A unifying theme of USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program investigations is
the characterization of the natural response of hydrologic systems to contamination. This makes the sites where
the investigations are conducted ideally suited to assessing potential long-term impacts, evaluating the
potential and the limitations of remediation by monitored natural
attenuation, and designing systems to monitor the performance of remediation where monitored natural
attenuation is being relied upon. The information presented on this page cuts across lines drawn by individual
investigations and projects so that information on the natural attenuation of contaminants can be presented in
one place.
Investigations and Research Activities
- Investigations
- Natural Attenuation Remediation-Related Activities
![USGS scientists installing diffusion samplers and microcosms to study subsurface bacteria that degrade trichloroethylene at the Naval Air Warfare Center Research Site, West Trenton, NJ (circa 2005).](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506165126im_/http://toxics.usgs.gov/photo_gallery/photos/chloroethenes/nawc_pic_068_sm.jpg)
USGS scientists installing diffusion samplers
and microcosms to study subsurface bacteria that degrade trichloroethylene
at the Naval Air Warfare Center
Research Site, West Trenton, NJ (circa 2005). The samplers will
help USGS and U.S. Navy scientists evaluate the performance of a
biostimulation and bioaugmentation experiment.
(Click on Image for a Larger Version)
Fact Sheets
![USGS scientists assisted the U.S. Navy with the design and assessment of an innovative remediation system that involved the injection of an oxygen-release compound in the source area of a chlorobenzene and benzene plume at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506165126im_/http://toxics.usgs.gov/photo_gallery/photos/chloroethenes/Pensa_ORC_Test_sm.jpg)
USGS scientists assisted the U.S. Navy with the
design and assessment of an innovative remediation system that involved
the injection of
an oxygen-release compound in the source area of a chlorobenzene
and benzene plume at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida.
The two transects are along ground-water flow paths
(Click on Image for a Larger Version)
![A scientists collecting ground-water samples anaerobically in a glove bag](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506165126im_/http://toxics.usgs.gov/photo_gallery/photos/norman/collecting_samples2_sm.jpg)
Collecting ground-water samples anaerobically in a glove bag as part of a study of the
biogeochemistry of a landfill leachate plume at the Norman Landfill Research
Site, OK. The glove bag helps preserve sensitive redox species so an accurate determination of the processes
that control the natural attenuation of the leachate can be made
(Click on Image for a Larger Version)
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![Collecting pore water from cores to identify natural attenuation processes in ground water at the Bemidji Crude Oil Spill Site, MN. The scientists are withdrawing water with a syringe from a core encased in polycarbonate tubing. The bottom of the core was frozen to prevent fluid from escaping the core. This technique allows for closely spaced samples that enable scientists to study the biogeochemical heterogeneity of contaminant plumes](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506165126im_/http://toxics.usgs.gov/images/photogallery/freezephotos/Bemidji_FreezDS_GI_s.jpeg)
Collecting pore water from cores to identify natural attenuation processes in ground water
at the Bemidji Crude Oil Spill Site, MN. The scientists are withdrawing
water with a syringe from a core encased in polycarbonate tubing. The bottom of the core was
frozen to prevent fluid from escaping the core. This technique allows
for closely spaced samples that enable scientists to study the biogeochemical heterogeneity of contaminant
plumes
(Click on Image for a Larger Version)
Headlines
Bibliography
New Publications
Upcoming Publications
- The relative importance of abiotic and biotic transformation of carbon tetrachloride in anaerobic soils and sediments: Shao, H., and Butler, E.C., Soil and Sediment Contamination--An International Journal (IN PRESS).
- Biological degradation of chloroethenes: Bradley, P.M., and Chapelle, F.H., in SERDP/ESTCP Monograph on Remediation of Dissolved-Phase Chlorinated Solvents: (IN PRESS).
Newly Published
- Mercury cycling in stream ecosystems--3. Trophic dynamics and methylmercury bioaccumulation: Chasar, L.C., Scudder, B.C., Stewart, A.R., Bell, A.H., and Aiken, G.R., 2009, Environmental Science and Technology, doi:10.1021/es8027567 (Advanced Web release).
- Distinguishing iron-reducing from sulfate-reducing conditions: Chapelle, F.H., Bradley, P.M., Thomas, M.A., and McMahon, P.B., 2009, Ground Water, v. 47, no. 2, p. 300-305, doi:10.1111/j.1745-6584.2008.00536.x.
- Biogeochemistry at a wetland sediment-alluvial aquifer interface in a landfill leachate plume: Lorah, M.M., Cozzarelli, I.M., and Böhlke, J.K., 2009, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, v. 105, no. 3-4, p. 99-117, doi:10.1016/j.jconhyd.2008.11.008.
- Fractionation of stable isotopes in perchlorate and nitrate during in situ biodegradation in a sandy aquifer: Hatzinger, P., Böhlke, J.K., Sturchio, N.C., Gu, B., Heraty, L.J., and Borden, R.C., 2009, Environmental Chemistry, v. 6, no. 1, p. 44-52, doi:10.1071/EN09008.
- Structural characterization of terrestrial bacteriogenic Mn oxides from Pinal Creek, AZ: Bargar, J.R., Fuller, C.C., Marcus, M.A., Brearley, A.J., Perez De la Rosa, M., Webb, S.M., and Caldwell, W.A., 2009, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 73, no. 4, p. 889-910, doi:10.1016/j.gca.2008.10.036.
- Biodegradation of 17β-Estradiol, Estrone and Testosterone in Stream Sediments : Bradley, P.M., Barber, L.B., Chapelle, F.H., Gray, J.L., Kolpin, D.W., and McMahon, P.B., 2009, Environmental Science and Technology, doi:10.1021/es802797j (Advanced Web release).
- Microbial characterization of nitrification in a shallow, nitrogen-contaminated aquifer, Cape Cod, Massachusetts and detection of a novel cluster associated with nitrifying Betaproteobacteria: Miller, D.N., and Smith, R.L., 2009, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, v. 103, no. 3-4, p. 182-193, doi:10.1016/j.jconhyd.2008.10.011.
- Subsurface fate and transport of sulfamethoxazole, 4-nonylphenol, and 17Β-estradiol: Barber, L.B., Meyer, M.T., LeBlanc, D.R., Kolpin, D.W., Bradley, P.M., Chapelle, F.H., and Rubio, F., 2008, in Trefry, M.G., ed., Groundwater Quality 2007--Securing Groundwater Quality in Urban and Industrial Environments: International Association of Hydrological Sciences IAHS Redbook, IAHS Publ. 324, p. 133-139.
Meetings and Conferences
![USGS scientist collecting an unsaturated-zone gas sample with a syringe from a vapor sampling well at the Bemidji Crude Oil Spill Research Site, Bemidji, MN. The sample was used to study the natural attenuation of hydrocarbon vapors in the unsaturated zone.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506165126im_/http://toxics.usgs.gov/photo_gallery/photos/bimidji/Geoffgassample_s.jpg)
USGS scientist collecting an unsaturated-zone gas sample with a syringe from a vapor
sampling well at the Bemidji Crude Oil Spill Research Site, Bemidji, MN.
The sample was used to study the natural attenuation of hydrocarbon vapors in the unsaturated zone.
(Click on Image for a Larger Version)
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