Gordon Tribble, PhD
My career in science started with the study of marine biology, and now includes work in hydrology and watershed science. I am interested in the sustainability and biodiversity of Pacific island ecosystems, with attention to the links between terrestrial ecology, watershed hydrology, and coral reefs.
Professional Experience
2010 - 2022 - Center Director, USGS-PIERC
1999 - 2010 - Center Director, USGS Pacific Islands Water Science Center
1988 - 1999 - Hydrologist, USGS-PIWSC
1983 - 1988 - Research Technician, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology
1980 - 1981 - Fisheries Technician, Nat. Marine Fisheries Service, Honolulu Lab
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 1990 Oceanography, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI
B.S. 1979 Biological Sciences, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
Science and Products
Hawai‘i and U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands Hawai‘i and U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands
The U.S. Pacific Islands are culturally and environmentally diverse, treasured by the 1.9 million people who call them home. Pacific islands are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts due to their exposure and isolation, small size, low elevation (in the case of atolls), and concentration of infrastructure and economy along the coasts. A prevalent cause of year-to-year changes...
Authors
Victoria Keener, David Helweg, Susan Asam, Seema Balwani, Maxine Burkett, Charles Fletcher, Thomas Giambelluca, Zena Grecni, Malia Nobrega-Olivera, Jeffrey Polovina, Gordon Tribble
The coral reef of South Moloka'i, Hawai'i— Portrait of a sediment-threatened fringing reef The coral reef of South Moloka'i, Hawai'i— Portrait of a sediment-threatened fringing reef
Moloka‘i, with the most extensive coral reef in the main Hawaiian Islands, is especially sacred to Hina, the Goddess of the Moon. As Hinaalo, she is the Mother of the Hawaiian people; as Hinapuku‘a, she is the Goddess of Fishermen; and in the form Hina‘opuhalako‘a, she is the Goddess who gave birth to coral, coral reefs, and all spiny marine organisms. Interdependence between the reef’s...
Ground water on tropical Pacific Islands— Understanding a vital resource Ground water on tropical Pacific Islands— Understanding a vital resource
To a casual observer, tropical Pacific islands seem idyllic. Closer scrutiny reveals that their generally small size makes them particularly vulnerable to economic and environmental stresses imposed by rapidly growing populations, increasing economic development, and global climate change. On these islands, freshwater is one of the most precious resources. Ground water is the main source...
Authors
Gordon Tribble
Science and management in the Hanalei watershed: A trans-disciplinary approach: Proceedings from the Hanalei watershed workshop, February 21-22, 2007 Science and management in the Hanalei watershed: A trans-disciplinary approach: Proceedings from the Hanalei watershed workshop, February 21-22, 2007
The results of recent studies in the Hanalei watershed are impressive, both in content and breadth. Funded, directed, and/or conducted by investigators from many disciplines from local organizations (the Hanalei Watershed Hui), the University of Hawai‘i, the State of Hawai‘i (Department of Health, Department of Land and Natural Resources), and Federal organizations (U.S. Department of...
Authors
Michael E. Field, Carl J. Berg, Susan A. Cochran
The influence of microclimates and fog on stable isotope signatures used in interpretation of regional hydrology: East Maui, Hawaii The influence of microclimates and fog on stable isotope signatures used in interpretation of regional hydrology: East Maui, Hawaii
Stable isotopes of precipitation, ground water and surface water measured on the windward side of East Maui from 0 to 3055 m altitude were used to determine recharge sources for stream flow and ground water. Correct interpretation of the hydrology using rainfall ??18O gradients with altitude required consideration of the influence of fog, as fog samples had isotopic signatures enriched...
Authors
M. A. Scholl, S. B. Gingerich, G.W. Tribble
Ground-water geochemistry at the South Ramp jet fuel leak, Diego Garcia Atoll, 1993-94 Ground-water geochemistry at the South Ramp jet fuel leak, Diego Garcia Atoll, 1993-94
No abstract available.
Authors
G.W. Tribble
Ground-water resources in Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Island of Hawaii, and numerical simulation of the effects of ground-water withdrawals Ground-water resources in Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Island of Hawaii, and numerical simulation of the effects of ground-water withdrawals
Within the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, which was established in 1978, the ground-water flow system is composed of brackish water overlying saltwater. Ground-water levels measured in the Park range from about 1 to 2 feet above mean sea level, and fluctuate daily by about 0.5 to 1.5 feet in response to ocean tides. The brackish water is formed by mixing of seaward flowing...
Authors
Delwyn S. Oki, Gordon W. Tribble, William R. Souza, Edward L. Bolke
Ground-water geochemistry of Kwajalein Island, Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1991 Ground-water geochemistry of Kwajalein Island, Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1991
Ground water on Kwajalein Island is an important source of drinking water, particularly during periods of low rainfall. Fresh ground water is found as a thin lens underlain by saltwater. The concentration of dissolved ions increases with depth below the water table and proximity to the shoreline as high-salinity seawater mixes with fresh ground water. The maximum depth of the freshwater...
Authors
Gordon W. Tribble
Geohydrology and Possible Transport Routes of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Haiku Valley, Oahu, Hawaii Geohydrology and Possible Transport Routes of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Haiku Valley, Oahu, Hawaii
A combination of geologic mapping, seepage runs, water-budget computation, analysis of stream-gaging records, study of stream sediment, and measurement of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was used to investigate the geohydrology and possible routes of PCB transport from areas of possible contamination in the U.S. Coast Guard's Omega Station in Haiku Valley, Oahu, Hawaii. The PCBs were a
Authors
Scot K. Izuka, Barry R. Hill, Patricia J. Shade, Gordon W. Tribble
Underwater observations of active lava flows from Kilauea volcano, Hawaii Underwater observations of active lava flows from Kilauea volcano, Hawaii
Underwater observation of active submarine lava flows from Kilauea volcano, Hawaii, in March-June 1989 revealed both pillow lava and highly channelized lava streams flowing down a steep and unconsolidated lava delta. The channelized streams were 0.7-1.5 m across and moved at rates of 1-3 m/s. The estimated flux of a stream was 0.7 m3/s. Jets of hydrothermal water and gas bubbles were...
Authors
G.W. Tribble
Non-USGS Publications**
Stock J and Tribble GW (2010) Erosion and Sediment Loads from Two Hawaiian Watersheds. Proceedings from the 9th Interagency Sedimentation Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, June 27–July 1, 2010.
Trichet J, Defarge C, Tribble J, Tribble G, and Sansone F (2001) Christmas Island lagoonal lakes, models for the deposition of carbonate-evaporite-organic laminated sediments. Sedimentary Geology 140: 177–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0037-0738(00)00177-9
Tribble GW, Lee RW, Wydoski DS, Torikai JD, and Hunt CD (1996) Preliminary assessment of jet fuel contamination of an atoll aquifer. In Morganwalp DW and Aronson DA, eds., USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program. Proceedings of the Technical Meeting, Colorado Springs, Colorado, September 20–24, 11993: USGS Water-Resources Investigations Report 94-4014, vol 2, p. 881–888.
Tribble GW and Hunt CD Jr. (1996) Nutrient flux from an atoll island compared with nutrients delivered by seawater. Proceedings of the International Symposium of Groundwater Discharge in the Coastal Zone in R W Buddemeier, ed. Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) Groundwater Discharge in the Coastal Zone, An International Symposium at the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, July 6–10, 1996: LOICZ Reports and Studies Series No. 8, p 108–112.
Tribble GW, Atkinson MJ, Sansone FJ, and Smith SV (1994) Reef metabolism and endo-upwelling in perspective. Coral Reefs 13:199–201. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303631
Dollar SJ, and Tribble GW (1993) Recurrent storm disturbance and recovery: a long-term study of coral communities in Hawaii. Coral Reefs 12: 223–233. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00334481
Tribble GW (1993) Organic matter oxidation and aragonite diagenesis in a coral reef. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology 63: 523–527. https://doi.org/10.1306/D4267B45-2B26-11D7-8648000102C1865D
Tribble GW, Sansone FJ, Buddemeier RW, and Li YH (1992) Hydraulic exchange between a coral reef and surface sea water. Geological Society of America Bulletin 104: 1280–1291. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1992)104<1280:HEBACR>2.3.CO;2
Sansone FJ, Resing JA, Tribble GW, Sedwick PN, Kelly KM, and Hon K (1991) Lava-seawater interactions at shallow-water submarine flows. Geophysical Research Letters 18: 1731–1734. https://doi.org/10.1029/91GL01279
Sedwick PN, McMurtry GM and Tribble GW (1991) Chemical alteration of seawater by lava from Kilauea volcano, Hawaii. Marine Geology 96: 151–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/0025-3227(91)90212-M
Tribble GW, Sansone FJ, and Smith SV (1990) Stoichiometric modeling of anaerobic diagenesis within a coral reef framework. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 54: 2439–2449. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(90)90231-9
Sansone FJ, Tribble GW, Andrews CC, and Chanton JP (1990) Anaerobic diagenesis within Recent, Pleistocene, and Eocene marine carbonate frameworks. Sedimentology 37: 997–1009. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.1990.tb01841.x
Sansone FJ, Andrews CC, Buddemeier RW, and Tribble GW (1988) Well point sampling of reef interstitial water. Coral Reefs 7: 19–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00301977
Smith SV, Wiebe WJ, Hollibaugh JT, Hager SW, Cole BE, Tribble GW, and Wheeler PA (1987) Stoichiometry of C, N, P, and Si fluxes in a temperate climate embayment. Journal of Marine Research 45:427–460. https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/journal_of_marine_research/1855/
**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.
Science and Products
Hawai‘i and U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands Hawai‘i and U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands
The U.S. Pacific Islands are culturally and environmentally diverse, treasured by the 1.9 million people who call them home. Pacific islands are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts due to their exposure and isolation, small size, low elevation (in the case of atolls), and concentration of infrastructure and economy along the coasts. A prevalent cause of year-to-year changes...
Authors
Victoria Keener, David Helweg, Susan Asam, Seema Balwani, Maxine Burkett, Charles Fletcher, Thomas Giambelluca, Zena Grecni, Malia Nobrega-Olivera, Jeffrey Polovina, Gordon Tribble
The coral reef of South Moloka'i, Hawai'i— Portrait of a sediment-threatened fringing reef The coral reef of South Moloka'i, Hawai'i— Portrait of a sediment-threatened fringing reef
Moloka‘i, with the most extensive coral reef in the main Hawaiian Islands, is especially sacred to Hina, the Goddess of the Moon. As Hinaalo, she is the Mother of the Hawaiian people; as Hinapuku‘a, she is the Goddess of Fishermen; and in the form Hina‘opuhalako‘a, she is the Goddess who gave birth to coral, coral reefs, and all spiny marine organisms. Interdependence between the reef’s...
Ground water on tropical Pacific Islands— Understanding a vital resource Ground water on tropical Pacific Islands— Understanding a vital resource
To a casual observer, tropical Pacific islands seem idyllic. Closer scrutiny reveals that their generally small size makes them particularly vulnerable to economic and environmental stresses imposed by rapidly growing populations, increasing economic development, and global climate change. On these islands, freshwater is one of the most precious resources. Ground water is the main source...
Authors
Gordon Tribble
Science and management in the Hanalei watershed: A trans-disciplinary approach: Proceedings from the Hanalei watershed workshop, February 21-22, 2007 Science and management in the Hanalei watershed: A trans-disciplinary approach: Proceedings from the Hanalei watershed workshop, February 21-22, 2007
The results of recent studies in the Hanalei watershed are impressive, both in content and breadth. Funded, directed, and/or conducted by investigators from many disciplines from local organizations (the Hanalei Watershed Hui), the University of Hawai‘i, the State of Hawai‘i (Department of Health, Department of Land and Natural Resources), and Federal organizations (U.S. Department of...
Authors
Michael E. Field, Carl J. Berg, Susan A. Cochran
The influence of microclimates and fog on stable isotope signatures used in interpretation of regional hydrology: East Maui, Hawaii The influence of microclimates and fog on stable isotope signatures used in interpretation of regional hydrology: East Maui, Hawaii
Stable isotopes of precipitation, ground water and surface water measured on the windward side of East Maui from 0 to 3055 m altitude were used to determine recharge sources for stream flow and ground water. Correct interpretation of the hydrology using rainfall ??18O gradients with altitude required consideration of the influence of fog, as fog samples had isotopic signatures enriched...
Authors
M. A. Scholl, S. B. Gingerich, G.W. Tribble
Ground-water geochemistry at the South Ramp jet fuel leak, Diego Garcia Atoll, 1993-94 Ground-water geochemistry at the South Ramp jet fuel leak, Diego Garcia Atoll, 1993-94
No abstract available.
Authors
G.W. Tribble
Ground-water resources in Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Island of Hawaii, and numerical simulation of the effects of ground-water withdrawals Ground-water resources in Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Island of Hawaii, and numerical simulation of the effects of ground-water withdrawals
Within the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, which was established in 1978, the ground-water flow system is composed of brackish water overlying saltwater. Ground-water levels measured in the Park range from about 1 to 2 feet above mean sea level, and fluctuate daily by about 0.5 to 1.5 feet in response to ocean tides. The brackish water is formed by mixing of seaward flowing...
Authors
Delwyn S. Oki, Gordon W. Tribble, William R. Souza, Edward L. Bolke
Ground-water geochemistry of Kwajalein Island, Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1991 Ground-water geochemistry of Kwajalein Island, Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1991
Ground water on Kwajalein Island is an important source of drinking water, particularly during periods of low rainfall. Fresh ground water is found as a thin lens underlain by saltwater. The concentration of dissolved ions increases with depth below the water table and proximity to the shoreline as high-salinity seawater mixes with fresh ground water. The maximum depth of the freshwater...
Authors
Gordon W. Tribble
Geohydrology and Possible Transport Routes of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Haiku Valley, Oahu, Hawaii Geohydrology and Possible Transport Routes of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Haiku Valley, Oahu, Hawaii
A combination of geologic mapping, seepage runs, water-budget computation, analysis of stream-gaging records, study of stream sediment, and measurement of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was used to investigate the geohydrology and possible routes of PCB transport from areas of possible contamination in the U.S. Coast Guard's Omega Station in Haiku Valley, Oahu, Hawaii. The PCBs were a
Authors
Scot K. Izuka, Barry R. Hill, Patricia J. Shade, Gordon W. Tribble
Underwater observations of active lava flows from Kilauea volcano, Hawaii Underwater observations of active lava flows from Kilauea volcano, Hawaii
Underwater observation of active submarine lava flows from Kilauea volcano, Hawaii, in March-June 1989 revealed both pillow lava and highly channelized lava streams flowing down a steep and unconsolidated lava delta. The channelized streams were 0.7-1.5 m across and moved at rates of 1-3 m/s. The estimated flux of a stream was 0.7 m3/s. Jets of hydrothermal water and gas bubbles were...
Authors
G.W. Tribble
Non-USGS Publications**
Stock J and Tribble GW (2010) Erosion and Sediment Loads from Two Hawaiian Watersheds. Proceedings from the 9th Interagency Sedimentation Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, June 27–July 1, 2010.
Trichet J, Defarge C, Tribble J, Tribble G, and Sansone F (2001) Christmas Island lagoonal lakes, models for the deposition of carbonate-evaporite-organic laminated sediments. Sedimentary Geology 140: 177–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0037-0738(00)00177-9
Tribble GW, Lee RW, Wydoski DS, Torikai JD, and Hunt CD (1996) Preliminary assessment of jet fuel contamination of an atoll aquifer. In Morganwalp DW and Aronson DA, eds., USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program. Proceedings of the Technical Meeting, Colorado Springs, Colorado, September 20–24, 11993: USGS Water-Resources Investigations Report 94-4014, vol 2, p. 881–888.
Tribble GW and Hunt CD Jr. (1996) Nutrient flux from an atoll island compared with nutrients delivered by seawater. Proceedings of the International Symposium of Groundwater Discharge in the Coastal Zone in R W Buddemeier, ed. Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) Groundwater Discharge in the Coastal Zone, An International Symposium at the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, July 6–10, 1996: LOICZ Reports and Studies Series No. 8, p 108–112.
Tribble GW, Atkinson MJ, Sansone FJ, and Smith SV (1994) Reef metabolism and endo-upwelling in perspective. Coral Reefs 13:199–201. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303631
Dollar SJ, and Tribble GW (1993) Recurrent storm disturbance and recovery: a long-term study of coral communities in Hawaii. Coral Reefs 12: 223–233. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00334481
Tribble GW (1993) Organic matter oxidation and aragonite diagenesis in a coral reef. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology 63: 523–527. https://doi.org/10.1306/D4267B45-2B26-11D7-8648000102C1865D
Tribble GW, Sansone FJ, Buddemeier RW, and Li YH (1992) Hydraulic exchange between a coral reef and surface sea water. Geological Society of America Bulletin 104: 1280–1291. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1992)104<1280:HEBACR>2.3.CO;2
Sansone FJ, Resing JA, Tribble GW, Sedwick PN, Kelly KM, and Hon K (1991) Lava-seawater interactions at shallow-water submarine flows. Geophysical Research Letters 18: 1731–1734. https://doi.org/10.1029/91GL01279
Sedwick PN, McMurtry GM and Tribble GW (1991) Chemical alteration of seawater by lava from Kilauea volcano, Hawaii. Marine Geology 96: 151–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/0025-3227(91)90212-M
Tribble GW, Sansone FJ, and Smith SV (1990) Stoichiometric modeling of anaerobic diagenesis within a coral reef framework. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 54: 2439–2449. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(90)90231-9
Sansone FJ, Tribble GW, Andrews CC, and Chanton JP (1990) Anaerobic diagenesis within Recent, Pleistocene, and Eocene marine carbonate frameworks. Sedimentology 37: 997–1009. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.1990.tb01841.x
Sansone FJ, Andrews CC, Buddemeier RW, and Tribble GW (1988) Well point sampling of reef interstitial water. Coral Reefs 7: 19–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00301977
Smith SV, Wiebe WJ, Hollibaugh JT, Hager SW, Cole BE, Tribble GW, and Wheeler PA (1987) Stoichiometry of C, N, P, and Si fluxes in a temperate climate embayment. Journal of Marine Research 45:427–460. https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/journal_of_marine_research/1855/
**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.