Marc L. Buursink, Ph.D.
Dr. Marc Buursink is a Research Geologist with the USGS Geology, Energy & Minerals (GEM) Science Center in Reston, Virginia.
As part of the Geology, Energy & Minerals (GEM) Science Center, Marc works on geologic carbon dioxide sequestration research, underground energy storage problems, oil and gas resource assessments, and geophysical and geochemical data interpretation and synthesis. While a research earth scientist at Chevron Energy Technology Company, he worked on seismic modeling, basin analysis problems, and deep-water Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Canada exploration. Previously at the USGS Hydrogeophysics Branch, he applied multiple geophysical methods to groundwater contamination investigations. In his spare time he serves as a volunteer EMT.
Professional Experience
2010 - present: Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Va.
2006 - 2010: Research Earth Scientist, Chevron Corp., Houston, Tex. and San Ramon, Calif.
2000 - 2007: Research Fellow, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho
1995 - 2001: Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Storrs, Conn.
1992 - 1995: Physical Science Technician, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Va.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Geophysics, Boise State University, 2006
M.S. Geosciences, University of Connecticut, 1998
B.A. Physics and Environmental Sciences with French minor, University of Virginia, 1993
Affiliations and Memberships*
Secretary, Potomac Geophysical Society (PGS)
Member, Geological Society of America (GSA) and Secretary, Energy Geology Division
Member, American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Member, American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Science and Products
Geologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources: Alaska North Slope and Kandik Basin, Alaska
Geologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources: U.S. Gulf Coast
Significance of carbon dioxide density estimates for basin-scale storage resource assessments
Geologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources: Greater Green River Basin, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah, and Wyoming-Idaho-Utah Thrust Belt
Geologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources: Arkoma Basin, Kansas Basins, and Midcontinent Rift Basin study areas
National assessment of geologic carbon dioxide storage resources: methodology implementation
Geologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources: Bighorn Basin, Wyoming and Montana: Chapter A in Geologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources
Use of vertical-radar profiling to estimate porosity at two New England sites and comparison with neutron log porosity
River discharge measurements by using helicopter-mounted radar
Evaluation of ground-penetrating radar to detect free-phase hydrocarbons in fractured rocks: Results of numerical modeling and physical experiments
Ground-penetrating radar methods used in surface-water discharge measurements
Map showing morphometry, bathymetry, and soft-sediment thickness of Plow Shop Pond and Grove Pond, Ayer, Massachusetts
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 26
Geologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources: Alaska North Slope and Kandik Basin, Alaska
This report presents fourteen storage assessment units (SAUs) from the Alaska North Slope and two SAUs from the Kandik Basin of Alaska. The Alaska North Slope is a broad, north-dipping coastal plain that is underlain by a thick succession of sedimentary rocks that accumulated steadily throughout much of the Phanerozoic during three major tectonic sequences: the Mississippian through Triassic EllesAuthorsWilliam H. Craddock, Marc L. Buursink, Jacob A. Covault, Sean T. Brennan, Colin A. Doolan, Ronald M. Drake, Matthew D. Merrill, Tina L. Roberts-Ashby, Ernie R. Slucher, Peter D. Warwick, Madalyn S. Blondes, P.A. Freeman, Steven M. Cahan, Christina A. DeVera, Celeste D. LohrGeologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources: U.S. Gulf Coast
This report presents 27 storage assessment units (SAUs) within the United States (U.S.) Gulf Coast. The U.S. Gulf Coast contains a regionally extensive, thick succession of clastics, carbonates, salts, and other evaporites that were deposited in a highly cyclic depositional environment that was subjected to a fluctuating siliciclastic sediment supply and transgressive and regressive sea levels. AtAuthorsTina L. Roberts-Ashby, Sean T. Brennan, Marc L. Buursink, Jacob A. Covault, William H. Craddock, Ronald M. Drake, Matthew D. Merrill, Ernie R. Slucher, Peter D. Warwick, Madalyn S. Blondes, Mayur A. Gosai, P.A. Freeman, Steven M. Cahan, Christina A. DeVera, Celeste D. LohrSignificance of carbon dioxide density estimates for basin-scale storage resource assessments
The geologic carbon dioxide (CO2) storage resource size is a function of the density of CO2 in the subsurface. The pressure and temperature of the storage reservoir at depth affect the CO2 density. Therefore, knowing these subsurface conditions allows for improved resource estimates of potential geologic CO2 storage capacity. In 2012, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) completed an assessment of geAuthorsMarc L. BuursinkGeologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources: Greater Green River Basin, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah, and Wyoming-Idaho-Utah Thrust Belt
The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (Public Law 110–140) directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a national assessment of potential geologic storage resources for carbon dioxide (CO2). The methodology used by the USGS for the national CO2 assessment follows up on previous USGS work. The methodology is non-economic and intended to be used at regional to subbasinal scales. ThiAuthorsMarc L. Buursink, Ernie R. Slucher, Sean T. Brennan, Colin A. Doolan, Ronald M. Drake, Matthew D. Merrill, Peter D. Warwick, Madalyn S. Blondes, P.A. Freeman, Steven M. Cahan, Christina A. DeVera, Celeste D. LohrGeologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources: Arkoma Basin, Kansas Basins, and Midcontinent Rift Basin study areas
2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (Public Law 110–140) directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a national assessment of potential geologic storage resources for carbon dioxide (CO2). The methodology used by the USGS for the national CO2 assessment follows that of previous USGS work. This methodology is non-economic and intended to be used at regional to subbasinal scales. ThisAuthorsMarc L. Buursink, William H. Craddock, Madalyn S. Blondes, Phillip A. Freeman, Steven M. Cahan, Christina A. DeVera, Celeste D. LohrNational assessment of geologic carbon dioxide storage resources: methodology implementation
In response to the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted a national assessment of potential geologic storage resources for carbon dioxide (CO2). Storage of CO2 in subsurface saline formations is one important method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and curb global climate change. This report provides updates and implementation details of the assesAuthorsMadalyn S. Blondes, Sean T. Brennan, Matthew D. Merrill, Marc L. Buursink, Peter D. Warwick, Steven M. Cahan, M.D. Corum, Troy A. Cook, William H. Craddock, Christina A. DeVera, Ronald M. Drake, Lawrence J. Drew, P.A. Freeman, Celeste D. Lohr, Ricardo A. Olea, Tina L. Roberts-Ashby, Ernie R. Slucher, Brian A. VarelaGeologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources: Bighorn Basin, Wyoming and Montana: Chapter A in Geologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources
The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (Public Law 110–140) directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a national assessment of potential geologic storage resources for carbon dioxide (CO2). The methodology used for the national CO2 assessment follows that of previous USGS work. The methodology is non-economic and intended to be used at regional to subbasinal scales. This report iAuthorsJacob A. Covault, Mark L. Buursink, William H. Craddock, Matthew D. Merrill, Madalyn S. Blondes, Mayur A. Gosai, P.A. FreemanUse of vertical-radar profiling to estimate porosity at two New England sites and comparison with neutron log porosity
No abstract available.AuthorsMarc L. Buursink, John W. Lane, W.P. Clement, Michael D. KnollRiver discharge measurements by using helicopter-mounted radar
The United States Geological Survey and the University of Washington collaborated on a series of initial experiments on the Lewis, Toutle, and Cowlitz Rivers during September 2000 and a detailed experiment on the Cowlitz River during May 2001 to determine the feasibility of using helicopter-mounted radar to measure river discharge. Surface velocities were measured using a pulsed Doppler radar, andAuthorsN.B. Melcher, J. E. Costa, F. P. Haeni, R. T. Cheng, E. M. Thurman, M. Buursink, K.R. Spicer, E. Hayes, W.J. Plant, W.C. Keller, K. HayesEvaluation of ground-penetrating radar to detect free-phase hydrocarbons in fractured rocks: Results of numerical modeling and physical experiments
The suitability of common-offset ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to detect free-phase hydrocarbons in bedrock fractures was evaluated using numerical modeling and physical experiments. The results of one- and two-dimensional numerical modeling at 100 megahertz indicate that GPR reflection amplitudes are relatively insensitive to fracture apertures ranging from 1 to 4 mm. The numerical modeling andAuthorsJ.W. Lane, M. L. Buursink, F. P. Haeni, R.J. VersteegGround-penetrating radar methods used in surface-water discharge measurements
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operates a network of about 7,000 streamflow-gaging stations that monitor open-channel water discharge at locations throughout the United States. The expense, technical difficulties, and concern for the safety of operational personnel under some field conditions have led to the search for alternate measurement methods. Ground- penetrating radar (GPR) has been usedAuthorsF. P. Haeni, Marc L. Buursink, John E. Costa, Nick B. Melcher, Ralph T. Cheng, William J. PlantMap showing morphometry, bathymetry, and soft-sediment thickness of Plow Shop Pond and Grove Pond, Ayer, Massachusetts
No abstract available.AuthorsA.M. Mercadante, J.A. Colman, M. L. Buursink
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government