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Bemidji Crude-oil Spill Field Site

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Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory

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

USGS scientist takes water samples through the ice covering a North Dakota creek

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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RBPGL Capabilities

Photo of a USGS scientist analyzing samples inside a mobile lab

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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News

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GEMSC Scientist Receives Special IAGC Leadership Award

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Friday's Findings - July 29, 2022

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Energy Integrated Science Team

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Publications

Photochemical mobilization of dissolved hydrocarbon oxidation products from petroleum contaminated soil into a shallow aquifer activate human nuclear receptors

Elevated non-volatile dissolved organic carbon (NVDOC) concentrations in groundwater monitoring wells under oil-contaminated hydrophobic soils originating from a pipeline rupture at the National Crude Oil Spill & Natural Attenuation Research Site near Bemidji, MN are documented.. We hypothesized the elevated NVDOC is comprised of water-soluble photooxidation products transported from the surface t
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Phoebe Zito, Barbara A. Bekins, Dalma Martinović-Weigelt, Maxwell L. Harsha, Katherine E. Humpal, Jared J. Trost, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Lynn R. Mazzoleni, Simeon K. Schum, David C. Podgorski
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Water Resources Mission Area, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory

Attenuation of barium, strontium, cobalt, and nickel plumes formed during microbial iron-reduction in a crude-oil-contaminated aquifer

We assessed the spatial distribution of 35 elements in aquifer sediments and groundwater of a crude-oil-contaminated aquifer and show evidence of the dissolution of barium (Ba), strontium (Sr), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni) during hydrocarbon oxidation coupled to historic microbial Fe(III)-reduction near the oil. Trace element plumes occur in the crude-oil-contaminated aquifer, where 50% Co, 47% Ni
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Katherine Jones, Brady Ziegler, Audrey Davis, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
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Environmental Health Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory

Contaminant exposure and transport from three potential reuse waters within a single watershed

Global demand for safe and sustainable water supplies necessitates a better understanding of contaminant exposures in potential reuse waters. In this study, we compared exposures and load contributions to surface water from the discharge of three reuse waters (wastewater effluent, urban stormwater, and agricultural runoff). Results document substantial and varying organic-chemical contribution to
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Jason R. Masoner, Dana W. Kolpin, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Paul Bradley, Brian Arnall, Kenneth J. Forshay, James L. Gray, Justin F. Groves, Michelle Hladik, Laura E. Hubbard, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Jeanne B. Jaeschke, Rachael F. Lane, R. Blaine McCleskey, Bridgette F. Polite, David A. Roth, Michael Pettijohn, Michaelah C. Wilson
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Water Resources Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory
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Science

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picture of water running off an agricultural field through a weir

Organic Contaminants in Reuse Waters and Transport Following Land Application

Potential reuse waters contained unique mixtures of organic contaminants with the greatest number detected in treated municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent, followed by urban stormwater, and agricultural runoff. This study provided information for decisions on reuse strategies to support freshwater supplies.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory
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Organic Contaminants in Reuse Waters and Transport Following Land Application

Potential reuse waters contained unique mixtures of organic contaminants with the greatest number detected in treated municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent, followed by urban stormwater, and agricultural runoff. This study provided information for decisions on reuse strategies to support freshwater supplies.
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Stormwater Runoff

Stormwater and Green Infrastructure

The Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory (RBPGL) is conducting research aimed at understanding the complexity of chemical mixtures in urban stormwater.
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Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory
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Stormwater and Green Infrastructure

The Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory (RBPGL) is conducting research aimed at understanding the complexity of chemical mixtures in urban stormwater.
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Photo showing a natural gas well.

Wastewaters from Unconventional Oil and Gas Development

The Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory (RBPGL) is assessing the potential risks to human and ecosystem health associated with Unconventional Oil and Gas (UOG) development.
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Environmental Health Program, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory
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Wastewaters from Unconventional Oil and Gas Development

The Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory (RBPGL) is assessing the potential risks to human and ecosystem health associated with Unconventional Oil and Gas (UOG) development.
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