. This involves a novel approach that allows an unlimited number of individual grids to be combined in an efficient manner to prod
Authors
John C. Warner, W. Rockwell Geyer, Herman G. Arango

A chemostratigraphic method to determine the end of impact-related sedimentation at marine-target impact craters (Chesapeake Bay, Lockne, Tvären)

To better understand the impact cratering process and its environmental consequences at the local to global scale, it is important to know when in the geological record of an impact crater the impact-related processes cease. In many instances, this occurs with the end of early crater modification, leaving an obvious sedimentological boundary between impactites and secular sediments. However, in ma
Authors
Jens Ormö, Andrew C. Hill, Jean M. Self-Trail

Indicators of streamflow alteration, habitat fragmentation, impervious cover, and water quality for Massachusetts stream basins

Massachusetts streams and stream basins have been subjected to a wide variety of human alterations since colonial times. These alterations include water withdrawals, treated wastewater discharges, construction of onsite septic systems and dams, forest clearing, and urbanization—all of which have the potential to affect streamflow regimes, water quality, and habitat integrity for fish and other aqu
Authors
Peter K. Weiskel, Sara L. Brandt, Leslie A. DeSimone, Lance J. Ostiguy, Stacey A. Archfield

Integrated Multibeam and LIDAR Bathymetry Data Offshore of New London and Niantic, Connecticut

Nearshore areas within Long Island Sound are of great interest to the Connecticut and New York research and resource management communities because of their ecological, recreational, and commercial importance. Although advances in multibeam echosounder technology permit the construction of high-resolution representations of sea-floor topography in deeper waters, limitations inherent in collecting
Authors
L. J. Poppe, W. W. Danforth, K.Y. McMullen, Castle E. Parker, P.G. Lewit, E. F. Doran

Assessment of undiscovered natural gas resources of the Arkoma Basin province and geologically related areas

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated mean volumes of 38 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of undiscovered natural gas, 159 million barrels of natural gas liquid (MMBNGL), and no oil in accumulations of 0.5 million barrels (MMBO) or larger in the Arkoma Basin Province and related areas. More than 97 percent of the undiscovered gas occurs in continuous accumulat
Authors
David W. Houseknecht, James L. Coleman, Robert C. Milici, Christopher P. Garrity, William A. Rouse, Bryant R. Fulk, Stanley T. Paxton, Marvin M. Abbott, John L. Mars, Troy A. Cook, Christopher J. Schenk, Ronald R. Charpentier, Timothy R. Klett, Richard M. Pollastro, Geoffrey S. Ellis

Organochlorine contaminants in California waterfowl

Concern has been expressed that the extensive use of organochlorine pesticides in California may be exposing waterfowl to hazardous contaminant levels. The objectives of this study were to determine concentrations of organochlorines in northern pintails (Anas acuta) from 5 important waterfowl wintering areas in California, compare concentrations of organochlorines in selected species with emphasis
Authors
H. M. Ohlendorf, M.R. Miller

Infection and mortality in captive wild-trapped canvasback ducks

Fungal, bacterial and malarial infections, as well as malnutrition caused heavy mortality in a group of wild-trapped canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) held in 10 x 3 x 2 m open-water pens. Deaths occurred between 21 and 158 days after confinement and were associated with infections of Aspergillus fumigatus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., KlebsielIa sp., Enterobacter sp., a
Authors
R.M. Kocan, M. C. Perry

Gull contributions of phosphorus and nitrogen to a Cape Cod kettle pond

Nutrient excretion rates and the annual contribution of P from the feces of the gulls Larus argentatus and L. marinus (and of N from L. argentatus) to the nutrient budget of Gull Pond (Wellfleet), a soft water seepage lake, have been estimated. Intensive year-round gull counts by species were combined with determinations of defecation rate and the nutrient content of feces to quantitatively assess
Authors
J. W. Portnoy, M. A. Soukup

Organochlorine contaminants and reproductive success of black skimmers in south Texas, 1984

Ninety-four Black Skimmer (Rhynchops niger) nests on a dredged-material island colony near Laguna Vista, Texas, were fenced and monitored in 1984 from early incubation until 21 d after the last egg hatched. The daily probability of success was greater during the nestling (99.7%/d/nest) period than during the incubation (98.5%) or hatching (98.5%) periods. By contrast, the success of eggs or young
Authors
T. W. Custer, C. A. Mitchell

Effects of a chemical weapons incineration plant on red-tailed tropicbirds

From 1990 to 2000, the Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS) incinerated part of the U.S. stockpile of chemical weapons on Johnston Atoll, central Pacific Ocean, which also is a National Wildlife Refuge and home to approximately a half-million breeding seabirds. The effect on wildlife of incineration of these weapons is unknown. Using a multi-strata mark-recapture analysis, we inv
Authors
E.A. Schreiber, P.F. Doherty, G.A. Schenk

Toxicity of Anacostia River, Washington, DC, USA, sediment fed to mute swans (Cygnus olor)

Sediment ingestion is sometimes the principal route by which waterfowl are exposed to environmental contaminants, and at severely contaminated sites waterfowl have been killed by ingesting sediment. Mute swans (Cygnus olor) were fed a diet for six weeks with a high but environmentally realistic concentration (24%) of sediment from the moderately polluted Anacostia River in the District of Columbi
Authors
W. N. Beyer, D. Day, M. J. Melancon, L. Sileo