R. Blaine McCleskey
Blaine McCleskey is a Research Chemist for the USGS Water Resources Mission Area.
Blaine McCleskey started his career with the U.S. Geological Survey in 1997 as a chemist in the National Research Program. In 2010, he obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado where he developed a method to calculate the electrical conductivity of natural waters from its chemical composition. He is currently involved in several research projects in Yellowstone National Park, a wildfire affected watershed, and acid mine drainage sites.
Education
B.S. - Biochemistry, College of Charleston, SC, 1995
M.S. - Environmental Studies (Science track), University of Charleston, SC, 1997
Ph.D. - Environmental Engineering (Hydrologic Sciences Program), University of Colorado, 2010
Blaine McCleskey also runs and maintains the USGS Redox Chemistry Laboratory, where analytical methods for determining the redox distributions of iron, arsenic, chromium, and antimony have been developed (see puplished methods below). In addition, the lab supports many USGS projects by providing iron, arsenic, chromium, antimony, and selenium redox determinations. The lab is equipped with an ICP-AES, IC, GFAAS, HGAAS, UV-VIS spectrophotometer, and an autotitrator and we are capable of determining most inorganic constituents and specialize in difficult matrices (acid mine waters, geothermal waters, and saline waters).
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 27
No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 94
Thermodynamic properties and crystal structure refinement of ferricopiapite, coquimbite, rhomboclase, and Fe2(SO4)3(H2O)5
Enthalpies of formation of ferricopiapite [nominally Fe4.67(SO4)6(OH)2 (H2O)20]. coquimbite [Fe2(SO4)3(H2O)9], rhomboclase [(H3O)Fe(SO4)2 (H2O)3], and Fe2(SO4)3(H2O)5 were measured by acid (5 N HCl) solution calorimetry. The samples were characterized by wet chemical analyses and synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The refinement of XRD patterns gave lattice parameters, atomic positions, t
Authors
J. Majzlan, A. Navrotsky, R. Blaine McCleskey, Charles N. Alpers
Water-chemistry data for selected springs, geysers, and streams in Yellowstone National Park Wyoming, 2001-2002
Water analyses are reported for one-hundred-twenty-one samples collected from hot springs and their overflow drainages, the Gibbon River, and one ambient-temperature acid stream in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) during 2001-2002. Twenty-five analyses are reported for samples collected during May 2001, fifty analyses are reported for samples collected during September 2001, eleven analyses are rep
Authors
R. Blaine McCleskey, James W. Ball, D. Kirk Nordstrom, JoAnn M. Holloway, Howard E. Taylor
Questa baseline and pre-mining ground-water quality investigation. 5. Well installation, water-level data, and surface- and ground-water geochemistry in the Straight Creek drainage basin, Red River Valley, New Mexico, 2001-03
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New Mexico Environment Department, is investigating the pre-mining ground-water chemistry at the Molycorp molybdenum mine in the Red River Valley, northern New Mexico. The primary approach is to determine the processes controlling ground-water chemistry at an unmined, off-site, proximal analog. The Straight Creek drainage basin, chosen for this p
Authors
Cheryl A. Naus, R. Blaine McCleskey, D. Kirk Nordstrom, Lisa C. Donohoe, Andrew G. Hunt, Frederick L. Paillet, Roger H. Morin, Philip L. Verplanck
Questa baseline and pre-mining ground-water quality investigation. 14. Interpretation of ground-water geochemistry in catchments other than the Straight Creek catchment, Red River Valley, Taos County, New Mexico, 2002-2003
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New Mexico Environment Department, is investigating the pre-mining ground-water chemistry at the Molycorp molybdenum mine in the Red River Valley, New Mexico. The primary approach is to determine the processes controlling ground-water chemistry at an unmined, off-site but proximal analog. The Straight Creek catchment, chosen for this purpose, co
Authors
D. Kirk Nordstrom, R. Blaine McCleskey, Andrew G. Hunt, Cheryl A. Naus
Ground water to surface water: Chemistry of thermal outflows in Yellowstone National Park
Geothermal waters in the earth’s subsurface boil with steam separation and may mix with dilute ground waters (that may or may not contain sulfuric acid from sulfur oxidation), resulting in a wide range of compositions when they discharge and emerge at the surface. As they discharge onto the ground surface they undergo evaporative cooling, degassing, oxidation, and mineral precipitation. Within thi
Authors
D. Kirk Nordstrom, James W. Ball, R. Blaine McCleskey
Diel behavior of iron and other heavy metals in a mountain stream with acidic to neutral pH: Fisher Creek, Montana, USA
Three simultaneous 24-h samplings at three sites over a downstream pH gradient were conducted to examine diel fluctuations in heavy metal concentrations in Fisher Creek, a small mountain stream draining abandoned mine lands in Montana. Average pH values at the upstream (F1), middle (F2), and downstream (F3) monitoring stations were 3.31, 5.46, and 6.80, respectively. The downstream increase in pH
Authors
C.H. Gammons, D. A. Nimick, S.R. Parker, T.E. Cleasby, R. Blaine McCleskey
Seasonality of diel cycles of dissolved trace-metal concentrations in a Rocky Mountain stream
Substantial diel (24-h) cycles in dissolved (0.1-μm filtration) metal concentrations were observed during summer low flow, winter low flow, and snowmelt runoff in Prickly Pear Creek, Montana. During seven diel sampling episodes lasting 34–61.5 h, dissolved Mn and Zn concentrations increased from afternoon minimum values to maximum values shortly after sunrise. Dissolved As concentrations exhibited
Authors
D. A. Nimick, T.E. Cleasby, R. Blaine McCleskey
Major and trace element composition of copiapite-group minerals and coexisting water from the Richmond mine, Iron Mountain, California
Copiapite-group minerals of the general formula AR4(SO4)6(OH)2·nH2O, where A is predominantly Mg, Fe2+, or 0.67Al3+, R is predominantly Fe3+, and n is typically 20, are among several secondary hydrous Fe sulfates occurring in the inactive mine workings of the massive sulfide deposit at Iron Mountain, CA, a USEPA Superfund site that produces extremely acidic drainage. Samples of copiapite-group min
Authors
H.E. Jamieson, C. Robinson, Charles N. Alpers, R. Blaine McCleskey, D. Kirk Nordstrom, Ronald C. Peterson
Relative effect of temperature and pH on diel cycling of dissolved trace elements in Prickly Pear Creek, Montana
Diel (24 hr) cycles in dissolved metal and As concentrations have been documented in many northern Rocky Mountain streams in the U.S.A. The cause(s) of the cycles are unknown, although temperature- and pH-dependent sorption reactions have been cited as likely causes. A light/dark experiment was conducted to isolate temperature and pH as variables affecting diel metal cycles in Prickly Pear Creek,
Authors
Clain A. Jones, D. A. Nimick, R. Blaine McCleskey
Preservation of water samples for arsenic(III/V) determinations: An evaluation of the literature and new analytical results
Published literature on preservation procedures for stabilizing aqueous inorganic As(III/V) redox species contains discrepancies. This study critically evaluates published reports on As redox preservation and explains discrepancies in the literature. Synthetic laboratory preservation experiments and time stability experiments were conducted for natural water samples from several field sites. Any f
Authors
R. Blaine McCleskey, D. Kirk Nordstrom, A.S. Maest
Questa baseline and pre-mining ground-water-quality investigation. 16. Quality assurance and quality control for water analyses
The Questa baseline and pre-mining ground-water quality investigation has the main objective of inferring the ground-water chemistry at an active mine site. Hence, existing ground-water chemistry and its quality assurance and quality control is of crucial importance to this study and a substantial effort was spent on this activity. Analyses of seventy-two blanks demonstrated that contamination fro
Authors
R. Blaine McCleskey, D. Kirk Nordstrom, Cheryl A. Naus
Questa baseline and pre-mining ground-water quality investigation. 2. Low-flow (2001) and snowmelt (2002) synoptic/tracer water chemistry for the Red River, New Mexico
Water analyses are reported for 259 samples
collected from the Red River, New Mexico, and its
tributaries during low-flow(2001) and spring snowmelt
(2002) tracer studies. Water samples were collected
along a 20-kilometer reach of the Red River beginning
just east of the town of Red River and ending at the U.S.
Geological Survey streamflow-gaging station located
east of Questa, New Mexico. T
Authors
R. Blaine McCleskey, D. Kirk Nordstrom, Judy I. Steiger, Briant A. Kimball, Philip L. Verplanck
Science and Products
- Science
- Data
Filter Total Items: 27No Result Found
- Multimedia
No results found.
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 94
Thermodynamic properties and crystal structure refinement of ferricopiapite, coquimbite, rhomboclase, and Fe2(SO4)3(H2O)5
Enthalpies of formation of ferricopiapite [nominally Fe4.67(SO4)6(OH)2 (H2O)20]. coquimbite [Fe2(SO4)3(H2O)9], rhomboclase [(H3O)Fe(SO4)2 (H2O)3], and Fe2(SO4)3(H2O)5 were measured by acid (5 N HCl) solution calorimetry. The samples were characterized by wet chemical analyses and synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The refinement of XRD patterns gave lattice parameters, atomic positions, tAuthorsJ. Majzlan, A. Navrotsky, R. Blaine McCleskey, Charles N. AlpersWater-chemistry data for selected springs, geysers, and streams in Yellowstone National Park Wyoming, 2001-2002
Water analyses are reported for one-hundred-twenty-one samples collected from hot springs and their overflow drainages, the Gibbon River, and one ambient-temperature acid stream in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) during 2001-2002. Twenty-five analyses are reported for samples collected during May 2001, fifty analyses are reported for samples collected during September 2001, eleven analyses are repAuthorsR. Blaine McCleskey, James W. Ball, D. Kirk Nordstrom, JoAnn M. Holloway, Howard E. TaylorQuesta baseline and pre-mining ground-water quality investigation. 5. Well installation, water-level data, and surface- and ground-water geochemistry in the Straight Creek drainage basin, Red River Valley, New Mexico, 2001-03
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New Mexico Environment Department, is investigating the pre-mining ground-water chemistry at the Molycorp molybdenum mine in the Red River Valley, northern New Mexico. The primary approach is to determine the processes controlling ground-water chemistry at an unmined, off-site, proximal analog. The Straight Creek drainage basin, chosen for this pAuthorsCheryl A. Naus, R. Blaine McCleskey, D. Kirk Nordstrom, Lisa C. Donohoe, Andrew G. Hunt, Frederick L. Paillet, Roger H. Morin, Philip L. VerplanckQuesta baseline and pre-mining ground-water quality investigation. 14. Interpretation of ground-water geochemistry in catchments other than the Straight Creek catchment, Red River Valley, Taos County, New Mexico, 2002-2003
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New Mexico Environment Department, is investigating the pre-mining ground-water chemistry at the Molycorp molybdenum mine in the Red River Valley, New Mexico. The primary approach is to determine the processes controlling ground-water chemistry at an unmined, off-site but proximal analog. The Straight Creek catchment, chosen for this purpose, coAuthorsD. Kirk Nordstrom, R. Blaine McCleskey, Andrew G. Hunt, Cheryl A. NausGround water to surface water: Chemistry of thermal outflows in Yellowstone National Park
Geothermal waters in the earth’s subsurface boil with steam separation and may mix with dilute ground waters (that may or may not contain sulfuric acid from sulfur oxidation), resulting in a wide range of compositions when they discharge and emerge at the surface. As they discharge onto the ground surface they undergo evaporative cooling, degassing, oxidation, and mineral precipitation. Within thiAuthorsD. Kirk Nordstrom, James W. Ball, R. Blaine McCleskeyDiel behavior of iron and other heavy metals in a mountain stream with acidic to neutral pH: Fisher Creek, Montana, USA
Three simultaneous 24-h samplings at three sites over a downstream pH gradient were conducted to examine diel fluctuations in heavy metal concentrations in Fisher Creek, a small mountain stream draining abandoned mine lands in Montana. Average pH values at the upstream (F1), middle (F2), and downstream (F3) monitoring stations were 3.31, 5.46, and 6.80, respectively. The downstream increase in pHAuthorsC.H. Gammons, D. A. Nimick, S.R. Parker, T.E. Cleasby, R. Blaine McCleskeySeasonality of diel cycles of dissolved trace-metal concentrations in a Rocky Mountain stream
Substantial diel (24-h) cycles in dissolved (0.1-μm filtration) metal concentrations were observed during summer low flow, winter low flow, and snowmelt runoff in Prickly Pear Creek, Montana. During seven diel sampling episodes lasting 34–61.5 h, dissolved Mn and Zn concentrations increased from afternoon minimum values to maximum values shortly after sunrise. Dissolved As concentrations exhibitedAuthorsD. A. Nimick, T.E. Cleasby, R. Blaine McCleskeyMajor and trace element composition of copiapite-group minerals and coexisting water from the Richmond mine, Iron Mountain, California
Copiapite-group minerals of the general formula AR4(SO4)6(OH)2·nH2O, where A is predominantly Mg, Fe2+, or 0.67Al3+, R is predominantly Fe3+, and n is typically 20, are among several secondary hydrous Fe sulfates occurring in the inactive mine workings of the massive sulfide deposit at Iron Mountain, CA, a USEPA Superfund site that produces extremely acidic drainage. Samples of copiapite-group minAuthorsH.E. Jamieson, C. Robinson, Charles N. Alpers, R. Blaine McCleskey, D. Kirk Nordstrom, Ronald C. PetersonRelative effect of temperature and pH on diel cycling of dissolved trace elements in Prickly Pear Creek, Montana
Diel (24 hr) cycles in dissolved metal and As concentrations have been documented in many northern Rocky Mountain streams in the U.S.A. The cause(s) of the cycles are unknown, although temperature- and pH-dependent sorption reactions have been cited as likely causes. A light/dark experiment was conducted to isolate temperature and pH as variables affecting diel metal cycles in Prickly Pear Creek,AuthorsClain A. Jones, D. A. Nimick, R. Blaine McCleskeyPreservation of water samples for arsenic(III/V) determinations: An evaluation of the literature and new analytical results
Published literature on preservation procedures for stabilizing aqueous inorganic As(III/V) redox species contains discrepancies. This study critically evaluates published reports on As redox preservation and explains discrepancies in the literature. Synthetic laboratory preservation experiments and time stability experiments were conducted for natural water samples from several field sites. Any fAuthorsR. Blaine McCleskey, D. Kirk Nordstrom, A.S. MaestQuesta baseline and pre-mining ground-water-quality investigation. 16. Quality assurance and quality control for water analyses
The Questa baseline and pre-mining ground-water quality investigation has the main objective of inferring the ground-water chemistry at an active mine site. Hence, existing ground-water chemistry and its quality assurance and quality control is of crucial importance to this study and a substantial effort was spent on this activity. Analyses of seventy-two blanks demonstrated that contamination froAuthorsR. Blaine McCleskey, D. Kirk Nordstrom, Cheryl A. NausQuesta baseline and pre-mining ground-water quality investigation. 2. Low-flow (2001) and snowmelt (2002) synoptic/tracer water chemistry for the Red River, New Mexico
Water analyses are reported for 259 samples collected from the Red River, New Mexico, and its tributaries during low-flow(2001) and spring snowmelt (2002) tracer studies. Water samples were collected along a 20-kilometer reach of the Red River beginning just east of the town of Red River and ending at the U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging station located east of Questa, New Mexico. TAuthorsR. Blaine McCleskey, D. Kirk Nordstrom, Judy I. Steiger, Briant A. Kimball, Philip L. Verplanck - News