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
Centimeter-scale characterization of biogeochemical gradients at a wetland-aquifer interface using capillary electrophoresis
Evaluation of sulfate reduction at experimentally induced mixing interfaces using small-scale push-pull tests in an aquifer-wetland system
Recharge processes drive sulfate reduction in an alluvial aquifer contaminated with landfill leachate
Recharge processes in an alluvial aquifer riparian zone, Norman Landfill, Norman, Oklahoma, 1998-2000
Results of chemical and isotopic analyses of sediment and water from alluvium of the Canadian River near a closed municipal landfill, Norman, Oklahoma
A simple method for calculating growth rates of petroleum hydrocarbon plumes
The groundwater geochemistry of waste disposal facilities
Volatile fuel hydrocarbons and MTBE in the environment
Inverse modeling of BTEX dissolution and biodegradation at the Bemidji, MN crude-oil spill site
The Norman Landfill environmental research site: What happens to the waste in landfills?
Sources of sulfate supporting anaerobic metabolism in a contaminated aquifer
Microbial ecology of a crude oil contaminated aquifer
Science and Products
- Science
Filter Total Items: 19
- Data
Filter Total Items: 26No Result Found
- Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 110
Centimeter-scale characterization of biogeochemical gradients at a wetland-aquifer interface using capillary electrophoresis
Steep biogeochemical gradients were measured at mixing interfaces in a wetland-aquifer system impacted by landfill leachate in Norman, Oklahoma. The system lies within a reworked alluvial plain and is characterized by layered low hydraulic conductivity wetland sediments interbedded with sandy aquifer material. Using cm-scale passive diffusion samplers, "peepers", water samples were collected in aAuthorsS. Baez-Cazull, J.T. McGuire, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, A. Raymond, L. WelshEvaluation of sulfate reduction at experimentally induced mixing interfaces using small-scale push-pull tests in an aquifer-wetland system
This paper presents small-scale push–pull tests designed to evaluate the kinetic controls on SO42- reduction in situ at mixing interfaces between a wetland and aquifer impacted by landfill leachate at the Norman Landfill research site, Norman, OK. Quantifying the rates of redox reactions initiated at interfaces is of great interest because interfaces have been shown to be zones of increased biogeoAuthorsT.A. Kneeshaw, Jennifer T. McGuire, Erik W. Smith, Isabelle M. CozzarelliRecharge processes drive sulfate reduction in an alluvial aquifer contaminated with landfill leachate
Natural attenuation of contaminants in groundwater depends on an adequate supply of electron acceptors to stimulate biodegradation. In an alluvial aquifer contaminated with leachate from an unlined municipal landfill, the mechanism of recharge infiltration was investigated as a source of electron acceptors. Water samples were collected monthly at closely spaced intervals in the top 2 m of the satuAuthorsM. A. Scholl, I.M. Cozzarelli, S. C. ChristensonRecharge processes in an alluvial aquifer riparian zone, Norman Landfill, Norman, Oklahoma, 1998-2000
Analyses of stable isotope profiles (d2H and d18O) in the saturated zone, combined with water-table fluctuations, gave a comprehensive picture of recharge processes in an alluvial aquifer riparian zone. At the Norman Landfill U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology research site in Norman, Oklahoma, recharge to the aquifer appears to drive biodegradation, contributing fresh supplies of eAuthorsMartha Scholl, Scott Christenson, Isabelle Cozzarelli, Dale Ferree, Jeanne JaeshkeResults of chemical and isotopic analyses of sediment and water from alluvium of the Canadian River near a closed municipal landfill, Norman, Oklahoma
Results of physical and chemical analyses of sediment and water collected near a closed municipal landfill at Norman, Oklahoma are presented in this report. Sediment analyses are from 40 samples obtained by freeze-shoe coring at 5 sites, and 14 shallow (depthAuthorsGeorge N. Breit, Michele L.W. Tuttle, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Scott C. Christenson, Jeanne B. Jaeschke, David L. Fey, Cyrus J. BerryA simple method for calculating growth rates of petroleum hydrocarbon plumes
Consumption of aquifer Fe(III) during biodegradation of ground water contaminants may result in expansion of a contaminant plume, changing the outlook for monitored natural attenuation. Data from two research sites contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons show that toluene and xylenes degrade under methanogenic conditions, but the benzene and ethylbenzene plumes grow as aquifer Fe(III) supplies arAuthorsB.A. Bekins, I.M. Cozzarelli, G.P. CurtisThe groundwater geochemistry of waste disposal facilities
No abstract available.AuthorsP.L. Bjerg, H.-J. Albrechtsen, P. Kjeldsen, T. Christensen, Isabelle M. CozzarelliVolatile fuel hydrocarbons and MTBE in the environment
No abstract available.AuthorsIsabelle M. Cozzarelli, A. L. BaehrInverse modeling of BTEX dissolution and biodegradation at the Bemidji, MN crude-oil spill site
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) solute transport and biodegradation code BIOMOC was used in conjunction with the USGS universal inverse modeling code UCODE to quantify field-scale hydrocarbon dissolution and biodegradation at the USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program crude-oil spill research site located near Bemidji, MN. This inverse modeling effort used the extensive historical data compiledAuthorsH.I. Essaid, I.M. Cozzarelli, R.P. Eganhouse, W.N. Herkelrath, B.A. Bekins, G. N. DelinThe Norman Landfill environmental research site: What happens to the waste in landfills?
No abstract available.AuthorsScott C. Christenson, Isabelle M. CozzarelliSources of sulfate supporting anaerobic metabolism in a contaminated aquifer
Field and laboratory techniques were used to identify the biogeochemical factors affecting sulfate reduction in a shallow, unconsolidated alluvial aquifer contaminated with landfill leachate. Depth profiles of 35S-sulfate reduction rates in aquifer sediments were positively correlated with the concentration of dissolved sulfate. Manipulation of the sulfate concentration in samples revealed a MichaAuthorsG.A. Ulrich, G. N. Breit, I.M. Cozzarelli, J.M. SuflitaMicrobial ecology of a crude oil contaminated aquifer
Detailed microbial analyses of a glacial outwash aquifer contaminated by crude oil provide insights into the pattern of microbial succession from iron reducing to methanogenic in the anaerobic portion of the contaminant plume. We analysed sediments from this area for populations of aerobes, iron reducers, fermenters and methanogens, using the most probable number method. On the basis of the microbAuthorsB.A. Bekins, I.M. Cozzarelli, E. Warren, E.M. Godsy - News
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government