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Laura M DeMott

DeMott is a Geologist at the New York Water Science Center.

Laura is a geologist with the New York Water Science Center who works on a variety of research projects relating to karst hydrology, bedrock and aquifer mapping, water quality, and GIS. She is a broadly trained geoscientist with a variety of research interests in sedimentary geology and geochemistry, aqueous geochemistry, paleolimnology and paleoclimate, and terrestrial carbonates. Laura’s academic research focused on using terrestrial carbonate deposits from lakes and karst springs to interpret temporal records of groundwater composition and flux, relating to environmental changes such as climate change or urban development.

Professional Experience

  • 2021 – present: Geologist, USGS New York Water Science Center

  • 2020 – 2021: Postdoctoral Researcher, Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Syracuse University

  • 2015 – 2016: Outreach Instructor, GeoFORCE Texas

  • 2007 – 2013: Exploration Geologist, ExxonMobil

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Earth Sciences, Syracuse University, 2020

  • M.S., Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 2007

  • B.S., Geology, Western Kentucky University, 2003

Science and Products

link
map of New York state with colored areas for aquifers

Statewide Assessment of New York’s Karst Aquifers With an Inventory of Closed-Depression and Focused-Recharge Features

Background: The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) and Health (NYS DOH) are concerned about groundwater contamination in the carbonate-bedrock aquifers in New York, especially relating to the unintended introduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and liquid manure to these aquifers. These carbonate rocks form extensive aquifers that transmit, and can yield, wa
By
New York Water Science Center
link

Statewide Assessment of New York’s Karst Aquifers With an Inventory of Closed-Depression and Focused-Recharge Features

Background: The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) and Health (NYS DOH) are concerned about groundwater contamination in the carbonate-bedrock aquifers in New York, especially relating to the unintended introduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and liquid manure to these aquifers. These carbonate rocks form extensive aquifers that transmit, and can yield, wa
Learn More

Geospatial Data to Assess Karst Aquifer Systems Between Albany and Buffalo, New York (ver. 4.0, January 2024)

Publicly available geospatial data were identified, collated, and analyzed for a region of karst terrain extending from Albany to Buffalo, New York. A series of geospatial datasets were assembled to determine the location and extent of karstic rock; bedrock geology and depth to bedrock; average water-table configuration; surficial geology; soil type, thickness, and hydraulic conductivity; land cov
By
Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Science Synthesis, Analysis and Research Program, New York Water Science Center

Bedrock-surface elevation and overburden thickness maps of the five boroughs, New York City, New York

Digital maps of bedrock elevation and overburden thickness (depth to bedrock) were constructed for the five boroughs of New York City by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New York City Department of Design and Construction, from a compilation of historical and newly acquired data. Raster surfaces were interpolated from a point database containing data from more than 14,000 locati
Authors
Laura M. DeMott, Frederick Stumm, Jason S. Finkelstein
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Methods of data collection and analysis for an assessment of karst aquifer systems between Albany and Buffalo, New York

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, catalogued aquifers and closed depressions in a karst-prone area between Albany and Buffalo, New York to provide resource managers information to more efficiently manage and protect groundwater resources. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has been working with the
Authors
Bradley A. Sporleder, Benjamin N. Fisher, Douglas S. Keto, William M. Kappel, James E. Reddy, Laura M. DeMott
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

DeMott, L.M., Scholz, C.A., and Awaleh, M.O. (2021) Lacustrine carbonate towers of Lake Abhe, Djibouti: Interplay of climatic, hydrothermal, and microbial processes. Sedimentary Geology 424, 105983, doi: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2021.105983
DeMott, L.M., and Scholz, C.A. (2020) Lacustrine carbonate tufa facies of Winnemucca Dry Lake Basin, NV, USA: Journal of Sedimentary Research 90, 1804-1828, doi: 10.2110/jsr.2020.004
DeMott, L.M., Napieralski, S., Junium, C., Teece, M., and Scholz, C. (2020) Microbially-influenced lacustrine carbonates: a comparison of Late Quaternary Lahontan tufa and modern thrombolite from Fayetteville Green Lake, NY. Geobiology 18, 93-112, doi: 10.1111/gbi.12367
DeMott, L.M., Scholz, C.A., and Junium, C. (2019) 8200-year growth history of a Lahontan-age lacustrine tufa deposit. Sedimentology 66, 2169-2190, doi: 10.1111/sed.12579

**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

link
map of New York state with colored areas for aquifers

Statewide Assessment of New York’s Karst Aquifers With an Inventory of Closed-Depression and Focused-Recharge Features

Background: The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) and Health (NYS DOH) are concerned about groundwater contamination in the carbonate-bedrock aquifers in New York, especially relating to the unintended introduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and liquid manure to these aquifers. These carbonate rocks form extensive aquifers that transmit, and can yield, wa
By
New York Water Science Center
link

Statewide Assessment of New York’s Karst Aquifers With an Inventory of Closed-Depression and Focused-Recharge Features

Background: The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) and Health (NYS DOH) are concerned about groundwater contamination in the carbonate-bedrock aquifers in New York, especially relating to the unintended introduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and liquid manure to these aquifers. These carbonate rocks form extensive aquifers that transmit, and can yield, wa
Learn More

Geospatial Data to Assess Karst Aquifer Systems Between Albany and Buffalo, New York (ver. 4.0, January 2024)

Publicly available geospatial data were identified, collated, and analyzed for a region of karst terrain extending from Albany to Buffalo, New York. A series of geospatial datasets were assembled to determine the location and extent of karstic rock; bedrock geology and depth to bedrock; average water-table configuration; surficial geology; soil type, thickness, and hydraulic conductivity; land cov
By
Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Science Synthesis, Analysis and Research Program, New York Water Science Center

Bedrock-surface elevation and overburden thickness maps of the five boroughs, New York City, New York

Digital maps of bedrock elevation and overburden thickness (depth to bedrock) were constructed for the five boroughs of New York City by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New York City Department of Design and Construction, from a compilation of historical and newly acquired data. Raster surfaces were interpolated from a point database containing data from more than 14,000 locati
Authors
Laura M. DeMott, Frederick Stumm, Jason S. Finkelstein
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Methods of data collection and analysis for an assessment of karst aquifer systems between Albany and Buffalo, New York

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, catalogued aquifers and closed depressions in a karst-prone area between Albany and Buffalo, New York to provide resource managers information to more efficiently manage and protect groundwater resources. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has been working with the
Authors
Bradley A. Sporleder, Benjamin N. Fisher, Douglas S. Keto, William M. Kappel, James E. Reddy, Laura M. DeMott
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

DeMott, L.M., Scholz, C.A., and Awaleh, M.O. (2021) Lacustrine carbonate towers of Lake Abhe, Djibouti: Interplay of climatic, hydrothermal, and microbial processes. Sedimentary Geology 424, 105983, doi: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2021.105983
DeMott, L.M., and Scholz, C.A. (2020) Lacustrine carbonate tufa facies of Winnemucca Dry Lake Basin, NV, USA: Journal of Sedimentary Research 90, 1804-1828, doi: 10.2110/jsr.2020.004
DeMott, L.M., Napieralski, S., Junium, C., Teece, M., and Scholz, C. (2020) Microbially-influenced lacustrine carbonates: a comparison of Late Quaternary Lahontan tufa and modern thrombolite from Fayetteville Green Lake, NY. Geobiology 18, 93-112, doi: 10.1111/gbi.12367
DeMott, L.M., Scholz, C.A., and Junium, C. (2019) 8200-year growth history of a Lahontan-age lacustrine tufa deposit. Sedimentology 66, 2169-2190, doi: 10.1111/sed.12579

**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.