Kimberly Beisner conducts geochemical research to understand the evolution of groundwater from recharge as precipitation through water rock interactions. She focuses on mining hydrology and dissolved gas and isotope tracer projects.
Kimberly's USGS experience started in the Utah Water Science Center as a graduate student working on mercury and selenium associated with the Great Salt Lake and abandoned uranium mines in southern Utah. Following graduation, she joined the Arizona Water Science center where she has worked on geochemical studies related to the lands withdrawn from uranium mining near the Grand Canyon, water resources at Saguaro National Park, stable isotope and noble gas sampling of groundwater of the Verde watershed to understand recharge elevation, groundwater and surface water sampling for the NAWQA program. Currently, she serves as the New Mexico Water Quality specialist and continues to work with the Arizona Water Science Center on geochemical studies.
Education and Certifications
M.S. Geology (2008), University of Utah (Thesis "Selenium and trace element mobility affected by periodic interruption of stratification in the Great Salt Lake, Utah")
B.S. Environmental Geology (2006), University of Kansas (Thesis "Short-term water-level fluctuations and long-term water-level decline at the Konza Prairie: Drought or Vegetation?")
Science and Products
Uranium in Springs Sampled Near the Grand Canyon Likely from Natural Sources
Thermal Imaging Camera Use: Identifying Groundwater Inputs to a Reef in American Samoa
Science and Products
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Uranium in Springs Sampled Near the Grand Canyon Likely from Natural Sources
Scientists measured nine naturally occurring elements including uranium at 37 spring sites in the Grand Canyon area to establish baseline conditions and to understand the sources of uranium to local springs. Scientists found relatively greater concentrations of uranium at 6 of the 37 springs. A comprehensive geochemical analysis coupled with an understanding of the flow patterns in the area...Thermal Imaging Camera Use: Identifying Groundwater Inputs to a Reef in American Samoa
USGS scientists used a thermal camera in American Samoa to understand the effect of land-based contaminants on an adjacent coral reef lagoon ecosystem. The infrared (IR) camera was used to capture thermal images of the lagoon to look for temperature differences to understand the distribution of freshwater entering the lagoon and the circulation of the lagoon water at various tidal levels. - Data
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