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Melinda L Erickson, PhD, PE

Dr. Melinda (Mindy) Erickson is a supervisory research hydrologist in the USGS Upper Midwest Water Science Center - Minnesota office. She is also an adjunct associate professor and Fellow at the University of Minnesota (Fellow, Institute on the Environment. Faculty member Department of Soil, Water, and Climate; Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering; and Water Resources Science).

I am the Team Leader for the Center’s Groundwater Characterization Team, and I am a groundwater contaminant subject matter expert on several national and international interdisciplinary project teams. I have been working in the hydrogeology field since 1993, starting first in environmental consulting and then moving into groundwater-related research in 1998. I was a research scientist for the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency before moving to the federal government with USGS in 2009. My favorite research topic is occurrence, geochemistry, and mobilization of arsenic in natural groundwater systems. Developing models for the behavior of arsenic in the natural environment is elusive due to its complex associations with other metals and minerals, and the interplay of redox, pH, biogeochemistry, and hydrogeology. Even after 20 years of arsenic research, I continue to be fascinated.

Professional Experience

  • U.S. Geological Survey, Research Hydrologist (2009 - present)

  • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Environmental Research Scientist (2006 – 2009)

  • Minnesota Department of Transportation, Senior Research Analyst/GIS Specialist (2005 – 2006)

  • Minnesota Department of Health, Hydrologist (1998 – 2000)

  • Remediation Technologies, Inc. (RETEC), Project Manager/Project Engineer (1993 – 1997)

Education and Certifications

  • PhD, Water Resources Science, University of Minnesota, 2005

  • MS, Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1992

  • BS, Geo-Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1990

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • Groundwater journal, Associate Editor (2020 - present)

  • University of Minnesota, Fellow - Institute on the Environment (2020 - present)

  • University of Minnesota, Adjunct Associate Professor -  Departments of Soil, Water and Climate (2017 - present); Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering; Water Resources Science (2007 - present)

  • Minnesota Groundwater Association, elected President term (2010 - 2012)

  • Minnesota Groundwater Association, Member (1992 - present)

Abstracts and Presentations

  • Erickson, ML. 2021. “Arsenic in Minnesota groundwater: What can we do about it?” Invited presentation to the Minnesota Legislative Subcommittee on Water Policy, November 22, 2021.

  • Erickson, ML. 2021. What have we learned from 60,000 arsenic measurements in new wells? A lot!  Invited presentation at Minnesota Groundwater Association Spring Conference, April 27, 2021.

  • Erickson, ML. 2020. Drinking Water Quality Across the Glacial Aquifer System, Northern US: Measured and Modeled Concentrations of Arsenic and Manganese. Invited presentation at the MN chapter of AIPG monthly meeting. January 7, 2020, St. Paul, MN.

  • Erickson, ML, SM Elliott, CJ Brown, PE Stackelberg, KM Ransom, 2019. Modeling and mapping high arsenic and manganese concentrations in the glacial aquifer system, northern USA: Using machine learning methods to predict water quality conditions in an extensive, stratigraphically complex, unconsolidated drinking water aquifer system. Invited presentation at the American Geophysical Union Annual Meet

  • Erickson, ML, HR Malenda, EC Berquist, JD Ayotte. 2018. Geochemical evolution of groundwater after drinking water well installation: effects on arsenic mobilization. Invited presentation at the Geological Society of America annual meeting, November 4-7, 2018. Indianapolis, IN.

  • Erickson, ML. 2018. Arsenic and manganese in glacial aquifers: Results for Minnesota and plans for coast-to-coast modeling and mapping, Invited presentation to the Iowa Association of Water Agencies, January 18, 2018, Ankeny, IA.

Science and Products

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Arsenic speciation analyses of groundwater samples

Arsenic in Minnesota groundwater—Occurrence and relation to hydrogeologic and geochemical factors

Geologic-sourced arsenic is common in Minnesota groundwater. Drinking-water managers, well owners, and well contractors need to know where and why high arsenic in groundwater is likely to occur in wells in order to take measures to protect public health. The USGS is assessing the spatial distribution of high arsenic groundwater in Minnesota, and identifying factors affecting arsenic mobilization.
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Upper Midwest Water Science Center
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Arsenic in Minnesota groundwater—Occurrence and relation to hydrogeologic and geochemical factors

Geologic-sourced arsenic is common in Minnesota groundwater. Drinking-water managers, well owners, and well contractors need to know where and why high arsenic in groundwater is likely to occur in wells in order to take measures to protect public health. The USGS is assessing the spatial distribution of high arsenic groundwater in Minnesota, and identifying factors affecting arsenic mobilization.
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Field area representing use of arsenic contaminated groundwater for irrigation.

Characterizing global variability in groundwater arsenic

Groundwater contaminated with naturally occurring arsenic is a widespread problem affecting many alluvial and deltaic aquifer systems throughout the world. The human health toll from consuming groundwater with high levels of arsenic is staggering in its proportions. Furthermore, the use of arsenic contaminated groundwater for irrigation is observed to result in diminished crop yields and thus pose
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John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis
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Characterizing global variability in groundwater arsenic

Groundwater contaminated with naturally occurring arsenic is a widespread problem affecting many alluvial and deltaic aquifer systems throughout the world. The human health toll from consuming groundwater with high levels of arsenic is staggering in its proportions. Furthermore, the use of arsenic contaminated groundwater for irrigation is observed to result in diminished crop yields and thus pose
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USGS scientists collecting a water sample from a well at the USGS Bemidji Research Site

U.S. Geological Survey Identifies Crude-Oil Metabolites in Subsurface Plumes

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists studying two subsurface crude-oil spill sites in Minnesota measured concentrations of oil breakdown products (metabolites) at greater concentrations than parent compound concentrations.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
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U.S. Geological Survey Identifies Crude-Oil Metabolites in Subsurface Plumes

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists studying two subsurface crude-oil spill sites in Minnesota measured concentrations of oil breakdown products (metabolites) at greater concentrations than parent compound concentrations.
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A scientist collects a groundwater sample with a syringe

Ethanol-Containing Fuel Spills Enhanced Natural Trace Element Release from Sediments in an Experimental Setting

Experimental field research simulating hydrocarbon spills by researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Virginia Tech, and the University of St. Thomas showed that mixed ethanol and petroleum-based fuels increased the rate by which arsenic and other natural trace elements are released from aquifer sediments to groundwater when compared to petroleum-based fuels alone.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
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Ethanol-Containing Fuel Spills Enhanced Natural Trace Element Release from Sediments in an Experimental Setting

Experimental field research simulating hydrocarbon spills by researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Virginia Tech, and the University of St. Thomas showed that mixed ethanol and petroleum-based fuels increased the rate by which arsenic and other natural trace elements are released from aquifer sediments to groundwater when compared to petroleum-based fuels alone.
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USGS scientist sampling groundwater from a well for contaminants of emerging concern, Minnesota.

Commonly Used Chemicals Measured in Minnesota Groundwater

A team of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MCPA) scientists measured 127 organic chemicals in groundwater underlying urbanized areas in Minnesota. These chemicals include ones commonly used and consumed in our daily lives, in products such as human–use and veterinary pharmaceuticals, fragrances, surfactants, plastic components, and fire retardants. The...
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
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Commonly Used Chemicals Measured in Minnesota Groundwater

A team of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MCPA) scientists measured 127 organic chemicals in groundwater underlying urbanized areas in Minnesota. These chemicals include ones commonly used and consumed in our daily lives, in products such as human–use and veterinary pharmaceuticals, fragrances, surfactants, plastic components, and fire retardants. The...
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Three technicians collecting a rotasonic core during a well installation

Arsenic in Minnesota Groundwater

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) scientists are assessing the distribution of arsenic in groundwater in Minnesota. Naturally occurring arsenic is common in groundwater in Minnesota. About 15 percent of drinking water wells statewide have arsenic concentrations that exceed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water standard of 10 micrograms per...
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
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Arsenic in Minnesota Groundwater

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) scientists are assessing the distribution of arsenic in groundwater in Minnesota. Naturally occurring arsenic is common in groundwater in Minnesota. About 15 percent of drinking water wells statewide have arsenic concentrations that exceed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water standard of 10 micrograms per...
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Data for depth of groundwater used for drinking-water supplies in the United States

This data release includes grids representing the depth and thickness of drinking-water withdrawal zones, polygons of hydrogeologic settings, an inventory of sources of well construction data, and summaries of data comparisons used to assess the depth of groundwater used for drinking-water supplies in the United States. Well construction data sources are documented in Table1_DataSources.xlsx. Data
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Water Resources Mission Area

Nitrate and chloride groundwater quality data, selected well construction characteristics, and aquifer assignments for wells in the Great Lakes Watershed, United States

This data release contains groundwater-quality data for nitrate and chloride, and well information for sample sites for aquifers in the Great Lakes Basin within the United States. Water-quality data and well information were derived from a dataset compiled from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Information System and numerous agencies and organizations at the state, regional, and lo
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Groundwater data, predictor variables, and rasters used for predicting redox conditions in the glacial aquifer, northern continental United States

This data release contains input data used in model development and TIF raster files used to predict the probability of low dissolved oxygen (DO) and high dissolved iron (Fe) in groundwater within the glacial aquifer system in the northern continental United States. Input data include measured DO and Fe concentrations at groundwater wells, and associated predictor variable data. The probability of
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Water Resources Mission Area

Arsenic Speciation method performance data, species hold times data and supporting information

This dataset includes data collected to validate a method of analysis for arsenic species As(III), As(V), dimethylarsinate (DMA), and monomethylarsonate (MMA) in surface water and groundwater samples. It also includes site information and water chemistry for samples used in the validation and used for other studies of arsenic species in groundwater. It includes speciation data measured at multipl
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Water Resources Mission Area

Till geochemistry from rotosonic cores in Minnesota, USA

Samples for analysis were selected from 1) archived rotosonic cores drilled by the Minnesota Geological Survey and archived at the Lands and Minerals Drill Core Library, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Hibbing, Minnesota, USA; or b) freshly collected rotosonic cores, collected on-site at the time of coring. Cores in the sample archive are stored in wooden core-boxes in ambient air. Core
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Water Resources Mission Area

Datasets of Groundwater-Quality and Select Quality-Control Data from the National Water-Quality Assessment Project, January 2017 through December 2019

Groundwater-quality data were collected from 983 wells as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Project of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Program and are included in this report. The data were collected from six types of well networks: principal aquifer study networks, which are used to assess the quality of groundwater used for public water supply; land-use study networ
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Water Resources Mission Area

Arsenic, manganese, and pH groundwater quality data, selected well construction characteristics, and aquifer assignments for wells in the conterminous U.S.

This data release contains groundwater-quality data for three parameters of interest (arsenic, manganese, and pH) and well information for sample sites for aquifers in the conterminous U.S. Water-quality data and well information were derived from a dataset compiled from three sources: the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Information System (NWIS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Age
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Datasets from Groundwater-Quality and Select Quality-Control Data from the National Water-Quality Assessment Project, January through December 2016, and Previously Unpublished Data from 2013 to 2015

Groundwater-quality data were collected from 648 wells as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Project of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Program and are included in this report. Most of the wells (514) were sampled from January through December 2016 and 60 of them were sampled in 2013 and 74 in 2014. The data were collected from seven types of well networks: principal a
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Central Midwest Water Science Center

Data for Time Scales of Arsenic Variability and the Role of High-Frequency Monitoring at Three Water-Supply Wells in New Hampshire, USA

This data release consists of data (in four tables) for assessing the time scales of arsenic variability in three production wells in New Hampshire; tables that describe the data fields in the data tables are also included in the data release. High-frequency (every 5 to 15 minutes) and bi-monthly water-quality monitoring of a bedrock-aquifer domestic well (425651070573701), a bedrock-aquifer publi
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New England Water Science Center
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Filter Total Items: 26

Ground water quality sub-indicator report

The overall status of groundwater quality in the Great Lakes Basin is assessed as “Good” (Figure 1). For the assessed fraction of the basin (84% of the total area), the groundwater quality is “Good” in 58% of the area, “Fair” in 41% of the area, and “Poor” in 1% of the area, resulting in an overall assessment of “Good”. The portions of the basin that have insufficient data (16% percent of the tot
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Helen Zhang, Melinda L. Erickson, Dale VanStempvoort, George Zhang, John Spoelstra
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Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Depth of groundwater used for drinking-water supplies in the United States

Groundwater supplies 35 percent of drinking water in the United States. Mapping the quantity and quality of groundwater at the depths used for potable supplies requires an understanding of locational variation in the characteristics of drinking-water wells (depth and open interval). Typical depths of domestic- and public-drinking-water supply wells vary by and within aquifer across the United Stat
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James R. Degnan, Leon J. Kauffman, Melinda L. Erickson, Kenneth Belitz, Paul E. Stackelberg
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Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

Machine-learning predictions of high arsenic and high manganese at drinking water depths of the glacial aquifer system, northern continental United States

Globally, over 200 million people are chronically exposed to arsenic (As) and/or manganese (Mn) from drinking water. We used machine-learning (ML) boosted regression tree (BRT) models to predict high As (>10 μg/L) and Mn (>300 μg/L) in groundwater from the glacial aquifer system (GLAC), which spans 25 states in the northern United States and provides drinking water to 30 million people. Our BRT mo
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Melinda L. Erickson, Sarah M. Elliott, Craig J. Brown, Paul Stackelberg, Katherine Marie Ransom, James E. Reddy, Charles A. Cravotta
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Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center, New England Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Groundwater-quality and select quality-control data from the National Water-Quality Assessment Project, January 2017 through December 2019

Groundwater-quality environmental data were collected from 983 wells as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Project of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Program and are included in this report. The data were collected from six types of well networks: principal aquifer study networks, which are used to assess the quality of groundwater used for public water supply; land-us
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James A. Kingsbury, Laura M. Bexfield, Terri Arnold, MaryLynn Musgrove, Melinda L. Erickson, James R. Degnan, Anthony J. Tesoriero, Bruce D. Lindsey, Kenneth Belitz
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Water Resources Mission Area, National Water Quality Program, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

Machine learning predicted redox conditions in the glacial aquifer system, northern continental United States

Groundwater supplies 50% of drinking water worldwide and 30% in the United States. Geogenic and anthropogenic contaminants can, however, compromise water quality, thus limiting groundwater availability. Reduction/oxidation (redox) processes and redox conditions affect groundwater quality by influencing the mobility and transport of common geogenic and anthropogenic contaminants. In the glacial aqu
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Melinda L. Erickson, Sarah M. Elliott, Craig J. Brown, Paul Stackelberg, Katherine Marie Ransom, James E. Reddy
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Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center

Months-long spike in aqueous Arsenic following domestic well installation and disinfection: Short- and long-term drinking water quality implications

Exposure to high concentration geogenic arsenic via groundwater is a worldwide health concern. Well installation introduces oxic drilling fluids and hypochlorite (a strong oxidant) for disinfection, thus inducing geochemical disequilibrium. Well installation causes changes in geochemistry lasting 12 + months, as illustrated in a recent study of 250 new domestic wells in Minnesota, north-central Un
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Melinda L. Erickson, Elizabeth D. Swanner, Brady A. Ziegler, Jeffrey R. Havig
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Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Machine learning predictions of pH in the Glacial Aquifer System, Northern USA

A boosted regression tree model was developed to predict pH conditions in three dimensions throughout the glacial aquifer system of the contiguous United States using pH measurements in samples from 18,386 wells and predictor variables that represent aspects of the hydrogeologic setting. Model results indicate that the carbonate content of soils and aquifer materials strongly controls pH and, when
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Paul Stackelberg, Kenneth Belitz, Craig J. Brown, Melinda L. Erickson, Sarah M. Elliott, Leon J. Kauffman, Katherine Marie Ransom, James E. Reddy
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Water Resources Mission Area

Stability of inorganic and methylated arsenic species in laboratory standards, surface water and groundwater under three different preservation regimes

Geogenic arsenic (As) adversely affects drinking water quality in geologically diverse aquifers across the globe. Although the species of As significantly affects its fate, transport, toxicity, and As treatment technology efficacy, reported effectiveness of As species preservation methods varies widely with preservation methods and natural water geochemistry. Our study 1) evaluates the shelf life
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Sarah Stetson, Melinda L. Erickson, Jeffrey Brenner, Emily C. Berquist, Christopher J. Kanagy, Susan Melissa Whitcomb, Caitlyn Margaret Lawrence

Groundwater-quality and select quality-control data from the National Water-Quality Assessment Project, January through December 2016, and previously unpublished data from 2013 to 2015

Environmental groundwater-quality data were collected from 648 wells as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Project of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Program and are included in this report. Most of the wells (514) were sampled from January through December 2016, and 60 of them were sampled in 2013 and 74 in 2014. The data were collected from seven types of well networ
Authors
Terri Arnold, Laura M. Bexfield, MaryLynn Musgrove, Melinda L. Erickson, James A. Kingsbury, James R. Degnan, Anthony J. Tesoriero, Justin T. Kulongoski, Kenneth Belitz
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Central Midwest Water Science Center

Drinking water quality in the glacial aquifer system, northern USA

Groundwater supplies 50% of drinking water worldwide, but compromised water quality from anthropogenic and geogenic contaminants can limit usage of groundwater as a drinking water source. Groundwater quality in the glacial aquifer system, USA (GLAC), is presented in the context of a hydrogeologic framework that divides the study area into 17 hydrogeologic terranes. Results are reported at aquifer-
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Melinda L. Erickson, Richard M. Yager, Leon J. Kauffman, John T. Wilson
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Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Arsenic concentrations after drinking water well installation: Time-varying effects on arsenic mobilization

Chronic exposure to geogenic arsenic via drinking water is a worldwide health concern. However, effects of well installation and operation on arsenic concentrations and mobilization are not well understood. This knowledge gap impacts both reliable detection of arsenic in drinking water and effective public health recommendations to reduce exposure to arsenic. This study examines changes in arsenic
Authors
Melinda L. Erickson, Helen F. Malenda, Emily C. Berquist, Joseph D. Ayotte
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Upper Midwest Water Science Center

How or when samples are collected affects measured arsenic concentration in new drinking water wells

Naturally occurring arsenic can adversely affect water quality in geologically diverse aquifers throughout the world. Chronic exposure to arsenic via drinking water is a human health concern due to risks for certain cancers, skin abnormalities, peripheral neuropathy, and other negative health effects. Statewide in Minnesota, USA, 11% of samples from new drinking water wells have arsenic concentrat
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Melinda L. Erickson, Helen F. Malenda, Emily C. Berquist
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Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Erickson, M.L. and R.J. Barnes (2005) Well Characteristics Influencing Arsenic Concentrations in Ground Water. Water Research (39:16) pp 4029-4039
Erickson, M.L. and R.J. Barnes. (2005). Glacial Sediment Causing Regional-Scale Elevated Arsenic in Drinking Water. Ground Water 43(6) pp 796-805.
Erickson, M.L. and R.J. Barnes. (2006). Arsenic Concentration Variability in Public Water System Wells in Minnesota, USA. Applied Geochemistry. (21:2) pp 305–317
Erickson, M.L. (2005) Arsenic in Upper Midwest Ground Water: Occurrence and Geochemical Mobilization Mechanisms. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

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3-D Models of High Concentrations of As and Mn in Glacial Aquifer Groundwater

New 3-dimensional models predict where high concentrations of arsenic and manganese are likely to occur in the glacial aquifer system, reports a new...

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3-D Models of High Concentrations of As and Mn in Glacial Aquifer Groundwater

New 3-dimensional models predict where high concentrations of arsenic and manganese are likely to occur in the glacial aquifer system, reports a new...

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Water-Level Changes in Northeast Twin Cities Lakes Vary with Landscape Setting

  

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Commonly Used Chemicals Present in Minnesota Groundwater

A significant number of urban water wells in Minnesota — over a third of those studied — contain chemicals from consumer and industrial products...
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Science and Products

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government