Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory
Home
The Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory (RBPGL) research team conducts long-term investigations on the fate and geochemical effects of organic contaminants in subsurface environments. Our research products provide a basis for water resources managers to make science-based decisions when developing effective remediation strategies and to preventing further contamination.
RBPGL Research
We conduct long-term investigations on the fate and geochemical effects of organic contaminants in subsurface environments.
Learn moreRBPGL Capabilities
We offer analytical services in aqueous samples for non-volatile dissolved organic carbon and low molecular weight organic acids.
Learn moreNews
Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke Visits Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory
Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke recently visited Reston to share his vision for the U.S. Geological Survey. He visited with USGS personel and stopped by the Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory to learn more about what we do.
Isabelle Cozzarelli Receives Meritorious Service Award
Dr. Isabelle M. Cozzarelli received the U.S. Department of Interior's second highest honorary award—the 2017 Meritorious Service Award—for her numerous contributions to understanding the biogeochemical controls of contaminant degradation in groundwater and near-surface environments.
Salting the Earth: The Environmental Impact of Oil and Gas Wastewater Spills
For five days in July 2014, a broken pipe spilled more than one million gallons of wastewater produced by unconventional oil drilling into a steep ravine filled with natural springs and beaver dams on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.
Publications
Predicting attenuation of salinized surface- and groundwater-resources from legacy energy development in the Prairie Pothole Region
Oil and gas (energy) development in the Williston Basin, which partly underlies the Prairie Pothole Region in central North America, has helped meet U.S. energy demand for decades. Historical handling and disposal practices of saline wastewater co-produced during energy development resulted in salinization of surface and groundwater at numerous...
Preston, Todd M.; Anderson, Chauncey W.; Thamke, Joanna N.; Hossack, Blake R.; Skalak, Katherine; Cozzarelli, Isabelle M. Biological effects of elevated major ions in surface water contaminated by a produced water from oil production
Produced water (PW) from oil and gas extraction processes has been shown to contain elevated concentrations of major ions. The objective of this study was to determine the potential effects of elevated major ions in PW-contaminated surface water on a fish (fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas) and a unionid mussel (fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea...
Wang, Ning; Kunz, James L.; Cleveland, Danielle; Steevens, Jeffery; Cozzarelli, Isabelle M. Organic geochemistry and toxicology of a stream impacted by unconventional oil and gas wastewater disposal operations
Water and sediment extracts samples were analyzed for extractable hydrocarbons by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) using an Agilent (Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, CA, USA) 7890 series GC and 5975 electron ionization (EI) mass selective detector (MSD) operated in scan mode. Agilent ChemStation software was used for data acquisition...
Orem, William H.; Varonka, Matthew S.; Crosby, Lynn M.; Haase, Karl B.; Loftin, Keith A.; Hladik, Michelle; Akob, Denise M.; Tatu, Calin; Mumford, Adam C.; Jaeschke, Jeanne B.; Bates, Anne L.; Schell, Tiffani; Cozzarelli, Isabelle M.