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At least 1,135 records · Page 63Linked to original sources
USGS2012

Reducing fungal infections and testing tag loss in juvenile Pacific lampreys implanted with passive integrated transponders.

Pacific lamprey Entosphenus tridentatus are facing severe population declines, yet little is known about juvenile lamprey passage, life history, or adult return rates because until now, these small fish could not be tagged for unique identification of live individuals. Previously, we developed a simple and effective method for tagging juvenile lampreys with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags and showed that tagging per se did not affect survival. Mortality in tagged and untagged control fish, however, was frequently associated with fungal infection. In this study, we addressed two outstanding issues related to handling and tagging juvenile lampreys. First, we tried to mitigate freshwater fungal infections by reducing irritation and stress from anesthesia and by treating tagged fish briefly with a prophylactic immediately after tagging. We tested four anesthetics at three concentrations each and determined that 100 mg/L MS-222 and 60 mg/L BENZOAK ® (benzocaine) were the most effective for anesthetizing juvenile lampreys to handleable while minimizing irritation. We also showed that fish anesthetized with BENZOAK ® may have lower rates of fungal infection than those anesthetized with MS-222 or AQUI-S ® 20E (eugenol). When fish anesthetized with MS-222 or BENZOAK ® were given a 30 min prophylactic treatment with Stress Coat ® , hydrogen peroxide, or salt immediately after tagging, few fish presented with fungal infections. However, untreated, tagged control fish also showed few fungal infections, making it difficult to determine if the prophylactic treatments were successful. The second question we addressed was whether activity would increase tag loss in PIT-tagged lampreys. We found that active swimming did not cause tag loss if fish were first held for 20–24 h after tagging. Therefore, we recommend anesthesia with MS-222 or BENZOAK ® and then tagging with a 20–24 h recovery period followed by immediate release. If field studies show that lampreys are not reaching salt water (where fungal infections are mitigated) within 1–2 weeks after release, further study of prophylactic treatments may be warranted.

Report↗
USGS2012

Testing for genetic differences in survival and growth between hatchery and wild Chinook salmon from Warm Springs River, Oregon (Study sites: Warm Springs Hatchery and Little White Salmon River; Stocks: Warm Springs hatchery and Warm Springs River wild; Year classes: 1992 and 1996)

The program at Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery in north - central Oregon was initiated with spring Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha from the Warm Springs River. Managers included wild fish in the broodstock most years and avoided artificial selection to minimize genetic divergence from the wild founder population. We tested for genetic differences in survival and growth between the hatchery and wild populations to ascertain whether this goal has been achieved. Progeny of hatchery x hatchery (HH), hatchery female x wild male (HW), and wild x wild (WW) crosses were genetically marked at the sSOD - 1* allozyme locus and released together as unfed fry in hatchery ponds in 1992 and 1996 and in the Little White Salmon River, in south - central Washington, in 1996. Fish were evaluated to returning adult at the hatchery and over their freshwater residence of 16 months in the stream. The three crosses differed on several measures including survival to outmigration in the stream (WW>HH>HW) and juvenile growth in the hatchery (1992 year - class; WW>HW>HH); however, results may have been confounded. The genetic marks were found to differentially effect survival in a companion study (HH mark favored over WW mark; HW mark intermediate). Furthermore, HW survival in the current study was neither intermediate, as would be expect ed from additive genetic effects, nor similar to that of HH fish as would be expected from maternal effects since HW and HH fish were maternal half - siblings. Finally, the unexpected performance of HW fish precludes ruling out maternal differences between hatchery and wild mothers as the cause of differences between HH and WW fish. The key finding that survival of HH fish in a stream was 0.91 that for WW fish, indicating a small loss of fitness for natural rearing in the hatchery population, is valid only if three conditions hold: (1) any selection on the genetic marks was in the same direction as in the companion study, (2) lower survival in the stream for HW than for HH fish resulted because some HW families were genetically atypical, not from problems w ith either pure type, and (3) lower survival for HH than for WW fish was not due to maternal effects. Although all three conditions had support, none of it was conclusive. This study provides only suggestions, not definitive answers for the primary quest ion of whether the hatchery population has diverged genetically from its wild founder population in fitness - related traits.

Oregon↗
USGS2010

Functional linear models to test for differences in prairie wetland hydraulic gradients

Functional data analysis provides a framework for analyzing multiple time series measured frequently in time, treating each series as a continuous function of time. Functional linear models are used to test for effects on hydraulic gradient functional responses collected from three types of land use in Northeastern Montana at fourteen locations. Penalized regression-splines are used to estimate the underlying continuous functions based on the discretely recorded (over time) gradient measurements. Permutation methods are used to assess the statistical significance of effects. A method for accommodating missing observations in each time series is described. Hydraulic gradients may be an initial and fundamental ecosystem process that responds to climate change. We suggest other potential uses of these methods for detecting evidence of climate change.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1973

A progress report on results of test drilling and ground-water investigations of the Snake Plain aquifer, southeastern Idaho: Part 1: Mud Lake Region, 1969-70 and Part 2: Observation Wells South of Arco and West of Aberdeen

The results of drilling test holes to depths of approximately 1,000 feet in the Mud Lake region show that a large part of the region is underlain by both sedimentary deposits and basalt flows. At some locations, predominantly sedimentary deposits were penetrated; at others, basalt flows predominated. The so-called Mud Lake-Market Lake barrier denotes a change in geology. From the vicinity of the barrier area, as described by Stearns, Crandall, and Steward (1938, p. 111), up the water-table gradient for at least a few tens of miles, the saturated geologic section consists predominantly of beds of sediments that are intercalated with numerous basalt flows. Downgradient from the barrier, sedimentary deposits are not common and practically all the water-bearing formations are basalt, at least to the depths explored so far. Thus, the barrier is a transition zone from a sedimentary-basaltic sequence to a basaltic sequence. The sedimentary-basaltic sequence forms a complex hydrologic system in which water occurs under water-table conditions in the upper few tens of feet of saturated material and under artesian conditions in the deeper material in the southwest part of the region. The well data indicate that southwest of the barrier, artesian pressures are not significant. Southwest of the barrier, few sedimentary deposits occur in the basalt section and, as described by Mundorff, Crosthwaite, and Kilburn (1964). ground water occurs in a manner typical of the Snake Plain aquifer. In several wells, artesian pressures are higher in the deeper formations than in the shallower ones, but the reverse was found in a few wells. The available data are not adequate to describe the water-bearing characteristics of the artesian aquifer nor the effects that pumping in one zone would have on adjacent zones. The water-table aquifer yields large quantities of water to irrigation wells.

Idaho↗
USGS1980

Integration of geological, geochemical, and geophysical spatial data of the Cement oil field, Oklahoma, test site

Measurement pertaining to geology, geochemistry, and geophysics of the Cement oil field, Oklahoma, test site were collected employing both airborne sensors and ground-based data collection. The measurements include: (1) airborne gamma-ray spectrometry (supplying bismuth 214, thalium 208, and potassium 40 gamma-ray intensities); (2) aeromagnetic survey data; (3) multi-frequency airborne resistivity survey data (supplying apparent electrical resistivity of near surface materials); (4) gravity data; (5) geological and topographic maps; and (6) image data from Landsat MSS and U-2 photography.

Oklahoma↗
USGS1981

From ecological test site to geographic information system: lessons for the 1980's

Geographic information systems were common elements in two kinds of interdisciplinary regional demonstration projects in the 1970's. Ecological test sits attempted to provide for more efficient remote-sensing data delivery for regional environmental management. Regional environmental systems analysis attempted to formally describe and model the interacting regional social and environmental processes, including the resource-use decision making process. Lessons for the 1980's are drawn from recent evaluations and assessments of these programs, focusing on cost, rates of system development and technology transfer, program coordination, integrative analysis capability, and the involvement of system users and decision makers.

Pecora VII Symposium↗
USGS1978

Field testing and adaptation of a methodology to measure "in-stream" values in the Tongue River, northern Great Plains (NGP) region

A comprehensive, multi-component in-stream flow methodology was developed and field tested in the Tongue River in southeastern Montana. The methodology incorporates a sensitivity for the flow requirements of a wide variety of in-stream uses, and the flexibility to adjust flows to accommodate seasonal and sub-seasonal changes in the flow requirements for different areas. In addition, the methodology provides the means to accurately determine the magnitude of the water requirement for each in-stream use. The methodology can be a powerful water management tool in that it provides the flexibility and accuracy necessary in water use negotiations and evaluation of trade-offs. In contrast to most traditional methodologies, in-stream flow requirements were determined by additive independent methodologies developed for: 1) fisheries, including spawning, rearing, and food production; 2) sediment transport; 3) the mitigation of adverse impacts of ice; and 4) evapotranspiration losses. Since each flow requirement varied in important throughout the year, the consideration of a single in-stream use as a basis for a flow recommendation is inadequate. The study shows that the base flow requirement for spawning shovelnose sturgeon was 13.0 m 3 /sec. During the same period of the year, the flow required to initiate the scour of sediment from pools is 18.0 m 3 /sec, with increased scour efficiency occurring at flows between 20.0 and 25.0 m 3 /sec. An over-winter flow of 2.83 m 3 /sec. would result in the loss of approximately 80% of the riffle areas to encroachment by surface ice. At the base flow for insect production, approximately 60% of the riffle area is lost to ice. Serious damage to the channel could be incurred from ice jams during the spring break-up period. A flow of 12.0 m 3 /sec. is recommended to alleviate this problem. Extensive ice jams would be expected at the base rearing and food production levels. The base rearing flow may be profoundly influenced by the loss of streamflow to transpiration. Transpiration losses to riparian vegetation ranged from 0.78 m 3 /sec. in April, to 1.54 m 3 /sec. in July, under drought conditions. Requirement for irrigation were estimated to range from 5.56 m 3 /sec. in May to 7.97 m 3 /sec. in July, under drought conditions. It was concluded that flow requirements to satisfy monthly water losses to transpiration must be added to the base fishery flows to provide adequate protection to the resources in the lower reaches of the river. Integration of the in-stream requirements for various use components shows that a base flow of at least 23.6 m 3 /sec. must be reserved during the month of June to initiate scour of sediment from pools, provide spawning habitat to shovelnose sturgeon, and to accommodate water losses from the system. In comparison, a base flow of 3.85 m 3 /sec. would be required during early February to provide fish rearing habitat and insect productivity, and to prevent excessive loss of food production areas to surface ice formation. During mid to late February, a flow of 12 m 3 /sec. would be needed to facilitate ice break-up and prevent ice jams from forming. Following break-up, the base flow would again be 3.85 m 3 /sec. until the start of spawning season.

Northern Great Plains↗
USGS2016

Field scale test of multi-dimensional flow and morphodynamic simulations used for restoration design analysis

Two- and three-dimensional morphodynamic simulations are becoming common in studies of channel form and process. The performance of these simulations are often validated against measurements from laboratory studies. Collecting channel change information in natural settings for model validation is difficult because it can be expensive and under most channel forming flows the resulting channel change is generally small. Several channel restoration projects designed in part to armor large meanders with several large spurs constructed of wooden piles on the Kootenai River, ID, have resulted in rapid bed elevation change following construction. Monitoring of these restoration projects includes post- restoration (as-built) Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) as well as additional channel surveys following high channel forming flows post-construction. The resulting sequence of measured bathymetry provides excellent validation data for morphodynamic simulations at the reach scale of a real river. In this paper we test the performance a quasi-three-dimensional morphodynamic simulation against the measured elevation change. The resulting simulations predict the pattern of channel change reasonably well but many of the details such as the maximum scour are under predicted.

Conference Paper↗
USGS2008

When desert tortoises are rare: Testing a new protocol for assessing status

We developed and tested a new protocol for sampling populations of the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii, a state- and federally listed species, in areas where population densities are very low, historical data are sparse, and anthropogenic uses may threaten the well-being of tortoise populations and habitat. We conducted a 3-year (2002–2004) survey in Jawbone-Butterbredt Area of Critical Environmental Concern and Red Rock Canyon State Park in the western Mojave Desert of California where the status was previously unknown. We stratified the study area and used 751, 1-ha plots to evaluate 187.7 km2 of habitat, a 4% sample. Tortoise sign was found on 31 of the 751 plots (4.1%) in two limited areas: ~14 km2 on the Kiavah Apron and ~40 km2 in the Red Rock Canyon watershed.

California Fish and Game↗
USGS2002

Initial results from a test of the NASA EAARL lidar in the Tampa Bay region

An initial test of the performance of the NASA Experimental Advanced Airborne Research Lidar ( EAARL ) over coastal environments around the margins of an urbanized Gulf of Mexico estuary was performed over Tampa Bay in January 2002 . The EAARL is a raster-scanning, water-penetrating, full-waveform adaptive lidar that is coupled to aircraft positioning systems and a downlooking color digital camera. The EAARL has unique capabilities for simultaneously mapping topography, shallow bathymetry, and vegetation. Initial analysis within 2 Tampa Bay subregions traversed by the survey flightlines has revealed that the EAARL can survey shallow bathymetry and variables associated with benthic cover in remarkable detail. The results of this ongoing study will aid in developing recommendations on the appropriate use of NASA EAARL surveys for mapping bathymetry and benthic habitats in estuaries around the Gulf of Mexico.

Florida↗
USGS2004

Plume-scale testing of a simplified method for detecting tritium contamination in plants and soil

Cost-effective methods are needed to detect contamination near radioactive-waste and other contaminated sites. Such methods should be capable of providing an early warning of contaminant releases and should be accurate and robust enough for assessing the long-term performance of waste-isolation facilities and remediation measures. Recently, a simplified method for detecting tritium contamination in plants and soil was developed (1). The method includes solar distillation of plant water from foliage, followed by filtration and adsorption of scintillation-interfering constituents on a graphite-based solid-phase-extraction column prior to direct-scintillation counting. The objectives of the in-progress study described here are to (i) test the simplified contamination-detection method for collection and analysis of plume-scale tritium data and (ii) gain insight into tritium migration pathways and processes.

Nevada↗
USGS1999

Tritium and 14C concentrations in unsaturated-zone gases at test hole UZB-2, Amargosa Desert Research Site, 1994-98: A section in U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology Program: Proceedings of the technical meeting, Charleston, South Carolina, March 8-12, 1999: Volume 3 (Part C) (WRI 99-4018C)>

Tritium concentrations have been determined yearly since April 1994 from water-vapor samples collected at test hole UZB-2. The hole was drilled about 100 m (meters) south of the southwest corner of a commercial burial site for low-level radioactive wastes in September 1993. UZB-2 is equipped with ten 2.5-cm (centimeters) diameter air ports permanently installed in the unsaturated zone between the depths of 5.5 and 108.8 m below land surface. Depth to ground water is about 110 m. Additional sampling ports were driven by hand to depths of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m in May 1997. Initial samples of water vapor collected in April 1994 showed elevated tritium concentrations of more than 100 TU (tritium units) from all 10 air ports, with a maximum concentration of 762±10 TU from an air port at a depth of 24.1 m. Subsequent tritium concentrations increased in all air ports, although tritium concentrations at depths of less than 34.1 m have remained relatively constant since July 1995. The largest observed increase in tritium has been at a depth of 47.9 m. There, tritium concentration has increased from 198±5 TU in April 1994 to 2,570±30 TU in June 1998. Large increases also have been measured in samples collected from air ports at depths of 106.4 and 108.8 m, just above the water table. During September and October 1998, carbon dioxide samples were collected from all ten air ports in UZB-2 and at a depth of 1.5 m, and analyzed for radioactive carbon-14 ( 14 C). 14 C concentrations are highest in air ports at depths less than 6 m where they exceed 2,000 pmc (percent modern carbon). Concentrations decrease rapidly in air ports at depth and are about 20 pmc below 94.2 m. However, at 47.9 meters, the 14 C concentration is 205±1 pmc, which is 2 to 4 times higher than concentrations in air ports immediately above and below. This depth corresponds to the largest tritium increase in UZB-2. Concentrations of both tritium and 14 C are greater than what could be expected from atmospheric fallout. The distribution of tritium and 14 C likely represent a complex pattern of lateral and vertical transport through the unsaturated zone from buried wastes to UZB-2.

Nevada↗
USGS2018

A test of sex specific genetic markers in the Hawaiian hoary bat and relevance to population studies

We tested the utility of a protocol using genetic markers that previously proved successful to identify the sex of Vespertilionid bats on tissues collected from live bats and carcasses of varying age from the Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus). This molecular method is based on genes unique to X and Y chromosomes in mammals and previously was used successfully on North American hoary bats (L. c. cinereus). We amplified two markers within intron regions of the zinc-finger-X (Zfx) and zinc-finger-Y (Zfy) genes using a multiplexed polymerase chain reaction technique and obtained product bands that were easily visualized using gel electrophoresis. Genotyping determined the sex of 36 individual Hawaiian hoary bat carcasses previously assigned sex only by external genitalia and identified sex for 29 “unknown” bat carcasses that could not be classified by external genitalia. Employing this method for sexing Hawaiian hoary bats will permit more reliable evaluation of the ratio of males to females in subpopulations affected by fatalities from emerging threats. This is critical to the conservation and management of this endangered bat.

Technical Report↗
USGS2020

Testing environmental DNA from wolf snow tracks for species, sex, and individual identification

Monitoring elusive, relatively low-density, large predators, such as the grey wolf (Canis lupus), has often been accomplished by live-capture and radiocollaring. Increasingly, non-invasive methods are considered best practice whenever it is possible to use them. Recently, environmental DNA (eDNA) deposited in snow tracks was demonstrated as useful for identifying lynx (Lynx canadensis), fisher (Pekania pennanti), wolverine (Gulo gulo), sika deer (Cervus nippon), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), and the Japanese marten (Martes melampus) to species level using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers. We tested whether eDNA from fresh wolf snow tracks collected in the Superior National Forest, Minnesota, USA during winter 2019 could be used to identify species, sex, and individual. Seven of the 8 snow track samples were successfully identified to “wolf-dog” species using mtDNA, with alleles amplifying in 5 of the samples at 1 or both of loci u250 and FH2096 in the allele range for wolves for this population. None yielded enough high-quality DNA to obtain genotypes to determine individual or sex. We recommend additional field trials to determine the minimum number of tracks required per individual to obtain sufficient, high-quality eDNA, as well as collecting associated urine or blood (from estrus) when possible. If individual wolves could be identified and sexed by the eDNA in their snow tracks, researchers should be able to determine population and family or group metrics with greater precision and less effort than typically required when conducting winter scat or hair-based genetic field studies of low density, elusive carnivores. Furthermore, this method would have applications to other areas of research and management, such as hunting quota determinations, validation of field methods and, in particular regards to wolves and other predators, livestock depredation issues. Overall, this technique holds significant future promise as field and laboratory methods are further refined for greater precision and optimized regarding the varying collection, filtration, and extraction protocols for different species in various environments.

Minnesota↗
USGS2022

Nuclear magnetic resonance logging of a deep test well for estimation of aquifer and confining-unit hydraulic properties, Long Island, New York

A 1,200-foot deep well in southwestern Nassau County, Long Island, N.Y. was selected to evaluate the application of a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging tool. Technological advances in NMR borehole systems have allowed for reduced probe length and diameter, and focused measurement at specific diameters beyond the disturbed zone surrounding a well. This 3-inch-diameter NMR tool was specifically developed for use in deep 4-inch-diameter polyvinyl chloride cased wells common to Long Island. Selected intervals of the Magothy and Lloyd aquifers and the Raritan confining unit were logged for the evaluation. Unlike other petrophysical logs that respond to the rock matrix and fluid properties and are strongly dependent on mineralogy, NMR logs respond to the presence of hydrogen protons in the formation fluid to determine water fraction and pore-size distribution. NMR log analysis provided estimates of the clay-bound, capillary-bound, and mobile water fraction and hydraulic conductivity of aquifers and confining units penetrated by the well. NMR-estimated porosity and mobile water fraction for the Magothy aquifer (0.34 and 0.22 respectively), Magothy/Raritan(?) (0.35 and 0.30), Raritan confining unit (0.30 and 0.13), Raritan clay and silt (0.23 and 0.01), and the Lloyd aquifer (0.27 and 0.19) was determined from the NMR log. Hydraulic conductivity was estimated from the NMR-log data using the Schlumberger- Doll Research and sum of squared echoes equations with empirically derived constants for unconsolidated aquifers. Average hydraulic conductivity of the Magothy aquifer was 70 ft/d, the Raritan confining unit was 9.0 ft/d overall, the clay-rich lower part 0.24 ft/d, and the Lloyd aquifer was 56 ft/d. The coarse sandy Magothy/Raritan(?) unit between the Magothy aquifer and the top of the Raritan confining unit had the highest hydraulic conductivity of 345 ft/d. The hydraulic-conductivity estimates from the NMR log analysis for the Magothy and Lloyd aquifers were consistent with published values and that estimated for the Lloyd aquifer from a specific-capacity test at the well site.

New York↗
USGS1992

Sediment bioaccumulation testing with fish

In this chapter, we discuss methods for conducting bioaccumulation bioassays with fish; the advantages and disadvantages of using fish rather than invertebrates; and problems associated with bioaccumulation testing, with a special emphasis on statistical treatment.

Book chapter↗
USGS2014

Testing the accuracy of a 1-D volcanic plume model in estimating mass eruption rate

During volcanic eruptions, empirical relationships are used to estimate mass eruption rate from plume height. Although simple, such relationships can be inaccurate and can underestimate rates in windy conditions. One-dimensional plume models can incorporate atmospheric conditions and give potentially more accurate estimates. Here I present a 1-D model for plumes in crosswind and simulate 25 historical eruptions where plume height H obs was well observed and mass eruption rate M obs could be calculated from mapped deposit mass and observed duration. The simulations considered wind, temperature, and phase changes of water. Atmospheric conditions were obtained from the National Center for Atmospheric Research Reanalysis 2.5° model. Simulations calculate the minimum, maximum, and average values ( M min , M max , and M avg ) that fit the plume height. Eruption rates were also estimated from the empirical formula M empir = 140 H obs 4.14 ( M empir is in kilogram per second, H obs is in kilometer). For these eruptions, the standard error of the residual in log space is about 0.53 for M avg and 0.50 for M empir . Thus, for this data set, the model is slightly less accurate at predicting M obs than the empirical curve. The inability of this model to improve eruption rate estimates may lie in the limited accuracy of even well-observed plume heights, inaccurate model formulation, or the fact that most eruptions examined were not highly influenced by wind. For the low, wind-blown plume of 14–18 April 2010 at Eyjafjallajökull, where an accurate plume height time series is available, modeled rates do agree better with M obs than M empir .

Journal of Geophysical Research D: Atmospheres↗