Charles A Cravotta, III, PhD, PG (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Phosphorus in the Susquehanna River may be tied to legacy sediment and changing pH
Regional Synthesis of Groundwater Quality in Domestic Supply Wells in Northeast and North Central Pennsylvania
Groundwater Quality of Domestic Supply Wells in Pennsylvania
Recoding of AMDTreat Phase 2: Integration of PHREEQ-N-AMDTreat water-quality prediction tools with recoded AMDTreat cost-analysis software
Mine Drainage and Water Quality Research
Salinity and total dissolved solid determinations using PHREEQCI
Data compilation for regional synthesis of chemical characteristics of groundwater used for domestic supply in north-east and north-central Pennsylvania
Inorganic Constituent and Ancillary Data for Evaluation of Lithium in Groundwater in the United States, 1991-2018
Compilation of data not available in the National Water Information System for domestic wells sampled by the U.S. Geological Survey in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, May-September 2017
Hydrologic data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service at the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, Summit Area, Blair and Cambria Counties, Pennsylvania, April 2014-December 2016
Compilation of data not available in the National Water Information System for domestic wells sampled by the U.S. Geological Survey in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, May-August 2016
Legacy sediment as a potential source of orthophosphate: Preliminary conceptual and geochemical models for the Susquehanna River, Chesapeake Bay watershed, USA
Nutrient pollution from agriculture and urban areas plus acid mine drainage (AMD) from legacy coal mines are primary causes of water-quality impairment in the Susquehanna River, which is the predominant source of freshwater and nutrients entering the Chesapeake Bay. Recent increases in the delivery of dissolved orthophosphate (PO4) from the river to the bay may be linked to long-term increases in
Determination and prediction of micro scale rare earth element geochemical associations in mine drainage treatment wastes
Land development and road salt usage drive long-term changes in major-ion chemistry of streamwater in six exurban and suburban watersheds, southeastern Pennsylvania, 1999-2019
Salinity and total dissolved solids measurements for natural waters: An overview and a new salinity method based on specific conductance and water type
Gross alpha-particle activity and high 226Ra concentrations do not correspond with high 210Po in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain aquifers of the United States
210Po, which is of human-health concern based on lifetime ingestion cancer risk, is indirectly regulated in drinking water through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s gross alpha-particle activity (GAPA) maximum contaminant level of 15 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). This regulation requires independent measurement of 226Ra for samples exceeding the GAPA screening level of 5 pCi/L. There is n
Determination and prediction of rare earth element eeochemical associations in acid mine drainage treatment wastes
PHREEQ-N-AMDTreat+REYs water-quality modeling tools to evaluate acid mine drainage treatment strategies for recovery of rare-earth elements
Long-term impacts of impervious surface cover change and roadway deicing agent application on chloride concentrations in exurban and suburban watersheds
Pollutant co-attenuation via in-stream interactions between mine drainage and municipal wastewater
Mine drainage precipitates attenuate and conceal wastewater-derived phosphate pollution in stream water
Factors Affecting Groundwater Quality Used for Domestic Supply in Marcellus Shale Region of North-Central and North-East Pennsylvania, USA
Relation between road-salt application and increasing radium concentrations in a low-pH aquifer, southern New Jersey
The Kirkwood–Cohansey aquifer in southern New Jersey is an important source of drinking-water supplies, but the availability of the resource is limited in some areas by high concentrations of radium, a potential carcinogen at elevated concentrations. Radium (226Ra plus 228Ra) concentrations from a network of 25 drinking-water wells showed a statistically significant increase over a decadal time sc
Interactive PHREEQ-N-AMDTreat+REYs water-quality modeling tools to evaluate potential attenuation of rare-earth elements and associated dissolved constituents by aqueous-solid equilibrium processes (software download)
Interactive PHREEQ-N-Titration-PO4-Adsorption water-quality modeling tools to evaluate potential attenuation of phosphate and associated dissolved constituents by aqueous-solid equilibrium processes (software download)
PHREEQ-N-AMDTreat
USGS developed, in cooperation with the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, “user-friendly” aqueous geochemical modeling tools to simulate changes in water quality during passive and active treatment of acid mine drainage.
Interactive PHREEQ-N-AMDTreat Water-Quality Modeling Tools to Evaluate Performance and Design of Treatment Systems for Acid Mine Drainage (software download)
Science and Products
- Science
Phosphorus in the Susquehanna River may be tied to legacy sediment and changing pH
The Susquehanna River is the predominant source of freshwater and nutrients entering the Chesapeake Bay.Regional Synthesis of Groundwater Quality in Domestic Supply Wells in Northeast and North Central Pennsylvania
USGS synthesized groundwater quality measurements in wells to characterize regional chemical characteristics of aquifers used for domestic supply in northeast and north central Pennsylvania.Groundwater Quality of Domestic Supply Wells in Pennsylvania
Most rural residents in Pennsylvania use groundwater from domestic supply wells for drinking, cleaning and other purposes. Some groundwater samples have been analyzed for private purposes, but those results generally are not readily available to the public. Many of the publicly available water-quality samples from rural areas were collected more than 30 years ago. Quality-assured groundwater...Recoding of AMDTreat Phase 2: Integration of PHREEQ-N-AMDTreat water-quality prediction tools with recoded AMDTreat cost-analysis software
Newly developed PHREEQ-N-AMDTreat water-quality prediction tools indicate potential changes in pH, dissolved metals, and associated solute concentrations resulting from passive and active treatment of coal-mine drainage.Mine Drainage and Water Quality Research
The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center conducts research on geochemical and hydrological processes that control water quality, including the sources, transport, and attenuation of metals and nutrients in undisturbed and mining-impacted watersheds and aquifers. Results apply to scientific and regulatory programs for the prevention and remediation of aquatic contamination. - Data
Salinity and total dissolved solid determinations using PHREEQCI
The total concentration of dissolved constituents in water is routinely quantified by measurements of salinity or total dissolved solids (TDS). However, salinity and TDS are operationally defined by their analytical methods and are not equivalent for most waters. Furthermore, multiple methods are available to determine salinity and TDS, and these methods have inherent differences. TDS is defined aData compilation for regional synthesis of chemical characteristics of groundwater used for domestic supply in north-east and north-central Pennsylvania
Groundwater quality data for 472 domestic well-water samples were retrieved from the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) database and combined with descriptive information on the sampled well locations. The NWIS data for a sample, collected on the selected date, were averaged into a single record (one per well), and rounded according to USGS protocols. For evaluation and reporting, the wInorganic Constituent and Ancillary Data for Evaluation of Lithium in Groundwater in the United States, 1991-2018
Lithium concentrations in untreated groundwater from 1,464 public-supply wells, 1,676 domestic-supply wells, and 1,560 monitoring wells distributed across 33 principal aquifers in the United States were evaluated for spatial variations and possible explanatory factors. For context, lithium concentrations are compared to a drinking-water only threshold (60 mg/L) and a Health-Based Screening Level (Compilation of data not available in the National Water Information System for domestic wells sampled by the U.S. Geological Survey in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, May-September 2017
This dataset contains the lithologic class and topographic position index information and quality-assurance and quality-control data not available in the online National Water Information System for 54 domestic wells sampled by the U.S. Geological Survey in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, May-September 2017. The topographic position index (TPI) for each well location was computed on the basis of a 2Hydrologic data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service at the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, Summit Area, Blair and Cambria Counties, Pennsylvania, April 2014-December 2016
This data release reports water-quantity and water-quality data collected during 2014-2016 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS) at the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site (ALPO) in Blair and Cambria Counties, Pennsylvania (figure 1). These data establish a base-line for current hydrologic conditions and may be helpful to evaluatCompilation of data not available in the National Water Information System for domestic wells sampled by the U.S. Geological Survey in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, May-August 2016
This dataset contains the lithologic class and topographic position index information and quality-assurance and quality-control data not available in the online National Water Information System for 72 domestic wells sampled by the U.S. Geological Survey in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, May-August 2016. The topographic position index (TPI) for each well location was computed on the basis of a 25- - Publications
Filter Total Items: 88
Legacy sediment as a potential source of orthophosphate: Preliminary conceptual and geochemical models for the Susquehanna River, Chesapeake Bay watershed, USA
Nutrient pollution from agriculture and urban areas plus acid mine drainage (AMD) from legacy coal mines are primary causes of water-quality impairment in the Susquehanna River, which is the predominant source of freshwater and nutrients entering the Chesapeake Bay. Recent increases in the delivery of dissolved orthophosphate (PO4) from the river to the bay may be linked to long-term increases in
AuthorsCharles A. Cravotta, Travis L. Tasker, Peter M. Smyntek, Joel Blomquist, John Clune, Qian Zhang, Noah Schmadel, Natalie Katrina SchmerDetermination and prediction of micro scale rare earth element geochemical associations in mine drainage treatment wastes
Acid mine drainage (AMD) has been proposed as a novel source of rare earth elements (REE), a group of elements that includes critical metals for clean energy and modern technologies. REE are sequestered in the Fe–Al–Mn-rich precipitates produced during the treatment of AMD. These AMD solids are typically managed as waste but could be a REE source. Here, results from AMD solids characterization andAuthorsBenjamin C. Hedin, Mengling Y. Stuckman, Charles A. Cravotta, Christina L. Lopano, Rosemary C. CapoLand development and road salt usage drive long-term changes in major-ion chemistry of streamwater in six exurban and suburban watersheds, southeastern Pennsylvania, 1999-2019
In urbanized areas, the “freshwater salinization syndrome” (FSS), which pertains to long-term increases in concentrations of major ions and metals in fresh surface waters, has been attributed to road salt application. In addition to FSS, the water composition changes as an influx of sodium (Na+) in recharge may displace calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+), and trace metals by reverseAuthorsMarissa Lee Rossi, Peleg Kremer, Charles A. Cravotta, Krista E. Seng, Steven T. GoldsmithSalinity and total dissolved solids measurements for natural waters: An overview and a new salinity method based on specific conductance and water type
The total concentration of dissolved constituents in water is routinely quantified by measurements of salinity or total dissolved solids (TDS). However, salinity and TDS are operationally defined by their analytical methods and are not equivalent for most waters. Furthermore, multiple methods are available to determine salinity and TDS, and these methods have inherent differences. TDS is defined aAuthorsR. Blaine McCleskey, Charles A. Cravotta, Matthew P. Miller, Fred D. Tillman, Paul Stackelberg, Katherine J. Knierim, Daniel WiseGross alpha-particle activity and high 226Ra concentrations do not correspond with high 210Po in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain aquifers of the United States
210Po, which is of human-health concern based on lifetime ingestion cancer risk, is indirectly regulated in drinking water through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s gross alpha-particle activity (GAPA) maximum contaminant level of 15 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). This regulation requires independent measurement of 226Ra for samples exceeding the GAPA screening level of 5 pCi/L. There is n
AuthorsZoltan Szabo, Charles A. Cravotta, Paul Stackelberg, Kenneth BelitzDetermination and prediction of rare earth element eeochemical associations in acid mine drainage treatment wastes
Acid mine drainage (AMD) has been proposed by various researchers as a novel source of rare earth elements (REE), a group of elements that include critical metals for clean energy and modern technologies. REE tend to be sequestered in the Fe-Al-Mn-rich solids produced during the treatment of AMD. These solids are typically managed as waste, but could be a low-cost, readily available REE source. HeAuthorsB.C. Hedin, Charles A. Cravotta, M.Y. Stuckman, C.L. Lopano, R.C. Capo, R.S. HedinPHREEQ-N-AMDTreat+REYs water-quality modeling tools to evaluate acid mine drainage treatment strategies for recovery of rare-earth elements
The PHREEQ-N-AMDTreat+REYs water-quality modeling tools have the fundamental capability to simulate aqueous chemical reactions and predict the formation of metal-rich solids during the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD). These new user-friendly, publicly available tools were expanded from the PHREEQ-N-AMDTreat tools to include the precipitation of rare-earth elements plus yttrium (REYs) and theAuthorsCharles A. CravottaLong-term impacts of impervious surface cover change and roadway deicing agent application on chloride concentrations in exurban and suburban watersheds
Roadway deicing agents, including rock salt and brine containing NaCl, have had a profound impact on the water quality and aquatic health of rivers and streams in urbanized areas with temperate climates. Yet, few studies evaluate impacts to watersheds characterized by relatively low impervious surface cover (ISC; < 15 %). Here, we use long-term (1997-2019), monthly streamwater quality data combineAuthorsMarissa L. Rossi, Peleg Kremer, Charles A. Cravotta, Krista E. Scheirer, Steven T. GoldsmithPollutant co-attenuation via in-stream interactions between mine drainage and municipal wastewater
Municipal wastewater (MWW) and mine drainage (MD) are common co-occurring sources of freshwater pollution in mining regions. The physicochemical interactions that occur after mixing MWW and MD in a waterway may improve downstream water quality of an impaired reach by reducing downstream concentrations of nutrients and metals (i.e., “co-attenuation”). A first-order stream (Bradley Run in central PeAuthorsCharles J. Spellman, Peter M. Smyntek, Charles A. Cravotta, Travis L. Tasker, William H. J. StrosniderMine drainage precipitates attenuate and conceal wastewater-derived phosphate pollution in stream water
Hydrous ferric-oxide (HFO) coatings on streambed sediments may attenuate dissolved phosphate (PO4) concentrations at acidic to neutral pH conditions, limiting phosphorus (P) transport and availability in aquatic ecosystems. Mesh-covered tiles on which “natural” HFO from abandoned mine drainage (AMD) had precipitated were exposed to treated municipal wastewater (MWW) effluent or a mixture of streamAuthorsPeter M. Smyntek, Natalie Lamagna, Charles A. Cravotta, William H. J. StrosniderFactors Affecting Groundwater Quality Used for Domestic Supply in Marcellus Shale Region of North-Central and North-East Pennsylvania, USA
Factors affecting groundwater quality used for domestic supply within the Marcellus Shale footprint in north-central and north-east Pennsylvania are identified using a combination of spatial, statistical, and geochemical modeling. Untreated groundwater, sampled during 2011–2017 from 472 domestic wells within the study area, exhibited wide ranges in pH (4.5–9.3), total dissolved solids (TDS, 22–196AuthorsCharles A. Cravotta, Lisa A. Senior, Matthew D. ConlonRelation between road-salt application and increasing radium concentrations in a low-pH aquifer, southern New Jersey
The Kirkwood–Cohansey aquifer in southern New Jersey is an important source of drinking-water supplies, but the availability of the resource is limited in some areas by high concentrations of radium, a potential carcinogen at elevated concentrations. Radium (226Ra plus 228Ra) concentrations from a network of 25 drinking-water wells showed a statistically significant increase over a decadal time sc
AuthorsBruce D. Lindsey, Charles A. Cravotta, Zoltan Szabo, Kenneth Belitz, Paul Stackelberg - Software
Interactive PHREEQ-N-AMDTreat+REYs water-quality modeling tools to evaluate potential attenuation of rare-earth elements and associated dissolved constituents by aqueous-solid equilibrium processes (software download)
Software utilizing PHREEQC with user interface. The PHREEQ-N-AMDTreat+REYs geochemical modeling tools have the fundamental capability to simulate and predict key reactions related to the treatment of acid mine drainage and the formation of treatment solids, including the adsorption of rare-earth elements plus yttrium (REYs) onto hydrous iron, aluminum, and manganese oxides. These new tools were eInteractive PHREEQ-N-Titration-PO4-Adsorption water-quality modeling tools to evaluate potential attenuation of phosphate and associated dissolved constituents by aqueous-solid equilibrium processes (software download)
Two complementary executable water-quality modeling tools (CausticTitration_PO4mg.exe, CausticTitration_PO4moles.exe) simulate equilibrium processes that may attenuate dissolved concentrations of phosphate (PO4) plus associated concentrations of iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), calcium (Ca), and sulfate (SO4) as pH and other solution characteristics change during titration with a causticPHREEQ-N-AMDTreat
USGS developed, in cooperation with the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, “user-friendly” aqueous geochemical modeling tools to simulate changes in water quality during passive and active treatment of acid mine drainage.
Interactive PHREEQ-N-AMDTreat Water-Quality Modeling Tools to Evaluate Performance and Design of Treatment Systems for Acid Mine Drainage (software download)
The PHREEQ-N-AMDTreat aqueous geochemical modeling tools described herein simulate changes in pH and solute concentrations resulting from passive and active treatment of acidic or alkaline mine drainage (AMD). The “user-friendly” interactive tools, which are publicly available software, utilize PHREEQC equilibrium aqueous and surface speciation models and kinetics models for O2 ingassing and CO2 - News
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