Richard L. Smith, Ph.D.
Dr. Richard L. Smith is an Emeritus Microbial Ecologist with expertise in biogeochemistry with the USGS Water Resources Mission Area.
Dr. Richard L. Smith is a microbial ecologist with expertise in biogeochemistry. His research interests have focused upon quantifying in situ rates of microbial processes within aquatic environments and the factors controlling these processes, particularly within the context of the ecosystem. One major study topic has been carbon and nitrogen cycling in groundwater and at the groundwater-surface water interface. These studies have also included characterizing the physiological state of groundwater bacteria, the effect bacteria have upon aquifer geochemistry, developing techniques to assess microbial processes in situ, nitrogen cycling, and bioremediation. Other research areas include biogeochemical processes in freshwater lakes and rivers, agricultural drainages, and in an amictic Antarctic lake.
Education
- BS (Biology) Western Michigan University, 1974
- MS (Biology) Western Michigan University, 1976
- PhD (Microbial Ecology) Michigan State University, 1981
Work Experience
- Postdoc. NRC Postdoctoral Fellow, US Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA 1981-1983
- Research Hydrologist. USGS, Arvada, CO, 1983-1988
- Research Hydrologist. USGS, Boulder, CO, 1988-2016
- Research Hydrologist. Earth System Processes Division, USGS, Boulder, CO, 2016-2019
- Emeritus Scientist. Earth System Processes Division, USGS, Boulder, CO, 2019-present
Professional affiliations or activities
- American Society for Microbiology
- American Society of Limnology and Oceanography
- American Geophysical Union
- International Society for Microbial Ecology
- Geological Society of America
- International Committee of the Symposium for Subsurface Microbiology, 1999-present
- Executive Committee AGU Biogeosciences Section, 1999-2004
- AGU Award Committee for Excellence in Science Journalism Features, 2000-2004
- AGU Award Committee for Excellence in Science Journalism News, 2000-2004
- USGS Water Resour. Div. Ecology Research Advisor, 1998-2000; Assistant Ecology Research Advisor, 1994-1997
- Co-chair, 1999 International Symposium on Subsurface Microbiology
Honors, awards
- 2020: Geologic Society of America Fellowship
- 2011-2018: USGS, Performance Awards
- 2005: USGS, Superior Service Award
- 2002: USGS, Meritorious Service Award
- 1999 & 2001: USGS, STAR Award
- 1998: AGU Editor’s Citation for Excellence in Refereering
- 1981: National Acad. Sci. Postdoctoral Fellowship
Patents
- U.S. Patent, Small-Scale Hydrogen Oxidizing Denitrifying Bioreactor for Treatment of Nitrate-Contaminated Drinking Water
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 98
Groundwater-quality data for a treated-wastewater plume near the Massachusetts Military Reservation, Ashumet Valley, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 2006-08 Groundwater-quality data for a treated-wastewater plume near the Massachusetts Military Reservation, Ashumet Valley, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 2006-08
A plume of contaminated groundwater extends from former disposal beds at the Massachusetts Military Reservation's wastewater-treatment plant toward Ashumet Pond, coastal ponds, and Vineyard Sound, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Treated sewage-derived wastewater was discharged to the rapid-infiltration beds for nearly 60 years before the disposal site was moved to a different location in...
Authors
Jennifer G. Savoie, Denis LeBlanc, Gillian Fairchild, Richard Smith, Douglas Kent, Larry Barber, Deborah Repert, Charles Hart, Steffanie Keefe, Luke Parsons
Linkages between denitrification and dissolved organicmatter quality, Boulder Creek watershed, Colorado Linkages between denitrification and dissolved organicmatter quality, Boulder Creek watershed, Colorado
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) fuels the majority of in-stream microbial processes, including the removal of nitrate via denitrification. However, little is known about how the chemical composition of DOM influences denitrification rates. Water and sediment samples were collected across an ecosystem gradient, spanning the alpine to plains, in central Colorado to determine whether the...
Authors
Rebecca Barnes, Richard Smith, George Aiken
Source and delivery of nutrients to receiving waters in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States Source and delivery of nutrients to receiving waters in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States
This study investigates nutrient sources and transport to receiving waters, in order to provide spatially detailed information to aid water-resources managers concerned with eutrophication and nutrient management strategies. SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) nutrient models were developed for the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic (NE US) regions of the United...
Authors
Richard Moore, Criag Johnston, Richard Smith, Bryan Milstead
Effects of the antimicrobial sulfamethoxazole on groundwater bacterial enrichment Effects of the antimicrobial sulfamethoxazole on groundwater bacterial enrichment
The effects of “trace” (environmentally relevant) concentrations of the antimicrobial agent sulfamethoxazole (SMX) on the growth, nitrate reduction activity, and bacterial composition of an enrichment culture prepared with groundwater from a pristine zone of a sandy drinking-water aquifer on Cape Cod, MA, were assessed by laboratory incubations. When the enrichments were grown under...
Authors
Jennifer C. Underwood, Ronald Harvey, David Metge, Deborah Repert, Laura Baumgartner, Richard Smith, Timberly Roane, Larry Barber
The regionalization of national-scale SPARROW models for stream nutrients The regionalization of national-scale SPARROW models for stream nutrients
This analysis modifies the parsimonious specification of recently published total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) national-scale SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes models to allow each model coefficient to vary geographically among three major river basins of the conterminous United States. Regionalization of the national models reduces the standard errors...
Authors
Gregory E. Schwarz, Richard Alexander, Richard Smith, Stephen Preston
The Regionalization of National-Scale SPARROW Models for Stream Nutrients The Regionalization of National-Scale SPARROW Models for Stream Nutrients
This analysis modifies the parsimonious specification of recently published total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) national‐scale SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes models to allow each model coefficient to vary geographically among three major river basins of the conterminous United States. Regionalization of the national models reduces the standard errors...
Authors
Gregory Schwarz, Richard Alexander, Richard Smith, Stephen Preston
Mercury-contaminated hydraulic mining debris in San Francisco Bay Mercury-contaminated hydraulic mining debris in San Francisco Bay
The hydraulic gold-mining process used during the California Gold Rush and in many developing countries today contributes enormous amounts of sediment to rivers and streams. Commonly, accompanying this sediment are contaminants such as elemental mercury and cyanide used in the gold extraction process. We show that some of the mercurycontaminated sediment created by hydraulic gold mining...
Authors
Robin Bouse, Christopher Fuller, Samuel Luoma, Michelle Hornberger, Bruce Jaffe, Richard E. Smith
Ecological distribution and population physiology defined by proteomics in a natural microbial community Ecological distribution and population physiology defined by proteomics in a natural microbial community
An important challenge in microbial ecology is developing methods that simultaneously examine the physiology of organisms at the molecular level and their ecosystem level interactions in complex natural systems. We integrated extensive proteomic, geochemical, and biological information from 28 microbial communities collected from an acid mine drainage environment and representing a range...
Authors
Ryan Mueller, Vincent Denef, Linda Kalnejais, K. Suttle, Brian Thomas, Paul Wilmes, Richard Smith, D. Nordstrom, R. McCleskey, Menesh Shah, Nathan VerBekmoes, Robert Hettich, Jillian Banfield
An initial SPARROW model of land use and in-stream controls on total organic carbon in streams of the conterminous United States An initial SPARROW model of land use and in-stream controls on total organic carbon in streams of the conterminous United States
Watersheds play many important roles in the carbon cycle: (1) they are a site for both terrestrial and aquatic carbon dioxide (CO2) removal through photosynthesis; (2) they transport living and decomposing organic carbon in streams and groundwater; and (3) they store organic carbon for widely varying lengths of time as a function of many biogeochemical factors. Using the U.S. Geological...
Authors
Jhih-Shyang Shih, Richard Alexander, Richard Smith, Elizabeth Boyer, Grogory Shwarz, Susie Chung
Multi-scale measurements and modeling of denitrification in streams with varying flow and nitrate concentration in the upper Mississippi River basin, USA Multi-scale measurements and modeling of denitrification in streams with varying flow and nitrate concentration in the upper Mississippi River basin, USA
Denitrification is an important net sink for NO3− in streams, but direct measurements are limited and in situ controlling factors are not well known. We measured denitrification at multiple scales over a range of flow conditions and NO3− concentrations in streams draining agricultural land in the upper Mississippi River basin. Comparisons of reach-scale measurements (in-stream mass...
Authors
J.K. Bohlke, Ronald Antweiler, Judson Harvey, Andrew Laursen, Lesley Smith, Richard Smith, Mary Voytek
Geochemistry of inorganic nitrogen in waters released from coal-bed natural gas production wells in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming Geochemistry of inorganic nitrogen in waters released from coal-bed natural gas production wells in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming
Water originating from coal-bed natural gas (CBNG) production wells typically contains ammonium and is often disposed via discharge to ephemeral channels. A study conducted in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming, documented downstream changes in CBNG water composition, emphasizing nitrogen-cycling processes and the fate of ammonium. Dissolved ammonium concentrations from 19 CBNG discharge...
Authors
Richard Smith, Deborah Repert, Charles Hart
Microbial and chemical factors influencing methane production in laboratory incubations of low-rank subsurface coals Microbial and chemical factors influencing methane production in laboratory incubations of low-rank subsurface coals
Lignite and subbituminous coals were investigated for their ability to support microbial methane production in laboratory incubations. Results show that naturally-occurring microorganisms associated with the coals produced substantial quantities of methane, although the factors influencing this process were variable among different samples tested. Methanogenic microbes in two coals from...
Authors
Stephen Harris, Richard Smith, Charles E. Barker
Non-USGS Publications**
Smith, R. L., Kent, D. B., Repert, D. A., and Böhlke, J.K., 2017, Anoxic nitrate reduction coupled with iron oxidation and attenuation of dissolved arsenic and phosphate in a sand and gravel aquifer, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 196:102-120, doi: http//dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2016.09.025.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 98
Groundwater-quality data for a treated-wastewater plume near the Massachusetts Military Reservation, Ashumet Valley, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 2006-08 Groundwater-quality data for a treated-wastewater plume near the Massachusetts Military Reservation, Ashumet Valley, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 2006-08
A plume of contaminated groundwater extends from former disposal beds at the Massachusetts Military Reservation's wastewater-treatment plant toward Ashumet Pond, coastal ponds, and Vineyard Sound, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Treated sewage-derived wastewater was discharged to the rapid-infiltration beds for nearly 60 years before the disposal site was moved to a different location in...
Authors
Jennifer G. Savoie, Denis LeBlanc, Gillian Fairchild, Richard Smith, Douglas Kent, Larry Barber, Deborah Repert, Charles Hart, Steffanie Keefe, Luke Parsons
Linkages between denitrification and dissolved organicmatter quality, Boulder Creek watershed, Colorado Linkages between denitrification and dissolved organicmatter quality, Boulder Creek watershed, Colorado
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) fuels the majority of in-stream microbial processes, including the removal of nitrate via denitrification. However, little is known about how the chemical composition of DOM influences denitrification rates. Water and sediment samples were collected across an ecosystem gradient, spanning the alpine to plains, in central Colorado to determine whether the...
Authors
Rebecca Barnes, Richard Smith, George Aiken
Source and delivery of nutrients to receiving waters in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States Source and delivery of nutrients to receiving waters in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States
This study investigates nutrient sources and transport to receiving waters, in order to provide spatially detailed information to aid water-resources managers concerned with eutrophication and nutrient management strategies. SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) nutrient models were developed for the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic (NE US) regions of the United...
Authors
Richard Moore, Criag Johnston, Richard Smith, Bryan Milstead
Effects of the antimicrobial sulfamethoxazole on groundwater bacterial enrichment Effects of the antimicrobial sulfamethoxazole on groundwater bacterial enrichment
The effects of “trace” (environmentally relevant) concentrations of the antimicrobial agent sulfamethoxazole (SMX) on the growth, nitrate reduction activity, and bacterial composition of an enrichment culture prepared with groundwater from a pristine zone of a sandy drinking-water aquifer on Cape Cod, MA, were assessed by laboratory incubations. When the enrichments were grown under...
Authors
Jennifer C. Underwood, Ronald Harvey, David Metge, Deborah Repert, Laura Baumgartner, Richard Smith, Timberly Roane, Larry Barber
The regionalization of national-scale SPARROW models for stream nutrients The regionalization of national-scale SPARROW models for stream nutrients
This analysis modifies the parsimonious specification of recently published total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) national-scale SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes models to allow each model coefficient to vary geographically among three major river basins of the conterminous United States. Regionalization of the national models reduces the standard errors...
Authors
Gregory E. Schwarz, Richard Alexander, Richard Smith, Stephen Preston
The Regionalization of National-Scale SPARROW Models for Stream Nutrients The Regionalization of National-Scale SPARROW Models for Stream Nutrients
This analysis modifies the parsimonious specification of recently published total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) national‐scale SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes models to allow each model coefficient to vary geographically among three major river basins of the conterminous United States. Regionalization of the national models reduces the standard errors...
Authors
Gregory Schwarz, Richard Alexander, Richard Smith, Stephen Preston
Mercury-contaminated hydraulic mining debris in San Francisco Bay Mercury-contaminated hydraulic mining debris in San Francisco Bay
The hydraulic gold-mining process used during the California Gold Rush and in many developing countries today contributes enormous amounts of sediment to rivers and streams. Commonly, accompanying this sediment are contaminants such as elemental mercury and cyanide used in the gold extraction process. We show that some of the mercurycontaminated sediment created by hydraulic gold mining...
Authors
Robin Bouse, Christopher Fuller, Samuel Luoma, Michelle Hornberger, Bruce Jaffe, Richard E. Smith
Ecological distribution and population physiology defined by proteomics in a natural microbial community Ecological distribution and population physiology defined by proteomics in a natural microbial community
An important challenge in microbial ecology is developing methods that simultaneously examine the physiology of organisms at the molecular level and their ecosystem level interactions in complex natural systems. We integrated extensive proteomic, geochemical, and biological information from 28 microbial communities collected from an acid mine drainage environment and representing a range...
Authors
Ryan Mueller, Vincent Denef, Linda Kalnejais, K. Suttle, Brian Thomas, Paul Wilmes, Richard Smith, D. Nordstrom, R. McCleskey, Menesh Shah, Nathan VerBekmoes, Robert Hettich, Jillian Banfield
An initial SPARROW model of land use and in-stream controls on total organic carbon in streams of the conterminous United States An initial SPARROW model of land use and in-stream controls on total organic carbon in streams of the conterminous United States
Watersheds play many important roles in the carbon cycle: (1) they are a site for both terrestrial and aquatic carbon dioxide (CO2) removal through photosynthesis; (2) they transport living and decomposing organic carbon in streams and groundwater; and (3) they store organic carbon for widely varying lengths of time as a function of many biogeochemical factors. Using the U.S. Geological...
Authors
Jhih-Shyang Shih, Richard Alexander, Richard Smith, Elizabeth Boyer, Grogory Shwarz, Susie Chung
Multi-scale measurements and modeling of denitrification in streams with varying flow and nitrate concentration in the upper Mississippi River basin, USA Multi-scale measurements and modeling of denitrification in streams with varying flow and nitrate concentration in the upper Mississippi River basin, USA
Denitrification is an important net sink for NO3− in streams, but direct measurements are limited and in situ controlling factors are not well known. We measured denitrification at multiple scales over a range of flow conditions and NO3− concentrations in streams draining agricultural land in the upper Mississippi River basin. Comparisons of reach-scale measurements (in-stream mass...
Authors
J.K. Bohlke, Ronald Antweiler, Judson Harvey, Andrew Laursen, Lesley Smith, Richard Smith, Mary Voytek
Geochemistry of inorganic nitrogen in waters released from coal-bed natural gas production wells in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming Geochemistry of inorganic nitrogen in waters released from coal-bed natural gas production wells in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming
Water originating from coal-bed natural gas (CBNG) production wells typically contains ammonium and is often disposed via discharge to ephemeral channels. A study conducted in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming, documented downstream changes in CBNG water composition, emphasizing nitrogen-cycling processes and the fate of ammonium. Dissolved ammonium concentrations from 19 CBNG discharge...
Authors
Richard Smith, Deborah Repert, Charles Hart
Microbial and chemical factors influencing methane production in laboratory incubations of low-rank subsurface coals Microbial and chemical factors influencing methane production in laboratory incubations of low-rank subsurface coals
Lignite and subbituminous coals were investigated for their ability to support microbial methane production in laboratory incubations. Results show that naturally-occurring microorganisms associated with the coals produced substantial quantities of methane, although the factors influencing this process were variable among different samples tested. Methanogenic microbes in two coals from...
Authors
Stephen Harris, Richard Smith, Charles E. Barker
Non-USGS Publications**
Smith, R. L., Kent, D. B., Repert, D. A., and Böhlke, J.K., 2017, Anoxic nitrate reduction coupled with iron oxidation and attenuation of dissolved arsenic and phosphate in a sand and gravel aquifer, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 196:102-120, doi: http//dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2016.09.025.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.