Infectious diseases in Yellowstone’s canid community
Emily S. Almberg, Paul C. Cross, L. David Mech, Doug W. Smith, Jennifer W. Sheldon, Robert L. Crabtree
2011, Yellowstone Science (19) 16-24
Each summer Yellowstone Wolf Project staff visit den sites to monitor the success of wolf reproduction and pup rearing behavior. For the purposes of wolf monitoring, Yellowstone National Park (YNP) is divided into two study areas, the northern range and the interior, each distinguished by their ecological and physiographical differences....
Fire and brimstone continues to shape Yellowstone Lake: connecting geology and past climates with today's biodiversity
Susan Kelly, Lisa Morgan, Stephanie McGinnis
2011, The Earth Scientist (27) 23-28
Kaolin
R.L. Virta
2011, Mining Engineering (63) 76-77
The article discusses the latest developments in the global kaolin industry, particularly in the U.S., as of June 2011. It claims that Georgia is the top producing state in the U.S., with a 94% share in total production. The other top producers include South Carolina, North Carolina and Florida. Kaolin...
Reducing cement's CO2 footprint
Hendrik G. van Oss
2011, Private Sector & Development (10)
The manufacturing process for Portland cement causes high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. However, environmental impacts can be reduced by using more energy-efficient kilns and replacing fossil energy with alternative fuels. Although carbon capture and new cements with less CO2 emission are still in the experimental phase, all these innovations...
Mineral resource of the month: molybdenum
Desire E. Polyak
2011, Earth (56) 25-25
The article offers information about the mineral molybdenum. Sources includes byproduct or coproduct copper-molybdenum deposits in the Western Cordillera of North and South America. Among the uses of molybdenum are stainless steel applications, as an alloy material for manufacturing vessels and as lubricants, pigments or chemicals. Also noted is the...
Industrial sand and gravel
T.P. Dolley
2011, Mining Engineering (63) 72-73
Domestic production of industrial sand and gravel in 2010 was about 26.5 Mt (29.2 million st), a 6-percent increased from 2009. Certain end uses of industrial sand and gravel, such as sand for container glass, golf course sand, recreational sand, specialty glass and water filtration, showed increased demand in 2010....
Water-resources data for the United States: water year 2011
Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey
2011, Water Data Report 2011
Water resources data are published annually for use by engineers, scientists, managers, educators, and the general public. These archival products supplement direct access to current and historical water data provided by NWISWeb. Beginning with Water Year 2006, annual water data reports are available as individual electronic Site Data Sheets for...
Observations of debris flows at Chalk Cliffs, Colorado, USA: Part 2, changes in surface morphometry from terrestrial laser scanning in the summer of 2009
Dennis M. Staley, Thad A. Wasklewicz, Jeffrey A. Coe, Jason W. Kean, Scott W. McCoy, Greg E. Tucker
2011, Italian Journal of Engineering Geology and Environment 759-768
High resolution topographic data that quantify changes in channel form caused by sequential debris flows in natural channels are rare at the reach scale. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) techniques are utilized to capture morphological changes brought about by a high-frequency of debris-flow events at Chalk Cliffs, Colorado. The purpose of...
Peat
L.E. Apodaca
2011, Mining Engineering (63) 86-87
In 2010, domestic production of peat, excluding Alaska, was estimated to be 612 kt (674,600 st), compared with 609 kt (671,300 st) in 2009. In 2010, imports increased to 947 kt (1.04 million st), compared with 906 kt (998,600 st) in 2009. Exports were estimated to have decreased to 69...
Mineral resource of the month: copper
Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey
2011, Earth (56) 28-29
The article provides information on copper and its various uses. It was the first metal used by humans and is considered as one of the materials that played an important role in the development of civilization. It is a major industrial metal because of its low cost, availability, electrical conductivity,...
Mineral resource of the month: tantalum
Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey
2011, Earth (56) 25-25
The article offers information on a rare transition metal called tantalum. It says that the blue-gray mineral resource was discovered in 1801 or 1802 and was used for capacitors in 1940. It adds that the tantalite ore and other minerals in the ore should be separated in order to generate...
Assessment of topographic and drainage network controls on debris-flow travel distance along the west coast of the United States
Jeffrey A. Coe, Mark E. Reid, Dainne L. Brien, John A. Michael
2011, Italian Journal of Engineering Geology and Environment; 5th International Conference on Debris-Flow Hazards "Mitigation, Mechanics, Prediction and Assessment" 199-209
To better understand controls on debris-flow entrainment and travel distance, we examined topographic and drainage network characteristics of initiation locations in two separate debris-flow prone areas located 700 km apart along the west coast of the U.S. One area was located in northern California, the other in southern Oregon. In...
Common clay and shale
R.L. Virta
2011, Mining Engineering (63) 54-55
The article discusses the latest developments in the global common clay and shale industry, particularly in the U.S. It claims that common clay and shale is mainly used in the manufacture of heavy clay products like brick, flue tile and sewer pipe. The main producing states in the U.S. include...
Fluorspar
M.M. Miller
2011, Mining Engineering (63) 61-63
World fluorspar demand showed some signs of recovery in 2010 but was still depressed compared with 2008. In 2010, nearly all fluorspar (CaF[sub2]) consumption in the United States was from imports. Hastie Mining and Trucking Co. produced some fluorspar as a byproduct from its limestone quarry operations in Illinois. In...
Geologic map of the Gass Peak SW quadrangle, Clark County, Nevada
Alan R. Ramelli, William R. Page, Craig R. Manker, Kathleen B. Springer
2011, Map 175
No abstract available....
Historical legacies, information and contemporary water science and management
Daniel J. Bain, Jennifer A.S. Arrigo, Mark B. Green, Brian A. Pellerin, Charles J. Vörösmarty
2011, Water (3) 566-575
Hydrologic science has largely built its understanding of the hydrologic cycle using contemporary data sources (i.e., last 100 years). However, as we try to meet water demand over the next 100 years at scales from local to global, we need to expand our scope and embrace other data that address...
Mineral resource of the month: rare earth elements
Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey
2011, Earth (56) 24-25
The article provides information on rare earth elements, which are group of 17 natural metallic elements. The rare earth elements are scandium, yttrium and lanthanides and classified into light rare earth elements (LREE) and heavy rate earth elements (HREE). The principal ores of the rare earth elements are identified. An...
Ecosystem approach to inland fisheries: research needs and implementation strategies
T. Douglas Beard Jr., Robert Arlinghaus, Steven J. Cooke, Peter B. McIntyre, Sena De Silva, Devin M. Bartley, Ian G. Cowx
2011, Biology Letters (7) 481-483
Inland fisheries are a vital component in the livelihoods and food security of people throughout the world, as well as contributing huge recreational and economic benefits. These valuable assets are jeopardized by lack of research-based understanding of the impacts of fisheries on inland ecosystems, and similarly the impact of human...
Mineral resource of the month: feldspar
Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey
2011, Earth (56) 29-29
The article focuses on feldspar, a mineral that composes of potassium, sodium, or a fusion of the two, and its various applications. According to estimates by scientists, the mineral is present at 60 percent of the crust of Earth, wherein it is commonly used for making glass and ceramics. Global...
Bauxite and alumina
E.L. Bray
2011, Mining Engineering (63) 44-45
The article discusses the latest developments in the bauxite and alumina industry, particularly in the U.S., as of June 2011. It claims that the U.S. mainly relies on imports for its bauxite consumption. Several states, including Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia, however, produce small amounts of bauxite and bauxitic clays for...
Lithium
B.W. Jaskula
2011, Mining Engineering (63) 79-80
In 2010, lithium consumption in the United States was estimated to have been about 1 kt (1,100 st) of contained lithium, a 23-percent decrease from 2009. The United States was estimated to be the fourth largest consumer of lithium. It remained the leading importer of lithium carbonate and the leading...
Applying definitions of “asbestos” to environmental and “low-dose” exposure Levels and health effects, particularly malignant mesothelioma
B.W. Case, J.L. Abraham, G. Meeker, F.D. Pooley, K.E. Pinkerton
2011, Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B: Critical Reviews (14) 3-39
Although asbestos research has been ongoing for decades, this increased knowledge has not led to consensus in many areas of the field. Two such areas of controversy include the specific definitions of asbestos, and limitations in understanding exposure-response relationships for various asbestos types and exposure levels and disease. This document...
Diatomite
R.D. Crangle
2011, Mining Engineering (63) 58-59
The United States continues to be the world's leading producer and consumer of diatomite. Production of diatomite in the United States during 2010 was estimated to be 550 kt (606,000 st), a 4-percent decrease compared with 2009 production....
Geographical and geological data from caves and mines infected with white-nose syndrome (WNS) before September 2009 in the eastern United States
Christopher S. Swezey, Christopher P. Garrity
2011, Journal of Cave and Karst Studies (73) 125-157
Since 2006, a white fungus named Geomyces destructans has been observed on the muzzles, noses, ears, and (or) wings of bats in the eastern United States, and bat colonies that are infected with this fungus have experienced dramatic incidences of mortality. Although it is not exactly certain how and why...
Barite
M. Miller
2011, Mining Engineering (63) 42-42
The article discusses the latest developments in the barite or baryte industry, particularly in the U.S., as of June 2011. It claims that the bulk of barites production in the country comes from four mines in Nevada, including the Big Ledge Mine, the Rossi Mine and the Greystone Mine. It...
