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Showing papers by "United States Geological Survey published in 1989"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the relationship between sediment concentration (C) and water discharge (Q) for a hydrologic event, such as a flood, is studied qualitatively by analyzing smoothed temporal graphs in terms of mode, spread, and skewness.

677 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
01 Sep 1989-Nature
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used regional patterns of present-day tectonic stress to evaluate the forces acting on the lithosphere and to investigate intraplate seismicity, and found that most intraplate regions are characterized by a compressional stress regime; extension is limited almost entirely to thermally uplifted regions.
Abstract: Regional patterns of present-day tectonic stress can be used to evaluate the forces acting on the lithosphere and to investigate intraplate seismicity. Most intraplate regions are characterized by a compressional stress regime; extension is limited almost entirely to thermally uplifted regions. In several plates the maximum horizontal stress is subparallel to the direction of absolute plate motion, suggesting that the forces driving the plates also dominate the stress distribution in the plate interior.

587 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Dec 1989-Ecology
TL;DR: Chloride and nitrate were coinjected into the surface waters of a third-order stream for 20 d to examine solute retention, and the fate of nitrate during subsurface transport as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Chloride and nitrate were coinjected into the surface waters of a third—order stream for 20 d to examine solute retention, and the fate of nitrate during subsurface transport. A series of wells (shallow pits) 0.5—10 m from the adjacent channel were sampled to estimate the lateral interflow of water. Two subsurface return flows beneath the wetted channel were also examined. The conservative tracer (chloride) was hydrologically transported to all wells. Stream water was >88% of flow in wells <4 m from the wetted channel. The lowest percentage of stream water was 47% at a well 10 m perpendicular to the stream. Retention of solutes was greater in the hyporheic zone than in the channel under summer low—flow conditions. Nominal travel time (the interval required for chloride concentration to reach 50% of the plateau concentration) was variable by well location, indicating different flow paths and presumably permeability differences in subsurface gravels. Nominal travel time was M 24 h for wells <5 m from the we...

580 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
03 Mar 1989-Science
TL;DR: Probabilities for damaging aftershocks and greater mainshocks are typically well-constrained after the first day of the sequence, with accuracy increasing with time.
Abstract: After a strong earthquake, the possibility of the occurrence of either significant aftershocks or an even stronger mainshock is a continuing hazard that threatens the resumption of critical services and reoccupation of essential but partially damaged structures. A stochastic parametric model allows determination of probabilities for aftershocks and larger mainshocks during intervals following the mainshock. The probabilities depend strongly on the model parameters, which are estimated with Bayesian statistics from both the ongoing aftershock sequence and from a suite of historic California aftershock sequences. Probabilities for damaging aftershocks and greater mainshocks are typically well-constrained after the first day of the sequence, with accuracy increasing with time.

578 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 1989-Nature
TL;DR: It is shown that in aquatic sediments, microbial activity is necessary for the oxidation of model aromatic compounds coupled to Fe(III) reduction, providing the first example of an organism of any type which can oxidize an aromatic hydrocarbon anaerobically.
Abstract: THE contamination of sub-surface water supplies with aromatic compounds is a significant environmental concern1,2. As these contaminated sub-surface environments are generally anaerobic, the microbial oxidation of aromatic compounds coupled to nitrate reduction, sulphate reduction and methane production has been studied intensively1–7. In addition, geochemical evidence suggests that Fe(III) can be an important electron acceptor for the oxidation of aromatic compounds in anaerobic groundwater. Until now, only abiological mechanisms for the oxidation of aromatic compounds with Fe(III) have been reported8–12. Here we show that in aquatic sediments, microbial activity is necessary for the oxidation of model aromatic compounds coupled to Fe(III) reduction. Furthermore, a pure culture of the Fe(III)-reducing bacterium GS-15 can obtain energy for growth by oxidizing benzoate, toluene, phenol or p-cresol with Fe(III) as the sole electron acceptor. These results extend the known physiological capabilities of Fe(III)-reducing organisms and provide the first example of an organism of any type which can oxidize an aromatic hydrocarbon anaerobically.

559 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Oct 1989-Geology
TL;DR: The authors measured surface displacement and strain, pore pressure, stress, and poroelastic rock properties in such areas and used them to test theoretical predictions and improve our understanding of earthquake mechanics.
Abstract: Seismicity is correlated in space and time with production from some oil and gas fields where pore pressures have declined by several tens of megapascals. Reverse faulting has occurred both above and below petroleum reservoirs, and normal faulting has occurred on the flanks of at least one reservoir. The theory of poroelasticity requires that fluid extraction locally alter the state of stress. Calculations with simple geometries predict stress perturbations that are consistent with observed earthquake locations and focal mechanisms. Measurements of surface displacement and strain, pore pressure, stress, and poroelastic rock properties in such areas could be used to test theoretical predictions and improve our understanding of earthquake mechanics.

483 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Etude de la solubilisation de l'eau dans des micelles de dodecylsulfate de sodium, de Triton X114, X100, X405 et de bromure de cetyltrimethylammonium en presence of DDT and trichloro-1,2,3 benzene.
Abstract: Etude de la solubilisation de l'eau dans des micelles de dodecylsulfate de sodium, de Triton X114, X100, X405 et de bromure de cetyltrimethylammonium en presence de DDT et de trichloro-1,2,3 benzene

468 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the adjustment of channel geometry and phases of channel evolution are characterized by six process-oriented stages of morphologic development, premodified, constructed, degradation, threshold, aggradation, and restabilization.
Abstract: Dredging and straightening of alluvial channels between 1959 and 1978 in West Tennessee caused a series of morphologic changes along modified reaches and tributary streams. Degradation occurred for 10 to 15 years at sites upstream of the area of maximum disturbance and lowered bed-levels by as much as 6·1 m. Following degradation, reaches upstream of the area of maximum disturbance experienced a secondary aggradation phase in response to excessive incision and gradient reduction. Aggradation downstream of the area of maximum disturbance reached 0·12 m per year with the greatest rates occurring near the stream mouths. The adjustment of channel geometry and phases of channel evolution are characterized by six process-oriented stages of morphologic development—premodified, constructed, degradation, threshold, aggradation, and restabilization. Down-cutting and toe removal during the degradation stage causes bank failure by mass wasting when the critical height and angle of the bank material is exceeded (threshold stage). Channel widening continues through the aggradation stage as the ‘slough line’ develops as an initial site of lower-bank stability. The bank profile develops three dynamic elements (1) vertical face (70° to 90°), (2) upper bank (25° to 50°), and (3) slough line (20° to 25°). Alternate channel bars form during the restabilization stage and represent incipient meandering of the channel.

459 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors demonstrate that ingestion of sediments and uptake from solution may both be important pathways of metal bioaccumulation in deposit/detritus feeding species.
Abstract: It is clear from available data that the susceptibility of biological communities to trace element contamination differs among aquatic environments. One important reason is that the bioavailability of metals in sediments appears to be altered by variations in sediment geochemistry. However, methods for explaining or predicting the effect of sediment geochemistry upon metal bioavailability are poorly developed. Experimental studies demonstrate that ingestion of sediments and uptake from solution may both be important pathways of metal bioaccumulation in deposit/detritus feeding species. Relative importance between the two is geochemistry dependent. Geochemical characteristics of sediments also affect metal concentrations in the tissues of organisms collected from nature, but the specific mechanisms by which these characteristics influence metal bioavailability have not been rigorously demonstrated. Several prerequisites are necessary to better understand the processes that control metal bioavailability from sediments. 1) improved computational or analytical methods for analyzing distribution of metals among components of the sediments; 2) improved computational methods for assessing the influences of metal form in sediments on sediment-water metal exchange; and 3) a better understanding of the processes controlling bioaccumulation of metals from solution and food by metazoan species directly exposed to the sediments. Such capabilities would allow mechanistic explanations essential to the development of practical tools sought for determining sediment quality criteria for metals.

410 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
05 Jan 1989-Nature
TL;DR: In this article, stable isotope data from planktonic and benthic micro-fossils across the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary in the North pacific was used to reveal a rapid and complete breakdown in this biologically mediated gradient.
Abstract: The normal, biologically productive ocean is characterized by a gradient of the 13C/12C ratio from surface to deep waters. Here we present stable isotope data from planktonic and benthic micro-fossils across the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary in the North pacific, which reveal a rapid and complete breakdown in this biologically mediated gradient. The fluxes of barium (a proxy for organic carbon) and CaCO3 also decrease significantly at the time of the major marine plankton extinctions. The implied substantial reduction in oceanic primary productivity persisted for ∼0.5 Myr before the carbon isotope gradient was gradually re-established. In addition, the stable isotope and preservational data indicate that environmental change, including cooling, began at least 200 kyr before the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary, and a peak warming of ∼3 °C occurred 600 kyr after the boundary event.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Alteredomonas putrefaciens provides a much needed microbial model for key reactions in the oxidation of sediment organic matter coupled to Fe(III) and Mn(IV) reduction.
Abstract: The ability of Alteromonas putrefaciens to obtain energy for growth by coupling the oxidation of various electron donors to dissimilatory Fe(III) or Mn(IV) reduction was investigated. A. putrefaciens grew with hydrogen, formate, lactate, or pyruvate as the sole electron donor and Fe(III) as the sole electron acceptor. Lactate and pyruvate were oxidized to acetate, which was not metabolized further. With Fe(III) as the electron acceptor, A. putrefaciens had a high affinity for hydrogen and formate and metabolized hydrogen at partial pressures that were 25-fold lower than those of hydrogen that can be metabolized by pure cultures of sulfate reducers or methanogens. The electron donors for Fe(III) reduction also supported Mn(IV) reduction. The electron donors for Fe(III) and Mn(IV) reduction and the inability of A. putrefaciens to completely oxidize multicarbon substrates to carbon dioxide distinguish A. putrefaciens from GS-15, the only other organism that is known to obtain energy for growth by coupling the oxidation of organic compounds to the reduction of Fe(III) or Mn(IV). The ability of A. putrefaciens to reduce large quantities of Fe(III) and to grow in a defined medium distinguishes it from a Pseudomonas sp., which is the only other known hydrogen-oxidizing, Fe(III)-reducing microorganism. Furthermore, A. putrefaciens is the first organism that is known to grow with hydrogen as the electron donor and Mn(IV) as the electron acceptor and is the first organism that is known to couple the oxidation of formate to the reduction of Fe(III) or Mn(IV). Thus, A. putrefaciens provides a much needed microbial model for key reactions in the oxidation of sediment organic matter coupled to Fe(III) and Mn(IV) reduction.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors measured the frictional properties of a layer of simulated Westerly granite fault gouge sandwiched between sliding blocks of Westerly granite, and observed that the gouges which were initially non-fractal evolved to a fractal distribution with dimension 2.6.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that rutile has a well-defined temperature of closure and that volume diffusion is the most probable mechanism responsible for the ages being younger than the time of peak metamorphism.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that the central Appalachian Highlands were tectonically uplifted, intensely weathered, and rapidly eroded three times since the Late Triassic: (1) Early to Middle Jurassic (Aalenian to Callovian); (2) mid-Early Cretaceous (Barremian); and (3) Late Cenozoic (Middle Miocene).

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used infrared thermometric observations collected from an aircraft to estimate surface temperatures for a natural vegetative surface in Owens Valley, California, with infrared thermometrically.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed groundwaters from near surface to a depth of 1232 m in the Stripa granite and found that the groundwater composition consists of two general types: a typical recharge water of Ca-HCO3 type ( 700 m depth) of high pH (8-10) that reaches a maximum of 1250 mg/L in total dissolved solids (TDS).

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, high basal debris loads up to 1.5 m thick of pure debris and rapid glacial flow, which can be more than 3000 m a−1, combine to produce large volumes of siliciclastic glacimarine sediment at some of the highest sediment accumulation rates on record.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the compositional significance of outstanding spectral features in the reflectance spectra of particulate igneous rocks was investigated by analyzing directional reflectances spectra, obtained with an FTIR spectrophotometer at 2.17-13.5 microns.
Abstract: The compositional significance of outstanding spectral features in the reflectance spectra of particulate igneous rocks was investigated by analyzing directional reflectance spectra, obtained with an FTIR spectrophotometer at 2.17-13.5 microns, of a suite of well-characterized igneous rocks ground to fine particle size. It was found that, using spectral features associated with the principal Christiansen frequency and with a region of relative transparency between the Si-O stretching and bending bands, it is possible to identify general rock type using the Walter and Salisbury (1989) SCFM chemical index, SCFM, defined as SCFM = SiO2/(SiO2 + CaO + FeO + MgO). It is emphasized, however, that the appearance and the wavelength of these features may be affected by environmental factors.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In the Catalina Schist, a subduction-zone metamorphic terrane of southern California, metasomatized and migmatitic garnet amphibolites occur as blocks in a matrix of meta-ultramafic rocks.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Under oxidizing conditions in Arizona, arsenic in ground-water appears to be controlled in part by sorption or desorption of HAsO4∼2 on active ferric oxyhydroxide surfaces, suggesting sorption of negative ions.
Abstract: Concentrations of dissolved arsenic in ground-water in alluvial basins of Arizona commonly exceed 50 μg L−1 and reach values as large as 1,300 μg L−1. Arsenic speciation analyses show that arsenic occurs in the fully oxidized state of plus 5 (As+5), most likely in the form of HAsO4∼2, under existing oxidizing and pH conditions. Arsenic in source areas presumably is oxidized to soluble As before transport into the basin or, if after transport, before burial. Probable sources of arsenic are the sulphide and arsenide deposits in the mineralized areas of the mountains surrounding the basins. Arsenic content of alluvial material ranged from 2 to 88 ppm. Occurrence and removal of arsenic in ground-water are related to the pH and the redox condition of the ground-water, the oxidation state of arsenic, and sorption or exchange. Within basins, dissolved arsenic correlates (P<0.01) with dissolved molybdenum, selenium, vanadium, and fluoride and with pH, suggesting sorption of negative ions. The sorption hypothesis is further supported by enrichment of teachable arsenic in the basin-fill sediments by about tenfold relative to the crustal abundance and by as much as a thousandfold relative to concentrations found in ground-water. Silicate hydrolysis reactions, as defined within the alluvial basins, under closed conditions cause increases in pH basinward and would promote desorption. Within the region, large concentrations of arsenic are commonly associated with the central parts of basins whose chemistries evolve under closed conditions. Arsenic does not correlate with dissolved iron (r = 0.09) but may be partly controlled by iron in the solid phase. High solid-phase arsenic contents were found in red clay beds. Large concentrations of arsenic also were found in water associated with red clay beds. Basins that contain the larger concentrations are bounded primarily by basalt and andesite, suggesting that the iron content as well as the arsenic content of the basin fill may play a role in the occurrence of arsenic in ground-water. Under oxidizing conditions in Arizona, arsenic in ground-water appears to be controlled in part by sorption or desorption of HAsO4∼2 on active ferric oxyhydroxide surfaces.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A number of extensions of the GLS method that deal with realities and complexities of regional hydrologic data sets that were not addressed in the simulation studies are presented.


Journal ArticleDOI
10 Nov 1989-Science
TL;DR: Results from two types of experiments show that intergranular pore pressures fluctuated dynamically during rapid, steady shear deformation of water-saturated granular materials.
Abstract: Results from two types of experiments show that intergranular pore pressures fluctuated dynamically during rapid, steady shear deformation of water-saturated granular materials. During some fluctuations, the pore water locally supported all normal and shear stresses, while grain-contact stresses transiently fell to zero. Fluctuations also propagated outward from the shear zone; this process modifies grain-contact stresses in adjacent areas and potentially instigates shear-zone growth.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Dec 1989-Ecology
TL;DR: Chloride was injected as a conservative tracer with nitrate to examine nitrate retention (storage plus biotic uptake) and transport in a 327m reach of a third-order stream draining a forested basin in northwestern California as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Chloride was injected as a conservative tracer with nitrate to examine nitrate retention (storage plus biotic uptake) and transport in a 327-m reach of a third-order stream draining a forested basin in northwestern California. Prior to injections, diel patterns of nutrient concentrations were measured under background conditions. Nitrate concentration of stream water increased downstream, indicating that the reach was a source of dissolved inorganic nitrogen to downstream communities under background, low-flow conditions, despite uptake by photoautotrophs. At the onset of continuous solute injection over a 10-d period, timing the passage of the solute front indicated that storage dominated nitrate retention. Instantaneous concentration differences at the base of the reach at hour 24 indicated that biotic uptake accounted for 13% of the nitrate amendment while hydrologic storage constituted 29%. Corrected for groundwater dilution (11.7%), saturation of the stream's channel and hyporheic zones was not complete until 6.8 d of continuous injection. By day 3 nitrate retention was dominated by biotic processes. Biotic uptake was greatest during daylight hours indicating retention by photoautotrophs, but also occurred during darkness. After 10 d of continuous injection, mass balance calculations indicated that 29% of N (339 g) was retained from the total injected (1155 g), while the balance of injected nitrate was transported downstream. Storage of NO3-N was 117 g or 10% while biotic uptake was 222 g or 19%. Periphyton biomass on slides, chlorophyll a both on slides and on natural cobbles, and net community primary production all indicated a lag in periphyton response to nitrate amendment. Earliest indicators of a biotic response to nutrient amendment were decreases in both tissue C/N and epilithic respiration.

Journal ArticleDOI
07 Apr 1989-Science
TL;DR: Simultaneous measurements of seismically induced pore-water pressure changes and surface and subsurface accelerations at a site undergoing liquefaction caused by the Superstition Hills, California, earthquake reveal that total pore pressures approached lithostatic conditions, but, unexpectedly, after most of the strong motion ceased.
Abstract: Simultaneous measurements of seismically induced pore-water pressure changes and surface and subsurface accelerations at a site undergoing liquefaction caused by the Superstition Hills, California, earthquake (24 November 1987; M = 6.6) reveal that total pore pressures approached lithostatic conditions, but, unexpectedly, after most of the strong motion ceased. Excess pore pressures were generated once horizontal acceleration exceeded a threshold value.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a modification of Hamamori's (1962) probability distribution function, generated by Monte Carlo simulation, was presented, which permits one to specify the sampling interval, in relation to the length of a bedform.
Abstract: Temporal variations in bedload transport rates that occur at a variety of timescales, even under steady flow conditions, are accepted as an inherent component of the bedload transport process. Rarely, however, has the cause of such variations been explained clearly. We consider three data sets, obtained from laboratory experiments, that refer to measurements of bedload transport made with continuously recording bedload traps. Each data set is characterized by a predominant low-frequency oscillation, on which additional higher-frequency oscillations generally are superimposed. The period of these oscillations, as isolated through the use of spectral analysts, ranged between 0·47 and 168 minutes, and was associated unequivocally with the migration of bedforms such as ripples, dunes, and bars. The extent to which such oscillatory behaviour may be recognized in a data set depends on the duration of sampling and the length of the sampling time, with respect to the period of a given bedform. Several theoretical probability distribution functions have been developed to describe the frequency distributions of (relative) bedload transport rates that are associated with the migration of bedforms (Einstein, 1937b; Hamamori, 1962; Carey and Hubbell, 1986). These distribution functions were derived without reference to a sampling interval. We present a modification of Hamamori's (1962) probability distribution function, generated by Monte Carlo simulation, which permits one to specify the sampling interval, in relation to the length of a bedform. Comparisons between the simulated and observed frequency distributions, that were undertaken on the basis of the data described herein, are good (significant at the 90 per cent confidence level). Finally, the implications that temporal variability, which is associated with the migration of bedforms, have for the accurate determination of bedload transport rates are considered.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jul 1989-Nature
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of diurnal cycling of pH on dissolved arsenate in a perennial stream contaminated with arsenic was investigated, and it was shown that the arsenate cycle lags several hours behind the pH cycle.
Abstract: CHEMICAL and biological processes have important roles in the transport and cycling of trace elements in natural waters1-3, but their complex interactions are often not well understood. Trace-element concentrations may, for example, be controlled by adsorption—desorption reactions at mineral surfaces, with the equilibrium strongly influenced by pH. Variations in pH due to photosynthetic activity should result in concentration fluctuations as the adsorption—desorption equilibrium shifts with pH. To investigate these interactions, we have studied the effect of diurnal cycling of pH on dissolved arsenate in a perennial stream contaminated with arsenic. As expected, a diurnal cycle in arsenate concentration was observed, but surprisingly, the arsenate cycle lags several hours behind the pH cycle. Laboratory experiments show that the lag results from a slow approach to sorption equilibrium. Our observations demonstrate that the coupling of photosynthesis and sorption processes may have an important influence on the cycling of many trace elements and emphasize the importance of understanding sorption kinetics in modelling these processes.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the relative absorption band-depth (RBD) image was used to analyze the spectral expression of metamorphic minerals and rocks in the Ruby Mountains of southwestern Montana.