Nadine M. Piatak-Hackley
Nadine Piatak-Hackley is a Research Geologist with the USGS Geology, Energy & Minerals (GEM) Science Center in Reston, VA.
Nadine Piatak is a Research Geologist conducting investigations to better understand the geochemical processes that control the source, transport, and fate of trace elements associated with mineral deposits and mines. Her work has involved determining the geochemical characteristics of different types of mine waste as well as waters and stream sediments influenced by mining or by natural mineral weathering providing insight into near-surface processes that impact aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and, potentially, human health. Additionally, she is investigating the life cycles of byproduct critical elements such as germanium and gallium. This work involves understanding the partitioning of byproduct elements during natural and anthropogenic processes. Aspects of this work include examining the geochemistry that leads to enrichment of byproduct critical elements in certain types ore deposits and understanding how mineralogical hosts and speciation influence their recovery efficiencies during ore-processing and refining.
Professional Experience
USGS Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, 2020 - Present
USGS Eastern Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center, 2001 - 2020
Education and Certifications
M.S. Geology, The Ohio State University, 2000
B.S. Geology, The Ohio State University, 1998
Science and Products
Suitability of river delta sediment as proppant, Missouri and Niobrara Rivers, Nebraska and South Dakota, 2015
Copper speciation in variably toxic sediments at the Ely Copper Mine, Vermont, United States
Sediment-hosted stratabound copper deposit model
Characteristics and environmental aspects of slag: a review
Evaluation of selected static methods used to estimate element mobility, acid-generating and acid-neutralizing potentials associated with geologically diverse mining wastes
Copper toxicity and organic matter: Resiliency of watersheds in the Duluth Complex, Minnesota, USA
Reaction modeling of drainage quality in the Duluth Complex, northern Minnesota, USA
Occurrence model for magmatic sulfide-rich nickel-copper-(platinum-group element) deposits related to mafic and ultramafic dike-sill complexes
Mineralogy and environmental geochemistry of historical iron slag, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Pennsylvania, USA
Volcanogenic massive sulfide occurrence model
Mineralogy and environmental geochemistry of historical iron slag, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Pennsylvania, USA
Mineralogic sources of metals in leachates from the weathering of sedex, massive sulfide, and vein deposit mining wastes
Oxide and Cation Compositions of Olivine Grains from Drill Core in the Duluth Complex, Minnesota
Oxide and Cation Compositions of Feldspar Grains from Drill Core of the Duluth Complex, Minnesota
Oxide and Cation Compositions of Pyroxene Grains from Drill Core of the Duluth Complex, Minnesota
Major, Minor, and Trace Element Compositions of Bulk Drill Core Samples from the Duluth Complex, Minnesota
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 35
Suitability of river delta sediment as proppant, Missouri and Niobrara Rivers, Nebraska and South Dakota, 2015
Sediment management is a challenge faced by reservoir managers who have several potential options, including dredging, for mitigation of storage capacity lost to sedimentation. As sediment is removed from reservoir storage, potential use of the sediment for socioeconomic or ecological benefit could potentially defray some costs of its removal. Rivers that transport a sandy sediment load will deposAuthorsRonald B. Zelt, Christopher M. Hobza, Bethany L. Burton, Nathaniel J. Schaepe, Nadine M. PiatakCopper speciation in variably toxic sediments at the Ely Copper Mine, Vermont, United States
At the Ely Copper Mine Superfund site, Cu concentrations exceed background values in both streamwater (160–1200 times) and sediments (15–79 times). Previously, these sediment samples were incubated with laboratory test organisms, and they exhibited variable toxicity for different stream sites. In this study we combined bulk- and microscale techniques to determine Cu speciation and distribution inAuthorsBryn E. Kimball, Andrea L. Foster, Robert R. Seal, Nadine M. Piatak, Samuel M. Webb, Jane M. HammarstromSediment-hosted stratabound copper deposit model
This report contains a descriptive model of sediment-hosted stratabound copper (SSC) deposits that supersedes the model of Cox and others (2003). This model is for use in assessments of mineral resource potential. SSC deposits are the second most important sources of copper in the world behind porphyry copper deposits. Around 20 percent of the copper in the world is produced from this class of depAuthorsTimothy S. Hayes, Dennis P. Cox, James D. Bliss, Nadine M. Piatak, Robert R. SealCharacteristics and environmental aspects of slag: a review
Slag is a waste product from the pyrometallurgical processing of various ores. Based on over 150 published studies, this paper provides an overview of mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of different types of slag and their environmental consequences, particularly from the release of potentially toxic elements to water. This chapter reviews the characteristics of both ferrous (steel andAuthorsNadine M. Piatak, Michael B. Parsons, Robert R. SealEvaluation of selected static methods used to estimate element mobility, acid-generating and acid-neutralizing potentials associated with geologically diverse mining wastes
A comparison study of selected static leaching and acid–base accounting (ABA) methods using a mineralogically diverse set of 12 modern-style, metal mine waste samples was undertaken to understand the relative performance of the various tests. To complement this study, in-depth mineralogical studies were conducted in order to elucidate the relationships between sample mineralogy, weathering featureAuthorsPhilip L. Hageman, Robert R. Seal, Sharon F. Diehl, Nadine M. Piatak, Heather LowersCopper toxicity and organic matter: Resiliency of watersheds in the Duluth Complex, Minnesota, USA
We estimated copper (Cu) toxicity in surface water with high dissolved organic matter (DOM) for unmined mineralized watersheds of the Duluth Complex using the Biotic Ligand Model (BLM), which evaluates the effect of DOM, cation competition for biologic binding sites, and metal speciation. A sediment-based BLM was used to estimate stream-sediment toxicity; this approach factors in the cumulative efAuthorsNadine M. Piatak, Robert Seal, Perry M. Jones, Laurel G. WoodruffReaction modeling of drainage quality in the Duluth Complex, northern Minnesota, USA
Reaction modeling can be a valuable tool in predicting the long-term behavior of waste material if representative rate constants can be derived from long-term leaching tests or other approaches. Reaction modeling using the REACT program of the Geochemist’s Workbench was conducted to evaluate long-term drainage quality affected by disseminated Cu-Ni-(Co-)-PGM sulfide mineralization in the basal zonAuthorsRobert Seal, Kim Lapakko, Nadine M. Piatak, Laurel G. WoodruffOccurrence model for magmatic sulfide-rich nickel-copper-(platinum-group element) deposits related to mafic and ultramafic dike-sill complexes
Magmatic sulfide deposits containing nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu), with or without (±) platinum-group elements (PGE), account for approximately 60 percent of the world’s nickel production. Most of the remainder of the Ni production is derived from lateritic deposits, which form by weathering of ultramafic rocks in humid tropical conditions. Magmatic Ni-Cu±PGE sulfide deposits are spatially and geneAuthorsKlaus J. Schulz, Laurel G. Woodruff, Suzanne W. Nicholson, Robert R. Seal, Nadine M. Piatak, Val W. Chandler, John L. MarsMineralogy and environmental geochemistry of historical iron slag, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Pennsylvania, USA
The Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in southeastern Pennsylvania, which features an Fe smelter that was operational in the 18th and 19th centuries, is dominated by three slag piles. Pile 1 slag, from the Hopewell Furnace, and pile 2 slag, likely from the nearby Cornwall Furnace, were both produced in cold-blast charcoal-fired smelters. In contrast, pile 3 slag was produced in an anthraciteAuthorsNadine M. Piatak, Robert SealVolcanogenic massive sulfide occurrence model
Volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, also known as volcanic-hosted massive sulfide, volcanic-associated massive sulfide, or seafloor massive sulfide deposits, are important sources of copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver (Cu, Zn, Pb, Au, and Ag). These deposits form at or near the seafloor where circulating hydrothermal fluids driven by magmatic heat are quenched through mixing with bottom waterAuthorsW.C. Pat Shanks, Randolph A. Koski, Dan L. Mosier, Klaus J. Schulz, Lisa A. Morgan, John F. Slack, W. Ian Ridley, Cynthia Dusel-Bacon, Robert R. Seal, Nadine M. PiatakMineralogy and environmental geochemistry of historical iron slag, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Pennsylvania, USA
The Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in southeastern Pennsylvania, which features an Fe smelter that was operational in the 18th and 19th centuries, is dominated by three slag piles. Pile 1 slag, from the Hopewell Furnace, and pile 2 slag, likely from the nearby Cornwall Furnace, were both produced in cold-blast charcoal-fired smelters. In contrast, pile 3 slag was produced in an anthraciteAuthorsNadine M. Piatak, Robert R. SealMineralogic sources of metals in leachates from the weathering of sedex, massive sulfide, and vein deposit mining wastes
Weathered mine waste consists of oxidized primary minerals and chemically unstable secondary phases that can be sources of readily soluble metals and acid rock drainage. Elevated concentrations of metals such as Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn are observed in deionized water-based leachate solutions derived from complex sedex and Cu-Pb-Zn mine wastes. Leachate (USGS FLT) from the Elizabeth mine, aAuthorsS. F. Diehl, P. L. Hageman, R.R. Seal, N.M. Piatak, H. Lowers - Science
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Filter Total Items: 16
Oxide and Cation Compositions of Olivine Grains from Drill Core in the Duluth Complex, Minnesota
The table contains oxide and cation compositions of olivine grains from drill core of the Duluth Complex, Minnesota. The oxides were determined by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and are reported in weight percent (wt%). The cations were calculated based on the oxide compositions and are reported in mole percent (mol%). Olivine is a magnesium iron orthosilicate mineral with the formula (Mg2+,Oxide and Cation Compositions of Feldspar Grains from Drill Core of the Duluth Complex, Minnesota
The table contains oxide and cation compositions of feldspar grains from drill core of the Duluth Complex. The oxides were determined by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and are are reported in weight percent (wt%). The cations were then calculated and are reported in mole percent (mol%). Feldspar grains are a group of rock-forming tectosilicate minerals with potassium (K), sodium (Na), and calOxide and Cation Compositions of Pyroxene Grains from Drill Core of the Duluth Complex, Minnesota
The table contains oxide and cation compositions of pyroxene grains from drill core in the Duluth Complex. The oxides were determined by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and are reported in weight percent (we%). The cations were calculated from the oxide concentrations and are reported in mole percent (mol%). Pyroxene minerals are a group of rock-forming inosilicate minerals with calcium (Ca),Major, Minor, and Trace Element Compositions of Bulk Drill Core Samples from the Duluth Complex, Minnesota
This table reports major, minor, and trace element compositions of bulk drill core samples from the Duluth Complex, Minnesota. Major elements were measured using wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES); minor and trace elements were determined using ICP-AES, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and hydri