Use of the azimuthal resistivity technique for determination of regional azimuth of transmissivity
David R. Carlson
2010, Environmental Geosciences (17) 163-174
Many bedrock units contain joint sets that commonly act as preferred paths for the movement of water, electrical charge, and possible contaminants associated with production or transit of crude oil or refined products. To facilitate the development of remediation programs, a need exists to reliably determine regional-scale properties of these...
Laboratory-based maximum slip rates in earthquake rupture zones and radiated energy
Art McGarr, Joe B. Fletcher, M. Boettcher, N. Beeler, J. Boatwright
2010, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America (100) 3250-3260
Laboratory stick-slip friction experiments indicate that peak slip rates increase with the stresses loading the fault to cause rupture. If this applies also to earthquake fault zones, then the analysis of rupture processes is simplified inasmuch as the slip rates depend only on the local yield stress and are independent...
Estimating natural background groundwater chemistry, Questa molybdenum mine, New Mexico
Phillip L. Verplanck, D. Kirk Nordstrom, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Bruce M. Walker
Lisa A. Morgan, Steven L. Quane, editor(s)
2010, Book chapter, Through the generations: Geologic and anthropogenic field excursions in the Rocky Mountains from modern to ancient
This 2 1/2 day field trip will present an overview of a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) project whose objective was to estimate pre-mining groundwater chemistry at the Questa molybdenum mine, New Mexico. Because of intense debate among stakeholders regarding pre-mining groundwater chemistry standards, the New Mexico Environment Department and Chevron...
Aquifer geochemistry at potential aquifer storage and recovery sites in coastal plain aquifers in the New York city area, USA
C. J. Brown, P.E. Misut
2010, Applied Geochemistry (25) 1431-1452
The effects of injecting oxic water from the New York city (NYC) drinking-water supply and distribution system into a nearby anoxic coastal plain aquifer for later recovery during periods of water shortage (aquifer storage and recovery, or ASR) were simulated by a 3-dimensional, reactive-solute transport model. The Cretaceous aquifer system...
Land-use controls on sources and processing of nitrate in small watersheds: Insights from dual isotopic analysis
R.T. Barnes, P.A. Raymond
2010, Ecological Applications (20) 1961-1978
Studies have repeatedly shown that agricultural and urban areas export considerably more nitrogen to streams than forested counterparts, yet it is difficult to identify and quantify nitrogen sources to streams due to complications associated with terrestrial and in-stream biogeochemical processes. In this study, we used the isotopic composition of nitrate...
Structural geology of Amazonian-aged layered sedimentary deposits in southwest Candor Chasma, Mars
Chris Okubo
2010, Icarus (207) 210-225
The structural geology of an outcropping of layered sedimentary deposits in southwest Candor Chasma is mapped using two adjacent high-resolution (1 m/pixel) HiRISE digital elevation models and orthoimagery. Analysis of these structural data yields new insight into the depositional and deformational history of these deposits. Bedding in non-deformed areas generally...
The sedimentology and dynamics of crater-affiliated wind streaks in western Arabia Terra, Mars and Patagonia, Argentina
J.A.P. Rodriguez, K. L. Tanaka, A. Yamamoto, D.C. Berman, J. R. Zimbelman, J.S. Kargel, S. Sasaki, Y. Jinguo, H. Miyamoto
2010, Geomorphology (121) 30-54
Wind streaks comprise recent aeolian deposits that have been extensively documented on Venus, Earth and Mars. Martian wind streaks are among the most abundant surface features on the planet and commonly extend from the downwind margins of impact craters. Previous studies of wind streaks emerging from crater interior deposits suggested...
Radiometric, geometric, and image quality assessment of ALOS AVNIR-2 and PRISM sensors
S. Saunier, P. Goryl, G. Chander, R. Santer, M. Bouvet, B. Collet, A. Mambimba, Aksakal S. Kocaman
2010, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing (48) 3855-3866
The Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) was launched on January 24, 2006, by a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) H-IIA launcher. It carries three remote-sensing sensors: 1) the Advanced Visible and Near-Infrared Radiometer type 2 (AVNIR-2); 2) the Panchromatic Remote-Sensing Instrument for Stereo Mapping (PRISM); and 3) the Phased-Array type...
Internal structure, fault rocks, and inferences regarding deformation, fluid flow, and mineralization in the seismogenic Stillwater normal fault, Dixie Valley, Nevada
Jonathan S. Caine, R.L. Bruhn, C.B. Forster
2010, Journal of Structural Geology (32) 1576-1589
Outcrop mapping and fault-rock characterization of the Stillwater normal fault zone in Dixie Valley, Nevada are used to document and interpret ancient hydrothermal fluid flow and its possible relationship to seismic deformation. The fault zone is composed of distinct structural and hydrogeological components. Previous work on the fault rocks is...
Liquefaction caused by the 2009 Olancha, California (USA), M5.2 earthquake
T.L. Holzer, A. S. Jayko, E. Hauksson, J.P.B. Fletcher, T.E. Noce, M.J. Bennett, C.M. Dietel, K.W. Hudnut
2010, Engineering Geology (116) 184-188
The October 3, 2009 (01:16:00 UTC), Olancha M5.2 earthquake caused extensive liquefaction as well as permanent horizontal ground deformation within a 1.2 km2area earthquake in Owens Valley in eastern California (USA). Such liquefaction is rarely observed during earthquakes of M ≤ 5.2. We conclude that subsurface conditions, not unusual ground...
The New Albany shale in Illinois: Emerging play or prolific source
Joan Crockett, David E. Morse
2010, Oil & Gas Journal (108) 72-79
The New Albany shale (Upper Devonian) in the Illinois basin is the primary hydrocarbon source rock for the basins nearly 4 billion bbl of oil production to date. The gas play is well-established in Indiana and Western Kentucky. One in-situ oil producing well was reported in a multiply competed well...
Targeting land-use change for nitratenitrogen load reductions in an agricultural watershed
M.K. Jha, K. E. Schilling, Philip W. Gassman, C.F. Wolter
2010, Journal of Soil and Water Conservation (65) 342-352
The research was conducted as part of the USDA's Conservation Effects Assessment Project. The objective of the project was to evaluate the environmental effects of land-use changes, with a focus on understanding how the spatial distribution throughout a watershed influences their effectiveness.The Soil and Water AssessmentTool (SWAT) water quality model...
Quaternary Sea-ice history in the Arctic Ocean based on a new Ostracode sea-ice proxy
T. M. Cronin, L. Gemery, W.M. Briggs, M. Jakobsson, L. Polyak, E. M. Brouwers
2010, Quaternary Science Reviews (29) 3415-3429
Paleo-sea-ice history in the Arctic Ocean was reconstructed using the sea-ice dwelling ostracode Acetabulastoma arcticum from late Quaternary sediments from the Mendeleyev, Lomonosov, and Gakkel Ridges, the Morris Jesup Rise and the Yermak Plateau. Results suggest intermittently high levels of perennial sea ice in the central Arctic Ocean during Marine...
Longitudinal trends and discontinuities in nutrients, chlorophyll, and suspended solids in the Upper Mississippi River: Implications for transport, processing, and export by large rivers
J.N. Houser, D.W. Bierman, R.M. Burdis, L. A. Soeken-Gittinger
2010, Hydrobiologia (651) 127-144
Across the distances spanned by large rivers, there are important differences in catchment characteristics, tributary inputs, and river morphology that may cause longitudinal changes in nutrient, chlorophyll, and suspended solids concentrations. We investigated longitudinal and seasonal patterns in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) using long-term data (1994-2005) from five study...
Fault weakening and earthquake instability by powder lubrication
Z. Reches, D.A. Lockner
2010, Nature (467) 452-455
Earthquake instability has long been attributed to fault weakening during accelerated slip1, and a central question of earthquake physics is identifying the mechanisms that control this weakening2. Even with much experimental effort2-12, the weakening mechanisms have remained enigmatic. Here we present evidence for dynamic weakening of experimental faults that are...
Carbon and hydrogen isotopic reversals in deep basin gas: Evidence for limits to the stability of hydrocarbons
R.C. Burruss, C.D. Laughrey
2010, Organic Geochemistry (41) 1285-1296
During studies of unconventional natural gas reservoirs of Silurian and Ordovician age in the northern Appalachian basin we observed complete reversal of the normal trend of carbon isotopic composition, such that ??13C methane (C1) >??13C ethane (C2) >??13C propane (C3). In addition, we have observed isotopic reversals in the ??2H...
Zircon reveals protracted magma storage and recycling beneath Mount St. Helens
L.L. Claiborne, C. F. Miller, D.M. Flanagan, M.A. Clynne, J. L. Wooden
2010, Geology (38) 1011-1014
Current data and models for Mount St. Helens volcano (Washington, United States) suggest relatively rapid transport from magma genesis to eruption, with no evidence for protracted storage or recycling of magmas. However, we show here that complex zircon age populations extending back hundreds of thousands of years from eruption age...
Reference condition approach to restoration planning
J.M. Nestler, C.H. Theiling, S.J. Lubinski, D.L. Smith
2010, River Research and Applications (26) 1199-1219
Ecosystem restoration planning requires quantitative rigor to evaluate alternatives, define end states, report progress and perform environmental benefits analysis (EBA). Unfortunately, existing planning frameworks are, at best, semi-quantitative. In this paper, we: (1) describe a quantitative restoration planning approach based on a comprehensive, but simple mathematical framework that can be...
Experimental investigation of observation error in anuran call surveys
B.T. McClintock, L.L. Bailey, K. H. Pollock, T.R. Simons
2010, Journal of Wildlife Management (74) 1882-1893
Occupancy models that account for imperfect detection are often used to monitor anuran and songbird species occurrence. However, presenceabsence data arising from auditory detections may be more prone to observation error (e.g., false-positive detections) than are sampling approaches utilizing physical captures or sightings of individuals. We conducted realistic, replicated field...
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil of the Canadian River floodplain in Oklahoma
F. Sartori, T.L. Wade, J.L. Sericano, B.P. Mohanty, Karen A. Smith
2010, Journal of Environmental Quality (39) 568-579
The accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in soil, plants, and water may impart negative effects on ecosystem and human health. We quantified the concentration and distribution of 41 PAH (n = 32), organic C, total N, and S (n = 140) and investigated PAH sources using a chronosequence of...
Controls of suspended sediment concentration, nutrient content, and transport in a subtropical wetland
G.B. Noe, J. W. Harvey, R.W. Schaffranek, L. G. Larsen
2010, Wetlands (30) 39-54
Redistribution of largely organic sediment from low elevation sloughs to higher elevation ridges is a leading hypothesis for the formation and maintenance of the native ridge and slough landscape pattern found in peat wetlands of the Florida Everglades. We tested this redistribution hypothesis by measuring the concentration and characteristics of...
Groundwater nutrient concentrations during prairie reconstruction on an Iowa landscape
M.D. Tomer, K. E. Schilling, C.A. Cambardella, P. Jacobson, P. Drobney
2010, Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment (139) 206-213
One anticipated benefit of ecosystem restoration is water quality improvement. This study evaluated NO3-N and phosphorus in subsurface waters during prairie establishment following decades of row-crop agriculture. A prairie seeding in late 2003 became established in 2006. Wells and suction cup samplers were monitored for NO3-N and phosphorus. Nitrate-N varied...
Pathology and distribution of sea turtles landed as bycatch in the Hawaii-based North Pacific pelagic longline fishery
Thierry M. Work, George H. Balazs
2010, Journal of Wildlife Diseases (46) 422-432
We examined the gross and microscopic pathology and distribution of sea turtles that were landed as bycatch from the Hawaii, USA–based pelagic longline fishery and known to be forced submerged. Olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) composed the majority of animals examined, and hook-induced perforation of the esophagus was the most...
Establishing a Multi-scale Stream Gaging Network in the Whitewater River Basin, Kansas, USA
J.A. Clayton, J. W. Kean
2010, Water Resources Management (24) 3641-3664
Investigating the routing of streamflow through a large drainage basin requires the determination of discharge at numerous locations in the channel network. Establishing a dense network of stream gages using conventional methods is both cost-prohibitive and functionally impractical for many research projects. We employ herein a previously tested, fluid-mechanically based...
Survival and breeding of polar bears in the southern Beaufort Sea in relation to sea ice
E.V. Regehr, C.M. Hunter, H. Caswell, Steven C. Amstrup, I. Stirling
2010, Journal of Animal Ecology (79) 117-127
1. Observed and predicted declines in Arctic sea ice have raised concerns about marine mammals. In May 2008, the US Fish and Wildlife Service listed polar bears (Ursus maritimus) - one of the most ice-dependent marine mammals - as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act. 2. We evaluated the...
