MaryLynn Musgrove
MaryLynn Musgrove is a Research Physical Scientist and the Western Region Principal Aquifer Analyst for the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) project. Her research interests include water quality, karst hydrology, and isotope geochemistry.
MaryLynn joined the USGS and Texas Water Science Center in 2006.
MaryLynn is currently a geochemist with the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) project, acting as the Principal Aquifer Analyst for the Western U.S. region. Her research interests continue to address karst hydrology and carbonate aquifer geochemistry, with ongoing contributions to understanding the central Texas Edwards aquifer. She is also a Research Fellow at the University of Texas Environmental Science Institute where she regularly serves on the committees of graduate students.
Education and Certifications
MaryLynn has Masters and PhD degrees in Geological Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied with Dr. Jay Banner.
Her graduate research focused on the application of geochemical tracers and environmental isotopes to karst aquifers, paleohydrology, and paleoclimate studies.
After completing her PhD in 2000, she completed postdoctoral work at Harvard University studying paleoclimate and links between science and policy.
Science and Products
Groundwater quality data from the National Water-Quality Assessment Project, May 2012 through December 2013
Groundwater quality in the Basin and Range Basin-Fill Aquifers, southwestern United States
Holocene climate variability in Texas, USA: An integration of existing paleoclimate data and modeling with a new, high-resolution speleothem record
Effects of projected climate (2011–50) on karst hydrology and species vulnerability—Edwards aquifer, south-central Texas, and Madison aquifer, western South Dakota
Historical and projected climate (1901–2050) and hydrologic response of karst aquifers, and species vulnerability in south-central Texas and western South Dakota
Quality of groundwater in the Denver Basin aquifer system, Colorado, 2003-5
Changing amounts and sources of moisture in the U.S. southwest since the Last Glacial Maximum in response to global climate change
Factors affecting public-supply well vulnerability in two karst aquifers
The quality of our Nation's waters: Water quality in the Denver Basin aquifer system, Colorado, 2003-05
Origin and characteristics of discharge at San Marcos Springs, south-central Texas
A conceptual hydrogeologic model for the hydrogeologic framework, geochemistry, and groundwater-flow system of the Edwards-Trinity and related aquifers in the Pecos County region, Texas
Progress toward establishing a national assessment of water availability and use
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Groundwater quality data from the National Water-Quality Assessment Project, May 2012 through December 2013
Groundwater-quality data were collected from 748 wells as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Project of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Program from May 2012 through December 2013. The data were collected from four types of well networks: principal aquifer study networks, which assess the quality of groundwater used for public water supply; land-use study networks, whiAuthorsTerri Arnold, Leslie A. DeSimone, Laura M. Bexfield, Bruce D. Lindsey, Jeannie R. B. Barlow, Justin T. Kulongoski, MaryLynn Musgrove, James A. Kingsbury, Kenneth BelitzGroundwater quality in the Basin and Range Basin-Fill Aquifers, southwestern United States
Groundwater provides nearly 50 percent of the Nation’s drinking water. To help protect this vital resource, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Project assesses groundwater quality in aquifers that are important sources of drinking water. The Basin and Range basin-fill aquifers constitute one of the important areas being evaluated. One or more inorganic consAuthorsMaryLynn Musgrove, Kenneth BelitzHolocene climate variability in Texas, USA: An integration of existing paleoclimate data and modeling with a new, high-resolution speleothem record
Delineating the climate processes governing precipitation variability in drought-prone Texas is critical for predicting and mitigating climate change effects, and requires the reconstruction of past climate beyond the instrumental record. We synthesize existing paleoclimate proxy data and climate simulations to provide an overview of climate variability in Texas during the Holocene. Conditions becAuthorsCorinne I. Wong, Jay L. Banner, MaryLynn MusgroveEffects of projected climate (2011–50) on karst hydrology and species vulnerability—Edwards aquifer, south-central Texas, and Madison aquifer, western South Dakota
Karst aquifers—formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone—are critical groundwater resources in North America, and karst springs, caves, and streams provide habitat for unique flora and fauna. Springflow and groundwater levels in karst terrane can change greatly over short time scales, and therefore are likely to respond rapidly to climate change. How might the biological communiAuthorsBarbara Mahler, John F. Stamm, Mary F. Poteet, Amy J. Symstad, MaryLynn Musgrove, Andrew J. Long, Parker A. NortonHistorical and projected climate (1901–2050) and hydrologic response of karst aquifers, and species vulnerability in south-central Texas and western South Dakota
Two karst aquifers, the Edwards aquifer in the Balcones Escarpment region of south-central Texas and the Madison aquifer in the Black Hills of western South Dakota, were evaluated for hydrologic response to projected climate change through 2050. Edwards aquifer sites include Barton Springs, the Bexar County Index Well, and Comal Springs. Madison aquifer sites include Spearfish Creek and Rhoads ForAuthorsJohn F. Stamm, Mary F. Poteet, Amy J. Symstad, MaryLynn Musgrove, Andrew J. Long, Barbara Mahler, Parker A. NortonQuality of groundwater in the Denver Basin aquifer system, Colorado, 2003-5
Groundwater resources from alluvial and bedrock aquifers of the Denver Basin are critical for municipal, domestic, and agricultural uses in Colorado along the eastern front of the Rocky Mountains. Rapid and widespread urban development, primarily along the western boundary of the Denver Basin, has approximately doubled the population since about 1970, and much of the population depends on groundwaAuthorsMaryLynn Musgrove, Jennifer A. Beck, Suzanne Paschke, Nancy J. Bauch, Shana L. MashburnChanging amounts and sources of moisture in the U.S. southwest since the Last Glacial Maximum in response to global climate change
The U.S. southwest has a limited water supply and is predicted to become drier in the 21st century. An improved understanding of factors controlling moisture sources and availability is aided by reconstruction of past responses to global climate change. New stable isotope and growth-rate records for a central Texas speleothem indicate a strong influence of Gulf of Mexico (GoM) moisture and increasAuthorsWeimin Feng, Benjamin F. Hardt, Jay L. Banner, Kevin J. Meyer, Eric W. James, MaryLynn Musgrove, R. Lawrence Edwards, Hai Cheng, Angela MinFactors affecting public-supply well vulnerability in two karst aquifers
Karst aquifers occur in a range of climatic and geologic settings. Nonetheless, they are commonly characterized by their vulnerability to water-quality impairment. Two karst aquifers, the Edwards aquifer in south-central Texas and the Upper Floridan aquifer in western Florida, were investigated to assess factors that control the movement of contaminants to public-supply wells (PSWs). The geochemisAuthorsMaryLynn Musgrove, Brian G. Katz, Lynne S. Fahlquist, Christy A. Crandall, Richard J. LindgrenThe quality of our Nation's waters: Water quality in the Denver Basin aquifer system, Colorado, 2003-05
Availability and sustainability of groundwater in the Denver Basin aquifer system depend on water quantity and water quality. The Denver Basin aquifer system underlies about 7,000 square miles of the Great Plains in eastern Colorado and is the primary or sole source of water for domestic and public supply in many areas of the basin. Use of groundwater from the Denver Basin sandstone aquifers has bAuthorsNancy J. Bauch, MaryLynn Musgrove, Barbara Mahler, Suzanne PaschkeOrigin and characteristics of discharge at San Marcos Springs, south-central Texas
The Edwards aquifer in south-central Texas is one of the most productive aquifers in the Nation and is the primary source of water for the rapidly growing San Antonio area. Springs issuing from the Edwards aquifer provide habitat for several threatened and endangered species, serve as locations for recreational activities, and supply downstream users. Comal Springs and San Marcos Springs are majorAuthorsMaryLynn Musgrove, Cassi L. CrowA conceptual hydrogeologic model for the hydrogeologic framework, geochemistry, and groundwater-flow system of the Edwards-Trinity and related aquifers in the Pecos County region, Texas
The Edwards-Trinity aquifer is a vital groundwater resource for agricultural, industrial, and municipal uses in the Trans-Pecos region of west Texas. A conceptual model of the hydrogeologic framework, geochemistry, and groundwater-flow system in the 4,700 square-mile study area was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation DistrictAuthorsJonathan V. Thomas, Gregory P. Stanton, Johnathan R. Bumgarner, Daniel K. Pearson, Andrew Teeple, Natalie A. Houston, Jason Payne, MaryLynn MusgroveProgress toward establishing a national assessment of water availability and use
The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11) was passed into law on March 30, 2009. Subtitle F, also known as the SECURE Water Act, calls for the establishment of a "national water availability and use assessment program" within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). A major driver for this recommendation was that national water availability and use have not been comprehensivelyAuthorsWilliam M. Alley, Eric J. Evenson, Nancy L. Barber, Breton W. Bruce, Kevin F. Dennehy, Mary Freeman, Ward O. Freeman, Jeffrey M. Fischer, William B. Hughes, Jonathan Kennen, Julie E. Kiang, Kelly O. Maloney, MaryLynn Musgrove, Barbara E. Ralston, Steven Tessler, James P. Verdin - News