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Contamination and pollution
Introduction of harmful substances into the environment by human action or natural processes.
Subtopics:
Nonpoint-source pollution (3 items)
Industrial pollution (5 items)
Pesticide and herbicide contamination (12 items)
Toxic radionuclide contamination (3 items)
Toxic trace element contamination (16 items)
Pharmaceutical contamination (2 items)

Water pollution (9 items)
Soil pollution (1 items)
Air pollution (6 items)
Related topics:
Results 1 - 104 of 104 listed by similarity [list alphabetically]
Toxic Substances Hydrology Program [New Window]
Homepage for the Toxic Substances Hydrology Program, which provides scientific information on contaminated sites and on human and environmental health. Links to news, topical information, investigations, meetings, publications, and photos.
Pesticide National Synthesis Project: national assessment of pesticides in streams, rivers, and ground water of the United States [New Window]
Homepage for the Pesticide National Synthesis Project, an assessment of pesticides in national water resources, with links to national reports, national statistics, national data, pesticide use, analytical strategy, and standards for the U.S.
National analysis of trace elements in ground water, streams, stream and reservoir sediment, and fish and clam tissue across the United States [New Window]
Trace elements are inorganic chemicals occurring in small amounts in nature. This web site of the National Water Quality Assessment links to U.S. data, publications, news, and other sites on trace metals, metalloids and radionuclides in water.
Nutrients National Synthesis Project: nutrients in rivers, streams, and aquifers in the United States [New Window]
This Nutrients National Synthesis Project site on the U.S. study of nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, as contaminants in high concentrations links to an overview, study team, featured reports, publications, and national datasets.
National assessment of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) in water resources of the United States [New Window]
Links to online data retrieval, information on MTBE and gasoline oxygenates, VOCs analysis, VOC publications, news features, and featured online publications.
Pollution and waste disposal [New Window]
Lists priority survey areas and objectives of these programs.
PDF Algal toxins [New Window]
Chapter of Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases on algal toxins, red tide toxins, phycotoxins, dinoflagellates, cyanobacterium, and bird mortality due to algal toxicosis.
Water quality information pages [New Window]
Homepage of the Office of Water Quality programs on the quality of the Nation's surface water and ground water resources, with links to general information, quality assurance, software, data, publications, USGS facilities, techniques, and programs.
National Water Quality Assessment urban studies portal [New Window]
Multiple studies addressing urban water-quality issues, to describe biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of urban water resources over time, and relate those characteristics to natural processes and human activities
Human Health Database [New Window]
Central site providing links to USGS databases and homepages providing significant data and information on research related to human health.
Acute toxicity database [New Window]
The following database summarizes the results from aquatic acute toxicity tests conducted by the USGS CERC located in Columbia, Missouri.
Agricultural chemicals [New Window]
Overview of the Toxic Substances Hydrology Program role in investigating the occurrence and fate of agricultural chemicals with links to investigations, headlines, on-line fact sheets, new publications, bibliographies and photo gallery.
Biological resource status and trends: Contaminants in water [New Window]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on contaminants in water
Mercury contamination of aquatic ecosystems [New Window]
Fact sheet on mercury bioaccumulation and cycling in the environment. Also available in PDF format.
Biological resource status and trends: Contaminants [New Window]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on contaminants
Pharmaceuticals, Hormones, and Other Organic Wastewater Contaminants in U.S. Streams [New Window]
Describes and illustrates that a broad range of chemicals found in residential, industrial, and agricultural wastewaters commonly occur in mixtures at low concentrations downstream from areas of intense urbanization and animal production.
Contaminant Biology Program [New Window]
The Contaminant Biology Program investigates contaminant exposure and effects on fish, wildlife, and other organisms, their habitat and ecosystems. Links include description of projects, research centers, and news.
Household Chemicals and Drugs Found in Biosolids from Wastewater Treatment Plants [New Window]
Research findings and examples of application to real problems--biosolids have high concentrations of household contaminants compared to treated liquid wastewater effluent.
Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) [New Window]
Homepage of the Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) initiative programs supporting actions to remedy contaminations associated with hard rock mining. Includes data from the Upper Animas River and Boulder River, bibliography of reports, and pictures.
Restoration Technologies Branch, Leetown Science Center [New Window]
The Restoration Technologies Branch (RT) responds to client needs for bioengineering research/technical assistance in reducing pollution. Current projects are on hydropower generation, control of exotic species, and acid mine drainage.
Assessing ground-water vulnerability to contamination: providing scientifically defensible information for decision makers [New Window]
The information, citations, and hypothetical examples provided in this report highlight how basic principles and assessments are essential components of the regulatory and policy decision-making process. Link to PDF version.
Biological resource status and trends: Contaminants in air [New Window]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on contaminants in air
Biological resource status and trends: Contaminants in soil [New Window]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on contaminants in soil
Arsenic in ground water of the United States [New Window]
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element in rocks, soils, and the waters in contact with them. It is found in ground water as the result of minerals dissolving from weathered rocks and soils. This site links to data, maps, and more.
Arsenic in ground water of the United States [New Window]
Information on arsenic in United States ground water largely as a result of minerals dissolving from weathered rocks and soils. Includes links to publications, data, maps, and links to other sites with information on arsenic.
Bedrock and soil geochemistry from Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota [New Window]
Maps and text (Word or PDF format) and database (Excel or HTML format) for bedrock, forest floor, and mineral soil sampling in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota to establish the background and baseline geochemistry and terrestrial mercury sources.
Biological resource status and trends: Contaminants in animals [New Window]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on contaminants in animals
Biological resource status and trends: Contaminants in plants [New Window]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on contaminants in plants
Effects of land use on water quality in Michigan [New Window]
Links to projects that provide information on the relation of land use to water quality, sources of pollutants, or trends in water quality.
Framework for Assessing the Sustainability of Monitored Natural Attenuation [New Window]
Research findings and examples of application to real problems--When can natural processes to reduce, or even destroy, contaminants at toxic waste sites be relied on?
Ground-water monitoring for pesticides in Wyoming [New Window]
Sampling program to determine if pesticides are present in ground water, in accordance with Wyoming's Generic State Management Plan for Pesticides in Ground Water (SMP).
Maps of the distribution and occurrence of ground water quality constituents and early 1970's land use in New Jersey [New Window]
Links to maps of New Jersey showing nitrate levels, pesticides, Total Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and radium in wells and land use of the 1970s.
National Water-Quality Assessment data warehouse [New Window]
Data warehouse for national water quality program with links to chemical, biological, and physical data for water, sediment and animal tissues, nutrient, pesticide, and VOC levels, streamflow, and ground water levels from national study units.
National field manual for the collection of water-quality data [New Window]
Field manual (also available in PDF and paper formats) with instructions on techniques to collect and process water samples and to perform measurements of temperature, oxygen content, conductance, pH, turbidity, and fecal contaminants.
National highway runoff water quality data and methodology synthesis [New Window]
Cooperative national project with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to evaluate FHWA's guidelines for highway-runoff quality. Links to searchable online bibliography of related publications by the USGS, EPA, FHWA, and state agencies.
Natural oil and gas seeps in California [New Window]
Distribution and characteristics of natural oil and gas seeps in California, including processes of formation and effects on the environment; with discussion of tar pits and asphaltum.
Occurrence of selected radionuclides in ground water used for drinking water in the United States [New Window]
Results (*.pdf) of a 1998 targeted reconnaissance survey on the sources of radium, polonium, and lead radionuclides, data collection and laboratory methods, existing occurrences in drinking water, risk assessments, and compliance monitoring.
Ozone in our air - friend or foe? - depends on where [New Window]
Article on ozone layer and ozone as a pollutant from the weekly newsletter Volcano Watch (Hawaiian Volcano Observatory) for August 20, 2001.
Studies in Long Island Sound: geology, contaminants, and environmental issues [New Window]
Description of Long Island Sound projects and links to research topics, data, publications, photos, and technology on sediment transport, sea floor mapping, contaminant sampling, sediment texture, and environmental issues.
Trichloroethylene (TCE) in fractured bedrock, Naval Air Warfare Center, Trenton, N.J. [New Window]
Research on contamination by trichloroethylene (TCE) in fractured rock at the Naval Air Warfare Center in Trenton, N.J. with links to site description, bibliography, online reports, and findings.
Upper Mississippi River basin: sediments, contaminants, and nutrients [New Window]
Downloadable data and map images depicting sedimentation changes and contaminants in sediments in the upper Mississippi River.
Using geochemical and statistical tools to identify irrigated areas that might contain high selenium concentrations in surface water [New Window]
Program using pattern recognition analysis and classification models to determine areas of irrigated land with concentrations of selenium.
Wastewater Indicators Shown to Degrade in Streams [New Window]
Research findings and examples of application to real problems--the stability of contaminants that indicate human wastewater needs to be considered.
Water co-produced with coalbed methane in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming: preliminary compositional data [New Window]
Compositional data on water from 47 CBM wells sampled in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming. Data on major, minor, and trace elements are included.
Water resources of Michigan - protection of drinking water sources [New Window]
Links to descriptions, publications, and photos of research projects in Michigan related to drinking water including source assessment, ground water availability, water resources, and contaminants in water.
Water science for schools: water quality [New Window]
Educational site for elementary school students on water quality with links to related topics including pesticides in ground water, kid's view, urbanization and water and others.
Acid rain and our Nation's Capital [New Window]
This booklet focuses on acid rain and its impact on our Nation's capital.
Amargosa Desert research site [New Window]
Online reports, site description and photographs of the Amargosa Desert research site monitoring low level radioactive waste.
Arsenic Studies group [New Window]
Main page for the Arsenic Studies group with links to arsenic related announcements, conferences, bibliography, workshops, and symposiums.
Asbestos: geology, mineralogy, mining, and uses [New Window]
Report on asbestos, six types of mineral fibers belonging to two mineral groups, serpentines and amphiboles,with fiber morphology, crystal structure, analytical methods, properties, mining, milling, uses, and safety factors.(PDF file,28 pp.,4.5 MB)
PDF Atmospheric Deposition Program of the U.S. Geological Survey [New Window]
Document on the federally supported interagency National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP) covering research on causes and effects of acid precipitation with the USGS as the lead agency for monitoring wet acid deposition.
Biogeochemical and geohydrologic processes in a landfill-impacted alluvial aquifer, Norman, Oklahoma [New Window]
Discussion and links to research for the multi-disciplinary investigation on the Norman Landfill located on alluvium associated with the Canadian River in central Oklahoma.
Biological and ecotoxicological characteristics of terrestrial vertebrates residing in estuaries [New Window]
Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends (BEST) program is designed to assess and monitor the effects of environmental contaminants on biological resources with links to detailed information on specific species.
Chesapeake Bay activities [New Window]
Information on USGS studies of Chesapeake Bay, the nation's largest estuary, concerned with water quality, ecosystem history and change, vital habitat and biological resources, and land use studies.
Coal-bed methane: potential and concerns [New Window]
Fact sheet in PDF format on occurrence and recoverability of coalbed methane in the U.S. and related environmental concerns.
Coal-mine-drainage projects in Pennsylvania [New Window]
Studies by the USGS documenting the extent of surface-water and ground water degradation associated with coal mining in Pennsylvania and the effects of mining and reclamation practices. Includes map of mine sites.
Coastal and Marine Geology Program [New Window]
Home page for Coastal and Marine Geology with links to topics of interest (sea level change, erosion, corals, pollution, sonar mapping, and others), Sound Waves monthly newsletter, field centers, regions of interest, and subject search system.
Coastal ocean modeling at the USGS Woods Hole Field Center [New Window]
Fly-by and circulation movies, effluent concentration, tidal flushing, sea level, and temperature in Massachusetts Bay and Boston Harbor
Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) online databases [New Window]
Links to Columbia Environmental Research Center online databases with text, data, and metadata on toxicity, Missouri River, biomonitoring of environmental status and trends, contaminants, and sediments.
Contaminant exposure and effects--terrestrial vertebrates (CEE-TV) database [New Window]
The information provided in the CEE-TV database profiles available geo-referenced information on contaminant exposure and effects in terrestrial vertebrates along the U. S. coasts. The database utilizes Microsoft's Access 2000 for Windows.
Ecological risk assessment of toxic substances in the South Florida ecosystem: wildlife effects and exposure assessment [New Window]
Project summaries and publications on wildlife contaminant exposures and prediction and monitoring of future restoration-driven exposures within the South Florida ecosystems.
Environment [New Window]
Links to USGS activities in the environment theme area, including anthropogenic and natural contaminants, ecosystems, energy, human health, global change, etc. Also includes links to environment-related fact sheets.
Environmental mercury mapping, modeling, and analysis [New Window]
Online tools for mapping mercury data in the environment, with downloadable data from monitoring studies
Environmental studies of the World Trade Center area after the September 11, 2001 attack [New Window]
Report describing the results of an interdisciplinary environmental study of the World Trade Center (WTC) area after the attack on September 11, 2001. The investigations included imaging spectroscopy mapping and laboratory analysis.
Florida Integrated Science Center - Gainesville [New Window]
Florida Integrated Science Center at Gainesville is the Center for Aquatic Resource Studies in Florida and southeastern United States. Site has links to projects on manatees, contaminants, invasive plants and animals, Everglades, and aquatic resources.
Fragile environments: San Francisco Bay wetlands [New Window]
Overview with links to studies on the effects of human activity on the San Francisco estuary with loss of historic fresh and saltwater tidal marshes reducing habitats, introducing contaminants in waste, and creating dredging problems.
Galloway Township, New Jersey research site, Toxic Substances Hydrology Program [New Window]
This site provides information on investigations of hydrocarbons in the unsaturated zone and shallow ground water at a gasoline-spill site in Galloway Township, N.J., with links to research projects, mathematical models, and photos.
Geologic studies of mercury [New Window]
Collection of six short papers related to the mercury geochemical society, the study of mercury in coal, concentrations in sediment, soil, water, and fish collected near mercury and gold mines, and volanic emissions of mercury.
Gulf of the Farallones disposal issues: disposal and waste disposal [New Window]
Study of the effects on the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary resulting from the disposal of San Francisco dredged material and barrels of low-level radioactive waste with links to publications and atlas with digital images.
Health effects of mineral dusts [New Window]
Overview of project to develop and apply a variety of earth science methods to interpret the geologic links between mineral dusts such as silica and asbestos and human health problems with links to contacts, tasks, and products.
Hypoxia [New Window]
A brief definition and explanation of hypoxia with special reference to the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone along the Louisiana-Texas coast as well as extensive links to USGS and other related information resources.
Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico and related USGS activities [New Window]
Information about the causes and impact of hypoxia with links to USGS and other Federal agency information and activities related to nutrients in the Mississippi River Basin and hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico.
Kentucky District - program highlights [New Window]
Brief descriptions of research programs in water resources in Kentucky with a few links to program websites. Programs include data collection projects, acid mine drainage, hydrodynamics, geology, waste site cleanup and hydrogeology.
Mercury Studies Team [New Window]
Home page on hydrology studies on mercury, the most common contaminant of aquatic ecosystems, with links to general information, research team projects and data.
Mercury in stream ecosystems - publications [New Window]
Publications dealing with the occurrence, methods of monitoring, and changes in the concentration of mercury within streams and nearby areas
Mercury in the environment [New Window]
Fact sheet on mercury and the environment, including toxic effects, risk to people and wildlife, sources of mercury, environments where methylmercury is a problem, and mercury contamination.
Midcontinent Agricultural Chemical Research Program [New Window]
Homepage for the research on occurrence, movement, flux, fate, and effects of agricultural chemicals, such as pesticides, in 25 states by the Midcontinent Agricultural Chemical Research Project (MACRP) with links to study results and publications.
Monitoring program for mercury in precipitation in Indiana [New Window]
Precipitation-monitoring network for mercury in Indiana.
Multibeam data and socio-economic issues in west-central San Francisco Bay [New Window]
Webpage based on USGS Open File Report 98-139 links to information on the San Francisco Bay estuary to study dredge disposal effects, fish habitats, sediment transport, rock pinnacles and navigation, and consequences of a large oil spill.
National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) [New Window]
Homepage for description of the National Stream Quality Network (NASQAN), a long-term program monitoring the concentrations and flux of sediment and chemicals in the Nation's largest rivers (Mississippi, Columbia, Colorado, Rio Grande, and Yukon).
National assessment of mercury in aquatic ecosystems [New Window]
Overview of three research programs including determining levels of mercury at selected sites in water, sediment and fish, mercury emissions into the atmosphere, and mercury cycling in the Everglades National Park, Florida.
New York State pesticide monitoring homepage [New Window]
Data on presence and distribution of pesticides in surface and ground water of New York State.
PDF Operational guidelines for geological fieldwork in areas endemic for Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) [New Window]
Report giving operational guidelines that will lower the risk of coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) for individuals who work outdoors in areas where the disease is endemic.
Organic Geochemistry Research Group in Kansas [New Window]
The Organic Geochemistry Research Group of the Kansas District focuses on the fate and transport of organic contaminants in the environment with links to objectives, analytical methods, laboratory methods, publications, events, photos, and personnel.
Parking-lot sealcoat: A major source of PAHs in urban and suburban environments [New Window]
Explanation of chemical contaminants released into aquatic environments by popular sealcoating compounds used in parking lots, with frequently-asked questions, links, and contact information.
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center [New Window]
Core web page from America's first wildlife experiment station and a leading wildlife management refuge, the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland with links to projects, publications, library, contacts, and how to get there.
Pesticides in Midwestern rivers, 1989-2002 [New Window]
Overview of aspects of research on pesticides and herbicides in Midwestern rivers with collection of data, results over a period of time, online publications, and bibliography.
Photographs of the Picher Mining District (Ottawa County, Oklahoma) [New Window]
Description and photos related to the Picher Mining District in Oklahoma, once a primary U.S. source of lead and zinc and now the largest superfund site in the U.S. with millions of cubic yards of mine tailings (locally known as "chat") remaining.
Reservoir sediment studies in Kansas [New Window]
Report of completed reservoir sediment studies in Kansas using a combination of bathymetric surveying, sediment coring, chemical analysis, and statistical analysis to understand the quantity and quality of deposited sediment.
San Francisco Bay: Central Bay region multibeam backscatter and bathymetry mosaics [New Window]
Landsat TM and bathymetry mosaic images of sediment and pollutant transport in central San Francisco Bay.
South Florida Information Access (SOFIA) metadata [New Window]
Links to metadata of South Florida research projects and to the webpage of the project.
South Florida Restoration Science Forum [New Window]
Discussions and posters about agriculture, ecology, hydrology, ecosystems, and resource management efforts in south Florida.
Status and trends of biological resources [New Window]
Description of the Status and Trends program, which monitors the abundance, distribution, productivity, and health of the Nation's living resources, detecting and evaluating changes in these variables over time.
Status and trends of biological resources program [New Window]
This program integrates monitoring programs that track the abundance distribution, productivity, and health of the Nation's plants, animals, and ecosystems.
Studies of polluted sediment offshore Los Angeles [New Window]
Overview of studies of marine sediment on the continental shelf south of Los Angeles contaminated with DDT and PCBs from past sewage effluent discharges with links to research on Santa Monica Bay, Los Angeles Shelf and Palos Verdes Peninsula.
The Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone [New Window]
Information and links to USGS and other Federal agency monitoring and research concerning the hypoxic zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico occurring along the Louisiana-Texas coast.
The South Florida environment-- a region under stress [New Window]
This report serves as an environmental review and framework for developing USGS programs in the south Florida ecosystem, especially the Everglades and its watershed, and stresses the critical role of water in natural and human environment.
The USGS role in Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) assessments [New Window]
Detailed information on Total Maximum Daily Load, the total quantity of a pollutant that a stream can carry and still conform to water quality standards, used as a measurement in the monitoring, assessment, and remediation of polluted waters.
The Virtual Fish: Semipermeable Membrane Device (SPMD) basics [New Window]
Paper by Duane Chapman for the 6th International SPMD Workshop and Symposium on a semipermeable membrane device (SPMD) measures contaminants in water by mimicking the parts of fish that cause concentration of specific chemicals in fish tissues.
PDF Toxicity and bioavailability of metals in the Missouri River adjacent to a lead refinery [New Window]
Report (PDF format) on an evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of contaminated ground water from a metals refinery adjacent to the Missouri River in Omaha, Nebraska testing water and sediments for contaminants and toxicity.
USGS Indiana District adopts White River [New Window]
Volunteers from the USGS in Indiana, their families, and friends donate two Saturdays a year for a river-cleanup.
USGS develops geophysical methods to improve remediation monitoring and site characterization [New Window]
Short news article describing the use of electrical resistivity tomography to improve imaging of tracer flow in ground water.
USGS guide to federal environmental laws and regulations [New Window]
Guide to major U.S. environmental statutes and corresponding regulations on air quality, fish and wildlife conservation, cultural and historic resources, solid and hazardous substances, public lands, farmlands, and water resources.
USGS mine drainage activities [New Window]
Listing of USGS research and monitoring projects on mine drainage, in order to promote cooperation and collaboration among scientists working on problems related to mining and the environment.


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