Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Ph.D.
(She, Her, Hers)Isabelle Cozzarelli is a Research Hydrologist with the USGS Geology, Energy & Minerals (GEM) Science Center in Reston, VA.
Isabelle uses a combined field and laboratory experimental approach to investigate biogeochemical processes in shallow groundwater and surface water environments that affect water availability. She uses a multi-disciplinary and multi-scale approach to study processes in environments stressed by anthropogenic inputs of biodegradable carbon, such as crude oil, landfill leachate, and oil and gas wastes.
Work Assignment
As a research hydrologist in the Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center I conduct long-term research on the fate and geochemical effect of organic contaminants in surface and subsurface environments. I use a combined field and laboratory approach in a variety of hydrogeologic environments in order to meet these objectives. I am currently a principal investigator for projects at unconventional oil and gas (UOG) drilling and disposal sites, the Bemidji, MN crude oil spill site and landfill-leachate and wastewater affected sites. My research at these sites focuses on the long-term evolution of biogeochemical zones in the aquifers and the natural attenuation of contaminants. The impact of chemical heterogeneity and the availability of electron acceptors on the extent of biodegradation have been a major thrust of my work. I have also studied aquifers affected by creosote and gasoline releases, with an emphasis on understanding the fate of metabolites in shallow aquifers.
Professional Experience
2020-present: Research Hydrologist, USGS, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, VA, USA
2017-2020: Research Hydrologist, USGS Water Mission Area Headquarters, Reston, VA, USA
1985-2017: Research Hydrologist, USGS National Research Program, USGS, Reston, Virginia, USA
1983-1985: Research Assistant, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. University of Virginia, Environmental Sciences-Geochemistry, 1993
M.S. University of Virginia, Environmental Sciences-Geochemistry, 1986
B.S. University of Rochester, Geomechanics, 1983
Affiliations and Memberships*
2016-present: Adjunct Faculty, Department of Geosciences, Virginia Tech
Honors and Awards
2023: Friend of Water-Rock Interaction & Applied Isotope Geochemistry Award, International Association of Geochemistry
2017: USGS Meritorious Service Award
2005: Elected GSA Fellow
2005: USGS Superior Service Award
Science and Products
In situ rates of sulfate reduction in response to geochemical perturbations
Methane oxidation in a crude oil contaminated aquifer: Delineation of aerobic reactions at the plume fringes
Fate and transport of petroleum hydrocarbons in the subsurface near Cass Lake, Minnesota
In situ measurements of volatile aromatic hydrocarbon biodegradation rates in groundwater
Processes affecting δ34S and δ18O values of dissolved sulfate in alluvium along the Canadian River, central Oklahoma, USA
Pore-water chemistry from the ICDP-USGS coer hole in the Chesapeake Bay impact structure--Implications for paleohydrology, microbial habitat, and water resources
Biogeochemistry at a wetland sediment-alluvial aquifer interface in a landfill leachate plume
Pore-water chemistry from the ICDP-USGS core hole in the Chesapeake Bay impact structure-Implications for paleohydrology, microbial habitat, and water resources
Biodegradation in contaminated aquifers: Incorporating microbial/molecular methods
Results of the chemical and isotopic analyses of sediment and ground water from alluvium of the Canadian River near a closed municipal landfill, Norman, Oklahoma, part 2
Determination of dominant biogeochemical processes in a contaminated aquifer-wetland system using multivariate statistical analysis
Biogeochemistry of aquifer systems
Science and Products
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In situ rates of sulfate reduction in response to geochemical perturbations
Rates of in situ microbial sulfate reduction in response to geochemical perturbations were determined using Native Organism Geochemical Experimentation Enclosures (NOGEEs), a new in situ technique developed to facilitate evaluation of controls on microbial reaction rates. NOGEEs function by first trapping a native microbial community in situ and then subjecting it to geochemical perturbations throAuthorsT.A. Kneeshaw, J.T. McGuire, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, E.W. SmithMethane oxidation in a crude oil contaminated aquifer: Delineation of aerobic reactions at the plume fringes
High resolution direct-push profiling over short vertical distances was used to investigate CH4 attenuation in a petroleum contaminated aquifer near Bemidji, Minnesota. The contaminant plume was delineated using dissolved gases, redox sensitive components, major ions, carbon isotope ratios in CH4 and CO2, and the presence of methanotrophic bacteria. Sharp redox gradients were observed near the watAuthorsR.T. Amos, Barbara A. Bekins, Geoffrey N. Delin, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, D.W. Blowes, J. D. KirshteinFate and transport of petroleum hydrocarbons in the subsurface near Cass Lake, Minnesota
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) investigated the natural attenuation of subsurface petroleum hydrocarbons leaked over an unknown number of years from an oil pipeline under the Enbridge Energy Limited Partnership South Cass Lake Pumping Station, in Cass Lake, Minnesota. Three weeks of field work conducted between May 2007 and July 2008 delineated a dissolved plume of aromatic hydrocarbons and chaAuthorsDina M. Drennan, Barbara A. Bekins, Ean Warren, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Mary Jo Baedecker, William N. Herkelrath, Geoffrey N. Delin, Robert J. Rosenbauer, Pamela L. CampbellIn situ measurements of volatile aromatic hydrocarbon biodegradation rates in groundwater
Benzene and alkylbenzene biodegradation rates and patterns were measured using an in situ microcosm in a crude-oil contaminated aquifer near Bemidji, Minnesota. Benzene-D6, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-, m- and p-xylenes and four pairs of C3- and C4-benzenes were added to an in situ microcosm and studied over a 3-year period. The microcosm allowed for a mass-balance approach and quantification of hydrAuthorsI.M. Cozzarelli, B.A. Bekins, R.P. Eganhouse, E. Warren, H.I. EssaidProcesses affecting δ34S and δ18O values of dissolved sulfate in alluvium along the Canadian River, central Oklahoma, USA
The δ34S and δ18O values for dissolved sulfate in groundwater are commonly used in aquifer studies to identify sulfate reservoirs and describe biogeochemical processes. The utility of these data, however, often is compromised by mixing of sulfate sources within reservoirs and isotope fractionation during sulfur redox cycling. Our study shows that, after all potential sulfate sources are identifiedAuthorsMichele L. Tuttle, George N. Breit, Isabelle M. CozzarelliPore-water chemistry from the ICDP-USGS coer hole in the Chesapeake Bay impact structure--Implications for paleohydrology, microbial habitat, and water resources
We investigated the groundwater system of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure by analyzing the pore-water chemistry in cores taken from a 1766-m-deep drill hole 10 km north of Cape Charles, Virginia. Pore water was extracted using high-speed centrifuges from over 100 cores sampled from a 1300 m section of the drill hole. The pore-water samples were analyzed for major cations and anions, stable iAuthorsWard E. Sanford, Mary A. Voytek, David S. Powars, Blair F. Jones, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Robert P. Eganhouse, Charles S. CockellBiogeochemistry at a wetland sediment-alluvial aquifer interface in a landfill leachate plume
The biogeochemistry at the interface between sediments in a seasonally ponded wetland (slough) and an alluvial aquifer contaminated with landfill leachate was investigated to evaluate factors that can effect natural attenuation of landfill leachate contaminants in areas of groundwater/surface-water interaction. The biogeochemistry at the wetland-alluvial aquifer interface differed greatly betweenAuthorsM.M. Lorah, I.M. Cozzarelli, J.K. BöhlkePore-water chemistry from the ICDP-USGS core hole in the Chesapeake Bay impact structure-Implications for paleohydrology, microbial habitat, and water resources
We investigated the groundwater system of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure by analyzing the pore-water chemistry in cores taken from a 1766-m-deep drill hole 10 km north of Cape Charles, Virginia. Pore water was extracted using high-speed centrifuges from over 100 cores sampled from a 1300 m section of the drill hole. The pore-water samples were analyzed for major cations and anions, stable isoAuthorsW. E. Sanford, M.A. Voytek, D.S. Powars, B.F. Jones, I.M. Cozzarelli, C.S. Cockell, R.P. EganhouseBiodegradation in contaminated aquifers: Incorporating microbial/molecular methods
In order to evaluate natural attenuation in contaminated aquifers, there has been a recent recognition that a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating microbial and molecular methods, is required. Observed decreases in contaminant mass and identified footprints of biogeochemical reactions are often used as evidence of intrinsic bioremediation, but characterizing the structure and function of theAuthorsJ. Weiss, Isabelle M. CozzarelliResults of the chemical and isotopic analyses of sediment and ground water from alluvium of the Canadian River near a closed municipal landfill, Norman, Oklahoma, part 2
Analytical results on sediment and associated ground water from the Canadian River alluvium collected subsequent to those described in Breit and others (2005) are presented in this report. The data presented herein were collected primarily to evaluate the iron and sulfur species within the sediment at well sites IC 36, IC 54, and IC South located at the USGS Norman Landfill study site. Cored sedimAuthorsGeorge N. Breit, Michele L.W. Tuttle, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Cyrus J. Berry, Scott C. Christenson, Jeanne B. JaeschkeByWater Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater LaboratoryDetermination of dominant biogeochemical processes in a contaminated aquifer-wetland system using multivariate statistical analysis
Determining the processes governing aqueous biogeochemistry in a wetland hydrologically linked to an underlying contaminated aquifer is challenging due to the complex exchange between the systems and their distinct responses to changes in precipitation, recharge, and biological activities. To evaluate temporal and spatial processes in the wetland-aquifer system, water samples were collected usingAuthorsS. E. Baez-Cazull, J.T. McGuire, I.M. Cozzarelli, M.A. VoytekBiogeochemistry of aquifer systems
Many studies have examined the differences in bacterial numbers, composition, and activity between groundwater and sediment samples. The majority of the literature has suggested higher percentages of attached bacteria than of unattached bacteria in aquifer systems, including in pristine aquifers and in aquifers contaminated with petroleum, creosote, sewage, and landfill leachate. In studies of aquAuthorsIsabelle M. Cozzarelli, J.V. Weiss - News
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