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At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources
USGS2008

Potential Chemical Effects of Changes in the Source of Water Supply for the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority

Chemical modeling was used by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (henceforth, Authority), to gain insight into the potential chemical effects that could occur in the Authority's water distribution system as a result of changing the source of water used for municipal and industrial supply from ground water to surface water, or to some mixture of the two sources. From historical data, representative samples of ground-water and surface-water chemistry were selected for modeling under a range of environmental conditions anticipated to be present in the distribution system. Mineral phases calculated to have the potential to precipitate from ground water were compared with the compositions of precipitate samples collected from the current water distribution system and with mineral phases calculated to have the potential to precipitate from surface water and ground-water/surface-water mixtures. Several minerals that were calculated to have the potential to precipitate from ground water in the current distribution system were identified in precipitate samples from pipes, reservoirs, and water heaters. These minerals were the calcium carbonates aragonite and calcite, and the iron oxides/hydroxides goethite, hematite, and lepidocrocite. Several other minerals that were indicated by modeling to have the potential to precipitate were not found in precipitate samples. For most of these minerals, either the kinetics of formation were known to be unfavorable under conditions present in the distribution system or the minerals typically are not formed through direct precipitation from aqueous solutions. The minerals with potential to precipitate as simulated for surface-water samples and ground-water/surface-water mixtures were quite similar to the minerals with potential to precipitate from ground-water samples. Based on the modeling results along with kinetic considerations, minerals that appear most likely to either dissolve or newly precipitate when surface water or ground-water/surface-water mixtures are delivered through the Authority's current distribution system are carbonates (particularly aragonite and calcite). Other types of minerals having the potential to dissolve or newly precipitate under conditions present throughout most of the distribution system include a form of silica, an aluminum hyroxide (gibbsite or diaspore), or the Fe-containing mineral Fe3(OH)8. Dissolution of most of these minerals (except perhaps the Fe-containing minerals) is not likely to substantially affect trace-element concentrations or aesthetic characteristics of delivered water, except perhaps hardness. Precipitation of these minerals would probably be of concern only if the quantities of material involved were large enough to clog pipes or fixtures. The mineral Fe3(OH)8 was not found in the current distribution system. Some Fe-containing minerals that were identified in the distribution system were associated with relatively high contents of selected elements, including As, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn. However, these Fe-containing minerals were not identified as minerals likely to dissolve when the source of water was changed from ground water to surface water or a ground-water/surface-water mixture. Based on the modeled potential for calcite precipitation and additional calculations of corrosion indices ground water, surface water, and ground-water/surface-water mixtures are not likely to differ greatly in corrosion potential. In particular, surface water and ground-water/surface-water mixtures do not appear likely to dissolve large quantities of existing calcite and expose metal surfaces in the distribution system to substantially increased corrosion. Instead, modeling calculations indicate that somewhat larger masses of material would tend to precipitate from surface water or ground-water/surface-water mixtures compared to ground water alone.

Scientific Investigations Report↗
USGS1973

Water resources data for Wyoming, water year 1972; part 2, water quality records

Water-resources data for the 1972 water year for Wyoming include records of data for the chemical and physical characteristics of surface and ground water. Data on the quality of surface water (chemical, temperature, and sediment) were collected from designated sampling sites at predetermined intervals such as once daily, weekly, monthly or less frequently. At some sites water-temperature data were recorded on charts by recorders. Data are given for 138 sampling stations of which 112 are continuous-record stations and 26 are miscellaneous sites. Chemical analyses also are given for 127 ground-water sites. Locations of surface water-quality stations are shown in figure 1 and locations of ground-water sites are shown in figure 2. These data represent that portion of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Suryey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Wyoming. The records were collected and computed by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey under the direction of Robert L. Cushman, district chief. Wyoming district personnel who contributed significantly to the collection and preparation of data included in this report were: E. R. Cox, S. A. Druse, W. G. Hodson, M. E. Lowry, D. J. O'Connell, G. W. Armentrout, Jr., M.A. Crist, B. H. Ringen, W. B. Borchert, W.R. Glass, G. C. Lines, H.B. Fabricius, P. B. McCollam, C. E. Obert, K. G. Polinoski, T. W. Custis, R. L. Muench, J. O. Ragsdale, M. D. Stevens, R .. C. Baumann, D. W. Brownell, R. V. Foresman, J.M. Johnson, J. L. Lynch, M. L. Smalley, and J. P. Kyner. The Geological Survey has published records of chemical quality, water temperatures, and sediment since 1941 in an annual series of water-supply papers entitled, "Quality of Surface Water of the United States." Beginning with the 1964 water year, water-quality records have been released by the Geological Survey in annual reports on a State-boundary basis. These reports are for limited distribution and are designed primarily for rapid release of data shortly after the end of the water year. These records will be published later in Geological Survey water-supply papers.

Wyoming↗
USGS1973

Water resources data for Montana, water year 1972; part 2, water quality records

Water resources data for the 1972 water year for Montana include records of data for the chemical and physical characteristics of surface water. Data on the quality of surface water (chemical, temperature, and sediment) were collected from designated sampling sites at predetermined intervals such as once daily, weekly, monthly or less frequently. Records for a few pertinent water-quality stations in bordering States are also included. The records were collected by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey under the direction of George M. Pike, district chief. These data represent that portion of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Montana. The Geological Survey has published records of chemical quality, suspended sediment, and water temperatures since 1941 in an annual series of water-supply papers entitled, "Quality of Surface Waters of the United States." Beginning with the 1964 water year, water-quality records also have been re-leased by the Geological Survey in annual reports on a State-boundary basis. Distribution of these reports is limited; they are designed primarily for rapid release of data shortly after the end of the water year to meet local needs. These records will be published later in Geological Survey water-supply papers.

Montana↗
USGS1974

Water resources data for Wyoming, water year 1973, part 2, water quality records

Water-resources data for the 1973 water year for Wyoming include records of data for the chemical and physical characteristics of surface and ground water. Data on the quality of surface water (chemical, temperature, and sediment) were collected from designated sampling sites at predetermined intervals such as once daily, weekly, monthly or less frequently. At some sites water-temperature data were recorded on charts by recorders. Data are given for 133 sampling stations of which 116 are continuous-record stations and 17 are miscellaneous sites. Chemical analyses are also given for 68 ground-water sites. Locations of surface water-quality stations are shown in figure 1 and locations of ground-water sites are shown in figure 2. These data represent that portion of the National Water Data System collected by the U. S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Wyoming. The records were collected and computed by the Water Resources Division of the U. S. Geological Survey under the direction of Robert L. Cushman, district chief. Wyoming district personnel who contributed significantly to the collection and preparation of data included in this report were: E. R. Cox, S. A. Druse, W. G. Hodson, M. E. Lowry, D. J. O'Connell, G. W. Armentrout, Jr., M. A. Crist, B. H. Ringen, W. B. Borchert, W. R. Glass, G. C. Lines, H. B. Fabricius, P. B. McCollam, C. E. Obert, K. G. Polinoski, T. W. Custis, R. L. Muench, J. 0. Ragsdale, M. D. Stevens, R. C. Baumann, D. W. Brownell, J. L. Lynch, S. L. Green, M. L. Smalley, and J. P. Kyner. The Geological Survey has published records of chemical quality, water temperatures, and sediment since 1941 in an annual series of water-supply papers entitled, "Quality of Surface Water of the United States." Beginning with the 1964 water year, water-quality records have been released by the Geological Survey in annual reports on a State-boundary basis. These reports are for limited distribution and are designed primarily for rapid release of data shortly after the end of the water year. These records will be published later in Geological Survey water-supply papers.

Wyoming↗
USGS2005

Chemical openness and potential for misinterpretation of the solute environment of coastal sabkhat

Sabkha deposits in the geologic record are commonly used to interpret the environmental conditions of deposition. Implicit in this use is the assumption that the solute system is chemically closed, that is, the authigenic minerals represent the composition of the fluids in their environment of origin. Thermodynamic and mass-balance calculations based on measurements of water and solute flux of contemporary Abu Dhabi coastal sabkha system, however, demonstrate that the system is open for sodium and chloride, where nearly half of the input is lost, but closed for sulfur, where nearly 100% is retained. Sulfur and chloride isotopes were consistent with this observation. If these sabkha deposits were preserved in the geologic record, they would suggest a solute environment rich in sulfate and poor in chloride; yet the reverse is true. In most coastal-sabkha environments, capillary forces bring solutes and water to the surface, where the water evaporates and halite, carnallite, sylvite, and other soluble minerals are precipitated. Retrograde minerals, such as anhydrite, calcite, dolomite, and gypsum, however, precipitate and accumulate in the capillary zone beneath the surface of the coastal sabkha. Because they possess relatively low solubility and are below the surface, these retrograde minerals are protected from dissolution and physical erosion occurring from infrequent but intense rainfall events. Thus, they are more likely to be preserved in the geological record than highly soluble minerals formed on the surface. ?? 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical Geology↗
USGS1977

The Aristarchus-Harbinger region of the moon: Surface geology and history from recent remote-sensing observations

The region including the Aristarchus Plateau and Montes Harbinger is probably the most diverse, geologically, of any area of comparble size on the Moon. This part of the northwest quadrant of the lunar near side includes unique dark mantling material; both the densest concentration and the largest of the sinuous rilles; apparent volcanic vents, sinks, and domes; mare materials of various ages and colors; one of the freshest large craters (Aristarchus) with ejecta having unique colors and albedos; and three other large craters in different states of flooding and degradation (krieger, Herodotus, and Prinz). The three best-authenticated lunar transient phenomena were also observed here. This study is based principally on photographic and remote sensing observations made from Earth and Apollo orbiting space craft. Results include (1) delineation of geologic map units and their stratigraphic relationships; (2) discussion of the complex interrelationships between materials of volcanic and impact origin, including the effects of excavation, redistribution and mixing of previously deposited materials by younger impact craters; (3) deduction of physical and chemical properties of certain of the geologic units, based on both the remote-sensing information and on extrapolation of Apollo data to this area; and (4) development of a detailed geologic history of the region, outlining the probable sequence of events that resulted in its present appearance. A primary concern of the investigation has been anomalous red dark mantle on the Plateau. Based on an integration of Earth- and lunar orbit-based data, this layer seems to consist of fine-grained, block-free material containing a relatively large fraction of orange glass. It is probably of pyroclastic origin, laid down at some time during the Imbrian period of mare flooding. ?? 1977 D. Reidel Publishing Company.

The Moon↗
USGS2019

A 20-year record of water chemistry in an alpine setting, Mount Emmons, Colorado, USA

From 1997 to the present, the U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies have been collecting water samples for chemical analyses on Mount Emmons in central Colorado, USA. The geology of Mount Emmons is dominated by Upper Cretaceous to Paleogene sediments of marine to continental origin, with felsic intrusive rocks interrupting the sedimentary block. Extensive sulphide-rich alteration accompanied the intrusive events and forms an alteration halo in the sediments. Weathering of these sulphide minerals has led to numerous springs and seeps with a naturally low pH and high concentrations of metals, especially Fe and Zn. Superimposed on the natural geochemical signature are acid, metal-rich drainages from several mines and drill holes. Thus, streams on Mt. Emmons have a mix of natural and anthropogenic metal sources. Nearly 450 samples compose the database, with numerous sample locations replicated from the late 1990s to the present. Although there does not appear to be any temporal pattern in the data, consistent spatial variations are observed that allow us to characterize the natural and anthropogenic water sources.

Colorado↗
USGS2007

Water and agricultural-chemical transport in a Midwestern, tile-drained watershed: Implications for conservation practices

The study of agricultural chemicals is one of five national priority topics being addressed by the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program in its second decade of studies, which began in 2001. Seven watersheds across the Nation were selected for the NAWQA agricultural-chemical topical study. The watersheds selected represent a range of agricultural settings - with varying crop types and agricultural practices related to tillage, irrigation, artificial drainage, and chemical use - as well as a range of landscapes with different geology, soils, topography, climate, and hydrology (Capel and others, 2004). Chemicals selected for study include nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and about 50 commonly used pesticides. This study design leads to an improved understanding of many factors that can affect the movement of water and chemicals in different agricultural settings. Information from these studies will help with decision making related to chemical use, conservation, and other farming practices that are used to reduce runoff of agricultural chemicals and sediment from fields (Capel and others, 2004). This Fact Sheet highlights the results of the NAWQA agricultural chemical study in the Leary Weber Ditch Watershed in Hancock County, Indiana. This watershed was selected to represent a tile-drained, corn and soybean, humid area typical in the Midwest.

Indiana↗
USGS1973

Water resources data for New Jersey, water year 1972; Part 2. Water quality records

Water resources data for the 1972 water year for New Jersey include records of data for the chemical and physical characteristics of surface-, and ground water. Data on the quality of surface water (chemical, temperature, and sediment) were collected from designated sampling sites at predetermined intervals such as once daily, weekly, monthly or less frequently, and at some sites data were recorded on punched paper tape at 60-minute intervals. Records are given for 111 sampling stations of which 51 are continuous record stations, 49 are partial-record stations, and 11 are miscellaneous sites. Records of chemical analyses also are given for 279 ground-water sites. Locations of surface water- quality stations are shown in Figure 1 and locations of ground-water sites are shown in Figure 2. A few pertinent stations in bordering States are also included. The records were collected by the Water Resources Division of the .U.S. Geological Survey under the direction of J. E. McCall, district chief and P. W. Anderson, district coordinator. These data represent that portion of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in New Jersey. The Geological Survey has published records of chemical quality, water temperatures, and sediment in New Jersey since 1945 in an annual series of water-supply papers entitled, "Quality of Surface Waters of the United States." Beginning with the 1964 water year, water-quality records have been released by the Geological Survey in annual reports on a State-boundary basis. These reports are for limited distribution and are designed primarily for rapid release of data shortly after the end of the water year. These records will be published later in Geological Survey water-supply papers.

New Jersey↗
USGS1972

Water resources data for Wyoming, water year 1971; part 2, water quality records

Water-resources data for the 1971 water year for Wyoming include records of data for the chemical and physical characteristics of surface and ground water. Data on the quality of surface water (chemical, temperature, and sediment) were collected from designated sampling sites at predetermined intervals such as once daily, weekly, monthly or less frequently. At some sites water-temperature data were recorded on charts by recorders. Data are given for 190 sampling stations of which 107 are continuous-record stations and 83 are miscellaneous sites. Chemical analyses also are given for 118 ground-water sites. Locations of surface water-quality stations are shown in figure 1 and locations of ground-water sites are shown in figure 2. Data on a few pertinent stations in bordering States are also included. The data were collected by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey under the direction of Robert L. Cushman, district chief. These data represent that portion of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Wyoming. The Geological Survey has published records of chemical quality, water temperatures, and sediment since 1941 in an annual series of water-supply papers entitled, "Quality of Surface Water of the United States." Beginning with the 1964 water year, water-quality records have been released by the Geological Survey in annual reports on a State-boundary basis. These reports are for limited distribution and are designed primarily for rapid release of data shortly after the end of the water year. These records will be published later in Geological Survey water-supply papers.

Wyoming↗
USGS1981

Chemical constraints of groundwater management in the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico

Two critical objectives of water management in the Yucatan are: (1) to develop regional groundwater supplies for an expanding population and tourism based on the Mayan archeological sites and excellent beaches; and (2) to control groundwater pollution in a chemically sensitive system made vulnerable by geologic conditions. The Yucatan peninsula is a coastal plain underlain by permeable limestone and has an annual rainfall of more than 1000 mm. Such a setting should provide abundant supplies of water; however, factors of climate and hydrogeology have combined to form a hydrologic system with chemical boundaries that decrease the amount of available fresh water. Management of water resources has long had a major influence on the cultural and economic development of the Yucatan. The Mayan culture of the northern Yucatan developed by extensive use of groundwater. The religion was water-oriented and the Mayan priests prayed to Chac, the water god, for assistance in water management primarily to decrease the severity of droughts. The Spaniards arrived in 1517 and augmented the supplies by digging wells, which remained the common practice for more than 300 years. Many wells now have been abandoned because of serious problems of pollution resulting from the use of a sewage disposal well adjacent to each supply well. The modern phase of water management began in 1959 when the Secretaría de Recursos Hidráulicos (S.R.H.) was charged with the responsibility for both scientific investigations and development programmes for water-supply and sewage-disposal systems for cities, villages and islands.

Yucatan peninsula↗
USGS2016

Compounds of emerging concern in the San Antonio River Basin, Texas, 2011–12

The City of San Antonio and the surrounding municipalities in Bexar County, Texas, are among the fastest growing cities in the Nation. Increases in residential and commercial development are changing runoff patterns and likely will increase chemical loads into streams. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the San Antonio River Authority, evaluated the concentrations and distributional patterns of selected “compounds of emerging concern” (CECs) by collecting and analyzing water-quality samples from 20 sites in the San Antonio River Basin, Tex., during 2011–12. On the basis of their chemical composition or similar uses, the CECs discussed in this fact sheet are wastewater compounds, pharmaceutical compounds (hereinafter referred to as “pharmaceuticals”), and steroidal hormone and sterol compounds (hereinafter referred to as “steroidal hormones and sterols”). Three synoptic sampling events were completed during 2011–12 to analyze for CECs in the San Antonio River Basin. Samples were analyzed for 54 wastewater compounds, 13 pharmaceuticals, 17 steroidal hormones, and 4 sterols. Overall, the concentrations of all CECs analyzed for during this study were low, generally close to or less than the laboratory reporting level.

Texas↗
USGS2005

South Fork Iowa River watershed selected for a national water-quality study

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is studying seven watersheds across the Nation to better understand how natural factors and agricultural management practices (AMPs) affect the transport of water and chemicals. Natural factors include climate and landscape (soil type, topography, geology), and AMPs include practices related to tillage, irrigation, and chemical application. The study approach is similar in each watershed so that we can compare and contrast the results and more accurately predict conditions in other agricultural settings. Study objectives Understand the links between the sources of water and agricultural chemicals (nutrients and pesticides) and their behavior and transport through the environment Predict the behavior and transport of water and agricultural chemicals in other agricultural areas not being studied Evaluate what the study results mean for management of water and water quality in a variety of agricultural settings We appreciate your help We are working with local growers and land owners to gain access to study sites. We also need information about the watershed and about current as well as historical agricultural management practices—past practices also affect concentrations of agricultural chemicals in ground and surface water. We will report the findings of the study in public meetings and in publications. These findings will provide information that will be useful for improving agricultural management locally and nationally, and will guide future studies in other watersheds. Why study the South Fork Iowa River watershed? The South Fork Iowa River and the other watersheds represent nationally important agricultural settings (chemical use, crops, and AMPs) and natural settings (climate, soils, topography, and geology). South Fork Iowa River, which is part of the Iowa River watershed, is representative of corn and soybean row cropping in the Midwest. Other features of the watershed that are relevant to this study: Use of agricultural chemicals: Commonly used chemicals include herbicides such as atrazine, acetochlor, metolachlor, and glyphosate; and fertilizers, both manure and chemical. Distinct natural setting: Low relief topography with common depressions that formerly formed ponds and wetlands and that are now drained by an extensive network of drainage tiles and ditches. Variety of agricultural management practices: AMPs include both tillage and no-tillage of fields used for corn and soybean production; production of large numbers of hogs in concentrated animal feeding facilities; small grassy riparian buffer zones commonly used to reduce overland runoff. Water-quality issues: Herbicides and nutrients have been frequently detected in Iowa surface and ground water, including in drinking-water wells (findings of USGS studies since the 1990s).

Iowa, Minnesota↗
USGS2014

Characterization of potential transport pathways and implications for groundwater management near an anticline in the Central Basin area, Los Angeles County, California

The Central Groundwater Basin (Central Basin) of southern Los Angeles County includes ~280 mi 2 of the Los Angeles Coastal Plain and serves as the primary source of water for more than two million residents. In the Santa Fe Springs–Whittier–Norwalk area, located in the northeastern part of the basin, several sources of volatile organic compounds have been identified. The volatile organic compunds are thought to have contributed to a large, commingled contaminant plume in groundwater that extends south-southwest downgradient from the Omega Chemical Corporation Superfund Site across folded geologic strata, known as the Santa Fe Springs Anticline. A multifaceted study—that incorporated a three-dimensional sequence-stratigraphic geologic model, two-dimensional groundwater particle-tracking simulations, and new groundwater chemistry data—was conducted to gain insight into the geologic and hydrologic controls on contaminant migration in the study area and to assess the potential for this shallow groundwater contamination to migrate into producing aquifer zones. Conceptual flow models were developed along a flow-parallel cross section based on the modeled stratigraphic architecture, observed geochemistry, and numerical model simulations that generally agree with observed water levels and contaminant distributions. These models predict that contaminants introduced into groundwater at shallow depths near the Omega Chemical Corporation Superfund Site and along the study cross section will likely migrate downgradient to depths intercepted by public supply wells. These conclusions, however, are subject to limitations and simplifications inherent in the modeling approaches used, as well as a significant scarcity of available geologic and hydrogeochemical information at depth and in the downgradient parts of the study area.

California↗
USGS1986

Rates of chemical weathering of rocks and minerals

Researchers in geomorphology, geochemistry, quaternary geology, soil science, and mineralogy will welcome this volume, the first to focus exclusively on rates of silicate chemical weathering. Consisting largely of previously unpublished data from six countries, the volume examines the latest experimental, modelling, and field results. New information is presented on topics of current research interest, including inferences about chemical mechanisms at the level of mineral surfaces, and data relating weathering rates to landscape evolution over millions of years. The volume integrates the variety of approaches used by diverse subdisciplines in the assessment of weathering rates, and provides up-to-date references.

Book↗