Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory
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The Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory (RBPGL) research team conducts long-term investigations on the fate and geochemical effects of organic contaminants in surface and subsurface environments. Our approach combines field observations and laboratory experiments to determine how transformations of organic contaminants impact aquifer, soil, and surface-water chemistry, targeting transformations with potential ecological and health impacts.
RBPGL Research
We conduct long-term investigations on the fate and geochemical effects of organic and inorganic chemicals in water and soil, caused by releases of anthropogenic contaminants into the environment.
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We have a broad range of analytical research capabilities and offer analytical services in aqueous samples for non-volatile dissolved organic carbon and low molecular weight organic acids.
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Energy Integrated Science Team
The Energy Integrated Science Team focuses on the potential for contaminant exposures in the environment that might originate from energy resource activities including, transportation, storage, extraction, waste management and restoration. Perceived health risks to humans and other organisms will be distinguished from actual risks, if any.
Cyclical Mobilization and Attenuation of Naturally Occurring Arsenic in an Underground Petroleum Plume
Scientists found that naturally occurring arsenic in aquifer sediments was mobilized into groundwater and attenuated through reattachment to sediments within an underground petroleum plume. Understanding these patterns identifies anthropogenic factors that affect arsenic presence and magnitude in groundwater.
Ongoing Research to Characterize the Complexity of Chemical Mixtures in Water Resources—Urban Stormwater
A multiagency reconnaissance study of chemicals in urban stormwater, sampled from pipes or ditches during 50 runoff events at 21 sites in 17 states across the United States, demonstrated that stormwater runoff contains complex mixtures of chemicals including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals that are indicative of multiple sources in the watershed.
Publications
Arsenic in petroleum-contaminated groundwater near Bemidji, Minnesota is predicted to persist for centuries
We used a reactive transport model to investigate the cycling of geogenic arsenic (As) in a petroleum-contaminated aquifer. We simulated As mobilization and sequestration using surface complexation reactions with Fe(OH)3 during petroleum biodegradation coupled with Fe-reduction. Model results predict that dissolved As in the plume will exceed...
Ziegler, Brady A.; Ng, G.-H. Crystal; Cozzarelli, Isabelle M.; Dunshee, Aubrey J.; Schreiber, Madeline E. Arsenic release to the environment from hydrocarbon production, storage, transportation, use and waste management
Arsenic (As) is a toxic trace element with many sources, including hydrocarbons such as oil, natural gas, oil sands, and oil- and gas-bearing shales. Arsenic from these hydrocarbon sources can be released to the environment through human activities of hydrocarbon production, storage, transportation and use. In addition, accidental release of...
Schreiber, Madeline; Cozzarelli, Isabelle M. Geochemical and geophysical indicators of oil and gas wastewater can trace potential exposure pathways following releases to surface waters
Releases of oil and gas (OG) wastewaters can have complex effects on stream-water quality and downstream organisms, due to sediment-water interactions and groundwater/surface water exchange. Previously, elevated concentrations of sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), barium (Ba), strontium (Sr), and lithium (Li), and trace hydrocarbons were determined to be...
Cozzarelli, Isabelle M.; Kent, Douglas B.; Briggs, Martin A.; Engle, Mark A; Benthem, Adam; Skalak, Katherine; Mumford, Adam; Jaeschke, Jeanne B.; Farag, Aida; Lane, Jr., John W.; Akob, Denise M.