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USGS2013

SAFRR (Science Application for Risk Reduction) Tsunami Scenario--Executive Summary and Introduction: Chapter A in The SAFRR (Science Application for Risk Reduction) Tsunami Scenario

The Science Application for Risk Reduction (SAFRR) tsunami scenario depicts a hypothetical but plausible tsunami created by an earthquake offshore from the Alaska Peninsula and its impacts on the California coast. The tsunami scenario is a collaboration between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the California Geological Survey, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), other Federal, State, County, and local agencies, private companies, and academic and other institutions. This document presents evidence for past tsunamis, the scientific basis for the source, likely inundation areas, current velocities in key ports and harbors, physical damage and repair costs, economic consequences, environmental and ecological impacts, social vulnerability, emergency management and evacuation challenges, and policy implications for California associated with this hypothetical tsunami. We also discuss ongoing mitigation efforts by the State of California and new communication products. The intended users are those who need to make mitigation decisions before future tsunamis, and those who will need to make rapid decisions during tsunami events. The results of the tsunami scenario will help managers understand the context and consequences of their decisions and how they may improve preparedness and response. An evaluation component will assess the effectiveness of the scenario process for target stakeholders in a separate report to improve similar efforts in the future.

California↗
USGS2022

Unified methods in collecting, preserving, and archiving coral bleaching and restoration specimens to increase sample utility and interdisciplinary collaboration

Coral reefs are declining worldwide primarily because of bleaching and subsequent mortality resulting from thermal stress. Currently, extensive efforts to engage in more holistic research and restoration endeavors have considerably expanded the techniques applied to examine coral samples. Despite such advances, coral bleaching and restoration studies are often conducted within a specific disciplinary focus, where specimens are collected, preserved, and archived in ways that are not always conducive to further downstream analyses by specialists in other disciplines. This approach may prevent the full utilization of unexpended specimens, leading to siloed research, duplicative efforts, unnecessary loss of additional corals to research endeavors, and overall increased costs. A recent US National Science Foundation-sponsored workshop set out to consolidate our collective knowledge across the disciplines of Omics, Physiology, and Microscopy and Imaging regarding the methods used for coral sample collection, preservation, and archiving. Here, we highlight knowledge gaps and propose some simple steps for collecting, preserving, and archiving coral-bleaching specimens that can increase the impact of individual coral bleaching and restoration studies, as well as foster additional analyses and future discoveries through collaboration. Rapid freezing of samples in liquid nitrogen or placing at −80 °C to −20 °C is optimal for most Omics and Physiology studies with a few exceptions; however, freezing samples removes the potential for many Microscopy and Imaging-based analyses due to the alteration of tissue integrity during freezing. For Microscopy and Imaging, samples are best stored in aldehydes. The use of sterile gloves and receptacles during collection supports the downstream analysis of host-associated bacterial and viral communities which are particularly germane to disease and restoration efforts. Across all disciplines, the use of aseptic techniques during collection, preservation, and archiving maximizes the research potential of coral specimens and allows for the greatest number of possible downstream analyses.

PeerJ↗
USGS2025

Science support for recovery of Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) on conserved lands in San Diego County

This document was developed based on the results of scientific research to support management and recovery of the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher ( Empidonax traillii extimus ) and its habitat in San Diego County, California. A migratory species restricted to riparian habitat for breeding, the flycatcher is present in southern California from May to August. The flycatcher has declined over the last several decades primarily in response to habitat loss, and possibly Brown-headed Cowbird ( Molothrus ater ) parasitism. This document compiles and analyzes data collected by USGS scientists on population size, distribution, demography, and breeding habitat condition and uses this information to evaluate potential management options and locations relative to several variables including spatial proximity to currently occupied locations, historical occupation, and potential for restoration that would benefit the flycatcher and expand populations. Location-specific management options and habitat restoration opportunities are ranked based on the contribution of each location to promoting regional flycatcher persistence. The results of these analyses can be used by land and resource managers to develop their habitat management projects and priorities and promote flycatcher recovery.

California↗
USGS2009

A Chronosequence Feasibility Assessment of Emergency Fire Rehabilitation Records within the Intermountain Western United States - Final Report to the Joint Fire Science Program - Project 08-S-08

Department of the Interior (DOI) bureaus have invested heavily (for example, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) spent more than $60 million in fiscal year 2007) in seeding vegetation for emergency stabilization and burned area rehabilitation of non-forested arid lands over the past 10 years. The primary objectives of these seedings commonly are to (1) reduce the post-fire dominance of non-native annual grasses, such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and red brome (Bromus rubens); (2) minimize the probability of recurrent fire; and (3) ultimately produce desirable vegetation characteristics (for example, ability to recover following disturbance [resilience], resistance to invasive species, and a capacity to support a diverse flora and fauna). Although these projects historically have been monitored to varying extents, land managers currently lack scientific evidence to verify whether seeding arid and semiarid lands achieves desired objectives. Given the amount of resources dedicated to post-fire seeding projects, a synthesis of information determining the factors that result in successful treatments is critically needed. Although results of recently established experiments and monitoring projects eventually will provide useful insights for the future direction of emergency stabilization and burned area rehabilitation programs, a chronosequence approach evaluating emergency stabilization and burned area rehabilitation treatments (both referenced hereafter as ESR treatments) over the past 30 years could provide a comprehensive assessment of treatment success across a range of regional environmental gradients. By randomly selecting a statistically robust sample from the population of historic ESR treatments in the Intermountain West, this chronosequence approach would have inference for most ecological sites in this region. The goal of this feasibility study was to compile and examine historic ESR records from BLM field offices across the Intermountain West to determine whether sufficient documentation existed for a future field-based chronosequence project. We collected ESR records and data at nine BLM field offices in four States (Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah) and examined the utility of these data for the development of a chronosequence study of post-fire seeding treatments from multiple sites and different ages (since seeding) throughout the Intermountain West. We collected records from 730 post-fire seeding projects with 1,238 individual seeding treatments. Records from each project ranged from minimal reporting of the project's occurrence to detailed documentation of planning, implementation, and monitoring. Of these 1,238 projects, we identified 468 (38 percent) that could potentially be used to implement a field-based chronosequence study. There were 206 ground-seeding treatments and 262 aerial-seeding treatments within this initial population, not including hand plantings. We also located a considerable number of additional records from other potential field offices that would be available for the chronosequence study but have yet to be compiled for this feasibility report. There are a number of potential challenges involved in going forward with a field-based chronosequence study derived from data collected at these nine BLM offices. One challenge is that not all seed mixtures in ESR project files have on-the-ground confirmation about what was sown or rates of application. Most projects, particularly records before 2000, just list the planned or purchased seed mixtures. Although this could potentially bias assessments of factors influencing establishment rates of individual species for treatments conducted before 2000, a chronosequence study would not be intended to assess success solely at the species-level. Treatment success would be evaluated based on the establishment of healthy vegetation communities, such as the abundance and density of perennial species, regardless of their lifeforms (grasses, fo

Open-File Report↗
USGS2022

Water-use data in the United States: Challenges and future directions

In the United States, greater attention has been given to developing water supplies and quantifying available waters than determining who uses water, how much they withdraw and consume, and how and where water use occurs. As water supplies are stressed due to an increasingly variable climate, changing land-use, and growing water needs, greater consideration of the demand side of the water balance equation is essential. Data about the spatial and temporal aspects of water use for different purposes are now critical to long-term water supply planning and resource management. We detail the current state of water-use data, the major stakeholders involved in their collection and applications, and the challenges in obtaining high-quality nationally consistent data applicable to a range of scales and purposes. Opportunities to improve access, use, and sharing of water-use data are outlined. We cast a vision for a world-class national water-use data product that is accessible, timely, and spatially detailed. Our vision will leverage the strengths of existing local, state, and federal agencies to facilitate rapid and informed decision-making, modeling, and science for water resources. To inform future decision-making regarding water supplies and uses, we must coordinate efforts to substantially improve our capacity to collect, model, and disseminate water-use data.

Journal of the American Water Resources Associatio↗
USGS2007

Rapid Data Delivery System (RDDS)

Since the start of the active 2000 summer fire season, the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) Rocky Mountain Geographic Science Center (RMGSC) has been actively engaged in providing crucial and timely support to Federal, State, and local natural hazards monitoring, analysis, response, and recovery activities. As part of this support, RMGSC has developed the Rapid Data Delivery System (RDDS) to provide emergency and incident response teams with timely access to geospatial data. The RDDS meets these needs by combining a simple web-enabled data viewer for the selection and preview of vector and raster geospatial data with an easy to use data ordering form. The RDDS viewer also incorporates geospatial locations for current natural hazard incidents, including wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes, and volcanoes, allowing incident responders to quickly focus on their area of interest for data selection.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2013

The SAFRR (Science Application for Risk Reduction) Tsunami Scenario

The Science Application for Risk Reduction (SAFRR) tsunami scenario depicts a hypothetical but plausible tsunami created by an earthquake offshore from the Alaska Peninsula and its impacts on the California coast. The tsunami scenario is a collaboration between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the California Geological Survey (CGS), the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), other Federal, State, County, and local agencies, private companies, and academic and other institutions. This document presents evidence for past tsunamis, the scientific basis for the source, likely inundation areas, current velocities in key ports and harbors, physical damage and repair costs, economic consequences, environmental and ecological impacts, social vulnerability, emergency management and evacuation challenges, and policy implications for California associated with this hypothetical tsunami. We also discuss ongoing mitigation efforts by the State of California and new communication products. The intended users are those who need to make mitigation decisions before future tsunamis, and those who will need to make rapid decisions during tsunami events. The results of the tsunami scenario will help managers understand the context and consequences of their decisions and how they may improve preparedness and response. An evaluation component will assess the effectiveness of the scenario process for target stakeholders in a separate report to improve similar efforts in the future.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2010

XANES evidence for rapid arsenic(III) oxidation at magnetite and ferrihydrite surfaces by dissolved O2 via Fe2+-mediated reactions

To reduce the adverse effects of arsenic on humans, various technologies are used to remove arsenic from groundwater, most relying on As adsorption on Fe-(oxyhydr)oxides and concomitant oxidation of As(III) by dissolved O 2 . This reaction can be catalyzed by microbial activity or by strongly oxidizing radical species known to form upon oxidation of Fe(II) by dissolved O 2 . Such catalyzed oxidation reactions have been invoked to explain the enhanced kinetics of As(III) oxidation in aerated water, in the presence of zerovalent iron or dissolved Fe(II). In the present study, we used arsenic K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy to investigate the role of Fe(II) in the oxidation of As(III) at the surface of magnetite and ferrihydrite under oxygenated conditions. Our results show rapid oxidation of As(III) to As(V) upon sorption onto magnetite under oxic conditions at neutral pH. Moreover, under similar oxic conditions, As(III) oxidized upon sorption onto ferrihydrite only after addition of Fe(II) aq within the investigated time frame of 24 h. These results confirm that Fe(II) is able to catalyze As(III) oxidation in the presence of dissolved O 2 and suggest that oxidation of As(III) upon sorption on magnetite under oxic conditions can be explained by an Fe 2+ -mediated Fenton-like reactions. Thus, the present study shows that magnetite might be an efficient alternative to the current use of oxidants and Fe(II) to remove As from aerated water. In addition, this study emphasizes that special care is needed to preserve arsenic oxidation state during laboratory sorption experiments as well as in collecting As-bearing samples from natural environments.

Environmental Science and Technology↗
USGS2026

Population densities and trends of landbirds in the National Park of American Samoa

The National Park of American Samoa (NPSA), which protects some of the most intact tropical rainforest in the South Pacific, is exposed to recurring, intense tropical cyclones, including Tropical Cyclone Gita in 2018. In combination with other anthropogenic pressures, cyclones represent a potential source of disturbance to landbird populations, particularly native frugivorous and seed-dispersing species. Long-term monitoring provides a means to evaluate population trajectories following disturbance events and to identify potential management gaps. Landbird surveys were conducted in the Tutuila and Taʻū units of NPSA in 2011, 2018, and 2023 using point-transect distance sampling, with vegetation composition and structure quantified at each sampling station. Species-specific detection functions were fitted to count data to estimate densities by unit, with variance estimated using bootstrap procedures. Comparisons of 2018 and 2023 density estimates using two-sample z-tests indicated that changes in most landbird populations were inconclusive. Since 2018, increases in density were observed for the Pacific Imperial Pigeon ( Ducula pacifica ) and Crimson-crowned Fruit Dove ( Ptilinopus porphyraceus ) on Tutuila, while decreases were observed for the Pacific Kingfisher ( Todiramphus sacer ) on Tutuila, and for the Polynesian Wattled Honeyeater ( Foulehaio carunculatus ), Polynesian Starling ( Aplonis tabuensis ), and Samoan Starling ( Aplonis atrifusca ) on Taʻū. The Many-colored Fruit Dove ( Ptilinopus perousii ) remained rare in both units, and the Manuʻa Shrikebill (Clytorhynchus vitiensis powelli) was narrowly distributed on Taʻū, with insufficient detections of either species to estimate density. The cryptic Spotless Crake ( Zapornia tabuensis ) was detected only in 2018. Changes in tree canopy cover and height did not exhibit patterns clearly associated with a major disturbance event and likely reflected differences in sampling frames among surveys. Invasive non-native plants, most notably Miconia crenata , were widespread in both units. Although many landbird populations in NPSA remain abundant, inference from current monitoring is constrained by limited information on vital rates and species-specific responses to invasive species, disease, habitat change, and extreme weather. As climate change is projected to increase tropical cyclone intensity in the South Pacific, sustained monitoring and targeted management will be important for understanding and conserving landbird populations in American Samoa.

National Park of American Samoa, Ta'u, Tutuila↗
USGS1968

A preliminary report of a recently discovered aquifer at Sioux Falls, South Dakota

A hydrologic study of the Big Sioux aquifer system was begun July 1, 1966, by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Sioux Falls and the East Dakota Conservancy Sub-District. Test drilling being done in the search for a southern outlet to the Big Sioux aquifer has led to the discovery of the outlet and of a deeper aquifer than was previously know to exist in this area. This aquifer, herein called the Sioux Falls aquifer, was first recognized as a very clean gravel in test hole USGS #1 between the depths of 60 to 83 feet. Subsequent test drilling and aquifer testing has shown the Sioux Falls aquifer to be capable of producing several hundred gallons of water per minute. THe chemical quality of this water surpasses that currently being used for the city supply. Further investigation of the aquifer is planned as a part of the continuing expansion of the water-supply facilities for Sioux Falls. This publication has been authorized by the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey and Earl McCart, Commissioner, City of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

South Dakota↗
USGS2009

Integrated Science: Florida Manatees and Everglades Hydrology

Predicting and monitoring restoration effects on Florida manatees, which are known to make extended movements, will be incomplete if modeling and monitoring are limited to the smaller areas defined by the various res-toration components. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) efforts, thus far, have focused on (1) collecting manatee movement data throughout the Ten Thousand Islands (TTI) region, and (2) developing an individual-based model for manatees to illustrate manatee responses to changes in hydrology related to the Picayune Strand Restoration Project (PSRP). In 2006, new regional research was begun to extend an Everglades hydrology model into the TTI region; extend the manatee movement model into the southern estuaries of Everglades National Park (ENP); and integrate hydrology and manatee data, models, and monitoring across the TTI region and ENP. Currently (2008), three research tasks are underway to develop the necessary modeling components to assess restoration efforts across the Greater Everglades Ecosystem.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2003

Natural background concentrations of nutrients in streams and rivers of the conterminous United States

Determining natural background concentrations of nutrients in watersheds in the developed world has been hampered by a lack of pristine sampling sites covering a range of climatic conditions and basin sizes. Using data from 63 minimally impacted U.S. Geological Survey reference basins, we developed empirical models of the background yield of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) from small watersheds as functions of annual runoff, basin size, atmospheric nitrogen deposition rate, and region-specific factors. We applied previously estimated in-stream loss rates to yields from the small watershed models to obtain estimates of background TN and TP yield and concentration throughout the stream/river network in 14 ecoregions of the conterminous United States. Background TN concentration varies from less than 0.02 mg L-1 in the xeric west to more than 0.5 mg L-1 along the southeastern coastal plain. Background TP concentration varies from less than 0.006 mg L-1 in the xeric west to more than 0.08 mg L-1 in the great plains. TN concentrations in U.S. streams and rivers currently exceed natural background levels by a much larger factor (6.4) than do TP concentrations (2.0). Because of local variation in runoff and other factors, the range of background nutrient concentrations is very large within some nutrient ecoregions. It is likely that background concentrations in some streams in these regions exceed proposed nutrient criteria.

Environmental Science & Technology↗
USGS2023

Density declines, richness increases, and composition shifts in stream macroinvertebrates

Documenting trends of stream macroinvertebrate biodiversity is challenging because biomonitoring often has limited spatial, temporal, and taxonomic scopes. We analyzed biodiversity and composition of assemblages of >500 genera, spanning 27 years, and 6131 stream sites across forested, grassland, urban, and agricultural land uses throughout the United States. In this dataset, macroinvertebrate density declined by 11% and richness increased by 12.2%, and insect density and richness declined by 23.3 and 6.8%, respectively, over 27 years. In addition, differences in richness and composition between urban and agricultural versus forested and grassland streams have increased over time. Urban and agricultural streams lost the few disturbance-sensitive taxa they once had and gained disturbance-tolerant taxa. These results suggest that current efforts to protect and restore streams are not sufficient to mitigate anthropogenic effects.

Science Advances↗
USGS2024

Evaluation of the lithium resource in the Smackover Formation brines of southern Arkansas using machine learning

Global demand for lithium, the primary component of lithium-ion batteries, greatly exceeds known supplies, and this imbalance is expected to increase as the world transitions away from fossil fuel energy sources. High concentrations of lithium in brines have been observed in the Smackover Formation in southern Arkansas (>400 milligrams per liter). We used published and newly collected brine lithium concentration data to train a random forest machine-learning model using geologic, geochemical, and temperature explanatory variables and create a map of predicted lithium concentrations in Smackover Formation brines across southern Arkansas. Using these predicted lithium maps with reservoir parameters and geologic information, we calculated that there are 5.1 to 19 million tons of lithium in Smackover Formation brines in southern Arkansas, which represents 35 to 136% of the current US lithium resource estimate. Based on these calculations, in 2022, 5000 tons of dissolved lithium were brought to the surface within brines as waste streams of the oil, gas, and bromine industries.

Arkansas↗
USGS1967

A closed recirculated sea-water system

Study of a virus disease in the chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) necessitated the use of a marine environment to study the long range effects of the disease and to complete the life cycle of its etiologic agent. A closed recirculated sea-water system was designed for use under experimental laboratory conditions so that controlled studies of the disease could be made. As others may wish to do marine environment studies in the laboratory, the design and operation of our system are presented. Other systems currently in use have been described by Chin (1959), DeWitt and Salo (1960), McCrimmon and Berst (1966), and the authors of collected papers edited by Clark and Clark (1964). Preparatory to the design and construction of the system in use in this laboratory, visits were made to marine systems in use at the University of Washington's College of Fisheries, Seattle, -washington, and Friday Harbor Laboratory, San Juan Island, Washington; the Washington State Department of Fisheries' Point whitney Shellfish Laboratory, Brinnon, Washington; Humboldt State College, Arcata, California; and the Steinhart Aquarium of the California Academy of Science, San Francisco, California.

Progressive Fish-Culturist↗
USGS2015

Getting ocean acidification on decision makers' to-do lists: dissecting the process through case studies

Much of the detailed, incremental knowledge being generated by current scientific research on ocean acidification (OA) does not directly address the needs of decision makers, who are asking broad questions such as: Where will OA harm marine resources next? When will this happen? Who will be affected? And how much will it cost? In this review, we use a series of mainly US-based case studies to explore the needs of local to international-scale groups that are making decisions to address OA concerns. Decisions concerning OA have been made most naturally and easily when information needs were clearly defined and closely aligned with science outputs and initiatives. For decisions requiring more complex information, the process slows dramatically. Decision making about OA is greatly aided (1) when a mixture of specialists participates, including scientists, resource users and managers, and policy and law makers; (2) when goals can be clearly agreed upon at the beginning of the process; (3) when mixed groups of specialists plan and create translational documents explaining the likely outcomes of policy decisions on ecosystems and natural resources; (4) when regional work on OA fits into an existing set of priorities concerning climate or water quality; and (5) when decision making can be reviewed and enhanced.

Oceanography↗
USGS2015

Enhanced biological processes associated with alopecia in polar bears ( Ursus maritimus )

Populations of wildlife species worldwide experience incidents of mass morbidity and mortality. Primary or secondary drivers of these events may escape classical detection methods for identifying microbial insults, toxin exposure, or additional stressors. In 2012, 28% of polar bears sampled in a study in the southern Beaufort Sea region of Alaska had varying degrees of alopecia that was concomitant with reduced body condition. Concurrently, elevated numbers of sick or dead ringed seals were detected in the southern Beaufort, Chukchi, and Bering seas in 2012, resulting in the declaration of an unusual mortality event (UME) by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The primary and possible ancillary causative stressors of these events are unknown, and related physiological changes within individual animals have been undetectable using classical diagnostic methods. Here we present an emerging technology as a potentially guiding investigative approach aimed at elucidating the circumstances responsible for the susceptibility of certain polar bears to observed conditions. Using transcriptomic analysis we identified enhanced biological processes including immune response, viral defense, and response to stress in polar bears with alopecia. Our results support an alternative mechanism of investigation into the causative agents that, when used proactively, could serve as an early indicator for populations and species at risk. We suggest that current or classical methods for investigation into events of unusual morbidity and mortality can be costly, sometimes unfocused, and often inconclusive. Advances in technology allow for implementation of a holistic system of surveillance and investigation that could provide early warning of health concerns in wildlife species important to humans.

Science of the Total Environment↗
USGS2002

Integrated biostratigraphic and radiometric study on the Lower Cenomanian (Cretaceous) of Hokkaido, Japan

New 40 Ar- 39 Ar total fusion ages have been obtained on sanidine from tuffs in the zone of Mantelliceras saxbii (equivalent to the same subzone of the European ammonite zonation) and the zone of Graysonites wooldridgei (equivalent to the European subzone of Neostlingoceras carcitanense ). Ages of 98.98±0.38 Ma and 99.16±0.37 Ma, for these zones, respectively, place new constraints on the age of the AlbianlCenomanian boundary. If the base of the Cenomanian is to be defined, as currently proposed, as the FAD of the planktonic foraminifera Rotalipora globotruncanoides then the Albian/Cenomanian boundary will be at least as old as 99.2±0.4 Ma. Some 50±10m of undated sediments lie below the lowest find of R . globotruncanoides and above bono fide uppermost Albian strata.

Hokkaido↗