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
Predictive double-layer modeling of metal sorption in mine-drainage systems
Distribution and mobility of molybdenum in the terrestrial environment
Compositions and metal loadings from several seeps at the Summitville Mine: Preliminary results of sampling in August, 1995, and comparison to August, 1994 results
Impact of the lower Alamosa River water on alfalfa, southwestern San Luis Valley, Colorado, 1995: Follow-up study of effects from the Summitville Mine
Geochemical processes controlling acid-drainage generation and cyanide degradation at Summitville
Map showing potential metal-mine drainage hazards in Colorado, based on mineral-deposit geology
Impact of the lower Alamosa River water on alfalfa, southwestern San Luis Valley, Colorado: 1994 follow-up study
Geochemistry of sediments from coastal marshes of Louisiana
Geoenvironmental models of mineral deposits, and geology-based mineral-environmental assessments of public lands
Predicting water contamination from metal mines and mining wastes; notes from a workshop presented at the International land reclamation and mine drainage conference and the Third international conference on the Abatement of acidic drainage, Pittsburgh, P
Transport and natural attenuation of Cu, Zn, As, and Fe in the acid mine drainage of Leviathan and Bryant Creeks
Understanding our fragile environment; Lessons from geochemical studies
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Predictive double-layer modeling of metal sorption in mine-drainage systems
Previous comparison of predictive double-layer modeling and empirically derived metal-partitioning data has validated the use of the double-layer model to predict metal sorption reactions in iron-rich mine-drainage systems. The double-layer model subsequently has been used to model data collected from several mine-drainage sites in Colorado with diverse geochemistry and geology. This work demonstrAuthorsK. S. Smith, J. F. Ranville, D.L. MacaladyDistribution and mobility of molybdenum in the terrestrial environment
Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential element for many plants and animals (Newton and Otsuka, 1980). Because of its chemical properties, Mo readily provides sites for reactions and catalysis in biochemical systems (Haight and Boston, 1973). It is therefore important to understand the processes that control the distribution, speciation, and behavior of Mo in the surficial environment. These processes wilAuthorsKathleen S. Smith, Laurie S. Balistrieri, Steven M. Smith, Ronald C. SeversonCompositions and metal loadings from several seeps at the Summitville Mine: Preliminary results of sampling in August, 1995, and comparison to August, 1994 results
No abstract available.AuthorsG.S. Plumlee, K. S. Smith, M. R. MontourImpact of the lower Alamosa River water on alfalfa, southwestern San Luis Valley, Colorado, 1995: Follow-up study of effects from the Summitville Mine
No abstract available.AuthorsJ. A. Erdman, K. S. Smith, Maya ter KuileGeochemical processes controlling acid-drainage generation and cyanide degradation at Summitville
No abstract available.AuthorsGeoffrey S. Plumlee, Kathleen S. Smith, Elwin L. Mosier, Walter H. Ficklin, Maria R. Montour, Paul Briggs, Allen L. MeierMap showing potential metal-mine drainage hazards in Colorado, based on mineral-deposit geology
This map, compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Colorado Geological Survey (CGS) and the U. S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), shows potential mine-drainage hazards that may exist in Colorado metal-mining districts, as indicated by the geologic characteristics of the mineral deposits that occur in the respective districts. It was designed to demonstrate how geologiAuthorsGeoffrey S. Plumlee, Randall K. Streufert, Kathleen S. Smith, Steven M. Smith, Alan R. Wallace, Margo I. Toth, J. Thomas Nash, Rob A. Robinson, Walter H. Ficklin, Gregory K. LeeImpact of the lower Alamosa River water on alfalfa, southwestern San Luis Valley, Colorado: 1994 follow-up study
No abstract available.AuthorsJames A. Erdman, Kathleen S. SmithGeochemistry of sediments from coastal marshes of Louisiana
As a part of the U.S. Geological Survey Global Change and Climate History Program we have been studying the biogeochemistry of coastal marshes in Terrebonne Basin, Louisiana. Louisiana has about 40 percent of the coastal wetlands in the conterminous U.S. and it is losing wetlands at one of the highest rates in the U.S. with the conversion of about 65 km2/yr of marsh to open water (Britsch and DunbAuthorsL. L. Jackson, Laurie S. Balistrieri, K. S. Smith, Katherine Walton-Day, D.L. Kirshcenman, P.S. Briggs, D. L. Fey, S. J. SutleyGeoenvironmental models of mineral deposits, and geology-based mineral-environmental assessments of public lands
No abstract available.AuthorsG.S. Plumlee, K. S. Smith, W. H. FicklinPredicting water contamination from metal mines and mining wastes; notes from a workshop presented at the International land reclamation and mine drainage conference and the Third international conference on the Abatement of acidic drainage, Pittsburgh, P
No abstract available.AuthorsK. S. Smith, G.S. Plumlee, W. H. FicklinTransport and natural attenuation of Cu, Zn, As, and Fe in the acid mine drainage of Leviathan and Bryant Creeks
The Leviathan and Bryant Creek (LBC) drainage system, on the border of California and Nevada, flows through overburden and waste from a former open-pit sulfur mine. The drainage contains acid mine waters with high concentrations of several trace elements, including Cu, Zn, and As, derived from oxidative weathering of sulfides in the wastes and altered bedrock. In June and October, 1982, the mainstAuthorsJenny G. Webster, D. Kirk Nordstrom, Kathleen S. SmithUnderstanding our fragile environment; Lessons from geochemical studies
An understanding of our fragile environment can begin with a recognition of the importance of certain elements, commonly called "minerals substances" (such as iron and zinc), in the lives of humans and animals and in the soils that support plants. This recognition is well deserved because these elements are essential for the life or optimum health of an organism. Some elements such as carbon, hydrAuthorsLarry P. Gough, Sigrid Asher-Bolinder, Laurie S. Balistrieri, George N. Breit, Thomas J. Casadevall, James G. Crock, Kimberley I. Cunningham, Joseph S. Duval, James A. Erdman, Barbara M. Erickson, Walter H. Ficklin, Larry L. Jackson, Rama K. Kotra, Joel S. Leventhal, James M. McNeal, William R. Miller, James K. Otton, Douglass E. Owen, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, G. Michael Reimer, Ronald C. Severson, Kathleen S. Smith, Ronald R. Tidball, Robert A. Zielinski - Multimedia