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At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
USGS2002

Elemental chemistry of streambed sediments of the St. Croix River Basin, 2000

Streambed sediments from 30 sites in the St. Croix River Basin were analyzed for selected chemical elements. Possible occurrences of low-level contamination include: (1) elevated concentrations of arsenic, lead, silver, and to a lesser extent cadmium, copper, and mercury in the Namekagon River downstream of Hayward, Wisconsin; (2) elevated lead concentrations in the St. Croix River downstream of the Stillwater, Minnesota—Hudson, Wisconsin region; (3) slightly elevated concentrations of Arsenic, Cadmium, Copper, Lead, Mercury, Silver, Vanadium, and Zinc in the Kettle River downstream of Sandstone and Hinckley, Minnesota; (4) and substantially elevated mercury concentrations in Rush Creek downstream of Rush City, Minnesota. Elevated concentrations of copper, lead, and to a lesser extent cadmium, in Osceola Creek, downstream of Osceola, Wisconsin may be due to anthropogenic sources or contributions from bedrock that differs geochemically from sediments farther upstream. There does not appear to be large anthropogenic contributions of trace elements—above the background geochemical and atmospherically deposited levels—in the streams sampled for this study. Many of the elements appear to be associated with mineral sources. Concentrations of potentially toxic trace elements in the St. Croix River Basin generally were lower than concentrations associated with frequent adverse effects to aquatic biota. Exceptions were arsenic (7 of 30 samples) and mercury (1 of 30 samples).

Minnesota, Wisconsin↗
USGS2003

Occurrence and distribution of dissolved trace elements in the surface waters of the Yakima River basin, Washington

The occurrence, distribution, and transport of dissolved (filtered-water) trace elements in the surface waters of the Yakima River Basin were assessed using data collected between 1999 and 2000 as part of the U.S. Geological Survey s National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. Samples were collected at 34 sites throughout the basin in August 1999, using a Lagrangian sampling design. From May 1999 through January 2000, samples also were collected weekly during the irrigation season and once per month during the nonirrigation season at three intensive fixed sites. Although the focus of this study was on 9 trace elements (aluminum, arsenic, barium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, uranium, and zinc), 14 additional elements were analyzed in filtered water. Concentrations of most trace elements in filtered water generally were low and there were no exceedances of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) freshwater aquatic-life water-quality criteria. The USEPA drinking-water standard for arsenic (10 µg/L) was exceeded in two samples that were collected under base-flow conditions during the nonirrigation season at Granger Drain. Over 40 percent of all filtered-water samples collected during this study exceeded the USEPA health advisory level of 2.0 µg/L for arsenic. Arsenic concentrations in agricultural drains were highest when the drains were primarily fed by shallow ground water, and concentrations in the Yakima River were highest when the river was fed primarily by agricultural return flow. The USEPA secondary maximum contaminant level for manganese (50 µg/L) was exceeded in three samples collected at Granger Drain during the nonirrigation season. Instantaneous arsenic loads calculated for August 1999 were similar to mean monthly loads determined in August 1989 at two intensive fixed sites located on the Yakima main stem. In August 1999, arsenic loads increased twofold between the Yakima River at river mile 72 above Satus and the Yakima River at Kiona at river mile 29.9. The dissolved arsenic loads for the Yakima River at Euclid Bridge at river mile 55 near Grandview and Yakima River at Kiona were within 13 percent of the August 1989 levels.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS2003

Nutrient, trace-element, and ecological history of Musky Bay, Lac Courte Oreilles, Wisconsin, as inferred from sediment cores

Sediment cores were collected from Musky Bay, Lac Courte Oreilles, and from surrounding areas in 1999 and 2001 to determine whether the water quality of Musky Bay has declined during the last 100 years or more as a result of human activity, specifically cottage development and cranberry farming. Selected cores were analyzed for sedimentation rates, nutrients, minor and trace elements, biogenic silica, diatom assemblages, and pollen over the past several decades. Two cranberry bogs constructed along Musky Bay in 1939 and the early 1950s were substantially expanded between 1950?62 and between 1980?98. Cottage development on Musky Bay has occurred at a steady rate since about 1930, although currently housing density on Musky Bay is one-third to one-half the housing density surrounding three other Lac Courte Oreilles bays. Sedimentation rates were reconstructed for a core from Musky Bay by use of three lead radioisotope models and the cesium-137 profile. The historical average mass and linear sedimentation rates for Musky Bay are 0.023 grams per square centimeter per year and 0.84 centimeters per year, respectively, for the period of about 1936?90. There is also limited evidence that sedimentation rates may have increased after the mid-1990s. Historical changes in input of organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur to Musky Bay could not be directly identified from concentration profiles of these elements because of the potential for postdepositional migration and recycling. Minor- and trace-element profiles from the Musky Bay core possibly reflect historical changes in the input of clastic material over time, as well as potential changes in atmospheric deposition inputs. The input of clastic material to the bay increased slightly after European settlement and possibly in the 1930s through 1950s. Concentrations of copper in the Musky Bay core increased steadily through the early to mid-1900s until about 1980 and appear to reflect inputs from atmospheric deposition. Aluminum- normalized concentrations of calcium, copper, nickel, and zinc increased in the Musky Bay core in the mid-1990s. However, concentrations of these elements in surficial sediment from Musky Bay were similar to concentrations in other Lac Courte Oreilles bays, nearby lakes, and soils and were below probable effects concentrations for aquatic life. Biogenic-silica, diatom-community, and pollen profiles indicate that Musky Bay has become more eutrophic since about 1940 with the onset of cottage development and cranberry farming. The water quality of the bay has especially degraded during the last 25 years with increased growth of aquatic plants and the onset of a floating algal mat during the last decade. Biogenic silica data indicate that diatom production has consistently increased since the 1930s. Diatom assemblage profiles indicate a shift from low-nutrient species to higher-nutrient species during the 1940s and that aquatic plants reached their present density and/or composition during the 1970s. The diatom Fragilaria capucina (indicative of algal mat) greatly increased during the mid-1990s. Pollen data indicate that milfoil, which often becomes more common with elevated nutrients, became more widespread after 1920. The pollen data also indicate that wild rice was present in the eastern end of Musky Bay during the late 1800s and the early 1900s but disappeared after about 1920, probably because of water-level changes more so than eutrophication.

Wisconsin↗
USGS1989

Trace elements in bed sediments of the San Joaquin River and its tributary streams, California, 1985

Bed sediments were sampled at 24 sites on the San Joaquin River, California and its tributaries in October 1985 to assess the distribution of trace elements and factors affecting their concentrations. The proportion of less than 62-micrometer sediment was significantly (alpha=0.05) correlated with organic-carbon concentrations. Bed sediments from tributaries originating in the Sierra Nevada were much coarser than sediments in streams draining the Coast Range and western valley. Selenium concentrations in water have been measured. Interrelations among trace elements were examined using principal component analysis. 57% of the variance was accounted for in the first two principal components, which together show a distinct separation between sites dominated by Coast Range sediments and sites dominated by Sierra Nevada sediments. The third and fourth components accounted for 21% of the variance and distinguished the mixed-source sediments of the intermittent upper San Joaquin River from other parts of the river system. Generally, elements in bed sediments of the San Joaquin River and its tributaries were similar in concentration to elements in San Joaquin Valley soils, and concentrations were far below hazardous waste criteria. Concentrations were lower than in sediments from some polluted urban rivers and water more comparable to other rural agricultural rivers. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1995

Water-quality assessment of the upper Illinois River Basin in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin: Major and trace elements in water, sediment, and biota, 1978-90

The distribution of 22 major and trace elements was examined in water, sediment, and biota in the upper Illinois River Basin in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin as part of a pilot National Water-Quality Assessment project done by the U.S. Geological Survey from 1987 through 1990. The 22 elements are aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, boron, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, phosphorus, selenium, silver, strontium, vanadium, and zinc. Concentrations of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) priority pollutants among the 22 elements were elevated in the Chicago area in all three aquatic components (water, sediment, and biota). Further, some of the priority pollutants also were found at elevated concentrations in biota in agricultural areas in the basin. Cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, silver, and zinc concentrations in water exceeded USEPA acute or chronic water-quality criteria at several sites in the Chicago area. Correlations among concentrations of elements in water, sediment, and biota were found, but the correlation analysis was hindered by the large proportion of observations less than the minimum reporting level in water. Those sites where water-quality criteria were sometimes exceeded were not always the same sites where concentrations in biota were the largest. This relation indicates that accumulation of these pollutants in biota is confounded by complex geochemical and biological processes that differ throughout the upper Illinois River Basin.

Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin↗
USGS1996

Occurrence of selected trace elements and organic compounds and their relation to land use in the Willamette River basin, Oregon, 1992-94

Between 1992 and 1994, the U.S.Geological Survey conducted a study of trace elements and organic compounds in the Willamette River Basin, Oregon, as part of the Willamette River Basin Water Quality Study. Low-level analyses were performed for trace elements, volatile organic compounds, organochlorine compounds, and pesticides. Overall, 94 water samples were collected from 40 sites, during predominantly high-flow conditions, representing urban, agricultural, mixed, and forested land uses. Although most observed concentrations were relatively low, some exceedances of water-quality criteria for acute and chronic toxicity and for the protection of human health were observed. Concentrations of chromium, copper, lead, and zinc in unfiltered water were well correlated with concentrations of suspended sediment. The highest trace-element concentrations generally were found at urban sites that receive a large portion of their runoff from industrial areas, particularly at high suspended- sediment concentrations. In contrast, concentrations of trace elements in some urban streams draining primarily residential areas appeared to approach a maximum as sediment concentrations increased. Whether this difference was due to a difference in the nature of the suspended sediments or to different concentrations in the aqueous phases from the two site types was not addressed. Eight organochlorine compounds were detected at 14 sites. Lindane, dieldrin, and DDT or its metabolites were each detected in about 30 percent of the samples, predominantly in samples collected from agricultural and urban areas. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds were detected in samples from two urban sites. For samples in which DDT and its metabolites were examined for partitioning, the largest proportion of the mass of DDT and its metabolites was associated with suspended sediment. In contrast, dieldrin and lindane were almost completely (greater than 99 percent) associated with the dissolved phase. Sixty-one of the 94 pesticides analyzed in filtered water were documented to have been used in the basin in 1987; 43 of these were detected at least once during 1992–94. An additional five were detected that were not documented in the 1987 estimates. Although a comparison between the frequency of detected pesticides and 1987 estimates of pesticide usage in the basin showed generally little correlation, some patterns of detections did appear to reflect land use in the basin. Of the 25 most frequently detected pesticides, 3 were found primarily at urban sites, 6 were found primarily at agricultural sites, and 7 were found at all types of sites except forested. The four most commonly detected pesticides in the basin, observed at all except forested site 2 types, were atrazine, metolachlor, simazine, and diuron. A greater variety of compounds was detected at sites in the northern portion of the basin than in the southern portion of the basin probably because the northern portion has more diverse agricultural practices and a larger urban component. Possible reasons for the lack of agreement between pesticide detections and pesticide usage estimates include (1) uncertainty in the usage estimates due to spatial and temporal variability or due to changes in agricultural practices since the 1987 estimates were compiled, (2) chemical or biological transformations in the compounds after application, (3) variable hydrologic conditions among sites at the time of sampling, or (4) the ability of laboratory analytical procedures to detect low concentrations of some analytes. Results from repeated samplings at two sites during sequential storms in the fall of 1994 indicated that concentrations and loads of several constituents, including suspended sediment, suspended organic carbon, DDT, metolachlor, and atrazine were highest during peak flows of the first or second significant storms of the fall. Samplings during subsequent storms indicated that instantaneous concentrations and loads were generally reduced; however, data were not sufficient to compare overall transport during sequential storms.

Oregon↗
USGS1998

Major-ion, nutrient, and trace-element concentrations in the Steamboat Creek basin, Oregon, 1996

In September 1996, a water-quality study was done by the U.S. Geological Survey, in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service, in headwater streams of Steamboat Creek, a tributary to the North Umpqua River Basin in southwestern Oregon. Field measurements were made in and surface-water and bottom-sediment samples were collected from three tributaries of Steamboat Creek--Singe Creek, City Creek, and Horse Heaven Creek--and at one site in Steamboat Creek upstream from where the three tributaries flow into Steamboat Creek. Water samples collected in Singe Creek had larger concentrations of most major-ion constituents and smaller concentrations of most nutrient constituents than was observed in the other three creeks. City Creek, Horse Heaven Creek, and Steamboat Creek had primarily calcium bicarbonate water, whereas Singe Creek had primarily a calcium sulfate water; the calcium sulfate water detected in Singe Creek, along with the smallest observed alkalinity and pH values, suggests that Singe Creek may be receiving naturally occurring acidic water. Of the 18 trace elements analyzed in filtered water samples, only 6 were detected--aluminum, barium, cobalt, iron, manganese, and zinc. All six of the trace elements were detected in Singe Creek, at concentrations generally larger than those observed in the other three creeks. Of the detected trace elements, only iron and zinc have chronic toxicity criteria established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for the protection of aquatic life; none exceeded the USEPA criterion. Bottom-sediment concentrations of antimony, arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, zinc, and organic carbon were largest in City Creek. In City Creek and Horse Heaven Creek, concentrations for 11 constituents--antimony, arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, manganese (Horse Heaven Creek only), mercury, selenium, silver, zinc, and organic carbon (City Creek only)--exceeded concentrations considered to be enriched in streams of the nearby Willamette River Basin, whereas in Steamboat Creek only two trace elements--antimony and nickel--exceeded Willamette River enriched concentrations. Bottom-sediment concentrations for six of these constituents in City Creek and Horse Heaven Creek--arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, and zinc--also exceeded interim Canadian threshold effect level (TEL) concentrations established for the protection of aquatic life, whereas only four constituents between Singe Creek and Steamboat Creek--arsenic, chromium, copper (Singe Creek only), and nickel--exceeded the TEL concentrations.

Oregon↗
USGS2013

Whole-body concentrations of elements in three fish species from offshore oil platforms and natural areas in the Southern California Bight, USA

There is concern that offshore oil platforms off Southern California may be contributing to environmental contaminants accumulated by marine fishes. To examine this possibility, 18 kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus Girard, 1854), 80 kelp rockfish (Sebastes atrovirens Jordan and Gilbert, 1880), and 98 Pacific sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus Girard, 1854) were collected from five offshore oil platforms and 10 natural areas during 2005–2006 for whole-body analysis of 63 elements. Forty-two elements were excluded from statistical comparisons as they (1) consisted of major cations that were unlikely to accumulate to potentially toxic concentrations; (2) were not detected by the analytical procedures; or (3) were detected at concentrations too low to yield reliable quantitative measurements. The remaining 21 elements consisted of aluminum, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, iron, lead, lithium, manganese, mercury, nickel, rubidium, selenium, strontium, tin, titanium, vanadium, and zinc. Statistical comparisons of these elements indicated that none consistently exhibited higher concentrations at oil platforms than at natural areas. However, the concentrations of copper, selenium, titanium, and vanadium in Pacific sanddab were unusual because small individuals exhibited either no differences between oil platforms and natural areas or significantly lower concentrations at oil platforms than at natural areas, whereas large individuals exhibited significantly higher concentrations at oil platforms than at natural areas.

California↗
USGS2019

Geochemistry and geophysics of iron oxide-apatite deposits and associated waste piles with implications for potential rare earth element resources from ore and historic mine waste in the eastern Adirondack Highlands, New York, USA

The iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits of the eastern Adirondack Highlands, New York, are historical high-grade magnetite mines that contain variable concentrations of rare earth element (REE)-bearing apatite crystals. The majority of the deposits are hosted within sodically altered Lyon Mountain granite gneiss, although some deposits occur within paragneiss, gabbro, anorthosite, or potassically altered Lyon Mountain granite gneiss. The IOA deposits and the waste and/or tailings piles associated with them have potential as an unconventional resource for REEs. Reprocessing of these piles would have the advantage of partial recycling of the waste material to produce a set of critical elements. Thirty-four ore, nine rock, 25 waste-pile, and four tailings-pile samples were collected and analyzed for major, minor, and trace elements. At the tailings- and waste-pile sites, composite samples were collected by combining 30 to >50 subsamples randomly distributed over each pile. The total REE content of the waste and tailings piles varied from approximately 10 to 22,000 ppm, whereas the ore sample concentrations ranged from approximately 15 to 48,000 ppm total REEs. A positive correlation exists between the total REE content of ore and its associated waste pile. Median light REE/heavy REE values were 2.14 for waste/tailings piles and 2.25 for ore, which is a substantial relative enrichment in the heavy REEs in comparison to many developed REE mines, such as the mined carbonatites of Bayan Obo, China, and Mountain Pass, California. Importantly, the ore and waste samples are significantly enriched in both Y and Nd compared to other REEs in the samples. Other minor components such as Th are also elevated. Airborne radiometric surveys show large positive eTh and eU anomalies corresponding to tailings piles. Although it is a limited data set, geochemical data of unaltered and altered host rocks suggest a speculative new model for IOA ore formation in the Adirondack Highlands that is consistent with the geology and previously published data. The ferroan ore-hosting Lyon Mountain granite gneiss underwent localized potassic alteration that enriched the altered rock in Fe, REEs, Th, and other metals. A later sodic alteration event affected the previously potassically altered Lyon Mountain granite gneiss, which increased rock porosity and remobilized Fe, REEs, and other elements from the host rock into the iron ore seams. The sodic fluids responsible for ore formation were enriched in F and Cl.

New York↗
USGS2016

Elements in whole blood of Northwestern Crows ( Corvus caurinus ) in Alaska: No evidence for an association with beak deformities

A recent outbreak of beak deformities among resident birds in Alaska has raised concern about environmental contamination as a possible underlying factor. We measured whole blood concentrations of 30 essential and nonessential elements to determine whether any were associated with beak deformities in Northwestern Crows ( Corvus caurinus ). We tested for differences between 1) adults with versus those without beak deformities and 2) unaffected adults versus juveniles. Crows with beak deformities had slightly higher levels of barium, molybdenum, and vanadium (all P <0.05), but concentrations were generally low and within the range of values reported from other apparently healthy wild birds. Concentrations of several elements, including selenium, were higher in birds without versus birds with beak deformities (all P <0.05), a difference that may be explained in part by compromised foraging ability associated with the deformities. Adult crows had higher concentrations of cadmium, silicon, and zinc than juveniles (all P <0.05), although differences were relatively small and values were similar to those from other wild birds. Our results suggest that neither selenium nor other tested elements are likely to be causing beak deformities in Alaskan crows. We also provide the first data on elemental concentrations in Northwestern Crows. Levels of selenium far exceeded those typically found in passerine birds and were similar to those in marine-associated waterfowl, suggesting that background levels should be interpreted relative to a species's environment.

Alaska↗
USGS2000

Stanford-USGS shrimp-RG ion microprobe: A new approach to determining the distribution of trace elements in coal

The distribution of Cr and other trace metals of environmental interest in a range of widely used U.S. coals was investigated using the Stanford-USGS SHRIMP-RG ion microprobe . Using the oxygen ion source, concentrations of Cr (11 to 176 ppm), V (23 to 248 ppm), Mn (2 to 149 ppm), Ni (2 to 30 ppm), and 13 other elements were determined in illite/smectite, a group of clay minerals commonly present in coal. The results confirm previous indirect or semi-quantitative determinations indicating illite/smectite to be an important host of these metals. Calibration was achieved using doped aluminosilicate-glass synthetic standards and glasses prepared from USGS rock standards. Grains for analysis were identified optically, and confirmed by 1) precursory electron microprobe analysis and wavelength-dispersive compositional mapping, and 2) SHRIMP-RG major element data obtained concurrently with trace element results. Follow-up investigations will focus on the distribution of As and other elements that are more effectively ionized with the cesium primary beam currently being tested.

ACS Division of Fuel Chemistry, Preprints↗
USGS1976

Behavior of trace elements during magmatic processes - A summary of theoretical models and their applications

Progress in understanding the behavior of trace elements during the processes that produce igneous rocks has been made possible by the parallel development of theoretical models to describe that behavior and analytical techniques that permit precise measurement of trace-element concentrations in igneous rocks and minerals. The result of this progress is that trace-element studies may now be used to place strong limits on both the degree of partial melting or fractional crystallization involved in the production of a given magma and the identity and quantity of the residual phases. A summary of quantitative trace-element theory and partition coefficient data for igneous rocks is presented.

Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey↗
USGS1996

Trace elements and organic contaminants in stream sediments from the Red River of the North Basin

To assess the presence and distribution of a variety of hydro-phobic chemicals in streams in the Red River of the North Basin, bottom sediments were analyzed for trace elements, organochlorines, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Glaciolacustrine clays and carbonate minerals are common in fine sediments of the region, and can help explain the distribution of many elements. Aluminum (Al), an indicator of glaciolacustrine clay minerals, correlates strongly (r>0.75, p<0.05) with Cr, Co, Fe, La, Li, K, Sc, and Ti; and moderately (0.55<r<0.75) with Ce, Cu, Ga, Nd, Ni, Th, V, and Y. Excluding the tributary Pembina River Basin, Eu, Nb, Ce, La, Nd, and Ni also have strong correlations with Al. Al correlates negatively with major elements associated with carbonate minerals (Ca, Mg, and inorganic carbon). No significant correlations with Al, Ca, or Mg were observed for As, Pb, Mn, Hg, Se, or Ag, which implies that these elements have different environmental sources or behaviors than glaciolacustrine clays or carbonate minerals. Reduction-oxidation processes may influence Mn distribution. Lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) are known to be anthropogenically enriched in the environment--their distribution may indicate environmental enrichment in Red River of the North Basin streams. Organochlorines detected are limited to traces of DDT and its metabolites (mostlyp,p'-DDE). Fourteen PAHs, which are constituents of fossil fuels and of combustion byproducts, were detected in at least halfthe sediment samples; pyrene and fluoranthene were detected in about 90 percent of samples. The contaminants detected in this study were present at low levels, likely indicative of diffuse or remote sources; they occur widely in the environment.

Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota↗
USGS1955

Relationship of uranium and other trace elements to post-Cretaceous vulcanism

A regional study of the distribution of uranium, boron, tin, beryllium, niobium, lanthanum, lead, zirconium, lithium, and fluorine in 112 samples of Cenozoic volcanic rocks of predominately rhyolitic and dacitic composition has shown that the content of uranium has a significantly high positive correlation with that of niobium, beryllium, and fluorine, a lower but still significant positive correlation with lithium and tin, a significant negative correlation with boron and lanthanum, and no significant correlation with zirconium and lead. A study of the relation of content of the several elements to the geographic provenance shows significant variation with provenance for all these elements, except tin and lanthanum. On the basis of these variations and on patterns of consistency, five comagmatic provinces, one of which is divided into three sub-provinces, have been delimited, in part, on a map of the western United States. The patter of distribution of boron is significantly different from that of the other elements. The regional difference are perhaps best explained by structural control of the effectiveness of vertical transport.

Trace Elements Investigations↗
USGS1956

Bibliography and index of U.S. Geological Survey trace elements and related reports through June 1956

This bibliography supersedes TEI-500, "U. S. Geological Survey Trace Elements and related reports through 1954." Part I is a numerical list of U. S. Geological Survey Trace Elements Investigations and Memorandum reports. This part lists reports that have been transmitted to the U. S. Atomic Energy Comission and also reports in preparation (followed by an asterisk) for which tentative titles were available on June 30, 1956. If a report or part of a report has been published, the fact is indicated by the abbreviation of the medium of publication. (See also Part II.) Part II is a reference guide to Trace Elements and related reports that are available to the public. (Part II supersedes Part I of Bulletin 1019-B.) These reports are grouped according to type of publication or release. If a report or part of a report has been published in more than one form, corss-references indicate the other forms of publication. Publications in preparation or in press on June 30, 1956, are designated by an asterisk. Part III is an author index. The words "with" and "and" are used to indicate seniority of authorship. For example, a listing of Black and White indicates that Black is the senior author. A listing of Black with White indicates that White is the senior author. Part IV is an index for finding reports on specific areas or subjects. Information for the index was taken from titles, tables of contents, and abstracts of unpublished reports and from titles of published reports. The index in TEI-500 was used as a guide.

Trace Elements Investigations↗
USGS2024

Rare Earth Elements in coal fly ash and their potential recovery

Coal fly ash is a potential resource of valuable elements, such as rare earth elements (REEs), which are retained and concentrated upon combustion. Understanding REE occurrence within fly ash is vital to developing recovery methods. Some of the highest REE contents occur in fly ash derived from U.S. Appalachian Basin coals, and coals influenced by input volcanic ash are especially enriched. Leaching studies of bulk fly ash show that, as a proportion of the total REEs present, samples from eastern U.S. coals are generally less extractable than fly ash derived from lower REEs western U.S. coals. Aluminosilicate glasses formed during combustion comprise the largest mass fraction of coal fly ash. REE-enriched domains are present locally in fly ash at the nanometer scale. Annual fly ash production, combined with coal ash already in storage, makes up a large resource for potential recovery of rare earths and associated critical elements. Further extraction technology developments are needed to overcome difficulties in REE concentration and purification to produce coal-ash-derived REE materials of saleable purity.

Book chapter↗
USGS2014

Inorganic elements in green sea turtles ( Chelonia mydas ): relationships among external and internal tissues

Inorganic elements from anthropogenic sources have entered marine environments worldwide and are detectable in marine organisms, including sea turtles. Threatened and endangered classifications of sea turtles have heretofore made assessments of contaminant concentrations difficult because of regulatory restrictions on obtaining samples using nonlethal techniques. In the present study, claw and skin biopsy samples were examined as potential indicators of internal tissue burdens in green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas). Significant relationships were observed between claw and liver, and claw and muscle concentrations of mercury, nickel, arsenic, and selenium (p < 0.05). Similarly, significant relationships were observed between skin biopsy concentrations and those in liver, kidney, and muscle tissues for mercury, arsenic, selenium, and vanadium (p < 0.05). Concentrations of arsenic, barium, chromium, nickel, strontium, vanadium, and zinc in claws and skin biopsies were substantially elevated when compared with all other tissues, indicating that these highly keratinized tissues may represent sequestration or excretion pathways. Correlations between standard carapace length and cobalt, lead, and manganese concentrations were observed (p < 0.05), indicating that tissue concentrations of these elements may be related to age and size. Results suggest that claws may indeed be useful indicators of mercury and nickel concentrations in liver and muscle tissues, whereas skin biopsy inorganic element concentrations may be better suited as indicators of mercury, selenium, and vanadium concentrations in liver, kidney, and muscle tissues of green sea turtles.

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry↗
USGS2009

Effects of egg order on organic and inorganic element concentrations and egg characteristics in tree swallows, tachycineta bicolor

The laying order of tree swallow eggs was identified from the Housatonic River, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, USA, and eggs were chemically analyzed individually to document possible effects of laying order on organic contaminant and inorganic element concentrations. Effects of laying order on other parameters such as egg weight, size, and lipid and moisture content also were assessed. Some effects of egg order on total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected, but the effect was not uniform across individual females or between years. In 2004, clutches with higher total PCBs tended to have concentrations decline across egg order, whereas clutches with lower concentrations of PCBs tended to increase across egg order. In contrast, in 2005, there was a tendency for concentrations to increase across egg order. Polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations were highly variable within and among clutches in both years. The directionality of egg order associations (i.e., slopes) for trace elements was element dependent, was positive for Mn and Zn, was negative for B, and had no slope for Cr. Whole egg weight increased across egg order. Percentage lipid was variable within a clutch, with no pattern common across all females. Percentage lipid was also correlated with organic contaminant concentration. In highly contaminated environments, higher lipid content could have the unanticipated corollary of having higher concentrations of lipophilic contaminants such as PCBs. To reduce the effect of high variation within a clutch when assessing contamination exposure, it is recommended that two eggs per clutch be collected and pooled for chemical analysis. We further recommend that, as long as the two eggs are randomly collected, the additional effort needed to identify and collect specific eggs is not warranted.

Massachusetts↗