Kathleen S (Kathy) Smith, Ph.D.
Kathy Smith is a Scientist Emeritus with the Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center.
My research examines processes that influence metal concentration, speciation, bioavailability, and mobility in low-temperature aquatic systems. My general research interests include low-temperature aqueous geochemistry, environmental geochemistry, water/rock interactions, trace-element geochemistry, metal bioavailability, environmental toxicology of metals, characterization of mining wastes, leaching techniques, and sampling methodologies. My recent research topics include metal recovery from waste streams, metal sorption and transport in mined and mineralized areas, application of the biotic ligand model in mined and mineralized areas, and sampling and monitoring methods for the mine life cycle. Previous research topics include mine waste characterization, mine drainage characterization, geoenvironmental models, metal sorption onto iron oxyhydroxides, effects of fluvial tailings deposits on water quality, environmental effects of historical mining, and development of multi-disciplinary methods.
Science and Products
Use of the Biotic Ligand Model to predict metal toxicity to aquatic biota in areas of differing geology
Sources of acid and metals from the weathering of the Dinero waste pile, Lake Fork watershed, Leadville, Colorado
Sampling and monitoring for closure
Determining the toxicity potential of mine-waste piles
Use of an intact core and stable-metal isotopes to examine leaching characteristics of a fluvial tailings deposit
Trace-metal sources and their release from mine wastes: examples from humidity cell tests of hardrock mine waste and from Warrior Basin coal
Predicting toxic effects of metals on aquatic biota in mineralized areas using the biotic ligand model
Sampling strategy for the rapid screening of mine-waste dumps on abandoned mine lands
Leaching studies of schwertmannite-rich precipitates from the Animas River Headwaters, Colorado and Boulder River Headwaters, Montana
Effects of fluvial tailings deposits on soils and surface- and ground-water quality, and implications for remediation — Upper Arkansas River, Colorado, 1992–96
Using imaging spectroscopy to map acidic mine waste
Geologic controls on the composition of natural waters and mine waters draining diverse mineral-deposit types
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Filter Total Items: 68
Use of the Biotic Ligand Model to predict metal toxicity to aquatic biota in areas of differing geology
This work evaluates the use of the biotic ligand model (BLM), an aquatic toxicity model, to predict toxic effects of metals on aquatic biota in areas underlain by different rock types. The chemical composition of water, soil, and sediment is largely derived from the composition of the underlying rock. Geologic source materials control key attributes of water chemistry that affect metal toxicity toAuthorsKathleen S. SmithSources of acid and metals from the weathering of the Dinero waste pile, Lake Fork watershed, Leadville, Colorado
Two trenches were dug into the south Dinero mine-waste pile near Leadville, Colorado, to study the weathering of rock fragments and the mineralogic sources of metal contaminants in the surrounding wetland and Lake Fork Watershed. Water seeping from the base of the south Dinero waste-rock pile was pH 2.9, whereas leachate from a composite sample of the rock waste was pH 3.3. The waste pile was mostAuthorsS. F. Diehl, Phil L. Hageman, Kathleen S. Smith, J.T. Herron, G. A. DesboroughSampling and monitoring for closure
The Metals Mining Sector of the Acid Drainage Technology Initiative (ADTI-MMS) addresses technical drainage-quality issues related to metal mining and related metallurgical operations, for future and active mines, as well as, for historical mines and mining districts. One of the first projects of ADTI-MMS is to develop a handbook describing the best sampling, monitoring, predicting, mitigating, anAuthorsV. T. McLemore, C.C. Russell, K. S. SmithDetermining the toxicity potential of mine-waste piles
No abstract available.AuthorsKathleen S. Smith, Thomas R. Wildeman, LaDonna M. Choate, Sharon F. Diehl, David L. Fey, Philip L. Hageman, James F. Ranville, Rosalia Rojas, Bruce D. SmithUse of an intact core and stable-metal isotopes to examine leaching characteristics of a fluvial tailings deposit
The upper Arkansas River south of Leadville, Colorado, USA, contains deposits of fluvial tailings from historical mining operations in the Leadville area. These deposits are possible non-point sources of acid and metal contamination to surface- and ground-water systems. We used stable-metal isotopes to help ascertain metal retention and release mechanisms that influence metal transport from the deAuthorsJames F. Ranville, Kathleen S. Smith, Paul J. Lamothe, Brian P. Jackson, Katherine Walton-DayTrace-metal sources and their release from mine wastes: examples from humidity cell tests of hardrock mine waste and from Warrior Basin coal
To assess the potential impact of metal and acid contamination from mine-waste piles, it is important to identify the mineralogic source of trace metals and their mode of occurrence. Microscopic analysis of mine-waste samples from both hard-rock and coalmine waste samples demonstrate a microstructural control, as well as mineralogic control, on the source and release of trace metals into local watAuthorsS. F. Diehl, Kathleen S. Smith, G. A. Desborough, W.W. White, K.A. Lapakko, Martin B. Goldhaber, David L. FeyPredicting toxic effects of metals on aquatic biota in mineralized areas using the biotic ligand model
No abstract available.AuthorsKathleen S. Smith, James F. Ranville, Stan E. Church, David L. Fey, Richard B. Wanty, James G. CrockSampling strategy for the rapid screening of mine-waste dumps on abandoned mine lands
No abstract available.AuthorsKathleen S. Smith, Charles A. Ramsey, Philip L. HagemanLeaching studies of schwertmannite-rich precipitates from the Animas River Headwaters, Colorado and Boulder River Headwaters, Montana
No abstract available.AuthorsGeorge A. Desborough, R. W. Leinz, S. J. Sutley, Paul H. Briggs, G.A. Swayze, K. S. Smith, G. N. BreitEffects of fluvial tailings deposits on soils and surface- and ground-water quality, and implications for remediation — Upper Arkansas River, Colorado, 1992–96
No abstract available.AuthorsKatherine Walton-Day, F. J. Rossi, L. J. Gerner, J. B. Evans, T. J. Yager, J. F. Ranville, K. S. SmithUsing imaging spectroscopy to map acidic mine waste
The process of pyrite oxidation at the surface of mine waste may produce acidic water that is gradually neutralized as it drains away from the waste, depositing different Fe-bearing secondary minerals in roughly concentric zones that emanate from mine-waste piles. These Fe-bearing minerals are indicators of the geochemical conditions under which they form. Airborne and orbital imaging spectrometerAuthorsG.A. Swayze, K. S. Smith, R. N. Clark, S. J. Sutley, R.M. Pearson, J.S. Vance, P. L. Hageman, Paul H. Briggs, A. L. Meier, M.J. Singleton, S. RothGeologic controls on the composition of natural waters and mine waters draining diverse mineral-deposit types
No abstract available.AuthorsGeoffrey S. Plumlee, K. S. Smith, M. R. Montour, W. H. Ficklin, E. L. Mosier - Multimedia