Martin Goldhaber
Martin (Marty) Goldhaber is a Scientist Emeritus with the Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center and the John Wesley Powell John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis. His research focuses on the role of geology, hydrology, ecology, and land use in regional soil geochemistry.
Martin (Marty) Goldhaber grew up in Los Angeles California. After spending a year as a Post Doc at Yale, he joined the USGS in 1975. He was co-chair of the USGS Science Strategy team which identified key strategic directions for the USGS to follow over the next decade.
Marty is past President of the Geochemical Society. Marty has served on the editorial boards of Economic Geology, American Journal of Science, and Geochimica (two terms) and has served on advisory boards for the Geological Society of America, the Ocean Drilling Program, NASA, and NSF. His association with the Colorado School of Mines and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as adjunct professor resulted in the mentoring of thirteen masters and doctoral students. He is also on the faculty of the Minerals, Metals, Metalloids, and Toxicity program at SUNY Stony Brook. Marty’s research interests have evolved during his career. His early work was on the biogeochemistry of sulfur in modern marine sediments. After joining the USGS, he applied these perspectives on sulfur geochemistry toward understanding the origin of sediment-hosted ore deposits. This interest in ore genesis led to a focus on large scale crustal fluid flow processes that drive not only genesis of some ore types, but also impact the modern environment by enriching shallow crustal rocks with potentially toxic constituents. His research then evolved into understanding the environmental impacts of these crustal flow processes.
Education and Certifications
PhD in Geochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles (1973)
BS in Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles (1968)
Affiliations and Memberships*
Geological Society of America - Fellow
American Association for the Advancement of Science - Fellow
Society of Economic Geologists - Fellow
Geochemical Society
Honors and Awards
Presidential Rank Award
Department of the Interior Meritorious Service Award
Science and Products
Laboratory investigations of the effects of nitrification-induced acidification on Cr cycling in vadose zone material partially derived from ultramafic rocks
Distribution of arsenic, selenium, and other trace elements in high pyrite Appalachian coals: evidence for multiple episodes of pyrite formation
The John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis
Using stable isotopes to understand hydrochemical processes in and around a Prairie Pothole wetland in the Northern Great Plains, USA
The role of critical zone processes in the evolution of the Prairie Pothole Region wetlands
Geology for a changing world 2010-2020-Implementing the U.S. Geological Survey science strategy
Carbon and nitrogen biogeochemistry of a Prairie Pothole Wetland, Stutsman County, North Dakota, USA
Future directions in geobiology and low-temperature geochemistry
Chromium(VI) generation in vadose zone soils and alluvial sediments of the southwestern Sacramento Valley, California: a potential source of geogenic Cr(VI) to groundwater
Modeling the dynamic geochemistry of prairie pothole wetlands
It's not just about climate change - What about soils?
Regional variations in water quality and relationships to soil and bedrock weathering in the southern Sacramento Valley, California, USA
Science and Products
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Laboratory investigations of the effects of nitrification-induced acidification on Cr cycling in vadose zone material partially derived from ultramafic rocks
Sacramento Valley (California, USA) soils and sediments have high concentrations of Cr(III) because they are partially derived from ultramafic material. Some Cr(III) is oxidized to more toxic and mobile Cr(VI) by soil Mn oxides. Valley soils typically have neutral to alkaline pH at which Cr(III) is highly immobile. Much of the valley is under cultivation and is both fertilized and irrigated. A serAuthorsChristopher T. Mills, Martin B. GoldhaberDistribution of arsenic, selenium, and other trace elements in high pyrite Appalachian coals: evidence for multiple episodes of pyrite formation
Pennsylvanian coals in the Appalachian Basin host pyrite that is locally enriched in potentially toxic trace elements such as As, Se, Hg, Pb, and Ni. A comparison of pyrite-rich coals from northwestern Alabama, eastern Kentucky, and West Virginia reveals differences in concentrations and mode of occurrence of trace elements in pyrite. Pyrite occurs as framboids, dendrites, or in massive crystallinAuthorsS. F. Diehl, M. B. Goldhaber, A.E. Koenig, H.A. Lowers, L.F. RuppertThe John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis
The Powell Center provides an environment for cross-disciplinary scientific collaboration. The Center expands U.S. Geological Survey earth system science synthesis research activities by fostering the innovation that results from accumulated knowledge, constructive errors, and the "information spillover" that emerges from collaborative settings. Working Groups at the Powell Center use existing datAuthorsJill Baron, Martin GoldhaberUsing stable isotopes to understand hydrochemical processes in and around a Prairie Pothole wetland in the Northern Great Plains, USA
Millions of internally drained wetland systems in the Prairie Potholes region of the northern Great Plains (USA and Canada) provide indispensable habitat for waterfowl and a host of other ecosystem services. The hydrochemistry of these systems is complex and a crucial control on wetland function, flora and fauna. Wetland waters can have high concentrations of SO2-4 due to the oxidation of large amAuthorsChristopher T. Mills, Martin B. Goldhaber, Craig A. Stricker, JoAnn M. Holloway, Jean Morrison, Karl J. Ellefsen, Donald O. Rosenberry, Roland S. ThurstonThe role of critical zone processes in the evolution of the Prairie Pothole Region wetlands
The Prairie Pothole Region, which occupies 900,000 km2 of the north central USA and south central Canada, is one of the most important ecosystems in North America. It is characterized by millions of small wetlands whose chemistry is highly variable over short distances. The study involved the geochemistry of surface sediments, wetland water, and groundwater in the Cottonwood Lakes area of North DaAuthorsMartin B. Goldhaber, Christopher T. Mills, Craig A. Stricker, Jean MorrisonGeology for a changing world 2010-2020-Implementing the U.S. Geological Survey science strategy
This report describes a science strategy for the geologic activities of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for the years 2010-2020. It presents six goals with accompanying strategic actions and products that implement the science directions of USGS Circular 1309, 'Facing Tomorrow's Challenges-U.S. Geological Survey Science in the Decade 2007-2017.' These six goals focus on providing the geologic unAuthorsLinda C.S. Gundersen, Jayne Belnap, Martin Goldhaber, Arthur Goldstein, Peter J. Haeussler, S. E. Ingebritsen, John Jones, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, E. Robert Thieler, Robert S. Thompson, Judith M. BackCarbon and nitrogen biogeochemistry of a Prairie Pothole Wetland, Stutsman County, North Dakota, USA
The concentration and form of dissolved organic C (DOC) and N species (NH4+ and NO3-) were investigated as part of a larger hydrogeochemical study of the Cottonwood Lake Study Area within the Prairie Potholes region. Groundwater, pore water and surface wetland water data were used to help characterize the relationships between surface and groundwater with respect to nutrient dynamics. PhotosynthesAuthorsJoAnn M. Holloway, Martin B. Goldhaber, Christopher T. MillsFuture directions in geobiology and low-temperature geochemistry
Humanity is confronted with an enormous challenge, as succinctly stated by the late Steven Schneider (2001; quoted by Jantzen 2004*): “Humans are forcing the Earth’s environmental systems to change at a rate that is more advanced than their knowledge of the consequences.” Geobiologists and low-temperature geochemists characterize material from the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biospherAuthorsKatherine H. Freeman, M. B. GoldhaberChromium(VI) generation in vadose zone soils and alluvial sediments of the southwestern Sacramento Valley, California: a potential source of geogenic Cr(VI) to groundwater
Concentrations of geogenic Cr(VI) in groundwater that exceed the World Health Organization’s maximum contaminant level for drinking water (50 μg L−1) occur in several locations globally. The major mechanism for mobilization of this Cr(VI) at these sites is the weathering of Cr(III) from ultramafic rocks and its subsequent oxidation on Mn oxides. This process may be occurring in the southern SacramAuthorsChristopher T. Mills, Jean Morrison, Martin B. Goldhaber, Karl J. EllefsenModeling the dynamic geochemistry of prairie pothole wetlands
No abstract available.AuthorsM.C. Goldhaber, C.T. Mills, Craig A. Stricker, J. W. LaBaugh, D. Mushet, N.H. EulissIt's not just about climate change - What about soils?
Vladimir Vernadsky was one of the giants of geochemistry. Considered the founder of the fi eld of biogeochemistry and a true pioneer in “whole Earth” studies, he realized by 1945 that “Man under our very eyes is becoming a mighty and ever-growing geological force.” In the intervening 65 years, his “ever-growing force” has become a tidal wave. The global population has been increasing exponentiallyAuthorsMartin B. GoldhaberRegional variations in water quality and relationships to soil and bedrock weathering in the southern Sacramento Valley, California, USA
Regional patterns in ground- and surface-water chemistry of the southern Sacramento Valley in California were evaluated using publicly available geochemical data from the US Geological Survey's National Water Information System (NWIS). Within the boundaries of the study area, more than 2300 ground-water analyses and more than 20,000 surface-water analyses were available. Ground-waters from the wesAuthorsR. B. Wanty, M. B. Goldhaber, J.M. Morrison, L. Lee - News
*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