Geology topics
Publications and source records attributed to Herman R. Feltz.
The mission of the Water Resources Division (WAD) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is to provide the hydrologic information and understanding needed for the optimum use and management of the Nation·s water resources for the overall benefit of the people of the United States.
This volume is the seventh in the series of reports on the history of the water-resources activities of the U.S. Geological Survey. The first four volumes were written by Robert Follansbee, and each is entitled "A History of the Water Resources Branch of the United States Geological Survey."
The U.S. Department of the Interior started a program in 1985 to identify effects of irrigation-induced trace constituents in water, bottom sediment and biota. The program was developed in response to concerns that contamination similar to that found in 1983 at Kesterson Reservoir in California might exist elsewhere. Studies are complete or underway for 26 sites in 15 western States. Selenium is the trace constituent most often found at elevated concentrations in all media. Maximum selenium concentrations in fish from 9 of 20 areas exceeded the threshold concentration for adverse reproductive effects. Maximum selenium concentrations in bird livers from 11 areas exceeded the level at which embryonic deformities are likely; deformed birds were observed in 5 areas. Trace constituent problems may be anticipated if geologic sources such as marine shales occur in an irrigation project area. The potential for problems is increased if closed basins or sinks are present.
The Department of the Interior, in 1986, began irrigation drainage studies in nine areas in seven Western states to determine whether irrigation drainage has caused or has the potential to cause harmful effects on human health, fish, and wildlife, or might reduce the suitability of water for beneficial uses. Results of the seven studies completed in 1987 are presented and are compared to baselines, standards, criteria, and other guidelines helpful for assessing the potential of observed constituent concentrations in water, bottom sediment, and biota to result in physiological harm to fish, wildlife, or humans. Selenium is the constituent most commonly found at elevated concentrations in water, bottom sediment, and biota in the study areas. Additional study results are discussed.
Data gathered from monitoring activities and project studies indicate the ubiquitous occurrence and distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls in the aquatic environment. Residues have been detected in samples from 19 States, representing nearly every region of the country. Concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 4.0 ug/l in unfiltered water samples and 5.0 to 3,200 ug/kg in bottom sediments. PCB residues were also found in fish and aquatic plants. Samples were prepared by the same techniques used for general chlorinated insecticide detection, with special attention to cleanup and separation of PCB's from other compounds. Basic identification and quantification were made by dual-column electron-capture gas chromatography and confirmed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry whenever possible. The sampling program is expected to be broadened geographically in 1973 and increased in successive years in order to more adequately define the distribution of PCB residues in the major drainage basins of the United States.