Laurence G Miller
I am scientist Emeritus with the Environmental Hydrodynamics Branch of the Earth Systems Process Division of the USGS Water Resources Mission Area.
Our mission is to understand the processes that affect availability, movement, and quality of the Nation’s water resources. I’m currently engaged in studies of the fate of chromium in contaminated groundwater, the ecology and geochemistry of Mono Lake, CA, and the role of bacteria in transforming hydrocarbons in the subsurface.
Professional Studies/Experience
- May 1984 to Present: Research Oceanographer, National Research Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA
- Sept. 1981 to May 1984: Oceanographer III, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Jan. 1977 to Sept. 1981: Research and Teaching Assistant, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- April 1973 to Dec. 1976: Research Technician, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY
Education and Certifications
Education
1972 B.A., Marine Science, Southampton College, Long Island University
1980 M.S., Geological Science, University of Southern California
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 55
Microbiology: A microbial arsenic cycle in a salt-saturated, extreme environment
Searles Lake is a salt-saturated, alkaline brine unusually rich in the toxic element arsenic. Arsenic speciation changed from arsenate [As(V)] to arsenite [As(III)] with sediment depth. Incubated anoxic sediment slurries displayed dissimilatory As(V)-reductase activity that was markedly stimulated by H2 or sulfide, whereas aerobic slurries had rapid As(III)-oxidase activity. An anaerobic, extremel
Authors
R.S. Oremland, T.R. Kulp, J.S. Blum, S.E. Hoeft, S. Baesman, L.G. Miller, J.F. Stolz
Degradation of methyl bromide and methyl chloride in soil microcosms: Use of stable C isotope fractionation and stable isotope probing to identify reactions and the responsible microorganisms
Bacteria in soil microcosm experiments oxidized elevated levels of methyl chloride (MeCl) and methyl bromide (MeBr), the former compound more rapidly than the latter. MeBr was also removed by chemical reactions while MeCl was not. Chemical degradation dominated the early removal of MeBr and accounted for more than half of its total loss. Fractionation of stable carbon isotopes during chemical degr
Authors
L.G. Miller, K.L. Warner, S.M. Baesman, R.S. Oremland, I.R. McDonald, S. Radajewski, J.C. Murrell
Bioreactors for removing methyl bromide following contained fumigations
Use of methyl bromide (MeBr) as a quarantine, commodity, or structural fumigant is under scrutiny because its release to the atmosphere contributes to the depletion of stratospheric ozone. A closed-system bioreactor consisting of 0.5 L of a growing culture of a previously described bacterium, strain IMB-1, removed MeBr (>110 μmol L-1) from recirculating air. Strain IMB-1 grew slowly to high cell d
Authors
Laurence G. Miller, Shaun Baesman, Ronald S. Oremland
Distribution, production, and ecophysiology of Picocystis strain ML in Mono Lake, California
A recently described unicellular chlorophytic alga isolated from meromictic Mono Lake, California, occupies a niche that spans two environments: the upper oxic mixolimnion and the deeper anoxic and highly reducing monimolimnion. This organism, Picocystis sp. strain ML, accounts for nearly 25% of the primary production during the winter bloom and more than 50% at other times of the year. In incubat
Authors
Collin S. Roesler, Charles W. Culbertson, Stacey M. Etheridge, Ralf Goericke, Ronald P. Kiene, Laurence G. Miller, Ronald S. Oremland
Carbon isotope fractionation of methyl bromide during agricultural soil fumigations
The isotopic composition of methyl bromide (CH3Br) has been suggested to be a potentially useful tracer for constraining the global CH3Br budget. In order to determine the carbon isotopic composition of CH3Br emitted from the most significant anthropogenic application (pre-plant fumigation) we directly measured the ??13C of CH3Br released during commercial fumigation. We also measured the isotopic
Authors
M. Bill, L.G. Miller, Allen H. Goldstein
Continuous flow stable isotope methods for study of δ13C fractionation during halomethane production and degradation
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/MS/IRMS) methods for δ13C measurement of the halomethanes CH3Cl, CH3Br, CH3I and methanethiol (CH3SH) during studies of their biological production, biological degradation, and abiotic reactions are presented. Optimisation of gas chromatographic parameters allowed the identification and quantification of CO2, O2, CH3Cl, CH3Br
Authors
Robert M. Kalin, John T.G. Hamilton, David B. Harper, Laurence G. Miller, Clare Lamb, James T. Kennedy, Angela Downey, Sean McCauley, Allen H. Goldstein
Large carbon isotope fractionation associated with oxidation of methyl halides by methylotrophic bacteria
The largest biological fractionations of stable carbon isotopes observed in nature occur during production of methane by methanogenic archaea. These fractionations result in substantial (as much as ≈70‰) shifts in δ13C relative to the initial substrate. We now report that a stable carbon isotopic fractionation of comparable magnitude (up to 70‰) occurs during oxidation of methyl halides by methylo
Authors
L.G. Miller, Robert M. Kalin, S.E. McCauley, John T.G. Hamilton, D.B. Harper, D.B. Millet, R.S. Oremland, Allen H. Goldstein
Bacterial dissimilatory reduction of arsenate and sulfate in meromictic Mono Lake, California
The stratified (meromictic) water column of alkaline and hypersaline Mono Lake, California, contains high concentrations of dissolved inorganic arsenic (~200 ??mol/L). Arsenic speciation changes from arsenate [As (V)] to arsenite [As (III)] with the transition from oxic surface waters (misolimnion) to anoxic bottom waters (monimolimnion). A radioassay was devised to measure the reduction of 73As (
Authors
R.S. Oremland, P.R. Dowdle, S. Hoeft, J.O. Sharp, J.K. Schaefer, L.G. Miller, Blum J. Switzer, R. L. Smith, N.S. Bloom, D. Wallschlaeger
Oxidation of ammonia and methane in an alkaline, saline lake
The oxidation of ammonia (NH3) and methane (CH4) was investigated in an alkaline saline lake, Mono Lake, California (U.S.A.). Ammonia oxidation was examined in April and July 1995 by comparing dark 14CO2 fixation rates in the presence or absence of methyl fluoride (MeF), an inhibitor of NH3 oxidation. Ammonia oxidizer‐mediated dark 14CO2fixation rates were similar in surface (5–7 m) and oxycline (
Authors
S.B. Joye, T.L. Connell, L.G. Miller, R.S. Oremland, R.S. Jellison
Difluoromethane, a new and improved inhibitor of methanotrophy
Difluoromethane (HFC-32; DFM) is compared to acetylene and methyl fluoride as an inhibitor of methanotrophy in cultures and soils. DFM was found to be a reversible inhibitor of CH4 oxidation byMethylococcus capsulatus (Bath). Consumption of CH4 in soil was blocked by additions of low levels of DFM (0.03 kPa), and this inhibition was reversed by DFM removal. Although a small quantity of DFM was con
Authors
L.G. Miller, C. Sasson, R.S. Oremland
Bacterial oxidation of methyl bromide in Mono Lake, California
The oxidation of methyl bromide (MeBr) in the water column of Mono Lake, CA, was studied by measuring the formation of H14CO3 from [14C]MeBr. Potential oxidation was detected throughout the water column, with highest rates occurring in the epilimnion (5-12 m depth). The oxidation of MeBr was eliminated by filter-sterilization, thereby demonstrating the involvement of bacteria. Vertical profiles of
Authors
T.L. Connell, S.B. Joye, L.G. Miller, R.S. Oremland
Bacterial oxidation of methyl bromide in fumigated agricultural soils
The oxidation of [14C]methyl bromide ([14C]MeBr) to 14CO2 was measured in field experiments with soils collected from two strawberry plots fumigated with mixtures of MeBr and chloropicrin (CCl3NO2). Although these fumigants are considered potent biocides, we found that the highest rates of MeBr oxidation occurred 1 to 2 days after injection when the fields were tarped, rather than before or severa
Authors
L.G. Miller, T.L. Connell, J.R. Guidetti, R.S. Oremland
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 55
Microbiology: A microbial arsenic cycle in a salt-saturated, extreme environment
Searles Lake is a salt-saturated, alkaline brine unusually rich in the toxic element arsenic. Arsenic speciation changed from arsenate [As(V)] to arsenite [As(III)] with sediment depth. Incubated anoxic sediment slurries displayed dissimilatory As(V)-reductase activity that was markedly stimulated by H2 or sulfide, whereas aerobic slurries had rapid As(III)-oxidase activity. An anaerobic, extremel
Authors
R.S. Oremland, T.R. Kulp, J.S. Blum, S.E. Hoeft, S. Baesman, L.G. Miller, J.F. Stolz
Degradation of methyl bromide and methyl chloride in soil microcosms: Use of stable C isotope fractionation and stable isotope probing to identify reactions and the responsible microorganisms
Bacteria in soil microcosm experiments oxidized elevated levels of methyl chloride (MeCl) and methyl bromide (MeBr), the former compound more rapidly than the latter. MeBr was also removed by chemical reactions while MeCl was not. Chemical degradation dominated the early removal of MeBr and accounted for more than half of its total loss. Fractionation of stable carbon isotopes during chemical degr
Authors
L.G. Miller, K.L. Warner, S.M. Baesman, R.S. Oremland, I.R. McDonald, S. Radajewski, J.C. Murrell
Bioreactors for removing methyl bromide following contained fumigations
Use of methyl bromide (MeBr) as a quarantine, commodity, or structural fumigant is under scrutiny because its release to the atmosphere contributes to the depletion of stratospheric ozone. A closed-system bioreactor consisting of 0.5 L of a growing culture of a previously described bacterium, strain IMB-1, removed MeBr (>110 μmol L-1) from recirculating air. Strain IMB-1 grew slowly to high cell d
Authors
Laurence G. Miller, Shaun Baesman, Ronald S. Oremland
Distribution, production, and ecophysiology of Picocystis strain ML in Mono Lake, California
A recently described unicellular chlorophytic alga isolated from meromictic Mono Lake, California, occupies a niche that spans two environments: the upper oxic mixolimnion and the deeper anoxic and highly reducing monimolimnion. This organism, Picocystis sp. strain ML, accounts for nearly 25% of the primary production during the winter bloom and more than 50% at other times of the year. In incubat
Authors
Collin S. Roesler, Charles W. Culbertson, Stacey M. Etheridge, Ralf Goericke, Ronald P. Kiene, Laurence G. Miller, Ronald S. Oremland
Carbon isotope fractionation of methyl bromide during agricultural soil fumigations
The isotopic composition of methyl bromide (CH3Br) has been suggested to be a potentially useful tracer for constraining the global CH3Br budget. In order to determine the carbon isotopic composition of CH3Br emitted from the most significant anthropogenic application (pre-plant fumigation) we directly measured the ??13C of CH3Br released during commercial fumigation. We also measured the isotopic
Authors
M. Bill, L.G. Miller, Allen H. Goldstein
Continuous flow stable isotope methods for study of δ13C fractionation during halomethane production and degradation
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/MS/IRMS) methods for δ13C measurement of the halomethanes CH3Cl, CH3Br, CH3I and methanethiol (CH3SH) during studies of their biological production, biological degradation, and abiotic reactions are presented. Optimisation of gas chromatographic parameters allowed the identification and quantification of CO2, O2, CH3Cl, CH3Br
Authors
Robert M. Kalin, John T.G. Hamilton, David B. Harper, Laurence G. Miller, Clare Lamb, James T. Kennedy, Angela Downey, Sean McCauley, Allen H. Goldstein
Large carbon isotope fractionation associated with oxidation of methyl halides by methylotrophic bacteria
The largest biological fractionations of stable carbon isotopes observed in nature occur during production of methane by methanogenic archaea. These fractionations result in substantial (as much as ≈70‰) shifts in δ13C relative to the initial substrate. We now report that a stable carbon isotopic fractionation of comparable magnitude (up to 70‰) occurs during oxidation of methyl halides by methylo
Authors
L.G. Miller, Robert M. Kalin, S.E. McCauley, John T.G. Hamilton, D.B. Harper, D.B. Millet, R.S. Oremland, Allen H. Goldstein
Bacterial dissimilatory reduction of arsenate and sulfate in meromictic Mono Lake, California
The stratified (meromictic) water column of alkaline and hypersaline Mono Lake, California, contains high concentrations of dissolved inorganic arsenic (~200 ??mol/L). Arsenic speciation changes from arsenate [As (V)] to arsenite [As (III)] with the transition from oxic surface waters (misolimnion) to anoxic bottom waters (monimolimnion). A radioassay was devised to measure the reduction of 73As (
Authors
R.S. Oremland, P.R. Dowdle, S. Hoeft, J.O. Sharp, J.K. Schaefer, L.G. Miller, Blum J. Switzer, R. L. Smith, N.S. Bloom, D. Wallschlaeger
Oxidation of ammonia and methane in an alkaline, saline lake
The oxidation of ammonia (NH3) and methane (CH4) was investigated in an alkaline saline lake, Mono Lake, California (U.S.A.). Ammonia oxidation was examined in April and July 1995 by comparing dark 14CO2 fixation rates in the presence or absence of methyl fluoride (MeF), an inhibitor of NH3 oxidation. Ammonia oxidizer‐mediated dark 14CO2fixation rates were similar in surface (5–7 m) and oxycline (
Authors
S.B. Joye, T.L. Connell, L.G. Miller, R.S. Oremland, R.S. Jellison
Difluoromethane, a new and improved inhibitor of methanotrophy
Difluoromethane (HFC-32; DFM) is compared to acetylene and methyl fluoride as an inhibitor of methanotrophy in cultures and soils. DFM was found to be a reversible inhibitor of CH4 oxidation byMethylococcus capsulatus (Bath). Consumption of CH4 in soil was blocked by additions of low levels of DFM (0.03 kPa), and this inhibition was reversed by DFM removal. Although a small quantity of DFM was con
Authors
L.G. Miller, C. Sasson, R.S. Oremland
Bacterial oxidation of methyl bromide in Mono Lake, California
The oxidation of methyl bromide (MeBr) in the water column of Mono Lake, CA, was studied by measuring the formation of H14CO3 from [14C]MeBr. Potential oxidation was detected throughout the water column, with highest rates occurring in the epilimnion (5-12 m depth). The oxidation of MeBr was eliminated by filter-sterilization, thereby demonstrating the involvement of bacteria. Vertical profiles of
Authors
T.L. Connell, S.B. Joye, L.G. Miller, R.S. Oremland
Bacterial oxidation of methyl bromide in fumigated agricultural soils
The oxidation of [14C]methyl bromide ([14C]MeBr) to 14CO2 was measured in field experiments with soils collected from two strawberry plots fumigated with mixtures of MeBr and chloropicrin (CCl3NO2). Although these fumigants are considered potent biocides, we found that the highest rates of MeBr oxidation occurred 1 to 2 days after injection when the fields were tarped, rather than before or severa
Authors
L.G. Miller, T.L. Connell, J.R. Guidetti, R.S. Oremland