John Karl Bohlke, PhD
Dr. John Karl Bohlke is a Scientist Emeritus affiliated with the Earth Systems Processes Division and the Reston Stable Isotope Laboratory of the USGS Water Resources Mission Area.
Dr. John Karl (JK) Bohlke retired as a Senior Research Scientist and currently serves as a Scientist Emeritus affiliated with the Earth System Processes Division and the Reston Stable Isotope Laboratory of the Water Mission Area. During his career with USGS, he has studied processes related to both mineral resources and water resources. His published work includes field and laboratory-based studies of water-rock interactions, geochronology, and chemical transport in diverse hydrogeologic settings. Recent activities include development of stable isotopic methods and applications in hydrology and biogeochemistry, use of isotopes and environmental tracers to determine transport and reaction rates in groundwater and surface water, and multidisciplinary investigations of contaminant origin and migration. Selected priority topics related to water quality include excess nutrients and inorganic contaminants, effects of agriculture and wastewater disposal practices, watershed responses to land use change, groundwater/surface water interactions, and environmental forensics.
Professional Experience
Hydrologist, National Research Program and Earth System Processes Division, Water Mission Area, US Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia (since 1991)
Geologist, Eastern Mineral Resources, US Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia
Postdoc (Geoscience), Argonne National Laboratory, Chicago, Illinois
Geologist, Western Mineral Resources, US Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California
Cartographer, US Soil Conservation Service, Hyattsville, Maryland
Education and Certifications
PhD (Geology and Geophysics), University of California, Berkeley, California
MS (Marine Geology), Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami, Florida
BS (Geology), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 201
Preliminary estimates of residence times and apparent ages of ground water in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and water-quality data from a survey of springs Preliminary estimates of residence times and apparent ages of ground water in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and water-quality data from a survey of springs
Knowledge of the residence times of the ground-water systems in Chesapeake Bay watershed helps resource managers anticipate potential delays between implementation of land-management practices and any improve-ments in river and estuary water quality. This report presents preliminary estimates of ground-water residence times and apparent ages of water in the shallow aquifers of the...
Authors
Michael J. Focazio, Niel Plummer, John K. Bohlke, Eurybiades Busenberg, L. Joseph Bachman, David S. Powars
Determination of δ18O and δ15N in Nitrate Determination of δ18O and δ15N in Nitrate
The analyses of both O and N isotopic compositions of nitrate have many potential applications in studies of nitrate sources and reactions in hydrology, oceanography, and atmospheric chemistry, but simple and precise methods for these analyses have yet to be developed. Testing of a new method involving reaction of potassium nitrate with catalyzed graphite (C + Pd + Au) at 520 °C resulted...
Authors
K. Revesz, J.K. Böhlke, T. Yoshinari
Hydrogeologic and water-quality data used to evaluate the effects of focused recharge on ground-water quality near Princeton, Minnesota, 1991-95 Hydrogeologic and water-quality data used to evaluate the effects of focused recharge on ground-water quality near Princeton, Minnesota, 1991-95
This study was part of the Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA) Program, a multi-scale, inter-agency initiative to evaluate the effects of agricultural systems on water quality in the midwest corn belt. The research was part of the U.S. Geological Survey Toxics Substances Hydrology Program. The research area was located in the Anoka Sand Plain about 5 kilometers southwest of...
Authors
G. N. Delin, M.K. Landon, K.J. Nelson, R. B. Wanty, R. W. Healy, H.W. Olson, J.K. Böhlke, B. R. Schroyer, P. D. Capel
Water quality at production wells near artificial-recharge basins in Montebello Forebay, Los Angeles County Water quality at production wells near artificial-recharge basins in Montebello Forebay, Los Angeles County
No abstract available.
Authors
R. A. Schroeder, R. Anders, J.K. Bohlke, Robert L. Michel, David W. Metge
Tritium/3He dating of river infiltration: An example from the Danube in the Szigetköz area, Hungary Tritium/3He dating of river infiltration: An example from the Danube in the Szigetköz area, Hungary
3H, He, 4He, and Ne data were obtained from a shallow ground-water system being recharged by bank infiltration from the Danube River in northwestern Hungary. After correting for excess air, 4He and Ne concentrations reflect a recharge temperature of about 9° C., close to the mean annual temperature of the Danube (10.4° C). Values of H plus 3Hetrit (“initial tritium”) as a function of the...
Authors
M. Stute, J. Deak, K. Révész, J. K. Böhlke, E. Deseo, R. Weppernig, P. Schlosser
Stable isotope evidence for an atmospheric origin of desert nitrate deposits in northern Chile and southern California, U.S.A. Stable isotope evidence for an atmospheric origin of desert nitrate deposits in northern Chile and southern California, U.S.A.
Natural surficial accumulations of nitrate-rich salts in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile, and in the Death Valley region of the Mojave Desert, southern California, are well known, but despite many geologic and geochemical studies, the origins of the nitrates have remained controversial. N and O isotopes in nitrate, and S isotopes in coexisting soluble sulfate, were measured to...
Authors
J.K. Böhlke, G. E. Ericksen, K. Revesz
Groundwater record of halocarbon transport by the Danube River Groundwater record of halocarbon transport by the Danube River
Groundwater dating studies have supported the concept that aquifers with low coefficients of dispersion may contain coherent records of past conditions in recharge areas. Groundwater records can provide unique information about natural or anthropogenic changes in the atmosphere and hydrosphere where long-term monitoring data are not available. Here we describe a 40-year record of...
Authors
J.K. Böhlke, K. Revesz, E. Busenberg, J. Deak, E. Deseo, M. Stute
Chemical and stable-isotope data from an experiment to examine temporal variability in water samples from screened wells on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 1994 Chemical and stable-isotope data from an experiment to examine temporal variability in water samples from screened wells on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 1994
No abstract available.
Authors
T. E. Reilly, D.R. LeBlanc, K.W. Bussey, T.B. Councell, R. L. Smith, J.K. Böhlke
Isotope hydrology studies in the Szigetköz region, northwest Hungary Isotope hydrology studies in the Szigetköz region, northwest Hungary
No abstract available.
Authors
J. Deak, E. Deseo, J.K. Bohlke, K. Revesz
Groundwater origin and dating studies in Szigetkoz Groundwater origin and dating studies in Szigetkoz
No abstract available.
Authors
E. Deseo, J. Deak, K. Revesz, J.K. Bohlke, M. Stute
Denitrification and mixing in a stream-aquifer system: Effects on nitrate loading to surface water Denitrification and mixing in a stream-aquifer system: Effects on nitrate loading to surface water
Ground water in terrace deposits of the South Platte River alluvial aquifer near Greeley, Colorado, USA, had a median nitrate concentration of 1857 μmol l−1. Median nitrate concentrations in ground water from adjacent floodplain deposits (468 μmol l−1) and riverbed sediments (461 μmol l−1), both of which are downgradient from the terrace deposits, were lower than the median concentration...
Authors
P.B. McMahon, J.K. Böhlke
Combined use of groundwater dating, chemical, and isotopic analyses to resolve the history and fate of nitrate contamination in two agricultural watersheds, Atlantic coastal plain, Maryland Combined use of groundwater dating, chemical, and isotopic analyses to resolve the history and fate of nitrate contamination in two agricultural watersheds, Atlantic coastal plain, Maryland
The history and fate of groundwater nitrate (NO3−) contamination were compared in 2 small adjacent agricultural watersheds in the Atlantic coastal plain by combined use of chronologic (CCl2F2, 3H), chemical (dissolved solids, gases), and isotopic (δ15N,δ13C, δ34S) analyses of recharging groundwaters, discharging groundwaters, and surface waters. The results demonstrate the interactive...
Authors
J.K. Böhlke, J. M. Denver
Non-USGS Publications**
Sturchio, N.C., Böhlke, J.K., and Binz, C.M., 1989, Radium-thorium disequilibrium and zeolite-water ion exchange in a Yellowstone hydrothermal environment. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 53, p. 1025-1034, https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(89)90207-X.
Abrajano, T.A., Bates, J.K., and Böhlke, J.K., 1988, Linear free energy relationships in glass corrosion. Materials Issues in Art and Archeaology, Materials Research Society Proceedings, v. 125, p. 383-392, https://www.osti.gov/biblio/7179346/.
Abrajano, T.A., Sturchio, N.C., Böhlke, J.K., Poreda, R.J., Lyon, G.L., and Stevens, C.M., 1988, Methane-hydrogen gas seeps, Zambales, Philippines: Deep or shallow origin. Chemical Geology, v. 71, p. 211-222, https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2541(88)90116-7.
Böhlke, 1988, Carbonate-sulfide equilibria and "stratabound" disseminated epigenetic gold mineralization: A proposal based on examples from Alleghany, California. Applied Geochemistry, v. 3, p. 499-516, https://doi.org/10.1016/0883-2927(88)90022-4.
Böhlke, J.K., Alt, J.C., and Muehlenbachs, K., 1984, Oxygen isotope-water relations in altered deep-sea basalts: Low temperature mineralogic controls. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 21, p. 67-77, https://doi.org/10.1139/e84-008.
Böhlke, J.K., Honnorez, J., Honnorez-Guerstein, B.M., Muehlenbachs, K., and Petersen, N., 1981, Heterogeneous alteration of the upper oceanic crust: Correlation of rock chemistry, magnetic properties, and O-isotope ratios with alteration patterns in basalts from Site 396B, DSDP. Journal of Geophysical Research, Solid Earth, v. 86, p. 7935-7950, https://doi.org/10.1029/JB086iB09p07935.
Böhlke, J.K., Honnorez, J., and Honnorez-Guerstein, B.-M., 1980, Alteration of basalts from Site 396B, Deep Sea Drilling Project, petrographic and mineralogic studies. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 73, p. 341-364, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00376628.
**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
Filter Total Items: 201
Preliminary estimates of residence times and apparent ages of ground water in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and water-quality data from a survey of springs Preliminary estimates of residence times and apparent ages of ground water in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and water-quality data from a survey of springs
Knowledge of the residence times of the ground-water systems in Chesapeake Bay watershed helps resource managers anticipate potential delays between implementation of land-management practices and any improve-ments in river and estuary water quality. This report presents preliminary estimates of ground-water residence times and apparent ages of water in the shallow aquifers of the...
Authors
Michael J. Focazio, Niel Plummer, John K. Bohlke, Eurybiades Busenberg, L. Joseph Bachman, David S. Powars
Determination of δ18O and δ15N in Nitrate Determination of δ18O and δ15N in Nitrate
The analyses of both O and N isotopic compositions of nitrate have many potential applications in studies of nitrate sources and reactions in hydrology, oceanography, and atmospheric chemistry, but simple and precise methods for these analyses have yet to be developed. Testing of a new method involving reaction of potassium nitrate with catalyzed graphite (C + Pd + Au) at 520 °C resulted...
Authors
K. Revesz, J.K. Böhlke, T. Yoshinari
Hydrogeologic and water-quality data used to evaluate the effects of focused recharge on ground-water quality near Princeton, Minnesota, 1991-95 Hydrogeologic and water-quality data used to evaluate the effects of focused recharge on ground-water quality near Princeton, Minnesota, 1991-95
This study was part of the Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA) Program, a multi-scale, inter-agency initiative to evaluate the effects of agricultural systems on water quality in the midwest corn belt. The research was part of the U.S. Geological Survey Toxics Substances Hydrology Program. The research area was located in the Anoka Sand Plain about 5 kilometers southwest of...
Authors
G. N. Delin, M.K. Landon, K.J. Nelson, R. B. Wanty, R. W. Healy, H.W. Olson, J.K. Böhlke, B. R. Schroyer, P. D. Capel
Water quality at production wells near artificial-recharge basins in Montebello Forebay, Los Angeles County Water quality at production wells near artificial-recharge basins in Montebello Forebay, Los Angeles County
No abstract available.
Authors
R. A. Schroeder, R. Anders, J.K. Bohlke, Robert L. Michel, David W. Metge
Tritium/3He dating of river infiltration: An example from the Danube in the Szigetköz area, Hungary Tritium/3He dating of river infiltration: An example from the Danube in the Szigetköz area, Hungary
3H, He, 4He, and Ne data were obtained from a shallow ground-water system being recharged by bank infiltration from the Danube River in northwestern Hungary. After correting for excess air, 4He and Ne concentrations reflect a recharge temperature of about 9° C., close to the mean annual temperature of the Danube (10.4° C). Values of H plus 3Hetrit (“initial tritium”) as a function of the...
Authors
M. Stute, J. Deak, K. Révész, J. K. Böhlke, E. Deseo, R. Weppernig, P. Schlosser
Stable isotope evidence for an atmospheric origin of desert nitrate deposits in northern Chile and southern California, U.S.A. Stable isotope evidence for an atmospheric origin of desert nitrate deposits in northern Chile and southern California, U.S.A.
Natural surficial accumulations of nitrate-rich salts in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile, and in the Death Valley region of the Mojave Desert, southern California, are well known, but despite many geologic and geochemical studies, the origins of the nitrates have remained controversial. N and O isotopes in nitrate, and S isotopes in coexisting soluble sulfate, were measured to...
Authors
J.K. Böhlke, G. E. Ericksen, K. Revesz
Groundwater record of halocarbon transport by the Danube River Groundwater record of halocarbon transport by the Danube River
Groundwater dating studies have supported the concept that aquifers with low coefficients of dispersion may contain coherent records of past conditions in recharge areas. Groundwater records can provide unique information about natural or anthropogenic changes in the atmosphere and hydrosphere where long-term monitoring data are not available. Here we describe a 40-year record of...
Authors
J.K. Böhlke, K. Revesz, E. Busenberg, J. Deak, E. Deseo, M. Stute
Chemical and stable-isotope data from an experiment to examine temporal variability in water samples from screened wells on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 1994 Chemical and stable-isotope data from an experiment to examine temporal variability in water samples from screened wells on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 1994
No abstract available.
Authors
T. E. Reilly, D.R. LeBlanc, K.W. Bussey, T.B. Councell, R. L. Smith, J.K. Böhlke
Isotope hydrology studies in the Szigetköz region, northwest Hungary Isotope hydrology studies in the Szigetköz region, northwest Hungary
No abstract available.
Authors
J. Deak, E. Deseo, J.K. Bohlke, K. Revesz
Groundwater origin and dating studies in Szigetkoz Groundwater origin and dating studies in Szigetkoz
No abstract available.
Authors
E. Deseo, J. Deak, K. Revesz, J.K. Bohlke, M. Stute
Denitrification and mixing in a stream-aquifer system: Effects on nitrate loading to surface water Denitrification and mixing in a stream-aquifer system: Effects on nitrate loading to surface water
Ground water in terrace deposits of the South Platte River alluvial aquifer near Greeley, Colorado, USA, had a median nitrate concentration of 1857 μmol l−1. Median nitrate concentrations in ground water from adjacent floodplain deposits (468 μmol l−1) and riverbed sediments (461 μmol l−1), both of which are downgradient from the terrace deposits, were lower than the median concentration...
Authors
P.B. McMahon, J.K. Böhlke
Combined use of groundwater dating, chemical, and isotopic analyses to resolve the history and fate of nitrate contamination in two agricultural watersheds, Atlantic coastal plain, Maryland Combined use of groundwater dating, chemical, and isotopic analyses to resolve the history and fate of nitrate contamination in two agricultural watersheds, Atlantic coastal plain, Maryland
The history and fate of groundwater nitrate (NO3−) contamination were compared in 2 small adjacent agricultural watersheds in the Atlantic coastal plain by combined use of chronologic (CCl2F2, 3H), chemical (dissolved solids, gases), and isotopic (δ15N,δ13C, δ34S) analyses of recharging groundwaters, discharging groundwaters, and surface waters. The results demonstrate the interactive...
Authors
J.K. Böhlke, J. M. Denver
Non-USGS Publications**
Sturchio, N.C., Böhlke, J.K., and Binz, C.M., 1989, Radium-thorium disequilibrium and zeolite-water ion exchange in a Yellowstone hydrothermal environment. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 53, p. 1025-1034, https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(89)90207-X.
Abrajano, T.A., Bates, J.K., and Böhlke, J.K., 1988, Linear free energy relationships in glass corrosion. Materials Issues in Art and Archeaology, Materials Research Society Proceedings, v. 125, p. 383-392, https://www.osti.gov/biblio/7179346/.
Abrajano, T.A., Sturchio, N.C., Böhlke, J.K., Poreda, R.J., Lyon, G.L., and Stevens, C.M., 1988, Methane-hydrogen gas seeps, Zambales, Philippines: Deep or shallow origin. Chemical Geology, v. 71, p. 211-222, https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2541(88)90116-7.
Böhlke, 1988, Carbonate-sulfide equilibria and "stratabound" disseminated epigenetic gold mineralization: A proposal based on examples from Alleghany, California. Applied Geochemistry, v. 3, p. 499-516, https://doi.org/10.1016/0883-2927(88)90022-4.
Böhlke, J.K., Alt, J.C., and Muehlenbachs, K., 1984, Oxygen isotope-water relations in altered deep-sea basalts: Low temperature mineralogic controls. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 21, p. 67-77, https://doi.org/10.1139/e84-008.
Böhlke, J.K., Honnorez, J., Honnorez-Guerstein, B.M., Muehlenbachs, K., and Petersen, N., 1981, Heterogeneous alteration of the upper oceanic crust: Correlation of rock chemistry, magnetic properties, and O-isotope ratios with alteration patterns in basalts from Site 396B, DSDP. Journal of Geophysical Research, Solid Earth, v. 86, p. 7935-7950, https://doi.org/10.1029/JB086iB09p07935.
Böhlke, J.K., Honnorez, J., and Honnorez-Guerstein, B.-M., 1980, Alteration of basalts from Site 396B, Deep Sea Drilling Project, petrographic and mineralogic studies. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 73, p. 341-364, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00376628.
**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.