Kate Campbell is a research biogeochemist specializing in microbial and abiotic metal redox cycling, mineralogy, and modeling in natural and mine-influenced waters.
Kate Campbell started her career with the USGS with the volunteer for science program as a high school student interested in the water quality of Boulder Creek, CO. After majoring in chemistry in college, she pursued a Ph.D. at Catech studying the biogeochemistry of arsenic redox transformations in reservoir sediments. She returned to the USGS as a National Research Council postdoctoral fellow in 2007 in Menlo Park, CA, researching uranium bioremediation in shallow contaminated aquifers. Currently, she is a research chemist in Denver, CO. Her research projects include understanding the biogeochemistry and mineralogy of metals and metalloids in mine-impacted waters, particularly in acid rock drainage and uranium-contaminated water. She also studies microbial kinetics of iron, arsenic, and antimony oxidation in acid mine drainage, and how to incorporate microbial kinetics in reactive transport models for field-scale application as a tool for site managers.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. – California Institute of Technology, Environmental Science and Engineering, Pasadena, CA, 2006
M.S. – California Institute of Technology, Environmental Science and Engineering, Pasadena, CA, 2003
B.S. – Georgetown University, Chemistry major (summa cum laude), Japanese language minor, Washington, D.C., 2001
Science and Products
Processes Controlling Fate and Transport of Metals Associated with Legacy Mining
Minerals Science Team
Macro and Micro Analytical Methods Development
Biogeochemical data of water, sediments, periphyton, and macroinvertebrates collected from springs in and near Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (ver. 4.0, October 2022)
An updated X-ray diffractogram library of geologic materials
An updated X-ray diffractogram library of geologic materials
Geochemical data from batch experiments to test mobility of trace elements downgradient from breccia-pipe uranium deposits
X-ray diffraction data of sediment samples from Hastings, Nebraska
Mineralogical analyses of drill core samples from the Canyon uranium-copper deposit, a solution-collapse breccia pipe, Grand Canyon area, Coconino County, Arizona, USA
X-Ray diffraction data for bulk sediment and clay separations taken from cores from Bristol Dry Lake, California and geothermal springs from Paoha Island (Mono Lake), California
Geochemical, mineralogical, and grain-size data for in-situ solid materials and suspended sediment at Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, Nevada County, California
Geochemical and X-ray diffraction analyses of drill core samples from the Canyon uranium-copper deposit, a solution-collapse breccia pipe, Grand Canyon area, Coconino County, Arizona
Field and Laboratory data of pipe scale forming in acid mine drainage pipelines at Iron Mountain and Leviathan Mines, California
Aquatic insect accumulation of uranium at spring outflows in the Grand Canyon region as influenced by aqueous and sediment geochemistry and biological factors: Implications for monitoring
Nitrate-stimulated release of naturally occurring sedimentary uranium
Antimony in mine wastes: Geochemistry, mineralogy, microbiology
Laboratory simulation of groundwater along uranium-mining-affected flow paths near the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA
Radionuclides in surface water and groundwater
Uranium(VI) attenuation in a carbonate-bearing oxic alluvial aquifer
Li and Ca enrichment in the Bristol Dry Lake brine compared to brines from Cadiz and Danby Dry Lakes, Barstow-Bristol Trough, California, USA
Antimony mobility during the early stages of stibnite weathering in tailings at the Beaver Brook Sb deposit, Newfoundland
Formation and prevention of pipe scale from acid mine drainage at Iron Mountain and Leviathan Mines, California, USA
Challenges in recovering resources from acid mine drainage
Sulfolobus islandicus meta-populations in Yellowstone National Park hot springs
Biogenic non-crystalline U(IV) revealed as major component in uranium ore deposits
Non-USGS Publications**
**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
- Science
Processes Controlling Fate and Transport of Metals Associated with Legacy Mining
The project goal is to investigate best approaches to integrating conceptual, (bio)geochemical, hydrological, and toxicological models to improve prediction of metal mobility and remediation at legacy mine land (LML) sites.Minerals Science Team
The Minerals Integrated Science Team focuses on contaminant exposures in the environment that might originate from mineral resource activities including, transportation, storage, extraction and waste management. Perceived health risks to humans and other organisms will be distinguished from actual risks, if any. If actual risks are identified the science produced by this team can inform how to...Macro and Micro Analytical Methods Development
The Macro and Micro Analytical Methods Development Project (MMAMD) provides access to the expertise of highly experienced research scientists and state of the art analytical instrumentation to develop new and unique analytical capabilities to solve complex problems beyond routine analysis. - Data
Biogeochemical data of water, sediments, periphyton, and macroinvertebrates collected from springs in and near Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (ver. 4.0, October 2022)
The U.S. Geological Survey is studying uranium and associated trace element bioaccumulation in aquatic invertebrates across a gradient of dissolved uranium concentrations in spring outflow pools and creeks in the Grand Canyon and adjacent watershed. This data release makes available data from sampling campaigns in April 2016, April 2017, and in April 2019. Data collected include: (1) major ion, trAn updated X-ray diffractogram library of geologic materials
The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern library presented here is intended for qualitative or quantitative mineralogical analysis of geologic materials. The original collection of 169 reference diffractograms was released by Eberl (2003) as a part of RockJock, a USGS program for quantitative analysis of mineralogy, which included patterns of many of the major rock-forming minerals needed to analyze aAn updated X-ray diffractogram library of geologic materials
The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern library presented here is intended for qualitative or quantitative mineralogical analysis of geologic materials. The original collection of 169 reference diffractograms was released by Eberl (2003) as a part of RockJock, a USGS program for quantitative analysis of mineralogy, which included patterns of many of the major rock-forming minerals needed to analyze aGeochemical data from batch experiments to test mobility of trace elements downgradient from breccia-pipe uranium deposits
This data release includes solid and aqueous chemical data related to a set of sequential laboratory batch experiments conducted to test and simulate the mobility of trace elements as natural waters contact ore from breccia pipe uranium (BPU) deposits located in northern Arizona. The experiments made use of aquifer-related, sedimentary rocks collected specifically for this study and archival ore mX-ray diffraction data of sediment samples from Hastings, Nebraska
X-ray diffraction (XRD) data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in 2015 and 2016 on sediment core samples collected near Hastings, Nebraska, by the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (UNL) to inform aquifer sediment composition, mineralogical composition of operationally defined size fractions, and geochemical modeling. The sediment cores were collected near Hastings, Nebraska, andMineralogical analyses of drill core samples from the Canyon uranium-copper deposit, a solution-collapse breccia pipe, Grand Canyon area, Coconino County, Arizona, USA
This data release compiles the X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy analyses of drill core samples collected by the U.S. Geological Survey that were selected to typify the uranium-copper ore bodies of the Canyon deposit. The deposit is hosted by a solution-collapse breccia pipe, in which mineralization exists from about 650 to 2,100 ft (200 to 640 m) below the surface (Mathisen and others, 20X-Ray diffraction data for bulk sediment and clay separations taken from cores from Bristol Dry Lake, California and geothermal springs from Paoha Island (Mono Lake), California
X-Ray diffraction (XRD) data for bulk sediment and clay separations taken from cores from Bristol Dry Lake, California and geothermal springs from Paoha Island (Mono Lake), California. The data were collected for two separate projects: (1) determining the source of lithium in Bristol Dry Lake (BDL), and (2) determining the mechanism of sinter formation on Paoha Island, Mono Lake. The data from BDLGeochemical, mineralogical, and grain-size data for in-situ solid materials and suspended sediment at Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, Nevada County, California
This dataset includes data for in-situ solid materials and suspended sediments from surface-water samples, as well as surface-water chemistry from samples collected during storm events at Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, Nevada County, California. In-situ solid samples were collected during 2015 along six vertical transects along the cliff walls of the mine pit. Surface-water samples were colGeochemical and X-ray diffraction analyses of drill core samples from the Canyon uranium-copper deposit, a solution-collapse breccia pipe, Grand Canyon area, Coconino County, Arizona
This data release compiles the major and trace element analytical results of drill core samples that typify the uranium-copper ore bodies of the Canyon deposit, located about 6.1 miles (10 km) south-southeast of Tusayan, Arizona. The Canyon deposit lies from about 750 to 2,000 ft (230 to 610 m) below the surface at latitude 35.88333 North, longitude -112.09583 West (datum WGS 1984). Energy Fuels,Field and Laboratory data of pipe scale forming in acid mine drainage pipelines at Iron Mountain and Leviathan Mines, California
Pipelines carrying acid mine drainage at Iron Mountain and Leviathan Mines (CA, USA) develop pipe scale, a precipitate that forms inside the pipelines. The U.S. Geological Survey is studying the composition of the pipe scale and the acid mine drainage water flowing through the pipeline through field samples and laboratory experimentation. This data release provides the data from the studies of the - Publications
Filter Total Items: 32
Aquatic insect accumulation of uranium at spring outflows in the Grand Canyon region as influenced by aqueous and sediment geochemistry and biological factors: Implications for monitoring
Potential adverse ecological effects of expanded uranium (U) mining within the Grand Canyon region motivated studies to better understand U exposure and risk to endemic species. This study documents U exposures and analyzes geochemical and biological factors affecting U bioaccumulation at spring-fed systems within the Grand Canyon region. The principal objective was to determine if aqueous U was bAuthorsDaniel J. Cain, Marie-Noële Croteau, Christopher C. Fuller, David Barasch, Kimberly R. Beisner, Kate M. Campbell, Deborah Stoliker, Edward J. SchenkNitrate-stimulated release of naturally occurring sedimentary uranium
Groundwater uranium (U) concentrations have been measured above the U.S. EPA maximum contaminant level (30 μg/L) in many U.S. aquifers, including in areas not associated with anthropogenic contamination by milling or mining. In addition to carbonate, nitrate has been correlated to uranium groundwater concentrations in two major U.S. aquifers. However, to date, direct evidence that nitrate mobilizeAuthorsJeffrey P Westrop, Pooja Yadav, PJ Nolan, Kate M. Campbell, Rajesh Singh, Sharon Bone, Alicia Chan, Anthony Hohtz, Donald Pan, Olivia Healy, John Bargar, Daniel D. Snow, Karrie WeberAntimony in mine wastes: Geochemistry, mineralogy, microbiology
Antimony (Sb) is a valuable mined commodity, used mostly in fire retardants, and considered a critical element. It is also a potential environment hazard classed as a carcinogen. Antimony is concentrated in tailings and waste rock from Sb mines as well as other locations, such as precious metal deposits, where Sb is present in the ore but not recovered. This review covers the aqueous geochemistry,AuthorsAnežka Borčinová Radková, Heather E. Jamieson, Kate M. Campbell, Karen A. Hudson-EdwardsLaboratory simulation of groundwater along uranium-mining-affected flow paths near the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA
Mining of volumetrically small, but relatively enriched (average 0.6% U3O8) breccia pipe uranium (BPU) deposits near the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA has the potential to affect groundwater and springs in the area. Such deposits also contain base metal sulfides that can oxidize to generate acid mine drainage and release trace metals. In this study, sequential batch experiments were conducted to simuAuthorsCarleton R. Bern, Kate M. Campbell, Katherine Walton-Day, Bradley S. Van GosenRadionuclides in surface water and groundwater
Unique among all the contaminants that adversely affect surface- and groundwater quality, radioactive compounds pose a double threat from toxicity and ionizing radiation. The high energy potential of many of these materials makes them both useful and hazardous. The unique properties of radioactive materials make them invaluable for medical and energy applications. However, mining, production, use,AuthorsKate M. Campbell, Tyler KaneUranium(VI) attenuation in a carbonate-bearing oxic alluvial aquifer
Uranium minerals are commonly found in soils and sediment across the United States at an average concentration of 2–4 mg/kg. Uranium occurs in the environment primarily in two forms, the oxidized, mostly soluble uranium(VI) form, or the reduced, sparingly soluble reduced uranium(IV) form. Here we describe subsurface geochemical conditions that result in low uranium concentrations in an alluvial aqAuthorsPJ Nolan, S Bone, Kate M. Campbell, David Pannell, O Healy, M Stange, J Bargar, KA WeberLi and Ca enrichment in the Bristol Dry Lake brine compared to brines from Cadiz and Danby Dry Lakes, Barstow-Bristol Trough, California, USA
Relatively few discharging playas in western United States extensional basins have high concentrations of lithium (Li) and calcium (Ca) in the basin-center brines. However, the source of both these ions is not well understood, and it is not clear why basins in close proximity within the same extensional trough have notably different concentrations of Li and Ca. In the Barstow-Bristol Trough, CalifAuthorsMichael R. Rosen, Lisa L. Stillings, Tyler Kane, Kate M. Campbell, Matthew Vitale, Ray SpanjersAntimony mobility during the early stages of stibnite weathering in tailings at the Beaver Brook Sb deposit, Newfoundland
The aqueous speciation and mineralogy of antimony (Sb) in waters and tailings at Beaver Brook antimony deposit have been analyzed to understand Sb mobility during the initial stages of stibnite (Sb2S3) weathering in a near-surface environment. Dissolution of stibnite in oxidizing conditions releases Sb in drainage water and Sb is incorporated into the mineral structures of several secondary mineraAuthorsAnežka Borčinová Radková, Heather E. Jamieson, Kate M. CampbellFormation and prevention of pipe scale from acid mine drainage at Iron Mountain and Leviathan Mines, California, USA
Pipelines carrying acid mine drainage (AMD) to treatment plants commonly form pipe scale, an Fe(III)-rich precipitate that forms inside the pipelines and requires periodic and costly cleanout and maintenance. Pipelines at Iron Mountain Mine (IMM) and Leviathan Mine (LM) in California carry acidic water from mine sources to a treatment plant and have developed pipe scale. Samples of scale and AMDAuthorsKate M. Campbell, Charles N. Alpers, D. Kirk NordstromChallenges in recovering resources from acid mine drainage
Metal recovery from mine waters and effluents is not a new approach but one that has occurred largely opportunistically over the last four millennia. Due to the need for low-cost resources and increasingly stringent environmental conditions, mine waters are being considered in a fresh light with a designed, deliberate approach to resource recovery often as part of a larger water treatment evaluatiAuthorsD. Kirk Nordstrom, Robert J. Bowell, Kate M. Campbell, Charles N. AlpersSulfolobus islandicus meta-populations in Yellowstone National Park hot springs
Abiotic and biotic forces shape the structure and evolution of microbial populations. We investigated forces that shape the spatial and temporal population structure of Sulfolobus islandicus by comparing geochemical and molecular analysis from seven hot springs in five regions sampled over 3 years in Yellowstone National Park. Through deep amplicon sequencing, we uncovered 148 unique alleles at twAuthorsKate M. Campbell, Angela Kouris, Whitney England, Rika E. Anderson, R. Blaine McCleskey, D. Kirk Nordstrom, Rachel J. WhitakerBiogenic non-crystalline U(IV) revealed as major component in uranium ore deposits
Historically, it is believed that crystalline uraninite, produced via the abiotic reduction of hexavalent uranium (U(VI)) is the dominant reduced U species formed in low-temperature uranium roll-front ore deposits. Here we show that non-crystalline U(IV) generated through biologically mediated U(VI) reduction is the predominant U(IV) species in an undisturbed U roll-front ore deposit in Wyoming, UAuthorsAmrita Bhattacharyya, Kate M. Campbell, Shelly Kelly, Yvonne Roebbert, Stefan Weyer, Rizlan Bernier-Latmani, Thomas BorchNon-USGS Publications**
Borch, T., Campbell, KM., Kretzchmar, R. “Guest comment: How electron flow controls contaminant dynamics,” Environmental Science and Technology, 44, 3-6, 2010.Campbell ,K.M., and Hering, J.G. “Biogeochemical Mechanisms of Arsenic Mobilization.”Chapter in Arsenic Contamination of Groundwater: Mechanism, Analysis, and Remediation, S. Ahuja, editor. New Jersey: J.S.Wiley & Sons, 2008Campbell, K.M , Root, R., O’Day, P.A. and Hering, J.G. “A Gel Probe Equilibrium Sampler for Measuring Arsenic Porewater Profiles and Sorption Gradients in Sediments: I. Laboratory Development”, Environmental Science and Technology, 42 (2) 497–503, 2008.Campbell, K.M , Root, R., O’Day, P.A. and Hering, J.G. “A Gel Probe Equilibrium Sampler for Measuring Arsenic Porewater Profiles and Sorption Gradients in Sediments: II. Field Application to Haiwee Reservoir Sediment”, Environmental Science and Technology, 42 (2) 504-510, 2008.Campbell, K.M., “Biogeochemical Mechanisms of Arsenic Mobilization in Haiwee Reservoir Sediments,” Ph.D. Dissertation, California Institute of Technology, 2007Root, R., Dixit, S., Campbell, K.M. , Jew, A. , Hering, J.G. and O’Day, P.A.. “Mechanism of Arsenic Sequestration in High-Iron Sediments”, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 71 (23) 5782-5803, 2007.Campbell, K.M. , Malasarn, D. , Saltikov, C.W., Newman, D.K. and Hering, J.G.. “Simultaneous Microbial Reduction of Iron(III) and Arsenic (V) in Suspensions of Hydrous Ferric Oxide”. Environmental Science and Technology 40 (19) 5950-5955, 2006.Campbell, K.M, Dixit, S. and Hering. J.G.. “Use of a gel robe sampling device to examine porewater profiles and the effects of porewater composition on As sorption in sediments”, Water-Rock Interaction Proceedings, Wanty & Seal II, ed. 2004.Malasarn, D.M. , Saltikov, C.W., Campbell, K.M., Hering, J.G., Santini, J. , and Newman, D.K. “arrA as a reliable marker for As(V) respiration”, Science 306 (5695): 455-455 October 15 2004.**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.