BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF METALS AND NUTRIENTS IN SEDIMENTS

This project is addressing the role of metal geochemistry, including metal speciation, in the transformation and transport of metals, phosphorus and organic compounds in hydrologic systems. The forms (species) of metals in sedimentary environments are dependent on oxidizing/reducing conditions that are controlled by abiotic and biotic oxidation (mineralization) of organic matter in sediments. The physiochemical properties of a metallo-organic complex are related to the species (form) of the metal in the complex. Metallo-organic complexes, in particular as they affect nutrient cycling, are a focus of this project's research. Currently, the affect that complexes of tetracyclines (TCs) have on phosphorus cycling, and the transport and bioavailability of these antibiotics in hydrologic systems, are being studied. TCs are model polar pharmaceuticals and what is learned about these compounds is potentially useful in understanding the environmental fate and transport of other polar pharmaceuticals.

REPORTS PUBLISHED 1999-2008

Kuwabara, J.S., Lynch, D.D., Topping, B.R., Murphy, F., Carter, J.L., Simon, N.S., Parchaso, F., Wood, T.M., Lindenberg, M.K., Wiese, K., and Avanzino, R., 2007, Quantifying the benthic source of nutrients to the water column of Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1276, 39 p. (on-line summary or on-line report in pdf format, 1.2 MB)

Speiran, G.K., Simon, N.S. and Mood-Brown, M.L., 2007, Processes affecting phosphorus and copper concentrations and their relation to algal growth in two supply reservoirs in the lower Coastal Plain of Virginia, 2002-2003, and implications for alternative management strategies: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5277, 76 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 2.4 MB; on-line only appendices in pdf format, 2.7MB)

American Chemical Society Committee on Analytical Reagents, eds., 2005, Reagent Chemicals, Specifications and Procedures, 10th Edition: Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 806 p. (on-line information about book)

Harthill, M.K., and Simon, N.S., 2005, Sorbant Sequestration and Removal of Toxic Metal Ions: U.S. Patent Number 6,896,813. (on-line patent)

Simon, N.S., 2005, Loosely bound oxytetracycline in riverine sediments from two tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 39, no. 10, p. 3480 -3487. (on-line abstract or on-line pdf file - published by the American Chemical Society; not subject to U.S. copyright.)

Simon, N.S., Bricker, O.P., Newell, W., McCoy, J., and Morawe, R., 2005, The distribution of phosphorus in Popes Creek, VA, and in the Pocomoke River, MD: Two Watersheds with Different Land Management Practices in the Chesapeake Bay Basin: Water, Air and Soil Pollution, v. 164, no. 1-4, p. 189-204. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Bricker, O.P., Newell, W.L., and Simon, N.S., 2004, Bog iron formation in the Nassawango Creek watershed, Maryland, USA, in Martin-Duque, J.F., Brebbia, C.A., Godfrey, A.E., and Diaz De Teran, J.R., eds., Geo-Environment 2004 - Proceedings of the First International Conference on Monitoring, Simulation and Remediation of the Geological Environment, 5-7 July 2004, Los Arcos Hotel, Segovia, Spain: Southampton, U.K., WIT press, p. 13-33.

Bricker, O.P; Newell, W.L; Simon, N.S, 2003, Bog iron formation in the Nassawango Watershed, Maryland: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 03-0346. (on-line report)

Harthill, M., and Simon, N., 2003, Sorbant sequestaration and removal of toxic metal ions: Patent Application NC84402, 25 p.

Simon, Nancy. 2003. Sources and bioavailability of oxytetracycline in bottom sediment from the Pocomoke River, MD, USA. 226th American Chemical Society National Meeting,: New York, NY. Division of Environmental Chemistry Preprints of Papers, v. 43, no. 2, p. 1293-1297.

Barlow, R.A., Brakebill, J.W., Bratton, J.F., Blazer, V.S., Bohlke, J.F., Bricker, O.P., Colman, S.M., Cronin, T.M., Hupp, C.R., Keough, J.R., Landwehr, J.M., Langland, M.J., Newell, W.L., Perry, M.C., Phillips, S.W., Preston, S.D., Rybicki, N.B., Simon, N.S., Willard, D.A., Phillips, S.W., 2002, The U.S. Geological Survey and the Chesapeake Bay - The role of science in environmental restoration: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1220. (on-line report)

Simon, N.S, 2001, Phosphate Geochemistry and Microbial Activity in Surface Sediments from the Conowingo Reservoir and Susquehanna Flats, MD - Proceedings of the Sediment Symposium, Susquehanna River Basin Commission Sediment Task Force, December 7-8, 2000, Hershey, PA, Publication No. 216E (CD), p. 73-74.

Simon, N.S. and Isbister, J., 2001, Phosphate Geochemistry and Microbial Activity in Surface Sediments from the Conowingo Reservoir and Susquehanna Flats, MD: Summary of Findings - Proceedings of the Sediment Symposium, Susquehanna River Basin Commission Sediment Task Force, December 7-8, 2000, Hershey, PA, Publication No. 216E (CD), p. 75-82.

American Chemical Society Committee on Analytical Reagents, 2000, Reagent Chemicals, 9th Edition, American Chemical Society Specifications: Washington, D.C. 768 p.

Cox, T., Simon, N., and Newland, L., 1999, Copper, lead, mercury, and zinc in periphyton of South Florida Ecosystem: Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry, v. 70, p. 259-274. (on-line abstract)

Simon, N.S., Kennedy, M.M., and Bricker, O.P., 1999, Geochemical data for sediment samples collected in 1997 and 1998 from the Pope's Creek, VA and Pocomoke River, MD, watersheds: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 99-79, 18 p.

Simon, N.S., Spencer, R.J., and Cox, T., 1999, Distribution of and relation among mercury and methylmercury, organic carbon, carbonate, nitrogen and phosphorus, in periphyton of the South Florida Ecosystem: Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry, v. 69, p. 417-433. (on-line abstract)

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PROJECT, CONTACT:
Nancy S. Simon
U.S. Geological Survey, 432 National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20192
Email: nssimon@usgs.gov
Telephone: 703-648-5863 Simon, N.S., Demas, C.R., and D'Angelo, 1998, Geochemistry and solid-phase association of chromium in sediment from the Calcasieu River and Estuary, Louisiana, in Fate and Movement of Natural and Synthetic Compounds in the Calcasieu River, Louisiana, Demas, C.R., and Demcheck, D.K., eds., Water Supply Paper 2446. (on-line abstract)

Simon, N.S., Isbister, J., and Margarf, J., 1998, Characterization of sediment from BRD Fish Health Stations in the lower Pocomoke River, Maryland: Federally Supported Science and the Chesapeake Bay Program, National Visitor Center, Laurel, Maryland.

Kendall, C., Garrison, P., Lange, T., Simon, N.S., Krabbenhoft, D.P., Steinitz, D., and Chang, C.C., 1997, Evaluating food chain relations using stable isotopes, U.S. Geological Survey Program on the South Florida Ecosystem-Proceedings of the Technical Symposium in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, August 25-27, 1997: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 97-385, p. 42-43.

For information on additional projects in the National Research Program, see Indexes to NRP projects and bibliographies