Research in Analytical Environmental Trace Element Chemistry and Its Impact on Water Quality

The determination of inorganic constituents and their impact on water quality requires an in-depth knowledge of the interactive water chemistry relationships. The ability to measure trace and ultratrace concentration levels of inorganic constituents as well as their chemical form and speciation plays a significant role on the chemical, toxicological, transport and overall environmental impact on surface- and ground-water hydrology. The development of state-of-the-art analytical chemistry technology to the solution of specific hydrologically related problems requires extensive laboratory and field research and development effort. Project objectives are to (1) Investigate and develop new concepts and approaches to the identification and measurement of inorganic constituents in water and water related materials; (2) Formulate techniques for the utilization of new field and laboratory technology for the assessment of water quality; and (3) Participate in multi-disciplinary research programs providing expertise in the field of inorganic water chemistry. For additional information, see home page for this project.

REPORTS PUBLISHED 1999-2008

Antweiler, R.C. and Taylor, H.E., 2008, Evaluation of statistical treatments of left-censored environmental data using coincident uncensored data sets: I. Summary statistics: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 42, no. 10, p. 3732-3738. (on-line abstract or on-line article in pdf format, 1926 kb, published by American Chemical Society; not subject to U.S. copyright)

Benson, L.B., Taylor, H.E., Peterson, K.A., Shattock, B.D., Ramotnik, C.A., and Stein, J.R., 2008, Development and evaluation of geochemical methods for the sourcing of archaeological maize: Journal of Archaeological Science, v. 35, p. 912-921. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Landers, D.H., Simonich, S.L., Jaffe, D.A., Geiser, L.H., Campbell, D.H., Schwindt, A.R., Schreck, C.B., Kent, M.L., Hafner, W.D., Taylor, H.E., Hageman, K.J., Usenko, S., Ackerman, L.K., Schrlau, J.E., Rose, N.L., Blett, T.F, and Erway, M.M., 2008, The fate, transport, and ecological impacts of airborne contaminants in Western National Parks (USA), Volume 1: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Report EPA/600/R-07/138, 348 p. (on-line report in pdf format, 25 MB)

Landers, D.H., Simonich, S.L., Jaffe, D.A., Geiser, L.H., Campbell, D.H., Schwindt, A.R., Schreck, C.B., Kent, M.L., Hafner, W.D., Taylor, H.E. Hageman, K.J., Usenko, S., Ackerman, L.K., Schrlau, J.E., Rose, N.L., Blett, T.F., and Erway, M.M., 2008, The fate, transport, and ecological impacts of airborne contaminants in Western National Parks (USA), Volume 2 -- Appendices: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Report EPA/600/R-07/138, 113 p., (on-line report in pdf format, 4 MB)

Schuster, P.F., Shanley, J.B., Marvin-Dipasquale, M., Reddy, M.M., Aiken, G.R., Roth, D.A., Taylor, H.E., Krabbenhoft, D.P., and DeWild, J.F., 2008, Mercury and organic carbon dynamics during runoff episodes from a northeastern USA watershed : Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, v. 187, p. 89-108. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Alpers, C.N., Hunerlach, M.P., Marvin-DiPasquale, M.C., Antweiler, R.C., Lasorsa, B.K., De Wild, J.F., and Snyder, N.P., 2006, Geochemical data for mercury, methylmercury, and other constitutents in sediments from Englebright Lake, California, 2002 : U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 151, 95 p. (on-line abstract or data report in pdf format, 11.6 MB - on-line only)

Barber, L.B., Keefe, S.H., Antweiler, R.C., Taylor, H.E., and Wass, R.D., 2006, Accumulation of contaminants in fish from wastewater treatment wetlands: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 40, p. 603-611. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Barber, L.B., Keefe, S.H., Antweiler, R.C., Taylor, H.E., and Wass, R.D., 2006, Response to comment on "Accumulation of contaminants in fish from wastewater treatment wetlands": Environmental Science and Technology, v. 40, p. 3438-3439.

Barber, L.B., Murphy, S.F., Verplanck, P.L., Sandstrom, M.W., Taylor, H.E., and Furlong, E.T., 2006, Chemical loading into surface water along a hydrological, biogeochemical, and land use gradient: A holistic watershed approach: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 40, p. 475-486. (on-line abstract or on-line article in pdf format, 1784 kb, published by American Chemical Society; not subject to U.S. copyright)

Benson, L.V., Hattori, E.M., Taylor, H.E., Poulson, S.R., and Jolie, E.A., 2006, Isotope sourcing of prehistoric willow and tule textiles recovered from western Great Basin rock shelters and caves-proof of concept: Journal of Archaeological Science, v. 33, Issue 11, p. 1588-1599. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Benson, L., Stein, J., Taylor, H., Friedman, R., and Windes, T.C., 2006, The agricultural productivity of Chaco Canyon and the source(s) of pre-hispanic maize found in the Pueblo Bonito Great House, in Staller, J.E., and others, eds., Histories of Maize - Multidisciplinary Approaches to the Prehistory, Linguistics, Biogeography, Domestication, and Evolution of Maize: San Diego, Elsevier/Academic Press, p. 289-314.

Piper, D.Z., Ludington, S., Duval, J.S., and Taylor, H.E., 2006, Geochemistry of bed and suspended sediment in the Mississippi River system: provenance versus weathering and winnowing: Science of the Total Environment, v. 362, no. 1-3, p. 179-204. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Taylor, H.E., Roth, D.A., and Antweiler, R.C., 2006, Dissolved Major Cations and Trace Elements, in Schuster, P.F., ed.: Water and Sediment Quality in the Yukon River Basin, Alaska, During Water Year 2004: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2006-1258, Chapt. 4, p. 25 - 41. (on-line chapter in pdf format)

Taylor, H.E., Roth, D.A., and Antweiler, R.C., 2006, Dissolved Major Cations and Trace Elements, in Dornblaser, M.M. and Halm, D.R., eds., Water and Sediment Quality of the Yukon River and its Tributaries, from Eagle to St. Marys, Alaska, 2002-2003: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2006-1228, p. 103-133. (on-line pages in report, in pdf format)

Taylor, H.E. and Finlay, J., 2006, Nutrients, in Dornblaser, M.M. and Halm, D.R., eds., Water and Sediment Quality of the Yukon River and its Tributaries, from Eagle to St. Marys, Alaska, 2002-2003: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2006-1228, p. 75-79. (on-line pages in report, in pdf format)

Alpers, C.N., Hunerlach, M.P., May, J.T., Hothem, R.L., Taylor, H.E., Antweiler, R.C., De Wild, J.F., and Lawler, D.A., 2005, Geochemical characterization of water, sediment, and biota affected by mercury contamination and acidic drainage from historical gold mining, Greenhorn Creek, Nevada County, California, 1999–2001 : U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2004-5251, 278 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 9867 KB)

Antweiler, R.C., Smith, R.L., Voytek, M.A., and Böhlke, J.K., 2005, Water-quality data from two agricultural drainage basins in northwestern Indiana and northeastern Illinois: II. Diel data, 1999-2001: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1053, 114 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 8.1 MB)

Antweiler, R.C., Smith, R.L., Voytek, M.A., Böhlke, J.K., and Dupre, D.H., 2005, Water-quality data from two agricultural drainage basins in northwestern Indiana and northeastern Illinois: III. Biweekly data, 2000-2002: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1197, 66 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 18.1 MB)

Antweiler, R.C., Smith, R.L., Voytek, M.A., Böhlke, J.K., and Richards, K.D., 2005, Water-quality data from two agricultural drainage basins in Northwestern Indiana and Northeastern Illinois: I. lagrangian and synoptic Data, 1999-2002: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2004-1317, 216 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 4.9 MB)

Hart, R.J., Taylor, H.E., Antweiler, R.C., Graham, D.D., Fisk, G.G., Riggins, S.G., and Flynn, M.E., 2005, Sediment chemistry of the Colorado River delta of Lake Powell, Utah, 2001: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1178, 33 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 2.91 MB)

Hart, R.J., Taylor, H.E., Fisk, R.C., Anderson, G.M., Roth, D.A., Flynn, M.E., Peart, D.B., Truini, M., and Barber, L.B., 2005, Physical and chemical characteristics of Knowles, Forgotten, and Moqui Canyons, and effects of recreational use on water quality, Lake Powell, Arizona and Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2004-5120, 43 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 1.9 MB)

Mast, M.A., Campbell, D.H., Krabbenhoft, D.P., and Taylor, H.E., 2005, Mercury transport in a high-elevation watershed in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado: Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, v. 164, p. 21-42. (on-line abstract of journal article)

McCleskey, R.B., Ball, J.W., Nordstrom, D.K., Holloway, J.M., and Taylor, H.E., 2005, Water-chemistry data for selected springs, geysers, and streams in Yellowstone National Park Wyoming, 2001-2002: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2004-1316, 94 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 10 MB)

Monroe, S.A., Antweiler, R.C., Hart, R.J., Taylor, H.E., Truini, M., Rihs, J.R., and Felger, T.J., 2005, Chemical characteristics of ground-water discharge along the south rim of the Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, 2000-2001: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2004-5146, 59 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 37.2 MB)

Taylor, H.E., Roth, D.A., and Antweiler, R.C., 2005, Dissolved trace metals, in Schuster, P.F., ed., Water and sediment quality in the Yukon River Basin, Alaska, during water year 2002: U.S. Geological Survey Report 2005-1199, p. 25-49

Verplanck, P.L., Taylor, H.E., Nordstrom, D.K., and Barber, L.B., 2005, Aqueous stability of gadolinium in surface waters receiving sewage treatment plant effluent, Boulder Creek, Colorado: Environmental Science & Technology, v. 39, p. 6923-6929. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Abbott, M., Einerson, J., Schuster, P., Susong, D., and Taylor, H.E., 2004, Trace elements and common ions in southeastern Idaho snow: regional air pollutant traces for source area emissions: Fuel Processing Technology, v. 85, no. 6-7, p. 657-671. (on-line abstract)

Campbell, D.H., Mast, M.A., Ingersoll, G.P., Manthorne, D., Krabbenhoft, D.P., Taylor, H.E., Airen, G.R., Schuster, P.F., and Reddy, M.M., 2004, Atmospheric Deposition and fate of mercury in high-altitude watersheds of the Rocky Mountains: EOS Transactions, American Geophysical Union, v. 84, p. 46.

Hunerlach, M.P., Alpers, C.N., Marvin-DiPasquale, M., Taylor, H.E., and De Wild, J.F., 2004, Geochemistry of mercury and other trace elements in fluvial tailings upstream of Daguerre Point Dam, Yuba River, California, August 2001: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2004-5165. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 20,423 KB)

Verplanck, P.I., Nordstrom, D.K., Taylor, H.E., and Kimball, B.A., 2004, Rare earth element partitioning between hydrous ferric oxides and acid mine water during iron oxidation: Applied Geochemistry, v. 19, p. 1339-1354. (on-line abstract)

Barber, L.B., Antweiler, R.C., Brown, G.K., Keefe, S.H., Peart, D.B., Plowman, T.I., Roth, D.A., and Taylor, H.E., 2003, Organic and trace element contaminants in water, biota, sediments, and semi-permeable membrane devices at the Tres Rios Demonstration Wetlands, Phoenix, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4129, 88 p.

Benson, L.V., Barber, D., Andrews, J.T., Taylor, H.E., and Lamothe, P., 2003, Rare-earth elements and Nd and Pb isotopes as source indicators for Labrador Sea clay-size sediments during Heinrich event 2: Quaternary Science Reviews, v. 22, p. 881-889. (on-line abstract)

Benson, L., Cordell, L., Vincent, K., Taylor, H., Stein, J., Farmer, G.L., and Futa, K., 2003, Ancient maize from Chacoan great houses: Where was it grown: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, v. 100, no. 22, pgs. 13111-13225. (on-line abstract)

Clow, D.W., Sickman, J.O., Striegl, R.G., Krabbenhoft, D.P., Elliott, J.G., Dornblaser, M., Roth, D.A., and Campbell, D.H., 2003, Changes in the chemistry of lakes and precipitation in high-elevation national parks in the western United States, 1985 -1999: Water Resources Research, v. 39, no. 6, (on-line abstract)

Landers, D.H., Simonich, S.L., Campbell, D.H., Erway, M.M., Geiser, L.H., Jaffe, D.A., Kent, M.L., Shreck, C.B., Blett, T.F., and Taylor, H.E., 2003, Western Airborne Contaminants Assessment Program Research Plan: US Environmental Protection Agency EPA/600/R-03/035, 115 p. and appendices.

Schuster, P.F., Reddy, M.M., LaBaugh, J.W., Parkhurst, R.S., Rosenberry, D.O., Winter, T.C., Antweiler, R.C., and Dean, W.E., 2003, Characterization of lake and ground water movement in the littoral zone of Williams Lake, a closed basin lake in north-central Minnesota: Hydrologic Processes, v. 17; no. 4; p. 823-838. (on-line abstract)

Taylor, H.E., Roth, D.A., and Antweiler, R.C., 2003, Dissolved trace metals in Schuster, P.F., ed., Water and sediment quality in the Yukon River Basin, Alaska, during water year 2001: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 03-427, p. 27-32.

Taylor, H.E., Spence, J.R., Antweiler, R.C., Berghoff, K., Plowman, T.J., Peart, D.B., and Roth, D.A., 2003, Water quality and quantity of selected springs and seeps along the Colorado River corridor, Utah and Arizona - Arches National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreational Area and Grand Canyon National Park, 1997-98: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 03-496, 31 p.

Verplanck, P.L., McCleskey, R.B., and Roth, D.A., 2003, Inorganic water chemistry of the Boulder Creek Watershed, Colorado, during high-flow and low-flow conditions, 2000, Chapter 4 in Murphy, S.F., Verplanck, P.L., and Barber, L.B., eds., Comprehensive water quality of the Boulder Creek Watershed, Colorado, during high-flow and low-flow conditions, 2000: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4045, p. 71-102. (on-line chapter in pdf format)

Hart, R.J., Rihs, J., Taylor, H.E., and Monroe, S.A., 2002, Assessment of spring chemistry along the South Rim of Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 096-02.

Schmitt, D.A., Taylor, H.E., Aiken, G.R., Roth, D.A., and Frimmel, F.H., 2002, Influence of natrual organic matter on the adsorption of metal ion onto clay particles: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 36, p. 2932-2938. (on-line abstract)

Shanley, J.B., Schuster, P.F., Reddy, M.M., Roth, D.A., Taylor, H.E., and Aiken, G.R., 2002, Mercury on the move during snowmelt in Vermont: EOS, v. 83, no. 5, p.45-48. (on-line report)

Cordell, L.S., Durand, S.R., Antweiler, R.C., and Taylor, H.E., 2001, Toward using elemental chemistry of Native American maize to link archaeological corn to the area in which it was grown in the Northern American Southwest: Journal of Archaeological Science, v. 28, p. 501-513. (on-line abstract)

Roth, D.A., Taylor, H.E., Domagalski, J., Dileanis, P., Peart, D.B., Antweiler, R.C., and Alpers, C.N., 2001, Distribution of inorganic mercury in Sacramento River water and sediments: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology., v. 40, p. 161-172. (on-line abstract)

Taylor, H.E., 2001, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry: Practices and Techniques, New York, Academic Press, 294 p. (on line information)

Taylor, H.E., Antweiler, R.C., Roth, D.A., Brinton, T.I., Peart, D.B., and Healy, D.F., 2001, The occurrence and distribution of selected trace elements in the upper Rio Grande in Colorado and northern New Mexico: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, v. 41, p. 410-426. (on-line abstract)

Turk, J.T., Taylor, H.E., Ingersoll, G.P., Tonnessen, K.A., Clow, D.W., Mast, M.A., Campbell, D.H., Melack, J.M., 2001, Major-ion chemistry of the Rocky Mountain snowpack, USA: Atmospheric Environment, v. 35, no. 23, p. 3957-3966. (on-line abstract)

Verplanck, P.L., Antweiler, R.C., Nordstrom, D.K. and Taylor, H.E., 2001, Standard reference water samples for rare earth element determinations: Applied Geochemistry, v. 16, p. 231-244. (on-line abstract)

Alpers, C.N., Antweiler, R.C., Taylor, H.E., Dileanis, P.D. and Domagalski, J.J., 2000, Metals transport in the Sacramento River, California, 1996-97: Volume 2: Interpretation of metal loads: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 00-4002, 106 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report)

Alpers, C.N., Taylor, H.E., and Domagalski, J.J., 2000, Summary and Conclusions, in Alpers, C.N., Taylor, H.E., and Domagalski, J.J., eds., Metals transport in the Sacramento River, California, 1996-97: Volume 1. Methods and Data: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4286, p. 98-99. (on-line abstract)

Alpers, C.N., Taylor, H.E., Roth, D.A., Cain, D.J., Ball, J.W., Unruh, D.M., and Deleanis, P.D., 2000, Study design: field and laboratory methods, in Alpers, C.N., Taylor, H.E., and Domagalski, J.J., eds., Metals transport in the Sacramento River, California, 1996-97: Volume 1. Methods and Data: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4286, p. 19-37.

Alpers, C.N., Taylor, H.E., and Domagalski, J.J., eds., 2000, Metals transport in the Sacramento River, California, 1996-97: Volume 1. Methods and Data: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4286, 428 p. (on-line report)

Antweiler, R.C., Dileanis, P.D., Alpers, and Taylor, H.E. 2000, Results, in Alpers, C.N., Taylor, H.E., and Domagalski, J.J., eds., Metals transport in the Sacramento River, California, 1996-97: Volume 1. Methods and Data: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4286, p. 62-97.

Cain, D.J., Carter, J.L., Fend, S.V., Luoma, S.N., Alpers, C.N., and Taylor, H.E., 2000, Metal exposure to a benthic macroinvertebrate, Hydropsyche californica, related to mine drainage in the Sacramento River: Canadian Journal of Fisheries, v. 57, p. 380-390. (on-line abstract)

Moody, J.A., Sullivan, J.F., and Taylor, H.E., 2000, Effects of the flood of 1993 on the chemical characteristics of bed sediments in the Upper Mississippi River: Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, v. 117, p. 329-351. (on-line abstract)

Taylor, Howard E., 2000, Inorganic substances, mass spectrometric in the analysis of, in R.A. Meyers, ed., Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry: Chichester, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, p. 11761-11773. (on-line abstract)

Taylor, H.E., Antweiler, R.C., Alpers, C.N., Roth, D.A., Brinton, T.I., Cain, D.J., Ball, J.W., Unruh, D.M., and Dileanis, P.D., 2000, Quality assurance and quality control, in Alpers, C.N., Taylor, H.E., and Domagalski, J.J., eds., Metals transport in the Sacramento River, California, 1996-97: Volume 1. Methods and Data: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4286, p. 38-61.

Durand, S., Shelley, P.H., Antweiler, R.C., and Taylor, H.E., 1999. Trees, chemistry and prehistory in the American Southwest: Journal of Archaeological Sciences, v. 26, p. 185-203. (on-line abstract)

Nishri, A., Brenner, I.B., Hall, G.E., and Taylor, H.E., 1999, Temporal variations in dissolved selenium in Lake Kinneret (Israel): Aquatic Sciences, v. 61, no. 3, p. 215-233. (on-line abstract)

Nordstrom, D.K,. Alpers, C.N., Coston, J.A., Taylor, H.E., McCleskey, R.B., Ball, J.W., Davis, J.A., and Ogle, S., 1999, Geochemistry, toxicity, and sorption properties of contaminated sediments and pore water in two reservoirs receiving acid mine drainage from Iron Mountain, California, in Morganwalp, D.W. and Buxton, H.T., eds., U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology Program-Proceedings of the Technical Meeting, Charleston, South Carolina, March 8-12, 1999: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4018, p. 289-296. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 518 kb)

Verplanck, P.L., Nordstrom, D.K., and Taylor, H.E., 1999, Overview of rare earth element investigations in acidic waters of U.S. Geological Survey abandoned mine land, in Morganwalp, D.W. and Buxton, H.T., eds, U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology Program-Proceedings of the Technical Meeting, Charleston, South Carolina, March 8-12, 1999: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4018, p. 83-92. (on-line abstract)

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PROJECT, CONTACT:
Howard E. Taylor
U.S. Geological Survey, 3215 Marine St., Boulder, CO
Email: hetaylor@usgs.gov
Telephone: 303-541-3007

Ronald C. Antweiler
U.S. Geological Survey, 3215 Marine St., Boulder, CO
Email: antweil@usgs.gov
Telephone: 303-541-3047

Dale B. Peart
U.S. Geological Survey, 3215 Marine St., Boulder, CO
Email: dbpeart@usgs.gov
Telephone: 303-541-3046

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