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USGS2020

A not so sudden impact—Historical relations between conifers and insects can help predict damage by nonnative insects

The arrival and establishment of nonnative insects in North America is increasingly problematic. International trade has created opportunities to move wood products and nursery stock worldwide, which has increased the risk of insect introduction to regions or countries where they are not native. One group of researchers, the High-impact Insect Invasions Working Group (HIIWG), has developed a predictive model that can be used to estimate the likelihood that a newly arriving nonnative insect may significantly impact North American conifers. The HIIWG examined several traits and factors associated with nonnative insects feeding on conifers (a conifer specialist) already established in North America. Using these data, the HIIWG identified which combination of factors best predicted the risk that a conifer specialist would have a high impact. The researchers then developed a statistical model to predict the probability that a conifer specialist yet to arrive in North America would cause significant damage to conifers if the insect became established. Using three factors, the model calculates the odds of any particular conifer specialist having a high impact on a North American conifer in a range between 1 in 6.5 to 1 in 2,858. This model is a valuable tool to help identify invading insects with the potential to be the most damaging if the insect becomes established in North America. In addition, application of tools like this model can increase positive environmental outcomes for land managers by focusing their efforts on conifer populations that are deemed most vulnerable to extensive mortality

Fact Sheet↗

USGS2014

The United States Geological Survey Science Data Lifecycle Model

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data represent corporate assets with potential value beyond any immediate research use, and therefore need to be accounted for and properly managed throughout their lifecycle. Recognizing these motives, a USGS team developed a Science Data Lifecycle Model (SDLM) as a high-level view of data—from conception through preservation and sharing—to illustrate how data management activities relate to project workflows, and to assist with understanding the expectations of proper data management. In applying the Model to research activities, USGS scientists can ensure that data products will be well-described, preserved, accessible, and fit for re-use. The Model also serves as a structure to help the USGS evaluate and improve policies and practices for managing scientific data, and to identify areas in which new tools and standards are needed.

Open-File Report↗

USGS2002

Arctic Refuge coastal plain terrestrial wildlife research summaries

In 1980, when the U.S. Congress enacted the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), it also mandated a study of the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Section 1002 of ANILCA stated that a comprehensive inventory of fish and wildlife resources would be conducted on 1.5 million acres of the Arctic Refuge coastal plain (1002 Area). Potential petroleum reserves in the 1002 Area were also to be evaluated from surface geological studies and seismic exploration surveys. Results of these studies and recommendations for future management of the Arctic Refuge coastal plain were to be prepared in a report to Congress. In 1987, the Department of the Interior published the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, Coastal Plain Resource Assessment - Report and Recommendations to the Congress of the United States and Final Environmental Impact Statement. This report to Congress identified the potential for oil and gas production (updated* most recently by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2001), described the biological resources, and evaluated the potential adverse effects to fish and wildlife resources. The 1987 report analyzed the potential environmental consequences of five management alternatives for the coastal plain, ranging from wilderness designation to opening the entire area to lease for oil and gas developement. The report's summary recommended opening the 1002 Area to an orderly oil and gas leasing program, but cautioned that adverse effects to some wildlife populations were possible. Congress did not act on this recommendation nor any other alternative for the 1002 Area, and scientists continued studies of key wildlife species and habitats on the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge and surrounding areas. This report contains updated summaries of those scientific investigations of caribou, muskoxen, predators (grizzly bears, wolves, golden eagles), polar bears, snow geese, and their wildlife habitats. Contributions to this report were made by scientists affiliated with the U.S. Geological Survey; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Alaska Department of Fish and Game; University of Alaska-Fairbanks; Canadian Wildlife Service; Yukon Department of Renewable Resources; and the Northwest Territories Department of Resources, Wildlife, and Economic Development. Sections of the report presenting new information on caribou and forage plants were peer-reviewed by three independent, non-affiliated scientists. The remaining sections summarize previously published peer-reviewed scientific papers and were reviewed by a single independent scientist. The U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service collaborated in the publication of this report.

Alaska, Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory↗

USGS2012

Hydrologic and landscape database for the Cache and White River National Wildlife Refuges and contributing watersheds in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma

A hydrologic and landscape database was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, for the Cache River and White River National Wildlife Refuges and their contributing watersheds in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The database is composed of a set of ASCII files, Microsoft Access® files, Microsoft Excel® files, an Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) ArcGIS® geodatabase, ESRI ArcGRID® raster datasets, and an ESRI ArcReader® published map. The database was developed as an assessment and evaluation tool to use in examining refuge-specific hydrologic patterns and trends as related to water availability for refuge ecosystems, habitats, and target species; and includes hydrologic time-series data, statistics, and hydroecological metrics that can be used to assess refuge hydrologic conditions and the availability of aquatic and riparian habitat. Landscape data that describe the refuge physiographic setting and the locations of hydrologic-data collection stations are also included in the database. Categories of landscape data include land cover, soil hydrologic characteristics, physiographic features, geographic and hydrographic boundaries, hydrographic features, regional runoff estimates, and gaging-station locations. The database geographic extent covers three hydrologic subregions—the Lower Mississippi–St Francis (0802), the Upper White (1101), and the Lower Arkansas (1111)—within which human activities, climatic variation, and hydrologic processes can potentially affect the hydrologic regime of the refuges and adjacent areas. Database construction has been automated to facilitate periodic updates with new data. The database report (1) serves as a user guide for the database, (2) describes the data-collection, data-reduction, and data-analysis methods used to construct the database, (3) provides a statistical and graphical description of the database, and (4) provides detailed information on the development of analytical techniques designed to assess water availability for ecological needs.

Arkansas;Missouri;Oklahoma↗

USGS2010

The principal rare earth elements deposits of the United States: A summary of domestic deposits and a global perspective

The rare earth elements (REE) are fifteen elements with atomic numbers 57 through 71, from lanthanum to lutetium ('lanthanides'), plus yttrium (39), which is chemically similar to the lanthanide elements and thus typically included with the rare earth elements. Although industrial demand for these elements is relatively small in tonnage terms, they are essential for a diverse and expanding array of high-technology applications. REE-containing magnets, metal alloys for batteries and light-weight structures, and phosphors are essential for many current and emerging alternative energy technologies, such as electric vehicles, energy-efficient lighting, and wind power. REE are also critical for a number of key defense systems and other advanced materials. Section 843 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, Public Law 111-84, directs the Comptroller General to complete a report on REE materials in the defense supply chain. The Office of Industrial Policy, in collaboration with other U.S. Government agencies, has initiated (in addition to this report) a detailed study of REE. This latter study will assess the Department of Defense's use of REE, as well as the status and security of domestic and global supply chains. That study will also address vulnerabilities in the supply chain and recommend ways to mitigate any potential risks of supply disruption. To help conduct this study, the Office of Industrial Policy asked the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to report on domestic REE reserves and resources in a global context. To this end, the enclosed report is the initial USGS contribution to assessing and summarizing the domestic REE resources in a global perspective. In 2009, the Mineral Resources Program of the USGS organized a new project under the title Minerals at Risk and For Emerging Technologies in order to evaluate mineral resource and supply issues of rare metals that are of increasing importance to the national economy. Leaders and members of this project, with the assistance of the USGS National Minerals Information Center, prepared the enclosed USGS report on domestic REE resources. The USGS Mineral Resources Program has investigated domestic and selected foreign REE resources for many decades, and this report summarizes what has been learned from this research. The USGS National Minerals Information Center (formerly Minerals Information Team) has monitored global production, trade, and resources for an equally long period and is the principal source of statistics used in this report. The objective of this study is to provide a nontechnical overview of domestic reserves and resources of REE and possibilities for utilizing those resources. At the present time, the United States obtains its REE raw materials from foreign sources, almost exclusively from China. Import dependence upon a single country raises serious issues of supply security. In a global context, domestic REE resources are modest and of uncertain value; hence, available resources in traditional trading partners (such as Canada and Australia) are of great interest for diversifying sources of supply. This report restates basic geologic facts about REE relevant to assessing security of supply, followed by a review of current United States consumption and imports of REE, current knowledge of domestic resources, and possibilities for future domestic production. Further detail follows in a deposit-by-deposit review of the most significant domestic REE deposits (see index map). Necessary steps to develop domestic resources are discussed in a separate section, leading into a review of current domestic exploration and a discussion of the value of a future national mineral resource assessment of REE. The report also includes an overview of known global REE resources and discusses the reliability of alternative foreign sources of REE.

Scientific Investigations Report↗

USGS1982

Water-data program of the U.S. Geological Survey

The U.S. Geological Survey is the principal Federal agency responsible for the collection of hydrologic data needed for the planning, development, use, and management of the Nation 's water resources. These data are the foundation necessary for conducting analytical and interpretive appraisals describing the occurrence and availability of surface and ground waters, and their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. The data are likewise required for basic and problem-oriented research in hydraulics, hydrology, and related fields. Hydrologic data collection by the Geological Survey began in 1894. Current operations include about 17,000 stations for collection of river, lake, and reservoir data; about 27,000 wells for collection of ground-water data; and almost 17,000 stations for collection of water-quality information. These activities are described as well as the means by which the data are made available, and how the program is coordinated with other agencies. (USGS)

Circular↗

USGS2007

Geohydrologic Framework of the Edwards and Trinity Aquifers, South-Central Texas

This five-year USGS project, funded by the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, is using multidisciplinary approaches to reveal the surface and subsurface geologic architecture of two important Texas aquifers: (1) the Edwards aquifer that extends from south of Austin to west of San Antonio and (2) the southern part of the Trinity aquifer in the Texas Hill Country west and south of Austin. The project's principal areas of research include: Geologic Mapping, Geophysical Surveys, Geochronology, Three-dimensional Modeling, and Noble Gas Geochemistry. The Edwards aquifer is one of the most productive carbonate aquifers in the United States. It also has been designated a sole source aquifer by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is the primary source of water for San Antonio, America's eighth largest city. The Trinity aquifer forms the catchment area for the Edwards aquifer and it intercepts some surface flow above the Edwards recharge zone. The Trinity may also contribute to the Edwards water budget by subsurface flow across formation boundaries at considerable depths. Dissolution, karst development, and faulting and fracturing in both aquifers directly control aquifer geometry by compartmentalizing the aquifer and creating unique ground-water flow paths.

Fact Sheet↗

USGS2019

Coastal Salinity Index along the southeastern Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico, 1983 to 2018

Coastal droughts have a different dynamic than upland droughts, which are typically characterized by agricultural, hydrologic, meteorological, and (or) socioeconomic effects. Drought uniquely affects coastal ecosystems because of changes in the salinity conditions of estuarine creeks and rivers. The location of the freshwater-saltwater interface in surface-water bodies is an important factor in the ecological and socioeconomic dynamics of coastal communities. To address the data and information gap for characterizing coastal drought, the Coastal Salinity Index (CSI) was developed by using salinity data. The CSI uses a computational approach similar to the Standardized Precipitation Index. The CSI can be computed for unique time intervals (for example 1-, 6-, 12-, and 24-month intervals) to characterize short- and long-term drought (saline) conditions, as well as wet (high freshwater inflow) conditions. To encourage the use of the CSI in current and future research endeavors, this investigation addressed three activities to enhance the use and application of the CSI. First, a software package was developed for the consistent computation of the CSI that includes preprocessing of salinity data, filling missing data, computing the CSI, post-processing, and generating the supporting metadata. This software package is available for download from the U.S. Geological Survey GitLab repository. Second, the CSI has been computed at sites along the southeastern Atlantic coast (Florida to North Carolina) and the Gulf of Mexico (Texas to Florida) to increase the opportunity for linking the CSI to ecological response data. Third, using telemetered salinity data, the real-time computation of the CSI has been prototyped and disseminated on the web.

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi,↗

USGS2026

Vegetation cover and composition in environments surrounding uranium mines in the Grand Canyon ecosystem, Northern Arizona

Mining uranium from breccia-pipe deposits in the greater Grand Canyon region has occurred since the mid-1900s. However, possible ecosystem contamination with harmful levels of radionuclides may have occurred due to mining activities in the 21st century. In response, a 20-year Federal moratorium on new mining claims in the Grand Canyon watershed was initiated in 2012, to allow time to evaluate the potential effects of uranium exploration and mining on human health, wildlife, and water resources. This moratorium, nor the 2023 designation of the “Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni–Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument,” precludes operation or development of mining claims predating 2012. Vegetation is a core ecosystem component that may be affected by uranium mining (for instance, through uptake and storage of radionuclides from the air or soil) or may act as a vector of exposure to wildlife, livestock, and humans (for instance, via their consumption of contaminated plant tissues). To provide baseline information about the plant communities associated with uranium mines in the Grand Canyon region, the U.S. Geological Survey surveyed an approximately 200-meter-wide buffer surrounding four breccia-pipe deposits, each in a unique stage of mine development, and at one reference area (a livestock water tank) that underwent ground disturbance but contains no mineral deposits. We sectioned the buffer zones into 0.65–4.52 hectare plots, within which we (1) inventoried all plant species, (2) measured percent cover of plant species, plant functional groups, and ground surface types (dark cyanobacteria, lichen, moss, bedrock, rock, embedded litter, duff, plant bases, and bare soil) using line-point intercept, and (3) measured length and frequency of gaps between perennial plant canopies using canopy gap intercept. We found that plant composition at the mines and the reference area differed from one another but were all characteristic of expected regional vegetation patterns. We provide this data summary as potential baseline information for future research and management efforts.

Arizona↗

USGS2012

Byproduct metals and rare-earth elements used in the production of light-emitting diodes—Overview of principal sources of supply and material requirements for selected markets

The use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is expanding because of environmental issues and the efficiency and cost savings achieved compared with use of traditional incandescent lighting. The longer life and reduced power consumption of some LEDs have led to annual energy savings, reduced maintenance costs, and lower emissions of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides from powerplants because of the resulting decrease in energy consumption required for lighting applications when LEDs are used to replace less-energy-efficient sources. Metals such as arsenic, gallium, indium, and the rare-earth elements (REEs) cerium, europium, gadolinium, lanthanum, terbium, and yttrium are important mineral materials used in LED semiconductor technology. Most of the world's supply of these materials is produced as byproducts from the production of aluminum, copper, lead, and zinc. Most of the rare earths required for LED production in 2011 came from China, and most LED production facilities were located in Asia. The LED manufacturing process is complex and is undergoing much change with the growth of the industry and the changes in demand patterns of associated commodities. In many respects, the continued growth of the LED industry, particularly in the general lighting sector, is tied to its ability to increase LED efficiency and color uniformity while decreasing the costs of producing, purchasing, and operating LEDs. Research is supported by governments of China, the European Union, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States. Because of the volume of ongoing research in this sector, it is likely that the material requirements of future LEDs may be quite different than LEDs currently (2011) in use as industry attempts to cut costs by reducing material requirements of expensive heavy rare-earth phosphors and increasing the sizes of wafers for economies of scale. Improved LED performance will allow customers to reduce the number of LEDs in automotive, electronic, and lighting applications, which could reduce the overall demand for material components. Non-Chinese sources for rare earths are being developed, and some of these new sources are likely to be operational in time to meet increasing demand for rare earths from the LED sector. Because most LED component production and manufacturing occurs in Asia and many LED producers have established supply contracts with Chinese producers of rare earths, a significant amount of the metallic gallium, indium, and the rare earths used for LED production will likely continue to come from Chinese sources at least for the next 5 years; however, a greater amount of these materials are now being processed in Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan. As non-Chinese sources of rare earths come into production, these new mines are likely to be sources of light REEs, but China will likely remain the leading source of supply for the heavy REEs suitable for use as LED dopants and phosphors at least for the next few years. Increased research in the development of phosphors that use smaller amounts of or different REEs is intended to reduce dependence on rare earths from China. Supply disruption of rare earths and other specialty metals could take place if China's specialty metal exports are redirected to domestic markets. The cost of recovery is high and the lifespan for LEDs is comparatively long; thus, the LED waste volume was low in 2010, and few LEDs were recycled. The minute metal content of LEDs leads to a high cost for recovery, so recycling of LEDs outside of electronic waste is unlikely in the near term, although some LED producers are evaluating recycling options. Recycling of metals from LEDs in electronic waste is possible if the costs of recovering metals are justified by demand and metal prices.

Scientific Investigations Report↗

USGS1998

Vulnerability of coastal wetlands in the Southeastern United States: climate change research results, 1992-97

As part of the USGCRP research framework on coastal lands and ecosystems, the Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey (National Wetlands Research Center) entered into partnership with Rice University, Louisiana State University, Duke University, Clemson University, University of Southwestern Louisiana, University of Georgia, and the Virginia Institute of Marine Studies (University of Virginia ) to (1) document the current state vulnerability of coastal ecosystems including an assessment of past changes in land cover, (2) develop an understanding of the processes which underlie these changes, and (3) predict the extent of future alterations to these habitats and the consequences for the sustainability of the resource and land base. This document summarized the initial findings of our collaborative efforts. Overall, the studies exemplify an integrated approach addressing questions at the species, community, and landscape levels of organization and focusing on factors related to hydroperiod, sea-level rise, disturbance events, and coastal marsh submergence.

Biological Science Report↗

USGS2021

Using growth rates to estimate the minimum age and size at sexual maturity in a captive population of the critically endangered Central American river turtle Dermatemys mawii

The Central American river turtle Dermatemys mawii is a critically endangered species that has incurred substantial losses over the last several decades due to overhunting. This species is now being considered for head-starting programs (i.e. captive breeding of turtles for wild release). However, relatively little is known about their life history characteristics, especially with respect to growth and sexual maturation. A robust knowledge of D. mawii life history traits is important in developing conservation management plans. Our research is the first known study to maintain hatchlings, juveniles, and adults in captivity with regular morphometric data collection. We quantified growth rates (cm yr-1) and calculated growth parameters (e.g. growth coefficients) to estimate body size and age at onset of sexual maturity in a group of wild-caught but captive-held and captive-bred D. mawii in Belize. Sizes at the onset of sexual maturity were inferred by segmented linear regressions that identified changes in growth rate by body size. Asymptotic sizes and growth coefficients were calculated using the Fabens method and the Wang method. Parameters from these models were then applied to a modified von Bertalanffy growth equation to estimate age at the onset of sexual maturity. Male and female D. mawii begin sexual maturation at ca. 38.0 cm and 40.0 cm straight-line carapace length, respectively. We estimated ages associated with these sizes at 13.5-16.9 yrs (males) and 13.6-17.3 yrs (females). No previous literature on growth rates or age at maturation for wild or captive D. mawii has been reported, so our results serve as a starting point in conservation management. Given the life history trait of delayed sexual maturity (>10 years), D. mawii may be more sensitive to losses of the adult population. Therefore, the importance of captive breeding and head-starting programs may be concomitant with protecting wild, adult populations.

Toledo↗

USGS2012

Preliminary investigations of the winter ecology of Long-billed Curlews in coastal Texas

Since the early 1900s, the distribution of the Long-billed Curlew ( Numenius americanus ) has contracted dramatically in the eastern one-half of its historic range. The species has been designated as a "Bird of Conservation Concern" and focal species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a species of concern by several states, and a "Highly Imperiled" species in the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan. The uncertain outlook for this species has contributed to a plethora of research on Long-billed Curlews, most of which have focused on breeding and nesting ecology of the species. Gaps remain in information about factors affecting population dynamics on the winter grounds and the linkages between Long-billed Curlew populations on the breeding range, migration routes, and winter range. To begin filling those gaps, a pilot study was done to evaluate (1) curlew use of nocturnal roost sites, (2) use of public outreach to locate curlews and contribute to preliminary assessment of foraging habitat use, (3) six different methods to capture curlews, and (4) movements by curlews on wintering areas. The study area includes the lower Texas coast, which harbors the eastern-most dense populations of Long-billed Curlews in North America. Use of historical winter roost sites was not observed; however, there was documented limited use (up to 150 curlews) of several new roost sites, some of which were used on an intermittent or erratic basis. Reports elicited from the public indicated Long-billed Curlews wintering in coastal Texas often forage in open, grass-covered lots of partially developed residential areas, golf courses, and public parks within urban and suburban zones. Curlews were reported to use these sites in developed areas as far as 100 kilometers inland. Other reports indicated Long-billed Curlews foraging in farm fields, shallow coastal marsh, and on the beaches of Gulf of Mexico barrier islands. The effectiveness of six techniques for capture of Long-billed Curlews was evaluated in the study. Seven curlews were captured and banded with four of six methods attempted. At least one curlew each was captured with (1) noose ropes, (2) baited bow net, (3) Coda Netgun, and (4) whoosh net; no curlews were caught with a cast net or Super Talon netgun. The Coda Netgun proved to be the most effective methodology examined. Captured birds (7) were weighed, measured, and banded. Body masses (mean = 518 grams) were low compared to data previously published on body mass of Long-billed Curlews. There were 22 observations recorded of banded curlews. Resightings confirmed that birds were not harmed during capture. All of the 22 resightings occurred within two kilometers of the banding locations, suggesting that birds remained near their chosen foraging areas. Results from this 1-year pilot study yielded an intriguing combination of findings that warrant further investigation. Observations include reduced numbers of roosting birds along the Texas coast during dry conditions, highly dynamic use of nocturnal roost sites, use of widely divergent habitat types for foraging, low body mass of most captured birds, and apparent fidelity to general feeding areas. Future investigations of this eastern winter population of curlews would benefit from larger sample sizes and monitoring of individual birds.

Texas↗

USGS2025

Integrated Hydro-terrestrial Modeling 2.0: Progress and path forward on building a national capability

Growing societal pressures on U.S. water resources and the challenges inherent in understanding how future water risks may evolve are driving major investments to improve our knowledge of the integrated water cycle. This improved understanding as captured in innovations in our data, knowledge, and modeling capabilities, needs to be accelerated through better integration and coordination across scientific disciplines, programs, and U.S. agencies. The Integrated Hydro-Terrestrial Modeling (IHTM) community holds promise to accelerate the progress required to manage the U.S. water resources sustainably, equitably, and effectively. The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) coordinates research on the impacts of global change on the water cycle through interagency collaboration. USGCRP agencies and their partners jointly held the IHTM 2.0 workshop for U.S. federal and non-federal scientists and managers in fall 2023, aiming to advance community modeling and integrated water resources management capabilities following open science principles. This workshop focused on developing both national and regional testbeds that employ state-of-the-art modeling approaches to explore gaps and opportunities for improving the representation and extensibility of hydrologic processes and modeling. Integrated regional testbeds in Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes, Colorado River Basin, and Gulf Coast/Mississippi regions were proposed to leverage existing investments and seek actionable collaboration on issues such as water extremes, water quality, water use, and urbanization. Collaborations focused on advancing iterative cycles of model development and testing offer a means for regional scale studies to inform national scale modeling applications and yield nationally consistent modeling frameworks that are also locally relevant. This presentation will highlight key takeaways, findings, and future directions for the IHTM community that have been laid out in the IHTM 2.0 workshop report.

Report↗

USGS2006

EMMMA: A web-based system for environmental mercury mapping, modeling, and analysis

Mercury in our environment - in our air, water, soil, and especially our food - poses significant hazards to human health, particularly for developing fetuses and young children. Because of the importance of this issue and the length of time it has been studied, large and complex data sets of mercury concentrations in various media and associated ancillary data have been generated by many Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies. To facilitate efficient and effective use of these data in managing and mitigating human and wildlife exposure to mercury, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences have developed a website for visualizing and studying the distribution of mercury in our environment. The Environmental Mercury Mapping, Modeling, and Analysis (EMMMA) website (http://emmma.usgs.gov) provides health and environmental researchers, managers, and other decision-makers the ability to: 1) Interactively view and access a nationwide collection of environmental mercury data (fish tissue, atmospheric emissions and deposition, stream sediments, soils, and coal) and mercuryrelated data (mine locations); 2) Interactively view and access predictions of the National Descriptive Model of Mercury in Fish (NDMMF) at 4,976 sites and 6,829 sampling events (events are unique combinations of site and sampling date) across the United States; and 3) Use interactive mapping and graphing capabilities to visualize spatial and temporal trends and study relationships between mercury and other variables.

Open-File Report↗

USGS1979

Ecological and physiological/toxicological effects of petroleum on aquatic birds: A summary of research activities FY76 through FY78

Oil and gas development and exploration in marine coastal areas and the Great Lakes will result in unavoidable spills of polluting oil. Although large oil spills may kill thousands of birds and stimulate much public concern, the bulk of oil that reaches aquatic environmentS released in the course of normal operations, with a total input into the world's oceans estimated at 6 million metric tons per year. The effects of sublethal low-level oil pollution may be more deleterious to bird populations over the long term than the spectacular bird kills resulting from oil spills. The physiological and ecological effects of oil on waterbirds were examined in a series of laboratory and field experiments, including studies of the effects of oiling on hatchability of eggs; the effects of an oil-contaminated diet on physiological condition, reproduction, and survival; and the accumulation of oil in body tissues. Chemical methodology was developed in support of these studies.

FWS/OBS↗

USGS2019

Pallid sturgeon basin-wide contaminants assessment

Pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus), listed as endangered in 1990 under the federal Endangered Species Act (United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), 1990), have declined due to habitat loss, commercial fishing, and hybridization. Pollution in the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers has to-date only received minor attention as a factor in the on-going decline of wild pallid sturgeon populations (Jacobson et al. 2016a; Bergman 2008). Pallid sturgeon experts and contaminant specialists conceived of the Pallid Sturgeon Basin-Wide Contaminants Assessment (Assessment) to identify potentially harmful contaminants (contaminants of concern), their distribution within pallid sturgeon habitat, and their effects on pallid sturgeon at the landscape level. Extant water quality and analytical chemistry data from samples of river water, sediment, and sturgeon tissues from past studies, assessments, or monitoring activities throughout the species’ range were used to establish a list of contaminants. The list includes: metal and non-metal elements, pesticides, organic industrial chemicals, hormones, nutrients, and other potential water quality contaminants. Environmental samples collected from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2014, when available, were used for all evaluations. This report is effectively a screening level hazard assessment whereby contituents of concern that may pose a potential harm to pallid sturgeon have been identified. These constituents of concern warrant further examination to determine the level of risk they pose to pallid sturgeon. The Assessment process was one of comparing the existing environmental data for individual constituents to reference values for adverse effects on fish specifically or aquatic life generally. The product of the Assessment is a simplified summary that is geographically organized by pallid sturgeon management unit that generally categorizes each individual contaminant or water quality constituent according to operationally defined levels of concern. This hazard assessment identifies potential constituents of concern to pallid sturgeon and may support prioritization for future data collection and research to enable a quantitative risk assessment. Regional data density at spatial and temporal scales notwithstanding, the Assessment points to some generalities in contaminant concerns within and across management units. Metals but not pesticides are the predominant contaminant of concern in the Great Plains Management Unit (GPMU). In the Central Lowlands Management Unit (CLMU), selenium exceeds benchmark levels. Triazine herbicides are potentially of concern in all but the GPMU. Concentrations of legacy contaminants such as PCBs and DDT and its metabolites exceeded benchmarks in samples from the CLMU, Interior Highlands Mangement Unit (IHMU), and Coastal Plains Management Unit (CPMU), but local and national trends indicate environmental levels of these contaminants continue to decline. Observed concentrations of nutrients and indicators of nutrient pollution were above benchmark levels throughout the pallid sturgeon’s range; however, the significance for pallid sturgeon health specifically is unknown. Almost no information exists on contemporary contaminants of concern such as the natural and synthetic estrogens (estradiol, ethinyl estradiol, and estrone) or polybrominated diphenyls (PBDEs). There are considerable informational data gaps for contaminants throughout the species’ range. Water quality measurements were the most frequent data encountered whereas, sediment and tissue data were orders of magnitude less frequent. The paucity of sediment and tissue concentrations, particularly the latter, prevents any meaningful conclusions regarding adverse effects of these contaminants on the growth and reproduction of pallid sturgeon. However, the Assessment could form the basis for regional workshops with subject matter specialists to develop plans to evaluate the contaminants most likely to affect pallid sturgeon health.

Missouri River basin, Mississippi River basin↗

USGS2010

Prevalence of antibodies to type A influenza virus in wild avian species using two serologic assays

Serologic testing to detect antibodies to avian influenza (AI) virus has been an underused tool for the study of these viruses in wild bird populations, which traditionally has relied on virus isolation and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In a preliminary study, a recently developed commercial blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (bELISA) had sensitivity and specificity estimates of 82% and 100%, respectively, for detection of antibodies to AI virus in multiple wild bird species after experimental infection. To further evaluate the efficacy of this commercial bELISA and the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test for AI virus antibody detection in wild birds, we tested 2,249 serum samples collected from 62 wild bird species, representing 10 taxonomic orders. Overall, the bELISA detected 25.4% positive samples, whereas the AGID test detected 14.8%. At the species level, the bELISA detected as many or more positive serum samples than the AGID in all 62 avian species. The majority of positive samples, detected by both assays, were from species that use aquatic habitats, with the highest prevalence from species in the orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes. Conversely, antibodies to AI virus were rarely detected in the terrestrial species. The serologic data yielded by both assays are consistent with the known epidemiology of AI virus in wild birds and published reports of host range based on virus isolation and RT-PCR. The results of this research are also consistent with the aforementioned study, which evaluated the performance of the bELISA and AGID test on experimental samples. Collectively, the data from these two studies indicate that the bELISA is a more sensitive serologic assay than the AGID test for detecting prior exposure to AI virus in wild birds. Based on these results, the bELISA is a reliable species-independent assay with potentially valuable applications for wild bird AI surveillance.

Alaska, California, Delaware, Georgia, Michigan, M↗