Rob Runkel
Rob is a Research Hydrologist with the USGS Colorado Water Science Center in Lakewood, CO.
Rob began his career with the USGS while he was a graduate student in Environmental Engineering at the University of Colorado. Rob's expertise and experience includes the development and application of models to simulate constituent transport, the characterization of small watersheds affected by acid mine drainage, and the use of tracers to quantify constituent transport in surface waters.
Professional Experience
1992-Present Research Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado
1989-1992 Research Engineer, University of Colorado, Center for Advanced Decision Support in Water and Environmental Systems (CADSWES), Boulder, Colorado
1987-1989 Hydrologist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Education and Certifications
Bachelor of Science, Summa Cum Laude, 1985, Computer Science and Environmental Studies, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Master of Environmental Management, 1987, Water Resources, Duke University: Monte Carlo Analysis of the Surface Water Component for Land Disposal Restriction Determinations
Doctor of Philosophy, 1993, Environmental Engineering, University of Colorado: Development and Application of an Equilibrium-based Simulation Model for Reactive Solute Transport in Small Streams
Affiliations and Memberships*
Associate Editor, Water Resources Research, 2006–2014
Member, American Geophysical Union
Member, Society for Freshwater Science
Member, European Geosciences Union
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 19
No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 100
Using OTIS to model solute transport in streams and rivers Using OTIS to model solute transport in streams and rivers
Solute transport in streams and rivers is governed by a suite of hydrologic and geochemical processes. Knowledge of these processes is needed when assessing the fate of contaminants that are released into surface waters. The study of solute fate and transport often is aided by solute transport models that mathematically describe the underlying processes. This fact sheet describes a model...
Authors
Robert Runkel
Reactive solute transport in streams: A surface complexation approach for trace metal sorption Reactive solute transport in streams: A surface complexation approach for trace metal sorption
A model for trace metals that considers in-stream transport, metal oxide precipitation-dissolution, and pH-dependent sorption is presented. Linkage between a surface complexation submodel and the stream transport equations provides a framework for modeling sorption onto static and/or dynamic surfaces. A static surface (e.g., an iron- oxide-coated streambed) is defined as a surface with a
Authors
Robert Runkel, Briant Kimball, Diane McKnight, Kenneth Bencala
Quantification of metal loading in Fisher Creek by tracer injection and synoptic sampling, Park County, Montana, August 1997 Quantification of metal loading in Fisher Creek by tracer injection and synoptic sampling, Park County, Montana, August 1997
Acid mine drainage from abandoned and inactive mines affects the water quality of the upper reaches of Fisher Creek, Montana. A sodium chloride tracer was added to the stream for 29.5 hours to provide a hydrologic context for synoptic sampling of metal chemistry in the stream and its inflows. The detailed profile of stream discharge obtained from the sampling helped to indicate those...
Authors
Briant Kimball, David Nimick, Linda Gerner, Robert Runkel
Modeling impact of storage zones on stream dissolved oxygen Modeling impact of storage zones on stream dissolved oxygen
The Streeter-Phelps dissolved oxygen model is modified to incorporate storage zones. A dimensionless number reflecting enhanced decomposition caused by the increased residence time of the biochemical oxygen demand in the storage zone parameterizes the impact. This result provides a partial explanation for the high decomposition rates observed in shallow streams. An application suggests...
Authors
S.C. Chapra, R.L. Runkel
Quantification of metal loading in French Gulch, Summit County, Colorado, using a tracer-injection study, July 1996 Quantification of metal loading in French Gulch, Summit County, Colorado, using a tracer-injection study, July 1996
No abstract available.
Authors
Briant Kimball, Robert Runkel, Linda Gerner
One-Dimensional Transport with Inflow and Storage (OTIS): A Solute Transport Model for Streams and Rivers One-Dimensional Transport with Inflow and Storage (OTIS): A Solute Transport Model for Streams and Rivers
OTIS is a mathematical simulation model used to characterize the fate and transport of water-borne solutes in streams and rivers. The governing equation underlying the model is the advection-dispersion equation with additional terms to account for transient storage, lateral inflow, first-order decay, and sorption. This equation and the associated equations describing transient storage...
Authors
Robert Runkel
Analysis of transient storage subject to unsteady flow: Diel flow variation in an Antarctic stream Analysis of transient storage subject to unsteady flow: Diel flow variation in an Antarctic stream
Transport of dissolved material in streams and small rivers may be characterized using tracer-dilution methods and solute transport models. Recent studies have quantified stream/substream interactions using models of transient storage. These studies are based on tracer-dilution data obtained during periods of steady flow. We present a modeling framework for the analysis of transient...
Authors
R.L. Runkel, Diane McKnight, E.D. Andrews
Reactive solute transport in an acidic stream: Experimental pH increase and simulation of controls on pH, aluminum, and iron Reactive solute transport in an acidic stream: Experimental pH increase and simulation of controls on pH, aluminum, and iron
Solute transport simulations quantitatively constrained hydrologic and geochemical hypotheses about field observations of a pH modification in an acid mine drainage stream. Carbonate chemistry, the formation of solid phases, and buffering interactions with the stream bed were important factors in explaining the behavior of pH, aluminum, and iron. The precipitation of microcrystalline...
Authors
R. Broshears, R.L. Runkel, B. Kimball, Diane McKnight, K.E. Bencala
Reactive solute transport in streams: 2. Simulation of a pH modification experiment Reactive solute transport in streams: 2. Simulation of a pH modification experiment
We present an application of an equilibrium-based solute transport model to a pH-modification experiment conducted on the Snake River, an acidic, metal-rich stream located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. During the experiment, instream pH decreased from 4.2 to 3.2, causing a marked increase in dissolved iron concentrations. Model application requires specification of several...
Authors
Robert Runkel, Diane McKnight, Kenneth Bencala, Steven Chapra
Solution of the advection-dispersion equation: Continuous load of finite duration Solution of the advection-dispersion equation: Continuous load of finite duration
Field studies of solute fate and transport in streams and rivers often involve an. experimental release of solutes at an upstream boundary for a finite period of time. A review of several standard references on surface-water-quality modeling indicates that the analytical solution to the constant-parameter advection-dispersion equation for this type of boundary condition has been...
Authors
R.L. Runkel
Reactive solute transport in streams: 1. Development of an equilibrium- based model Reactive solute transport in streams: 1. Development of an equilibrium- based model
An equilibrium-based solute transport model is developed for the simulation of trace metal fate and transport in streams. The model is formed by coupling a solute transport model with a chemical equilibrium submodel based on MINTEQ. The solute transport model considers the physical processes of advection, dispersion, lateral inflow, and transient storage, while the equilibrium submodel...
Authors
Robert Runkel, Kenneth Bencala, Robert Broshears, Steven Chapra
Interpreting spatial profiles of concentration in acid mine drainage streams Interpreting spatial profiles of concentration in acid mine drainage streams
No abstract available.
Authors
R. E. Broshears, Briant Kimball, Robert Runkel
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 19
No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 100
Using OTIS to model solute transport in streams and rivers Using OTIS to model solute transport in streams and rivers
Solute transport in streams and rivers is governed by a suite of hydrologic and geochemical processes. Knowledge of these processes is needed when assessing the fate of contaminants that are released into surface waters. The study of solute fate and transport often is aided by solute transport models that mathematically describe the underlying processes. This fact sheet describes a model...
Authors
Robert Runkel
Reactive solute transport in streams: A surface complexation approach for trace metal sorption Reactive solute transport in streams: A surface complexation approach for trace metal sorption
A model for trace metals that considers in-stream transport, metal oxide precipitation-dissolution, and pH-dependent sorption is presented. Linkage between a surface complexation submodel and the stream transport equations provides a framework for modeling sorption onto static and/or dynamic surfaces. A static surface (e.g., an iron- oxide-coated streambed) is defined as a surface with a
Authors
Robert Runkel, Briant Kimball, Diane McKnight, Kenneth Bencala
Quantification of metal loading in Fisher Creek by tracer injection and synoptic sampling, Park County, Montana, August 1997 Quantification of metal loading in Fisher Creek by tracer injection and synoptic sampling, Park County, Montana, August 1997
Acid mine drainage from abandoned and inactive mines affects the water quality of the upper reaches of Fisher Creek, Montana. A sodium chloride tracer was added to the stream for 29.5 hours to provide a hydrologic context for synoptic sampling of metal chemistry in the stream and its inflows. The detailed profile of stream discharge obtained from the sampling helped to indicate those...
Authors
Briant Kimball, David Nimick, Linda Gerner, Robert Runkel
Modeling impact of storage zones on stream dissolved oxygen Modeling impact of storage zones on stream dissolved oxygen
The Streeter-Phelps dissolved oxygen model is modified to incorporate storage zones. A dimensionless number reflecting enhanced decomposition caused by the increased residence time of the biochemical oxygen demand in the storage zone parameterizes the impact. This result provides a partial explanation for the high decomposition rates observed in shallow streams. An application suggests...
Authors
S.C. Chapra, R.L. Runkel
Quantification of metal loading in French Gulch, Summit County, Colorado, using a tracer-injection study, July 1996 Quantification of metal loading in French Gulch, Summit County, Colorado, using a tracer-injection study, July 1996
No abstract available.
Authors
Briant Kimball, Robert Runkel, Linda Gerner
One-Dimensional Transport with Inflow and Storage (OTIS): A Solute Transport Model for Streams and Rivers One-Dimensional Transport with Inflow and Storage (OTIS): A Solute Transport Model for Streams and Rivers
OTIS is a mathematical simulation model used to characterize the fate and transport of water-borne solutes in streams and rivers. The governing equation underlying the model is the advection-dispersion equation with additional terms to account for transient storage, lateral inflow, first-order decay, and sorption. This equation and the associated equations describing transient storage...
Authors
Robert Runkel
Analysis of transient storage subject to unsteady flow: Diel flow variation in an Antarctic stream Analysis of transient storage subject to unsteady flow: Diel flow variation in an Antarctic stream
Transport of dissolved material in streams and small rivers may be characterized using tracer-dilution methods and solute transport models. Recent studies have quantified stream/substream interactions using models of transient storage. These studies are based on tracer-dilution data obtained during periods of steady flow. We present a modeling framework for the analysis of transient...
Authors
R.L. Runkel, Diane McKnight, E.D. Andrews
Reactive solute transport in an acidic stream: Experimental pH increase and simulation of controls on pH, aluminum, and iron Reactive solute transport in an acidic stream: Experimental pH increase and simulation of controls on pH, aluminum, and iron
Solute transport simulations quantitatively constrained hydrologic and geochemical hypotheses about field observations of a pH modification in an acid mine drainage stream. Carbonate chemistry, the formation of solid phases, and buffering interactions with the stream bed were important factors in explaining the behavior of pH, aluminum, and iron. The precipitation of microcrystalline...
Authors
R. Broshears, R.L. Runkel, B. Kimball, Diane McKnight, K.E. Bencala
Reactive solute transport in streams: 2. Simulation of a pH modification experiment Reactive solute transport in streams: 2. Simulation of a pH modification experiment
We present an application of an equilibrium-based solute transport model to a pH-modification experiment conducted on the Snake River, an acidic, metal-rich stream located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. During the experiment, instream pH decreased from 4.2 to 3.2, causing a marked increase in dissolved iron concentrations. Model application requires specification of several...
Authors
Robert Runkel, Diane McKnight, Kenneth Bencala, Steven Chapra
Solution of the advection-dispersion equation: Continuous load of finite duration Solution of the advection-dispersion equation: Continuous load of finite duration
Field studies of solute fate and transport in streams and rivers often involve an. experimental release of solutes at an upstream boundary for a finite period of time. A review of several standard references on surface-water-quality modeling indicates that the analytical solution to the constant-parameter advection-dispersion equation for this type of boundary condition has been...
Authors
R.L. Runkel
Reactive solute transport in streams: 1. Development of an equilibrium- based model Reactive solute transport in streams: 1. Development of an equilibrium- based model
An equilibrium-based solute transport model is developed for the simulation of trace metal fate and transport in streams. The model is formed by coupling a solute transport model with a chemical equilibrium submodel based on MINTEQ. The solute transport model considers the physical processes of advection, dispersion, lateral inflow, and transient storage, while the equilibrium submodel...
Authors
Robert Runkel, Kenneth Bencala, Robert Broshears, Steven Chapra
Interpreting spatial profiles of concentration in acid mine drainage streams Interpreting spatial profiles of concentration in acid mine drainage streams
No abstract available.
Authors
R. E. Broshears, Briant Kimball, Robert Runkel
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government