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Kate Campbell

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

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Photo of USGS streamgage 09358550 at Cement Creek at Silverton, Colorado.

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.
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
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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.
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Canyon Mine Sampling

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...
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Ecosystems, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
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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...
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MC-ICP-MS equipment

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.
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
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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.
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Biogeochemical data of water, sediments, periphyton, and macroinvertebrates collected from springs in and near Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (ver. 3.0, July 2021)

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, tr
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Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Mineral Resources Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

An 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 a
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Geochemical 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 m
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Colorado Water Science Center

X-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, and
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Mineralogical 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, 20
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Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Mineral Resources Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

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

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 BDL
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Geochemical, 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 col
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California Water Science Center

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

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,
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

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
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
Filter Total Items: 27

Radionuclides 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,
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Uranium(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 aq
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Li 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, Calif
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Water Resources, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, California Water Science Center

Antimony 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 minera

Formation 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 AMD
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Water Resources, California Water Science Center

Challenges 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 evaluati

Sulfolobus 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 tw

Biogenic 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, U

Structured populations of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius with susceptibility to mobile genetic elements

The impact of a structured environment on genome evolution can be determined through comparative population genomics of species that live in the same habitat. Recent work comparing three genome sequences of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius suggested that highly structured, extreme, hot spring environments do not limit dispersal of this thermoacidophile, in contrast to other co-occurring Sulfolobus specie

Mineralization dynamics of metakaolin-based alkali-activated cements

This paper investigates the early-age dynamics of mineral formation in metakaolin-based alkali-activated cements. The effects of silica availability and alkali content on mineral formation were investigated via X-ray diffraction and solid-state 29Si magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 2, 7, 14, and 28 days. Silica availability was controlled by using either liquid- (imm

Filamentous hydrous ferric oxide biosignatures in a pipeline carrying acid mine drainage at Iron Mountain Mine, California

A pipeline carrying acidic mine effluent at Iron Mountain, CA, developed Fe(III)-rich precipitate caused by oxidation of Fe(II)aq. The native microbial community in the pipe included filamentous microbes. The pipe scale consisted of microbial filaments, and schwertmannite (ferric oxyhydroxysulfate, FOHS) mineral spheres and filaments. FOHS filaments contained central lumina with diameters similar
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Water Resources, California Water Science Center

Biogeochemical controls of uranium bioavailability from the dissolved phase in natural freshwaters

To gain insights into the risks associated with uranium (U) mining and processing, we investigated the biogeochemical controls of U bioavailability in the model freshwater speciesLymnaea stagnalis (Gastropoda). Bioavailability of dissolved U(VI) was characterized in controlled laboratory experiments over a range of water hardness, pH, and in the presence of complexing ligands in the form of dissol
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Water Resources, Ecosystems, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Colorado Water Science Center

Pre-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, 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: 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, 2007
Root, 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.

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