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At least 1,549 records · Page 86Linked to original sources
USGS2004

Quality of water from shallow wells in the rice-growing area in southwestern Louisiana, 1999 through 2001

In 1999-2001, the U.S. Geological Survey installed and sampled 27 shallow wells in the rice-growing area in southwestern Louisiana as part of the Acadian-Pontchartrain Study Unit of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program. The purpose of this report is to describe the waulity of water from shallow wells in the rice-growing area and to relate that water quality to natural and anthropogenic activities, particularly rice agriculture. Ground-water samples were analyzed for general ground-water properties and about 150 water-quality constituents, including major inorganic ions, trace elements, nutrients, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), pesticides, radon, chloroflourocarbons, and selected stable isotopes. Dissolved solids concentrations for 17 wells exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency secondary minimum containment level of 500 milligrams per liter (mg/L) for drinking water. Concentrations for major pesticides generally were less than the maximum contaminant levels for drinking water. Two major inorganic ions, sulfate and chloride, and two trace elements, iron and manganese, had concentrations that were greater than the secondary maximum containment levels. Three nutrient concentrations were greater than 2 mg/L, a level that might indicate contamination from human activities, and one nutrient concentration (that for nitrite plus nitrite as nitrogen) was greater than the maximum contaminant level of 10 mg/L for drinking water. The median concentration for DOC was 0.5 mg/L, indicating naturally-occurring DOC conditions in the study area. Thirteen pesticides and 7 pesticide degradation products were detected in 14 of the 27 wells sampled. Bentazon, 2, 4-D, and molinate (three rice herbicides) were detected in water from four, one, and one wells, respectively, and malathion (a rice insecticide) was deteced in water fromone well. Low-level concentrations and few detections of nutrients and pesticides indicated that ground-water quality was affected slightly by anthropogenic activities. Quality-control samples, including field blanks, replicates, and spikes, indicated no bias in ground-water data from collection on analysis. Radon concentrations for 22 of the 24 wells sampled wer at or greater than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed maximum contaminant level of 300 picocuries per liter. Chlorofluorocarbon concentrations in selected wells indicated the apparent ages of the ground water varied with depth water level and ranged from about 17 to 49 years. The stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen in water molecules indicated the origin of ground water in the study area was rainwater that originated near the study area and that few geochemical or physical processes influenced the stable isotopic composition of the shallow ground water. The Spearman rank correlation was used to detemrine whther significant correlations existed between physical properties, selected chemical constituents, the number of pesticides detected, and the apparent age of water. The depth to ground water was positively correlated to the well depth and inversely correlated to dissolved solids and other constituents, such as radon, indicating the ground water was under unconfined or semiconfined conditions and more dilute with increasing depth. As the depth to ground water increased, the concentrations of dissolved solids and other constituents decreased, possibly because the deeper sands had a greater transmittal of ground water, which, over time, would flush out, or dilute, the concentrations of dissolved solids in the natural sediments. The apparent age of water was correlated inversely with nitrite plus nitrite concentration, indicating that as apparent age increased, the nitrite plus nitrite concentration decreased. No significant correlations existed between the number of pesticides detected and any of the physical or chemica

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1999

U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology Program: Proceedings of the technical meeting, Charleston, South Carolina, March 8-12, 1999: Volume 1 (Part A)

This report contains papers presented at the seventh Technical Meeting of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Toxic Substances Hydrology (Toxics) Program. The meeting was held March 8-12, 1999, in Charleston, South Carolina. Toxics Program Technical Meetings are held periodically to provide a forum for presentation and discussion of results of recent research activities. The objectives of these meetings are to: Present recent research results to essential stakeholders, Encourage synthesis and integrated interpretations among scientists with different expertise who are working on a contamination issue, and Promote exchange of ideas among scientists working on different projects and issues within the Toxics Program. The Proceedings is published in three volumes. Volume 1 contains papers that report on results of research on contamination from hard-rock mining. Results include research on contamination from hard rock mining in arid southwest alluvial basins, research on hard rock mining in mountainous terrain, and progress from the USGS Abandoned Mine Lands Initiative. This Initiative is designed to develop a watershed-based approach to characterize and remediate contamination from abandoned mine lands and transfer technologies to Federal land management agencies and stakeholders. Volume 2 contains papers on contamination of hydrologic systems and related ecosystems. The papers discuss research on the response of estuarine ecosystems to contamination from human activities. They include research on San Francisco Bay; mercury contamination of aquatic ecosystems; and investigation of the occurrence, distribution, and fate of agricultural chemicals in the Mississippi River Basin. This volume also contains results on development and reconnaissance testing of new methods to detect emerging contaminants in environmental samples. Volume 3 contains papers on subsurface contamination from point sources. The papers discuss research on: hydrocarbons and fuel oxygenates at gasoline release sites; ground-water contamination by crude oil; complex contaminant mixtures from treated wastewater discharges; waste disposal and subsurface transport of contaminants in arid environments; ground water and surface water affected by municipal landfill leachate; natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents; and characterizing flow and transport in fractured rock aquifers. In all, the more than 175 papers contained in this proceedings reflect the contributions of more than 350 scientists who are co-authors. These scientists are from across the USGS, as well as from universities, other Federal and State agencies, and industry.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1999

U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology Program: Proceedings of the technical meeting, Charleston, South Carolina, March 8-12, 1999: Volume 2 (Part B)

This report contains papers presented at the seventh Technical Meeting of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Toxic Substances Hydrology (Toxics) Program. The meeting was held March 8-12, 1999, in Charleston, South Carolina. Toxics Program Technical Meetings are held periodically to provide a forum for presentation and discussion of results of recent research activities. The objectives of these meetings are to: Present recent research results to essential stakeholders, Encourage synthesis and integrated interpretations among scientists with different expertise who are working on a contamination issue, and Promote exchange of ideas among scientists working on different projects and issues within the Toxics Program. The Proceedings is published in three volumes. Volume 1 contains papers that report on results of research on contamination from hard-rock mining. Results include research on contamination from hard rock mining in arid southwest alluvial basins, research on hard rock mining in mountainous terrain, and progress from the USGS Abandoned Mine Lands Initiative. This Initiative is designed to develop a watershed-based approach to characterize and remediate contamination from abandoned mine lands and transfer technologies to Federal land management agencies and stakeholders. Volume 2 contains papers on contamination of hydrologic systems and related ecosystems. The papers discuss research on the response of estuarine ecosystems to contamination from human activities. They include research on San Francisco Bay; mercury contamination of aquatic ecosystems; and investigation of the occurrence, distribution, and fate of agricultural chemicals in the Mississippi River Basin. This volume also contains results on development and reconnaissance testing of new methods to detect emerging contaminants in environmental samples. Volume 3 contains papers on subsurface contamination from point sources. The papers discuss research on: hydrocarbons and fuel oxygenates at gasoline release sites; ground-water contamination by crude oil; complex contaminant mixtures from treated wastewater discharges; waste disposal and subsurface transport of contaminants in arid environments; ground water and surface water affected by municipal landfill leachate; natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents; and characterizing flow and transport in fractured rock aquifers. In all, the more than 175 papers contained in this proceedings reflect the contributions of more than 350 scientists who are co-authors. These scientists are from across the USGS, as well as from universities, other Federal and State agencies, and industry.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1999

U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology Program: Proceedings of the technical meeting, Charleston, South Carolina, March 8-12, 1999: Volume 3 (Part C)

This report contains papers presented at the seventh Technical Meeting of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Toxic Substances Hydrology (Toxics) Program. The meeting was held March 8-12, 1999, in Charleston, South Carolina. Toxics Program Technical Meetings are held periodically to provide a forum for presentation and discussion of results of recent research activities. The objectives of these meetings are to: Present recent research results to essential stakeholders, Encourage synthesis and integrated interpretations among scientists with different expertise who are working on a contamination issue, and Promote exchange of ideas among scientists working on different projects and issues within the Toxics Program. The Proceedings is published in three volumes. Volume 1 contains papers that report on results of research on contamination from hard-rock mining. Results include research on contamination from hard rock mining in arid southwest alluvial basins, research on hard rock mining in mountainous terrain, and progress from the USGS Abandoned Mine Lands Initiative. This Initiative is designed to develop a watershed-based approach to characterize and remediate contamination from abandoned mine lands and transfer technologies to Federal land management agencies and stakeholders. Volume 2 contains papers on contamination of hydrologic systems and related ecosystems. The papers discuss research on the response of estuarine ecosystems to contamination from human activities. They include research on San Francisco Bay; mercury contamination of aquatic ecosystems; and investigation of the occurrence, distribution, and fate of agricultural chemicals in the Mississippi River Basin. This volume also contains results on development and reconnaissance testing of new methods to detect emerging contaminants in environmental samples. Volume 3 contains papers on subsurface contamination from point sources. The papers discuss research on: hydrocarbons and fuel oxygenates at gasoline release sites; ground-water contamination by crude oil; complex contaminant mixtures from treated wastewater discharges; waste disposal and subsurface transport of contaminants in arid environments; ground water and surface water affected by municipal landfill leachate; natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents; and characterizing flow and transport in fractured rock aquifers. In all, the more than 175 papers contained in this proceedings reflect the contributions of more than 350 scientists who are co-authors. These scientists are from across the USGS, as well as from universities, other Federal and State agencies, and industry.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS2022

Terrestrial lidar monitoring of the effects of Glen Canyon Dam operations on the geomorphic condition of archaeological sites in Grand Canyon National Park, 2010–2020

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, in coordination with the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program, has monitored the geomorphic condition of select archaeological sites along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon using high-resolution terrestrial light detection and ranging (lidar) topographic surveys. Many of these sites are vulnerable to degradation by natural erosional processes. Regulation of the Colorado River by some operations of Glen Canyon Dam has been shown to affect archaeological resources by directly or indirectly causing degradation of site condition. Conversely, some specific operations of Glen Canyon Dam, such as controlled flood releases (termed high flow experiments), can potentially be used to slow or stop erosion at some degraded archaeological sites. Results of monitoring conducted with terrestrial lidar surveys from 2006 to 2010 have been synthesized in previous reports and publications. Here, we present and summarize results of monitoring conducted at 30 archaeological sites within 23 monitoring locations from 2010 to 2020. This report presents a sample of a much larger population of Colorado River archaeological sites in Grand Canyon that are being qualitatively monitored by the National Park Service (NPS). To ensure relevance to the NPS monitoring program, the quantitative high-resolution topographic monitoring presented in this report focused on sites binned by geomorphic context, using two previously published geomorphic classification frameworks to identify important changes in geomorphic condition within archaeological sites that can be related to operations of Glen Canyon Dam. We found that 22 archaeological sites changed within one or both of the previously determined geomorphic classifications, and changes at 21 of those 22 sites were interpreted as a transition to a more degraded geomorphic condition. The monitoring records contained within this report represent the foundation for future monitoring of these and other archaeological sites with high-resolution topographic surveys and change detection. These monitoring results provide benchmarks for managers of cultural resources along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon to assess significant changes to cultural resource integrity, aid in future risk management at these locations, and illustrate methods relevant for assessing geomorphic condition changes within other river valleys.

Arizona↗
USGS1981

Shallow ground-water conditions and vegetation classification, central Volusia County, Florida

In the early 1970's, the Volusia County Council recognized the need to develop new sources of freshwater for future growth and development. County Council, using data from the U.S. Geological Survey and private consultants, concluded that the central wetlands were an optimal area for well-field development. With this in mind, Volusia County requested that the State of Florida buy land in the central wetlands of Volusia County under the Land Conservation Act of 1972, hoping to protect both the environmentally endangered lands and a potential water resource. In 1974, the State acquired 7.28mi 2 within this area, and present (1979) plans to acquire and additional 3.33mi 2 . The State later became concerned that wetland protection may not be compatible with development of water resources due to the vegetation changes that might occur if shallow ground-water levels are lowered by producing well field. Consequently, because of mutual interest, the U.S. Geological Survey with the State entered into a program of documenting for future reference the vegetation in the State-owned land. The purposes of this report and associated map (fig. 1) are (1) to document existing vegetation in approximately 140 mi 2 in central Volusia County, and (2) to investigate natural water-level fluctuations in selected vegetative communities to the extent possible with relatively short-term data. The study area (fig. 2) is that part of the Talbot Terrace bounded on the east by Rima Ridge, to the west by De Land Ridge, to the north by State Road 40, and to the south by 28 ° 57'.

Florida↗
USGS2016

Mineral resources of the Sagebrush Focal Areas of Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming

Scientific Investigations Report 2016–5089 and accompanying data releases are the products of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Sagebrush Mineral-Resource Assessment (SaMiRA). The assessment was done at the request of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to evaluate the mineral-resource potential of some 10 million acres of Federal and adjacent lands in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. The need for this assessment arose from the decision by the Secretary of the Interior to pursue the protection of large tracts of contiguous habitat for the greater sage-grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus ) in the Western United States. One component of the Department of the Interior plan to protect the habitat areas includes withdrawing selected lands from future exploration and development of mineral and energy resources, including copper, gold, silver, rare earth elements, and other commodities used in the U.S. economy. The assessment evaluates the potential for locatable minerals such as gold, copper, and lithium and describes the nature and occurrence of leaseable and salable minerals for seven Sagebrush Focal Areas and additional lands in Nevada (“Nevada additions”) delineated by BLM. Supporting data are available in a series of USGS data releases describing mineral occurrences (the USGS Mineral Deposit Database or “USMIN”), oil and gas production and well status, previous mineral-resource assessments that covered parts of the areas studied, and a compilation of mineral-use cases based on data provided by BLM, as well as results of the locatable mineral-resource assessment in a geographic information system. The present assessment of mineral-resource potential will contribute to a better understanding of the economic and environmental trade-offs that would result from closing approximately 1 0 million acres of Federal lands to mineral entry.

Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming↗
USGS2015

The Penobscot River and environmental contaminants: Assessment of tribal exposure through sustenance lifeways

EPA in collaboration with the Penobscot Indian Nation, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USF&WS) collectively embarked on a four year research study to evaluate the environmental health of the riverine system by targeting specific cultural practices and using traditional science to conduct a preliminary contaminant screening of the flora and fauna of the Penobscot River ecosystem. This study was designed as a preliminary screening to determine if contaminant concentrations in fish, eel, snapping turtle, wood ducks, and plants in Regions of the Penobscot River relevant to where PIN tribal members hunt, fish and gather plants were high enough to be a health concern. This study was not designed to be a statistically validated assessment of contaminant differences among study sites or among species. The traditional methodology for health risk assessment used by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is based on the use of exposure assumptions (e.g. exposure duration, food ingestion rate, body weight, etc.) that represent the entire American population, either as a central tendency exposure (e.g. average, median) or as a reasonable maximum exposure (e.g. 95% upper confidence limit). Unfortunately, EPA lacked exposure information for assessing health risks for New England regional tribes sustaining a tribal subsistence way of life. As a riverine tribe, the Penobscot culture and traditions are inextricably tied to the Penobscot River watershed. It is through hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering and making baskets, pottery, moccasins, birch-bark canoes and other traditional practices that the Penobscot culture and people are sustained. The Penobscot River receives a variety of pollutant discharges leaving the Penobscot Indian Nation (PIN) questioning the ecological health and water quality of the river and how this may affect the practices that sustain their way of life. The objectives of this Regional Applied Research Effort (RARE) study were to: Develop culturally sensitive methodologies for assessing the potential level of exposure tocontaminants that Penobscot Indian Nation tribal members may have from maintainingtribal sustenance practices. Conduct field surveys and laboratory analysis on targeted flora and fauna for chemicalexposure to dioxins/furans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), total mercury and methyl-mercury. Assist the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) by providing thenecessary data to conduct a Public Health Assessment for the Penobscot Indian Nation. Establish protocols for assessing the level of exposure to PCBs, dioxins/furans and mercuryto PIN tribal members as a consequence of gathering tribal plants for medicinal andnutritional purposes; as well as consuming fish, wood duck, and snapping turtle as a primarysource of nutrition. Survey surface water, drinking water, and sediment from the Penobscot River and IndianIsland to assess the exposure of PIN tribal members to environmental genotoxicants thatcontinue cultural sustenance practices. This research initiative collected and analyzed sediment and biota to determine the level of contaminant exposure to Penobscot tribal members. Natural resource utilization patterns and exposure pathways were identified based on discussions with the Tribal elders. Identification of Tribal exposure factors (exposure pathways and contaminant concentrations) was essential for accurately assessing potential long-term Penobscot Indian Nation tribal members’ exposure. Based on this study, ATSDR’s Public Health Assessment (PHA) concluded that the Penobscot Indian Nation (PIN) tribal members who eat fish and snapping turtle at the ingestion levels suggested in the Wabanaki Traditional Cultural Lifeways Exposure Scenario Report (Wabanaki Exposure Scenario) may be exposed to harmful levels of mercury, dioxins/furans, dioxin-like PCBs, and ot

Maine↗
USGS1978

Limnology of Taylor Creek impoundment with reference to other water bodies in Upper St. Johns River Basin, Florida

Taylor Creek Impoundment was constructed on the western side of the upper St. Johns River basin as part of a plan for flood control and water regulation. The impoundment, which has a surface area of about 4,000 acres, was initially filled late in 1969. Water of relatively poor quality was observed in the impoundment during its first three years of its existence (1970-72). The depth of the impoundment is sufficient to allow thermal stratification, and a thermocline usually develops at depths of 8 to 10 feet. During 1970-72 the hypolimnion remained anaerobic for more than half the year. The hypolimnion also accumulated high concentrations of phosphorus, ammonia-nitrogen, carbon dioxide, ferrous iron, hydrogen sulfide and other substances. The poor water quality is attributed to the decomposition of flooded vegetation, decomposition of soil organic matter, and heavy growths of phytoplankton and duckweed stimulated by an abundant supply of nutrients. Flushing of the impoundment and depletion of leachable nutrients and soil organic matter have led to an improvement in water quality since 1972. During 1973 and 1974 the depth to the top of the anaerobic zone increased to more than 12 feet and by 1974 the period of anaerobiosis decreased to less than 2 months out of 12. Phosphorus concentration after the fall overturn decreased more than 50 percent between 1970 and 1974. The reduction in biochemical oxygen demand during this period suggests a decrease in primary productivity. Water released from the impoundment during the period 1969-75 was similar in quality to nearby Wolf Creek and Jane Green Creek. Of 21 physical, organic, and inorganic constituents, only ammonia-nitrogen was significantly higher in releases from the impoundment than it was in the natural streams. Dissolved oxygen was higher in water released from the impoundment than in the natural streams and dissolved solids concentration were lower. Large releases from the impoundment may, under certain conditions, produce velocities great enough to resuspend bottom sediments several miles downstream at a point where Taylor Creek flows into Lake Poinsett.

Florida↗
USGS1984

Availability of natural and regulated streamflows for instream uses during historical droughts, lower Neosho River, southeastern Kansas

The effects of three historical droughts on streamflows available for instream use on the lower Neosho River at Iola and Parsons, Kansas, were investigated. Natural streamflows that occurred during the three droughts were compared to the multiple-use and water-quality streamflows recommended by State agencies. A reservoir model was used to investigate the effects of John Redmond Reservoir on the natural streamflows. The regulated streamflow produced from the reservoir model then was compared to the multiple-use and water-quality streamflows. The regulated streamflows usually satisfied the multiple-use and water-quality streamflows more often than the natural streamflows. Frequency analysis made on the natural and regulated streamflows showed that the number of days of low flow (less than 30 cubic feet per second) were reduced by the regulated streamflows, which aided in the achievement of the multiple-use and water-quality streamflows goals. The reservoir model was used to determine if sufficient storage was available in John Redmond Reservoir to modify the natural streamflows in order to satisfy the multiple-use and water-quality streamflow recommendations. Additional storage of 15,400 acre-feet was estimated to be needed to maintain the multiple-use streamflows at Parsons.

Kansas, Missouri↗
USGS1991

Hydrology and potential effects of mining in the Quitchupah and Pines coal-lease tracts, central Utah

Bydrologic data were collected for the proposed Quitchupah and Pines coal-lease tracts in Sevier and Bnery Counties, Utah, in order to describe the hydrology and potential effects of mining on the hydrologic system. The Quitchupah and Pines coal-lease tracts are near the Southern Utah Fuel Company coal mine in an area of the central Wasatch Plateau that is characterized by a relatively flat plateau deeply dissected by steep-sided canyons. Surface water in the Quitchupah and Pines study area drains to two perennial streams, Muddy Creek to the north and Quitchupah Creek to the south. Peak streamflow is usually in May and June in response to snowmelt runoff; however, thunderstorms can cause short-term high flows in late summer and fall. The specific conductance of surface water in and near the study area measured during the 1987 water year ranged from 440 (iS/cm to 860 (iS/cm. Suspended-sediment concentrations ranged from 17 to 10,900 mg/L in the Quitchupah Creek drainage and 34 to 312 mg/L in the Muddy Creek drainage. Stable-isotope studies indicate that recharge to aquifers in the study area is by seepage of snowmelt into rock outcrops. Discharge from the aquifers is at springs, seeps, mines, and zones of seepage in streambeds. The chemical quality of ground water is related to the mineralogy of the formations with which the water has contact. Water from the upper part of the Cast legate Sandstone has the smallest concentration of dissolved solids, 61 mg/L, and water from the North Horn Formation has the largest concentration, 1,080 mg/L. Observed effects of underground coal mining at the nearby active mine are considered indicative of the changes that can be expected in the Quitchupah and Pines coal-lease tracts. Subsidence above the mined area could cause dewatering of the Blackhawk Formation and the Star Point Sandstone, changes in the natural drainage patterns, and alteration of both surface- and ground-water quality. Additional studies are needed to gain a better understanding of the hydrologic effects of underground mining in the Quitchupah and Pines coal-lease tracts.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1967

Flood information for flood-plain planning

Floods are natural and normal phenomena. They are catastrophic simply because man occupies the flood plain, the highwater channel of a river. Man occupies flood plains because it is convenient and profitable to do so, but he must purchase his occupancy at a price-either sustain flood damage, or provide flood-control facilities. Although large sums of money have been, and are being, spent for flood control, flood damage continues to mount. However, neither complete flood control nor abandonment of the flood plain is practicable. Flood plains are a valuable resource and will continue to be occupied, but the nature and degree of occupancy should be compatible with the risk involved and with the degree of protection that is practicable to provide. It is primarily to meet the needs for defining the risk that the flood-inundation maps of the U.S. Geological Survey are prepared.

Circular↗
USGS2009

Fort Collins Science Center Ecosystem Dynamics Branch

Complex natural resource issues require understanding a web of interactions among ecosystem components that are (1) interdisciplinary, encompassing physical, chemical, and biological processes; (2) spatially complex, involving movements of animals, water, and airborne materials across a range of landscapes and jurisdictions; and (3) temporally complex, occurring over days, weeks, or years, sometimes involving response lags to alteration or exhibiting large natural variation. Scientists in the Ecosystem Dynamics Branch of the U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, investigate a diversity of these complex natural resource questions at the landscape and systems levels. This Fact Sheet describes the work of the Ecosystems Dynamics Branch, which is focused on energy and land use, climate change and long-term integrated assessments, herbivore-ecosystem interactions, fire and post-fire restoration, and environmental flows and river restoration.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2011

Delivering climate science for the nation's fish, wildlife, and ecosystems: The U.S. Geological Survey National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center

Changes to the Earth's climate-temperature, precipitation, and other important aspects of climate-pose significant challenges to our Nation's natural resources now and will continue to do so. Managers of land, water, and living resources need to understand the impacts of climate change-which will exacerbate ongoing stresses such as habitat fragmentation and invasive species-so they can design effective response strategies. In 2008 Congress created the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC) within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); this center was formed to address challenges resulting from climate change and to empower natural resource managers with rigorous scientific information and effective tools for decision-making. Located at the USGS National Headquarters in Reston, Virginia, the NCCWSC has invested over $20M in cutting-edge climate change research and is now leading the effort to establish eight regional Department of the Interior (DOI) Climate Science Centers (CSCs).

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2013

Environmental health science at the U.S. Geological Survey

USGS environmental health science focuses on the environment-health interface. Research characterizes the processes that affect the interaction among the physical environment, the living environment, and people, as well as the factors that affect ecological and human exposure to disease agents and the resulting toxicologic or infectious disease. The mission of USGS in environmental health science is to contribute scientific information to environmental, natural resource, agricultural, and public-health managers, who use that information to support sound decisionmaking. Coordination with partners and stakeholders will enable USGS to focus on the highest priority environmental health issues, to make relevant, timely, and useable contributions, and to become a “partner of first choice” for environmental health science.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2014

Delivering climate science about the Nation's fish, wildlife, and ecosystems: the U.S. Geological Survey National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center

Changes to the Earth’s climate—temperature, precipitation, and other climate variables—pose significant challenges to our Nation’s natural resources. Managers of land, water, and living resources require an understanding of the impacts of climate change—which exacerbate ongoing stresses such as habitat alteration and invasive species—in order to design effective response strategies. In 2008, Congress created the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC) within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The center was formed to address environmental challenges resulting from climate and land-use change and to provide natural resource managers with rigorous scientific information and effective tools for decision making. Located at the USGS National Headquarters in Reston, Virginia, the NCCWSC has established eight regional Department of the Interior (DOI) Climate Science Centers (CSCs) and has invested over $93 million (through fiscal year 2013) in cutting-edge climate change research.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2016

Student and recent graduate employment opportunities

As an unbiased, multidisciplinary science organization, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is dedicated to the timely, relevant, and impartial study of the health of our ecosystems and environment, our natural resources, the impacts of climate and land-use change, and the natural hazards that affect our lives. Opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates, to participate in USGS science are available in the selected programs described in this publication. Please note: U.S. citizenship is required for all government positions.

General Information Product↗