Michelle Lorah
Dr. Michelle Lorah is a Research Hydrologist and has been with the U.S. Geological Survey in the Maryland Water Sciences Center since 1985, where she directs the Fate and Bioremediation Team. Her research focuses on contaminant fate, microbial community dynamincs, and developing bioremediation methods for a wide range of organic and inorganic contaminants in groundwater...
My research is focused on determining natural attenuation processes in complex environments, such as wetlands, sediment, and fractured rock, with the goal of enhancing or augmenting these processes to obtain efficient remediation of contaminants. This research includes defining anaerobic and aerobic degradation processes, microbial community dynamics, and controlling environmental factors. Much of my research has focused on chlorinated volatile organic compounds, including chlorinated methanes, ethenes, and benzenes, and development of bioremediation technologies for these widespread groundwater contaminants. I have led the development of an anaerobic dechlorinating consortium (WBC-2) for degradation of chlorinated solvents and of bio-reactive barriers or caps for application in bottom sediment and groundwater discharge areas. Additional research has included study of biodegradation of explosives compounds and perchlorate, natural attenuation of landfill leachate, and fate of nutrients in groundwater/surface-water discharge area.
Professional Experience
1994-Present, Research Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Baltimore, Maryland
Technical director of Fate and Bioremediation Team. Principal or co-principal investigator on projects investigating contaminant fate and remediation, with a specialization on complex hydrogeologic environments, including wetlands and other areas of ground-water-surface water interaction and fractured rock.
Education and Certifications
B.S. Pennsylvania State University, Geosciences/Minor- Marine Science, 1983
M.S. University of Virginia, Environmental Sciences- Geochemistry, 1987
Ph.D. University of Maryland, Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Sciences Program- Environmental Chemistry, 1999
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 36
Anaerobic degradation of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane and association with microbial communities in a freshwater tidal wetland, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland: Laboratory experiments and comparisons to field data
Defining biodegradation rates and processes is a critical part of assessing the feasibility of monitored natural attenuation as a remediation method for ground water containing organic contaminants. During 1998–2001, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a microbial study at a freshwater tidal wetland along the West Branch Canal Creek, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, as part of an investigation
Authors
Michelle M. Lorah, Mary A. Voytek, Julie D. Kirshtein, Elizabeth J. Jones
Changes in ground-water quality in the Canal Creek Aquifer between 1995 and 2000-2001, West Branch Canal Creek area, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
Since 1917, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland has been the primary chemical-warfare research and development center for the U.S. Army. Ground-water contamination has been documented in the Canal Creek aquifer because of past disposal of chemical and ordnance manufacturing waste. Comprehensive sampling for volatile organic compounds in ground water by the U.S. Geological Survey in the West Branch C
Authors
Daniel J. Phelan, William B. Fleck, Michelle M. Lorah, Lisa D. Olsen
Ground-water and surface-water quality data for the West Branch Canal Creek area, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, November 1999-May 2001
This report presents ground-water and surface-water quality data from samples collected by the U.S. Geological Survey from November 1999 through May 2001 at West Branch Canal Creek, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The report also provides a description of the sampling and analytical methods that were used to collect and analyze the samples, and includes an evaluation of the quality-assurance da
Authors
Tracey A. Spencer, Daniel J. Phelan, Lisa D. Olsen, Michelle M. Lorah
Water-quality and water-level data for a freshwater tidal wetland, West Branch Canal Creek, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, October 1998-September 1999
This report presents water-quality data for ground-water and surface-water samples and water-level data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey from October 1998 through September 1999 at West Branch Canal Creek, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The report also provides a description of the sampling and analytical methods that were used to collect and analyze the samples, and includes an evaluat
Authors
Tracey A. Spencer, Lisa D. Olsen, Michelle M. Lorah, Mastin M. Mount
Natural attenuation of chlorinated volatile organic compounds in a freshwater tidal wetland: Field evidence of anaerobic biodegradation
Field evidence collected along two groundwater flow paths shows that anaerobic biodegradation naturally attenuates a plume of chlorinated volatile organic compounds as it discharges from an aerobic sand aquifer through wetland sediments. A decrease in concentrations of two parent contaminants, trichloroethylene (TCE) and 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane (PCA), and a concomitant increase in concentrations
Authors
Michelle M. Lorah, Lisa D. Olsen
Anaerobic and aerobic biodegradation of chlorinated solvents in a freshwater wetland
No abstract available.
Authors
Michelle M. Lorah, Lisa D. Olsen
Natural attenuation of chlorinated volatile organic compounds in a freshwater tidal wetland, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
Ground-water contaminant plumes that are flowing toward or currently discharging to wetland areas present unique remediation problems because of the hydrologic connections between ground water and surface water and the sensitive habitats in wetlands. Because wetlands typically have a large diversity of microorganisms and redox conditions that could enhance biodegradation, they are ideal environmen
Authors
Michelle M. Lorah, Lisa D. Olsen, Barrett L. Smith, Mark A. Johnson, William B. Fleck
Contamination of ground water, surface water, and soil, and evaluation of selected ground-water pumping alternatives in the Canal Creek area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
Chemical manufacturing, munitions filling, and other military-support activities have resulted in the contamination of ground water, surface water, and soil in the Canal Creek area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Chlorinated volatile organic compounds, including 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane and trichloroethylene, are widespread ground-water contaminants in two aquifers that are composed of unco
Authors
Michelle M. Lorah, Jeffrey S. Clark
Ground-water, surface-water, and bottom-sediment contamination in the O-field area, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and the possible effects of selected remedial actions on ground water
Disposal of munitions and chemical-warfare substances has introduced inorganic and organic contaminants to the ground water, surface water, and bottom sediment at O-Field, in the Edgewood area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Contaminants include chloride, arsenic, transition metals, chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic compounds, and organosulfur and organophosphorus compounds. The h
Authors
Don A. Vroblesky, Michelle M. Lorah, James P. Oliveros
Prospecting for zones of contaminated ground-water discharge to streams using bottom-sediment gas bubbles
Decomposition of organic-rich bottom sediment in a tidal creek in Maryland results in production of gas bubbles in the bottom sediment during summer and fall. In areas where volatile organic contaminants discharge from ground water, through the bottom sediment, and into the creek, part of the volatile contamination diffuses into the gas bubbles and is released to the atmosphere by ebullition. Coll
Authors
Don A. Vroblesky, Michelle M. Lorah
Ground-water, surface-water, and bottom-sediment contamination in the O-Field area, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and the possible effects of selected remedial actions on ground water
No abstract available.
Authors
Don A. Vroblesky, Michelle M. Lorah, James P. Oliveros
The chemical evolution of a travertine-depositing stream: Geochemical processes and mass transfer reactions
This field study focuses on quantitatively defining the chemical changes occurring in Falling Spring Creek, a travertine-depositing stream located in Alleghany County, Virginia. The processes of CO2outgassing and calcite precipitation or dissolution control the chemical evolution of the stream. The observed chemical composition of the water was used with the computerized geochemical model WATEQF t
Authors
Michelle M. Lorah, Janet S. Herman
Science and Products
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- Publications
Filter Total Items: 36
Anaerobic degradation of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane and association with microbial communities in a freshwater tidal wetland, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland: Laboratory experiments and comparisons to field data
Defining biodegradation rates and processes is a critical part of assessing the feasibility of monitored natural attenuation as a remediation method for ground water containing organic contaminants. During 1998–2001, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a microbial study at a freshwater tidal wetland along the West Branch Canal Creek, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, as part of an investigationAuthorsMichelle M. Lorah, Mary A. Voytek, Julie D. Kirshtein, Elizabeth J. JonesChanges in ground-water quality in the Canal Creek Aquifer between 1995 and 2000-2001, West Branch Canal Creek area, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
Since 1917, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland has been the primary chemical-warfare research and development center for the U.S. Army. Ground-water contamination has been documented in the Canal Creek aquifer because of past disposal of chemical and ordnance manufacturing waste. Comprehensive sampling for volatile organic compounds in ground water by the U.S. Geological Survey in the West Branch CAuthorsDaniel J. Phelan, William B. Fleck, Michelle M. Lorah, Lisa D. OlsenGround-water and surface-water quality data for the West Branch Canal Creek area, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, November 1999-May 2001
This report presents ground-water and surface-water quality data from samples collected by the U.S. Geological Survey from November 1999 through May 2001 at West Branch Canal Creek, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The report also provides a description of the sampling and analytical methods that were used to collect and analyze the samples, and includes an evaluation of the quality-assurance daAuthorsTracey A. Spencer, Daniel J. Phelan, Lisa D. Olsen, Michelle M. LorahWater-quality and water-level data for a freshwater tidal wetland, West Branch Canal Creek, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, October 1998-September 1999
This report presents water-quality data for ground-water and surface-water samples and water-level data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey from October 1998 through September 1999 at West Branch Canal Creek, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The report also provides a description of the sampling and analytical methods that were used to collect and analyze the samples, and includes an evaluatAuthorsTracey A. Spencer, Lisa D. Olsen, Michelle M. Lorah, Mastin M. MountNatural attenuation of chlorinated volatile organic compounds in a freshwater tidal wetland: Field evidence of anaerobic biodegradation
Field evidence collected along two groundwater flow paths shows that anaerobic biodegradation naturally attenuates a plume of chlorinated volatile organic compounds as it discharges from an aerobic sand aquifer through wetland sediments. A decrease in concentrations of two parent contaminants, trichloroethylene (TCE) and 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane (PCA), and a concomitant increase in concentrationsAuthorsMichelle M. Lorah, Lisa D. OlsenAnaerobic and aerobic biodegradation of chlorinated solvents in a freshwater wetland
No abstract available.AuthorsMichelle M. Lorah, Lisa D. OlsenNatural attenuation of chlorinated volatile organic compounds in a freshwater tidal wetland, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
Ground-water contaminant plumes that are flowing toward or currently discharging to wetland areas present unique remediation problems because of the hydrologic connections between ground water and surface water and the sensitive habitats in wetlands. Because wetlands typically have a large diversity of microorganisms and redox conditions that could enhance biodegradation, they are ideal environmenAuthorsMichelle M. Lorah, Lisa D. Olsen, Barrett L. Smith, Mark A. Johnson, William B. FleckContamination of ground water, surface water, and soil, and evaluation of selected ground-water pumping alternatives in the Canal Creek area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
Chemical manufacturing, munitions filling, and other military-support activities have resulted in the contamination of ground water, surface water, and soil in the Canal Creek area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Chlorinated volatile organic compounds, including 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane and trichloroethylene, are widespread ground-water contaminants in two aquifers that are composed of uncoAuthorsMichelle M. Lorah, Jeffrey S. ClarkGround-water, surface-water, and bottom-sediment contamination in the O-field area, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and the possible effects of selected remedial actions on ground water
Disposal of munitions and chemical-warfare substances has introduced inorganic and organic contaminants to the ground water, surface water, and bottom sediment at O-Field, in the Edgewood area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Contaminants include chloride, arsenic, transition metals, chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic compounds, and organosulfur and organophosphorus compounds. The hAuthorsDon A. Vroblesky, Michelle M. Lorah, James P. OliverosProspecting for zones of contaminated ground-water discharge to streams using bottom-sediment gas bubbles
Decomposition of organic-rich bottom sediment in a tidal creek in Maryland results in production of gas bubbles in the bottom sediment during summer and fall. In areas where volatile organic contaminants discharge from ground water, through the bottom sediment, and into the creek, part of the volatile contamination diffuses into the gas bubbles and is released to the atmosphere by ebullition. CollAuthorsDon A. Vroblesky, Michelle M. LorahGround-water, surface-water, and bottom-sediment contamination in the O-Field area, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and the possible effects of selected remedial actions on ground water
No abstract available.AuthorsDon A. Vroblesky, Michelle M. Lorah, James P. OliverosThe chemical evolution of a travertine-depositing stream: Geochemical processes and mass transfer reactions
This field study focuses on quantitatively defining the chemical changes occurring in Falling Spring Creek, a travertine-depositing stream located in Alleghany County, Virginia. The processes of CO2outgassing and calcite precipitation or dissolution control the chemical evolution of the stream. The observed chemical composition of the water was used with the computerized geochemical model WATEQF tAuthorsMichelle M. Lorah, Janet S. Herman - News