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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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Friday's Findings - July 29, 2022

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Energy Integrated Science Team

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Cyclical Mobilization and Attenuation of Naturally Occurring Arsenic in an Underground Petroleum Plume

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Publications

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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Water Resources Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Colorado Water Science Center, Oklahoma 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

Microbially induced anaerobic oxidation of magnetite to maghemite in a hydrocarbon-contaminated aquifer

Iron mineral transformations occurring in hydrocarbon-contaminated sites are linked to the biodegradation of the hydrocarbons. At a hydrocarbon-contaminated site near Bemidji, Minnesota, USA, measurements of magnetic susceptibility (MS) are useful for monitoring the natural attenuation of hydrocarbons related to iron cycling. However, a transient MS, previously observed at the site, remains poorly
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Environmental Health Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory

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 the U.S. and EU 10 µg/L drinking water standard for ~40

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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, 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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