Kimberly R. Beisner
Kimberly Beisner is a research hydrologist for the New Mexico Water Science center. She received a Masters of Science Degree in Geology from the University of Utah and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Geology from the University of Kansas.
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she joined the Arizona Water Science center where she has worked on geochemical studies related to the lands withdrawn from uranium mining near the Grand Canyon, water resources at Saguaro National Park, and stable isotope and noble gas evaluation groundwater of the Verde watershed to understand recharge elevation. She served as the New Mexico Water Quality specialist and is now a research hydrologist focused on multiple geochemical and anthropogenic tracers including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and continues to work with the Arizona Water Science Center in the Grand Canyon.
Professional Experience
2023 to present: Research Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, New Mexico Water Science Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
2017 to 2023: Water Chemistry Specialist, U.S. Geological Survey, New Mexico Water Science Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
2008 to 2017: Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Arizona Water Science Center, Tucson, Arizona
2007 to 2008: Student Trainee, U.S. Geological Survey, Utah Science Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
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?")
Abstracts and Presentations
Beisner, K.R., Travis, R.E., Alvarez, D.A., Jasmann, J.R., Fleck. J.A., DeParsia, M., Barber, L.B., and Hladik, M.L. (2023) Utilizing Integrated Samplers and Multiple Chemical Tracers to Assess Anthropogenic Influence on per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the Rio Grande Through the Albuquerque Area, New Mexico, USA, 13th National Monitoring Conference April 24-28, 2023.
Beisner, K.R., and Tillman, F.D (2022) Uranium associated with water resources near breccia pipe uranium deposits of the Grand Canyon region, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol 54, No. 5, 2020 https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2022AM-383930.
Beisner, K.R., Paretti, N.V., Jasmann, J.R., Barber, L.B. (2022) Anthropogenic Compounds Associated with Groundwater Near an Abandoned Copper and Uranium Mine, Grand Canyon, AZ, USA, Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference July 11-15, 2022. https://doi.org/10.46427/gold2022.10234
Beisner, K.R., Travis, R.E. (2021) Assessment of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Groundwater across New Mexico, Groundwater Protection Council Annual Forum Virtual September 27-29, 2021.
Beisner, K.R., Travis, R.E. (2021) Statewide assessment of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances in Surface and Groundwater of New Mexico 12th National Monitoring Conference Virtual April 19-23, 2021.
Solder, J.E., Beisner, K.R., Anderson, J, and Bills, D.J. (2020) Grand Canyon groundwater recharge sources and flow paths: A multi-tracer assessment of a conceptual flow model, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol 52, No. 6, 2020 doi: 10.1130/abs/2020AM-359739
Solder, J.E., and Beisner, K.R. (2020) Critical evaluation of isotope end-members for groundwater source partitioning, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol 52, No. 6, 2020 doi: 10.1130/abs/2020AM-359742
Beisner, K.R., and Tillman, F.D. (2020) Spatial and Temporal Changes in Geochemistry at Spring Sites Near Breccia Pipe Uranium Deposits of Grand Canyon Region, AZ, Goldschmidt Abstracts, 157 https://doi.org/10.46427/gold2020.157
Beisner, K.R., and Tillman, F.D. (2019) Assessing geochemistry of groundwater discharging to the Horn Creek drainage near the Orphan Mine in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Phoenix, AZ, Vol. 51, No. 5, ISSN 0016-7592 doi: 10.1130/abs/2019AM-333965 .
Beisner, K.R., Solder, J., Tillman, F.D., Anderson, J.R., and Antweiler, R.C., (2019) Geochemical characterization of groundwater south of Grand Canyon, Arizona abstract from 15th Biennial Conference of Science and Management on the Colorado Plateau and Southwest Region, Flagstaff, AZ.
Tillman, F.D., Beisner, K.R., Knight JE, Unema JA and Anderson, J.R., (2019) Investigating the potential for effects from breccia-pipe uranium mining on regional water resources in the Grand Canyon region, abstract from 15th Biennial Conference of Science and Management on the Colorado Plateau and Southwest Region, Flagstaff, AZ.
Beisner, K.R., and Tillman, F.D. (2019) Assessing spatial differences in uranium concentrations in groundwater along the Horn Creek drainage in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, 11th National Monitoring Conference Denver, CO March 25-29, 2019.
Beisner, K.R., Tillman, F.D., (2018) Assessing temporal changes in geochemistry at spring sites located in an area of breccia pipe uranium deposits: Geological Society of America Joint Rocky Mountain and Cordilleran Section Meeting Abstracts with Programs Flagstaff, Arizona vol. 50, no. 5 ISSN 0016-7592 doi: 10.1130/abs/2018RM-314266
Beisner, K.R., Tillman, F.D., Anderson, J.R., Antweiler, R.C., Bills, D.J., (2017) Geochemistry of groundwater discharging from springs north of the Grand Canyon, AZ 2009-2016, abstract from 14th Biennial Conference of Science and Management on the Colorado Plateau and Southwest Region, Flagstaff, AZ.
Solder, J.E., Bills, D.J., Anderson, J., Heilweil, V.M., Beisner, K., (2017) Groundwater dissolved gas and age tracers collected from springs and wells on South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, AZ, abstract from 14th Biennial Conference of Science and Management on the Colorado Plateau and Southwest Region, Flagstaff, AZ.
Cain, D., Croteau, M.N., Fuller, C., Barasch D., Beisner, K., Schenk, E., (2017) Uranium exposure in spring outflows within Grand Canyon National Park, abstract from 14th Biennial Conference of Science and Management on the Colorado Plateau and Southwest Region, Flagstaff, AZ.
Beisner, K.R., Paretti, N., Tillman, F.D., Naftz, D.L., Bills, D., Walton-Day, K., Gallegos, T.J., (2016) Assessing Pigeon uranium mine waste geochemistry for comparison with nearby perched groundwater springs: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs vol. 48, no. 7 paper no. 269-7.
Science and Products
Assessment of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Water Resources of New Mexico
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
PHREEQC files for geochemical simulations in Horn Creek, Grand Canyon, AZ
Biogeochemical data of water, sediments, periphyton, and macroinvertebrates collected from springs in and near Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (ver. 4.0, October 2022)
Water Quality Parameters in the Verde River below Granite Creek, Arizona, June 2018
Geochemistry of Sediment and Associated Leachates from Samples near the Old Yuma Mine, AZ
Maps of estimated nitrate and arsenic concentrations in basin-fill aquifers of the southwestern United States
Assessing influence from wastewater treatment facilities on Glorieta Creek and the Pecos River within Pecos National Historical Park, New Mexico, February–October 2022
Temporal variability and sources of PFAS in the Rio Grande, New Mexico through an arid urban area using multiple tracers and high-frequency sampling
Assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in water resources of New Mexico, 2020–21
Anthropogenic influence on groundwater geochemistry in Horn Creek Watershed near the Orphan Mine in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
Utilizing anthropogenic compounds and geochemical tracers to identify preferential structurally controlled groundwater pathways influencing springs in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
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
Arsenic in groundwater in the Grand Canyon region and an evaluation of potential pathways for arsenic contamination of groundwater from breccia pipe uranium mining
Water quality at Chaco Culture National Historical Park and the potential effects of hydrocarbon extraction
Understanding the water resources of a mountain-block aquifer: Tucson Mountains, Arizona
Utilizing multiple hydrogeologic and anthropogenic indicators to understand zones of groundwater contribution to water-supply wells near Kirtland Air Force Base Bulk Fuels Facility in southeast Albuquerque, New Mexico
Occurrence, fate, and transport of aerially applied herbicides to control invasive buffelgrass within Saguaro National Park Rincon Mountain District, Arizona, 2015–18
The spread of the invasive and fire-adapted buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) threatens desert ecosystems by competing for resources, increasing fuel loads, and creating wildfire connectivity. The Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park addressed this natural resource threat with the use of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs). In 2010, the Rincon Mountain District initiated an aerial res
An assessment of uranium in groundwater in the Grand Canyon region
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
Assessment of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Water Resources of New Mexico
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
PHREEQC files for geochemical simulations in Horn Creek, Grand Canyon, AZ
Biogeochemical data of water, sediments, periphyton, and macroinvertebrates collected from springs in and near Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (ver. 4.0, October 2022)
Water Quality Parameters in the Verde River below Granite Creek, Arizona, June 2018
Geochemistry of Sediment and Associated Leachates from Samples near the Old Yuma Mine, AZ
Maps of estimated nitrate and arsenic concentrations in basin-fill aquifers of the southwestern United States
Assessing influence from wastewater treatment facilities on Glorieta Creek and the Pecos River within Pecos National Historical Park, New Mexico, February–October 2022
Temporal variability and sources of PFAS in the Rio Grande, New Mexico through an arid urban area using multiple tracers and high-frequency sampling
Assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in water resources of New Mexico, 2020–21
Anthropogenic influence on groundwater geochemistry in Horn Creek Watershed near the Orphan Mine in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
Utilizing anthropogenic compounds and geochemical tracers to identify preferential structurally controlled groundwater pathways influencing springs in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
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
Arsenic in groundwater in the Grand Canyon region and an evaluation of potential pathways for arsenic contamination of groundwater from breccia pipe uranium mining
Water quality at Chaco Culture National Historical Park and the potential effects of hydrocarbon extraction
Understanding the water resources of a mountain-block aquifer: Tucson Mountains, Arizona
Utilizing multiple hydrogeologic and anthropogenic indicators to understand zones of groundwater contribution to water-supply wells near Kirtland Air Force Base Bulk Fuels Facility in southeast Albuquerque, New Mexico
Occurrence, fate, and transport of aerially applied herbicides to control invasive buffelgrass within Saguaro National Park Rincon Mountain District, Arizona, 2015–18
The spread of the invasive and fire-adapted buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) threatens desert ecosystems by competing for resources, increasing fuel loads, and creating wildfire connectivity. The Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park addressed this natural resource threat with the use of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs). In 2010, the Rincon Mountain District initiated an aerial res
An assessment of uranium in groundwater in the Grand Canyon region
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.