Geoffrey Plumlee, Ph.D.
As the USGS Chief Scientist, Geoff provides strategic scientific vision and counsel to the Director and the USGS Executive Leadership Team on inter- and trans-disciplinary USGS science research priorities, opportunities, activities, capabilities, and partnerships, particularly those cross multiple Mission Areas and Regions.
Geoff serves as a USGS executive science liaison with the Department of the Interior (DOI) and other Federal agencies, and is the USGS/DOI principal or representative on various Federal interagency coordination bodies such as the NSTC Subcommittee on Global Change Research and the NSTC Joint Subcommittee on Environment, Innovation and Public Health.
Executive Biography
As Chief Scientist of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Dr. Geoff Plumlee provides strategic scientific vision and counsel to the USGS Director and Executive Leadership Team on inter- and transdisciplinary USGS science research priorities, opportunities, activities, capabilities, and partnerships, particularly those that cross multiple USGS Mission Areas and Regions. He serves as an executive science liaison for the USGS with the Department of the Interior (DOI) and other Federal agencies and is the USGS/DOI principal or representative on various Federal interagency committees such as the Subcommittee on Global Change Research and the NSTC Joint Subcommittee on Environment, Innovation and Public Health. As reflected in his role as a USGS executive champion or co-champion of two USGS Employee Resource Groups, Geoff is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive USGS workforce, and to enhancing USGS use-inspired science that better meets the needs of underrepresented and disadvantaged communities.
Geoff has been USGS Chief Scientist and Senior Science Advisor to the USGS Director since January 2019. From May 2016 to early 2020, Geoff was the USGS Associate Director for Environmental Health, where he led USGS research at the intersection of the environment and health.
Geoff brought to these executive leadership positions 33 years of research and science leadership experience with the USGS, as well as his ability to seek out and establish successful research collaborations with scientists from a broad range of earth, biological, health, social, emergency response, and engineering science disciplines. From 1983 through May 2016, Geoff helped lead and carry out many research projects on linkages between mineral resources, the environment, disasters, and human health.
Geoff is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America (GSA), Past Chair of the GSA Geology and Health Division, a leader in the founding of the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) GeoHealth Section, past AGU Council Member, and past adjunct clinical assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Public Health. He is author or coauthor of more than 140 scientific publications, including many in journals across a wide range of scientific disciplines. Geoff has received the Department of the Interior Superior and Meritorious Service awards, the inaugural AGU GeoHealth Section Award, the GSA Geology and Health Division Distinguished Service Award, and the Society of Economic Geologists Waldemar Lindgren (Early Career Scientist) Award.
Education and Certifications
Doctorate in Geochemistry from Harvard University, 1989
Bachelor’s of Science in Geology from the University of New Mexico, 1980
Abstracts and Presentations
Geoff’s key publications are listed under the publications tab below. PDF’s of specific publications, as well as a complete list of Geoff’s more than 140 publications, are available upon request.
Science and Products
The role of airborne mineral dusts in human disease
Dust and human health
U.S. Geological Survey environmental health science strategy — Providing environmental health science for a changing world
Environmental and medical geochemistry in urban disaster response and preparedness
USGS Environmental health science strategy: providing environmental health science for a changing world: Public review release
Simultaneous speciation of arsenic, selenium, and chromium: species, stability, sample preservation, and analysis of ash and soil leachates
Mine wastes and human health
Geology for a changing world 2010-2020-Implementing the U.S. Geological Survey science strategy
Speciation of arsenic, selenium, and chromium in wildfire impacted soils and ashes
Trace-metal concentrations in African dust: Effects of long-distance transport and implications for human health
Estimated minimum discharge rates of the Deepwater Horizon spill— Interim report to the flow rate technical group from the Mass Balance Team
In vitro studies evaluating leaching of mercury from mine waste calcine using simulated human body fluids
Science and Products
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The role of airborne mineral dusts in human disease
Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) is generally acknowledged to increase risk for human morbidity and mortality. However, particulate matter (PM) research has generally examined anthropogenic (industry and combustion by-products) sources with few studies considering contributions from geogenic PM (produced from the Earth by natural processes, e.g., volcanic ash, windborne ash from wildfires,AuthorsSuzette A. Morman, Geoffrey S. PlumleeDust and human health
It is generally accepted that exposure to fine particulate matter may increase risk for human morbidity and mortality. Until recently, population health related studies examining the effects of particulate matter on human health generally examined anthropogenic (industry and combustion by-products) sources with few studies considering contributions from natural sources. This chapter provides an ovAuthorsSuzette A. Morman, Geoffrey S. PlumleeU.S. Geological Survey environmental health science strategy — Providing environmental health science for a changing world
Executive SummaryAmerica has an abundance of natural resources. We have bountiful clean water, fertile soil, and unrivaled national parks, wildlife refuges, and public lands. These resources enrich our lives and preserve our health and wellbeing. These resources have been maintained because of our history of respect for their value and an enduring commitment to their vigilant protection. AwarenessAuthorsPatricia R. Bright, Herbert T. Buxton, Laurie S. Balistrieri, Larry B. Barber, Francis H. Chapelle, Paul C. Cross, David P. Krabbenhoft, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Jonathan M. Sleeman, Donald E. Tillitt, Patricia L. Toccalino, James R. WintonEnvironmental and medical geochemistry in urban disaster response and preparedness
History abounds with accounts of cities that were destroyed or significantly damaged by natural or anthropogenic disasters, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, wildland–urban wildfires, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, urban firestorms, terrorist attacks, and armed conflicts. Burgeoning megacities place ever more people in the way of harm from future disasters. In addition to the physical damageAuthorsGeoffrey S. Plumlee, Suzette A. Morman, A. CookUSGS Environmental health science strategy: providing environmental health science for a changing world: Public review release
America has an abundance of natural resources. We have bountiful clean water, fertile soil, and unrivaled national parks, wildlife refuges, and public lands. These resources enrich our lives and preserve our health and wellbeing. These resources have been maintained because of our history of respect for their value and an enduring commitment to their vigilant protection. Awareness of the social, eAuthorsPatricia R. Bright, Herbert T. Buxton, Laurie S. Balistrieri, Larry B. Barber, Francis H. Chapelle, Paul C. Cross, David P. Krabbenhoft, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Jonathan M. Sleeman, Donald E. Tillitt, Patricia L. Toccalino, James R. WintonSimultaneous speciation of arsenic, selenium, and chromium: species, stability, sample preservation, and analysis of ash and soil leachates
An analytical method using high-performance liquid chromatography separation with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection previously developed for the determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) has been adapted to allow the determination of As(III), As(V), Se(IV), Se(VI), Cr(III), and Cr(VI) under the same chromatographic conditions. Using this method, all six inorganic species caAuthorsRuth E. Wolf, Suzette A. Morman, Philip L. Hageman, Todd M. Hoefen, Geoffrey S. PlumleeMine wastes and human health
Historical mining and mineral processing have been linked definitively to health problems resulting from occupational and environmental exposures to mine wastes. Modern mining and processing methods, when properly designed and implemented, prevent or greatly reduce potential environmental health impacts. However, particularly in developing countries, there are examples of health problems linked toAuthorsGeoffrey S. Plumlee, Suzette A. MormanGeology for a changing world 2010-2020-Implementing the U.S. Geological Survey science strategy
This report describes a science strategy for the geologic activities of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for the years 2010-2020. It presents six goals with accompanying strategic actions and products that implement the science directions of USGS Circular 1309, 'Facing Tomorrow's Challenges-U.S. Geological Survey Science in the Decade 2007-2017.' These six goals focus on providing the geologic unAuthorsLinda C.S. Gundersen, Jayne Belnap, Martin Goldhaber, Arthur Goldstein, Peter J. Haeussler, S. E. Ingebritsen, John Jones, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, E. Robert Thieler, Robert S. Thompson, Judith M. BackSpeciation of arsenic, selenium, and chromium in wildfire impacted soils and ashes
In 2007-09, California experienced several large wildfires that damaged large areas of forest and destroyed many homes and buildings. The U.S. Geological Survey collected samples from the Harris, Witch, Grass Valley, Ammo, Santiago, Canyon, Jesusita, and Station fires for testing to identify any possible characteristics of the ashes and soils from burned areas that may be of concern for their impaAuthorsRuth E. Wolf, Todd M. Hoefen, Philip L. Hageman, Suzette A. Morman, Geoffrey S. PlumleeTrace-metal concentrations in African dust: Effects of long-distance transport and implications for human health
The Sahara and Sahel lose billions of tons of eroded mineral soils annually to the Americas and Caribbean, Europe and Asia via atmospheric transport. African dust was collected from a dust source region (Mali, West Africa) and from downwind sites in the Caribbean [Trinidad-Tobago (TT) and U.S. Virgin Islands (VI)] and analysed for 32 trace-elements. Elemental composition of African dust samples waAuthorsVirginia Garrison, Paul Lamothe, Suzette Morman, Geoffrey S. PlumleeEstimated minimum discharge rates of the Deepwater Horizon spill— Interim report to the flow rate technical group from the Mass Balance Team
All of the calculations and results in this report are preliminary and intended for the purpose, and only for the purpose, of aiding the incident team in assessing the extent of the spilled oil for ongoing response efforts. Other applications of this report are not authorized and are not considered valid. Because of time constraints and limitations of data available to the experts, many of their eAuthorsVictor F. Labson, Roger N. Clark, Gregg A. Swayze, Todd M. Hoefen, Raymond F. Kokaly, K. Eric Livo, Michael H. Powers, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Gregory P. MeekerIn vitro studies evaluating leaching of mercury from mine waste calcine using simulated human body fluids
In vitro bioaccessibility (IVBA) studies were carried out on samples of mercury (Hg) mine-waste calcine (roasted Hg ore) by leaching with simulated human body fluids. The objective was to estimate potential human exposure to Hg due to inhalation of airborne calcine particulates and hand-to-mouth ingestion of Hg-bearing calcines. Mine waste calcines collected from Hg mines at Almadén, Spain, and TeAuthorsJohn E. Gray, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Suzette A. Morman, Pablo L. Higueras, James G. Crock, Heather A. Lowers, Mark L. Witten - News