Status and understanding of groundwater quality in the South Coast Interior groundwater basins, 2008: California GAMA Priority Basin Project
Mary C. Parsons, Justin T. Kulongoski, Kenneth Belitz
2014, Scientific Investigations Report 2014-5023
Groundwater quality in the approximately 653-square-mile (1,691-square-kilometer) South Coast Interior Basins (SCI) study unit was investigated as part of the Priority Basin Project of the Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) Program. The South Coast Interior Basins study unit contains eight priority groundwater basins grouped into three study areas, Livermore,...
Characterization of potential transport pathways and implications for groundwater management near an anticline in the Central Basin area, Los Angeles County, California
Daniel J. Ponti, Brian J. Wagner, Michael Land, Matthew K. Landon
2014, Open-File Report 2014-1087
The Central Groundwater Basin (Central Basin) of southern Los Angeles County includes ~280 mi2 of the Los Angeles Coastal Plain and serves as the primary source of water for more than two million residents. In the Santa Fe Springs–Whittier–Norwalk area, located in the northeastern part of the basin, several sources...
Response to heavy, non-floating oil spilled in a Great Lakes river environment: a multiple-lines-of-evidence approach for submerged oil assessment and recovery
Ralph H. Dollhopf, Faith A. Fitzpatrick, Jeffrey W. Kimble, Daniel M. Capone, Thomas P. Graan, Ronald B. Zelt, Rex Johnson
2014, Conference Paper, International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings
The Enbridge Line 6B pipeline release of diluted bitumen into the Kalamazoo River downstream of Marshall, MI in July 2010 is one of the largest freshwater oil spills in North American history. The unprecedented scale of impact and massive quantity of oil released required the development and implementation of new...
Concentrations of selected constituents in surface-water and streambed-sediment samples collected from streams in and near an area of oil and natural-gas development, south-central Texas, 2011-13
Stephen P. Opsahl, Cassi L. Crow
2014, Data Series 836
During 2011–13, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the San Antonio River Authority and the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, analyzed surface-water and streambed-sediment samples collected from 10 sites in the San Antonio River Basin to provide data for a broad range of constituents that might be associated with hydraulic fracturing...
Eruption style at Kīlauea Volcano in Hawai‘i linked to primary melt composition
Sides. I.R., M. Edmonds, J. Maclennan, Don Swanson, Bruce F. Houghton
2014, Nature Geoscience (7) 464-469
Explosive eruptions at basaltic volcanoes have been linked to gas segregation from magmas at shallow depths in the crust. The composition of primary melts formed at greater depths was thought to have little influence on eruptive style. Ocean island basaltic volcanoes are the product of melting of a geochemically heterogeneous...
Status of groundwater quality in the Borrego Valley, Central Desert, and Low-Use Basins of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts study unit, 2008-2010: California GAMA Priority Basin Project
Mary C. Parsons, Tracy Connell Hancock, Justin T. Kulongoski, Kenneth Belitz
2014, Scientific Investigations Report 2014-5001
Groundwater quality in the approximately 963-square-mile Borrego Valley, Central Desert, and Low-Use Basins of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts study unit was investigated as part of the Priority Basin Project of the Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) Program. The study unit is located in southern California in San Bernardino,...
Groundwater-quality data in seven GAMA study units: results from initial sampling, 2004-2005, and resampling, 2007-2008, of wells: California GAMA Program Priority Basin Project
Robert H. Kent, Kenneth Belitz, Miranda S. Fram
2014, Data Series 795
The Priority Basin Project (PBP) of the Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) Program was developed in response to the Groundwater Quality Monitoring Act of 2001 and is being conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). The GAMA-PBP began...
Groundwater-quality data in the Klamath Mountains study unit, 2010: results from the California GAMA Program
Timothy M. Mathany, Kenneth Belitz
2014, Data Series 803
Groundwater quality in the 8,806-square-mile Klamath Mountains (KLAM) study unit was investigated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) from October to December 2010, as part of the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) Program’s Priority Basin Project (PBP). The GAMA-PBP was developed in...
Simulation of zones of contribution to wells at site GM–38, Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant, Bethpage, New York
Paul Misut
2014, Scientific Investigations Report 2014-5036
A three-dimensional groundwater-flow model is coupled with the particle-tracking program MODPATH to delineate zones of contribution to wells pumping from the Magothy aquifer and supplying water to a chlorinated volatile organic compound removal plant at site GM–38, Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant, Bethpage, New York. By use of driller’s logs,...
Vesta surface thermal properties map
Maria Teresa Capria, F. Tosi, Maria Cristina De Santis, F. Capaccioni, E. Ammannito, A. Frigeri, F Zambon, S. Fonte, E. Palomba, D. Turrini, T.N. Titus, S.E. Schroder, M.J. Toplis, J.Y. Liu, J. #NAME? Combe, C.A. Raymond, C.T. Russell
2014, Geophysical Research Letters (41) 1438-1443
The first ever regional thermal properties map of Vesta has been derived from the temperatures retrieved by infrared data by the mission Dawn. The low average value of thermal inertia, 30 ± 10 J m−2 s−0.5 K−1, indicates a surface covered by a fine regolith. A range of thermal inertia values suggesting terrains with...
Melt inclusions
Audétat A., Jacob B. Lowenstern
2014, Book chapter, Reference module in earth systems and environmental sciences: Treatise on geochemistry
Melt inclusions are small droplets of silicate melt that are trapped in minerals during their growth in a magma. Once formed, they commonly retain much of their initial composition (with some exceptions) unless they are re-opened at some later stage. Melt inclusions thus offer several key advantages over whole rock...
Market forces and technological substitutes cause fluctuations in the value of bat pest-control services for cotton
Laura López-Hoffman, Ruscena Wiederholt, Chris Sansone, Kenneth J. Bagstad, Paul M. Cryan, James E. Diffendorfer, Joshua Goldstein, Kelsie LaSharr, John Loomis, Gary McCracken, Rodrigo A. Medellin, Amy Russell, Darius J. Semmens
2014, PLoS ONE (2)
Critics of the market-based, ecosystem services approach to biodiversity conservation worry that volatile market conditions and technological substitutes will diminish the value of ecosystem services and obviate the “economic benefits” arguments for conservation. To explore the effects of market forces and substitutes on service values, we assessed how the value...
Evaluation of toxicity to the amphipod, Hyalella azteca, and to the midge, Chironomus dilutus; and bioaccumulation by the oligochaete, Lumbriculus variegatus, with exposure to PCB-contaminated sediments from Anniston, Alabama
Christopher G. Ingersoll, Jeffery A. Steevens, Donald D. MacDonald, William G. Brumbaugh, Matthew R. Coady, J. Daniel Farrar, Guilherme R. Lotufo, Nile E. Kemble, James L. Kunz, Jacob K. Stanley, Jesse A. Sinclair
Christopher G. Ingersoll, Jeffery A. Steevens, Donald D. MacDonald, editor(s)
2014, Scientific Investigations Report 2013-5125
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) requested that as part of the remedial investigation for the Anniston, Alabama Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Site (Anniston PCB Site), that Pharmacia Corporation and Solutia Inc. (P/S) perform long-term reproduction toxicity tests with the amphipod, Hyalella azteca, and the midge, Chironomus dilutus, and bioaccumulation tests...
11.12 - Volatile hydrocarbons and fuel oxygenates
Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
2014, Book chapter, Treatise on Geochemistry
Petroleum hydrocarbons and fuel oxygenates are among the most commonly occurring and widely distributed contaminants in the environment. This chapter presents a summary of the sources, transport, fate, and remediation of volatile fuel hydrocarbons and fuel additives in the environment. Much research has focused on the transport and transformation processes...
Volatile and organic compositions of sedimentary rocks in Yellowknife Bay, Gale crater, Mars
D. W. Ming, P.D. Archer Jr., D.P. Glavin, J.L. Eigenbrode, H.B. Franz, B. Sutter, A.E. Brunner, J. C. Stern, C. Freissinet, A.C. McAdam, P.R. Mahaffy, M. Cabane, P. Coll, J.L. Campbell, S.K. Atreya, P.B. Niles, J.F. Bell III, D.L. Bish, W.B. Brinckerhoff, A. Buch, P.G. Conrad, D.J. Des Marais, B.L. Ehlmann, A.G. Fairén, K. Farley, G.J. Flesch, P. Francois, Ralf Gellert, J. A. Grant, J.P. Grotzinger, S. Gupta, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, J.A. Hurowitz, L.A. Leshin, K.W. Lewis, S. M. McLennan, Karl E. Miller, J. Moersch, R.V. Morris, R. Navarro- González, A.A. Pavlov, G.M. Perrett, I. Pradler, S. W. Squyres, Roger E. Summons, A. Steele, E.M. Stolper, D.Y. Sumner, C. Szopa, S. Teinturier, M.G. Trainer, A.H. Treiman, D. T. Vaniman, A.R. Vasavada, C.R. Webster, J.J. Wray, R.A. Yingst
2014, Science (343)
H2O, CO2, SO2, O2, H2, H2S, HCl, chlorinated hydrocarbons, NO, and other trace gases were evolved during pyrolysis of two mudstone samples acquired by the Curiosity rover at Yellowknife Bay within Gale crater, Mars. H2O/OH-bearing phases included 2:1 phyllosilicate(s), bassanite, akaganeite, and amorphous materials. Thermal decomposition of carbonates and combustion...
Explosive dome eruptions modulated by periodic gas-driven inflation
Jeffrey B. Johnson, John J. Lyons, B. J. Andrews, J.M. Lees
2014, Geophysical Research Letters (41) 6689-6697
Volcan Santiaguito (Guatemala) “breathes” with extraordinary regularity as the edifice's conduit system accumulates free gas, which periodically vents to the atmosphere. Periodic pressurization controls explosion timing, which nearly always occurs at peak inflation, as detected with tiltmeters. Tilt cycles in January 2012 reveal regular 26 ± 6 min inflation/deflation cycles corresponding to at...
Development of a portable active long-path differential optical absorption spectroscopy system for volcanic gas measurements
Fabio Vita, Christoph Kern, Salvatore Inguaggiato
2014, Journal of Sensors and Sensor Systems 355-367
Active long-path differential optical absorption spectroscopy (LP-DOAS) has been an effective tool for measuring atmospheric trace gases for several decades. However, instruments were large, heavy and power-inefficient, making their application to remote environments extremely challenging. Recent developments in fibre-coupling telescope technology and the availability of ultraviolet light emitting...
The case for a modern multiwavelength, polarization-sensitive LIDAR in orbit around Mars
Adrian J. Brown, Timothy I. Michaels, Shane Byrne, Wenbo Sun, Timothy N. Titus, Anthony Colaprete, Michael J. Wolff, Gorden Videen, Christian J. Grund
2014, Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer (115) 131-143
We present the scientific case to build a multiple-wavelength, active, near-infrared (NIR) instrument to measure the reflected intensity and polarization characteristics of backscattered radiation from planetary surfaces and atmospheres. We focus on the ability of such an instrument to enhance, perhaps revolutionize, our understanding of climate, volatiles and astrobiological potential...
Characterization of stormwater at selected South Carolina Department of Transportation maintenance yard and section shed facilities in Ballentine, Conway, and North Charleston, South Carolina, 2010-2012
Celeste A. Journey, Kevin J. Conlon
2013, Scientific Investigations Report 2013-5175
The South Carolina Department of Transportation operates section shed and maintenance yard facilities throughout the State. The U.S. Geological Survey conducted a cooperative investigation with the South Carolina Department of Transportation to characterize water-quality constituents that are transported in stormwater from representative maintenance yard and section shed facilities in South...
Hydrogeology and water quality in the Snake River alluvial aquifer at Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson, Wyoming, water years 2011 and 2012
Peter R. Wright
2013, Scientific Investigations Report 2013-5184
The hydrogeology and water quality of the Snake River alluvial aquifer at the Jackson Hole Airport in northwest Wyoming was studied by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Jackson Hole Airport Board, during water years 2011 and 2012 as part of a followup to a previous baseline study...
An update of hydrologic conditions and distribution of selected constituents in water, eastern Snake River Plain aquifer and perched groundwater zones, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho, emphasis 2009–11
Linda C. Davis, Roy C. Bartholomay, Gordon W. Rattray
2013, Scientific Investigations Report 2013-5214
Since 1952, wastewater discharged to infiltration ponds (also called percolation ponds) and disposal wells at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has affected water quality in the eastern Snake River Plain (ESRP) aquifer and perched groundwater zones underlying the INL. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Department...
Preparation and characterization of nickel-spiked freshwater sediments for toxicity tests: toward more environmentally realistic nickel partitioning
William G. Brumbaugh, John M. Besser, Christopher G. Ingersoll, Thomas W. May, Chris D. Ivey, Christian E. Schlekat, Emily R. Garman
2013, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (32) 2482-2494
Two spiking methods were compared and nickel (Ni) partitioning was evaluated during a series of toxicity tests with 8 different freshwater sediments having a range of physicochemical characteristics. A 2-step spiking approach with immediate pH adjustment by addition of NaOH at a 2:1 molar ratio to the spiked Ni was...
Analysis of H2O in silicate glass using attenuated total reflectance (ATR) micro-FTIR spectroscopy
Jacob B. Lowenstern, Bradley W. Pitcher
2013, American Mineralogist (98) 1660-1668
We present a calibration for attenuated total reflectance (ATR) micro-FTIR for analysis of H2O in hydrous glass. A Ge ATR accessory was used to measure evanescent wave absorption by H2O within hydrous rhyolite and other standards. Absorbance at 3450 cm−1 (representing total H2O or H2Ot) and 1630 cm−1 (molecular H2O...
Chronic toxicity of nickel-spiked freshwater sediments: variation in toxicity among eight invertebrate taxa and eight sediments
John M. Besser, William G. Brumbaugh, Christopher G. Ingersoll, Chris D. Ivey, James L. Kunz, Nile E. Kemble, Christian E. Schlekat, Emily R. Garman
2013, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (32) 2495-2506
This study evaluated the chronic toxicity of Ni-spiked freshwater sediments to benthic invertebrates. A 2-step spiking procedure (spiking and sediment dilution) and a 2-stage equilibration period (10 wk anaerobic and 1 wk aerobic) were used to spike 8 freshwater sediments with wide ranges of acid-volatile sulfide (AVS; 0.94–38 µmol/g) and total organic carbon...
Improving sediment-quality guidelines for nickel: development and application of predictive bioavailability models to assess chronic toxicity of nickel in freshwater sediments
Marnix L. U. Vangheluwe, Frederik A. M. Verdonck, John M. Besser, William G. Brumbaugh, Christopher G. Ingersoll, Christan E. Schlekat, Emily Rogevich Garman
2013, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (32) 2507-2519
Within the framework of European Union chemical legislations an extensive data set on the chronic toxicity of sediment nickel has been generated. In the initial phase of testing, tests were conducted with 8 taxa of benthic invertebrates in 2 nickel-spiked sediments, including 1 reasonable worst-case sediment with low concentrations of...
