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Sarah Jane White, Ph.D.

Sarah Jane White is a Research Chemist with the USGS Geology, Energy & Minerals (GEM) Science Center in Reston, VA.

Sarah Jane studies the biogeochemical cycling of metals that are critical in emerging energy technologies but whose environmental behavior and impacts remain largely unknown. She is interested in metal transport and speciation in natural ecosystems, and its intersection with contaminant fate & transport, industrial ecology, and human health. Since joining the USGS in 2017, her focus has been on the cycling of indium, gallium, and germanium during the mining and processing of zinc ores (of which they are a byproduct), with a goal of understanding the full life cycle of these elements from ore formation, through mining and processing, to their subsequent behavior and potential health impacts when released to the environment.

Professional Experience

  • 2017-Present: Research Chemist, U.S. Geological Survey

  • 2013-2020: Visiting Associate Research Scholar, Department of Geosciences, Princeton University

  • 2014-2017: Visiting Lecturer, Program in Environmental Studies, Princeton University

  • 2015-2017: Research Associate, Center for Environmental Health Sciences, MIT

  • 2013-2016: Research Associate, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health

  • 2012-2013: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health

  • 2005-2012: Graduate Research Assistant, Civil & Environmental Engineering, MIT

  • 2003-2005: Research Technician, Department of Molecular and Microbiology, Tufts University

  • 2001-2002: Undergraduate Research Assistant, Departments of Geosciences and Chemistry, Princeton University

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. Environmental Chemistry, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, MIT, 2012

  • B.A. Chemistry, Princeton University, 2002

Science and Products

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calcium sulfate in acetone

Outlining Potential Health Effects of Exposure to Critical Elements: From Chemical Structure to Adverse Outcome Pathways

The Federal Government was charged with ensuring a reliable supply of critical minerals from within the U.S., and to further this policy in a safe and environmentally responsible manner by identifying new sources of critical elements. The objective of this research is to delineate anticipated adverse outcome pathways for the critical elements.
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Outlining Potential Health Effects of Exposure to Critical Elements: From Chemical Structure to Adverse Outcome Pathways

The Federal Government was charged with ensuring a reliable supply of critical minerals from within the U.S., and to further this policy in a safe and environmentally responsible manner by identifying new sources of critical elements. The objective of this research is to delineate anticipated adverse outcome pathways for the critical elements.
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Image shows a sample of renierite

Life Cycles of Byproduct Critical Minerals

Project objectives are to 1) assess the overall life cycle of selected byproduct critical elements tellurium (Te), indium (In), gallium (Ga), and germanium (Ge), 2) perform an assessment of critical element resources and examine the processes and conditions controlling the concentration of byproduct critical elements by deposit type, and 3) improve understanding of the surficial geochemistry of...
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
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Life Cycles of Byproduct Critical Minerals

Project objectives are to 1) assess the overall life cycle of selected byproduct critical elements tellurium (Te), indium (In), gallium (Ga), and germanium (Ge), 2) perform an assessment of critical element resources and examine the processes and conditions controlling the concentration of byproduct critical elements by deposit type, and 3) improve understanding of the surficial geochemistry of...
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Electron microprobe analyses of sphalerite from Central and East Tennessee mining districts, the Red Dog mining district (AK), and the Metaline mining district (WA)

Electron microprobe analyses of sphalerite (ZnS) were collected on samples from current or past mining operations in the USA with a specific focus on germanium (Ge), a byproduct critical mineral recovered from sphalerite. Data and methods reported are part of a research study published in the 'Related External Resources' section below.
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Molecular-scale speciation of germanium and copper within sphalerite from Central Tennessee mining district (TN), Red Dog mining district (AK), and Metaline mining district (WA)

Oxidation state and bonding environment of Ge and Cu in ZnS and Zn mineral concentrates from a variety of sources [Central Tennessee mining district (TN), Metaline mining district, (WA), and Red Dog mine (AK)] were determined by linear combination fits from x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analysis. Sphalerites from the East Tennessee mining district contained Ge in concentrations that were too
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Trace element composition and molecular-scale speciation characterization of sphalerite from Central and East Tennessee mining districts, Red Dog mining district (AK), and Metaline mining district (WA)

Germanium (Ge) is an element deemed critical globally, and used in electronics, communication, and defense applications. The supply of Ge is limited and as demand for it increases, its criticality increases. Germanium is exclusively recovered as a byproduct of either coal mining or zinc (Zn) mining, and the main mineral hosting Ge in Zn deposits is sphalerite (ZnS). However, the mechanisms of Ge e
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Mineral abundances within bulk and size-fractionated mine waste from the Tar Creek Superfund Site, Tri-State Mining District, Oklahoma, U.S.A.

Mineral abundances within bulk and size-fractionated mine waste from sampled historical waste piles from the Tar Creek Superfund Site, Oklahoma, U.S.A., were determined by Mineral Liberation Analysis (MLA) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Data and methods reported are part of a research study published below in the 'Related External Resources' section.
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Molecular speciation of Ge within sphalerite, hemimorphite, and quartz from mine waste from the Tar Creek Superfund Site, Tri-State Mining District, Oklahoma, U.S.A.

Oxidation state and bonding environment of Ge in minerals within mine waste from sampled historical waste piles from the Tar Creek Superfund Site, Oklahoma, U.S. were determined by linear combination fits from x-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) analysis. Ge content in quartz within these wastes was determined using XANES edge steps, and Ge content in sphalerite was compared using XANE
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Elemental concentrations for bulk and size-fractionated mine waste from the Tar Creek Superfund Site, Tri-State Mining District, Oklahoma, U.S.A.

Elemental concentrations for bulk and size-fractionated mine waste from sampled historical waste piles from the Tar Creek Superfund Site, Oklahoma, U.S. were determined after dissolution via acid digests or a sodium peroxide fusion. Elemental concentrations were determined for the leachate from a simulated rainwater leach of mine wastes. Data and methods reported are part of a research study publi
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Electron microprobe analyses of sphalerite and hemimorphite from mine wastes from the Tar Creek Superfund Site, Tri-State Mining District, Oklahoma, U.S.A.

Electron microprobe analyses of sphalerite (ZnS) and hemimorphite (Zn4Si2O7(OH)2·H2O) from sampled historical waste piles were conducted with a specific focus on germanium (Ge). In mine wastes at the Tar Creek Superfund Site, Oklahoma, USA, Ge is associated with ZnS (sphalerite) as expected, but weathering in the waste piles has led to a significant amount of Ge being incorporated into a zi
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Outlining potential biomarkers of exposure and effect to critical minerals: Nutritionally essential trace elements and the rare earth elements

Emerging and low-carbon technologies and innovations are driving a need for domestic sources, sustainable use, and availability of critical minerals (CMs)—those vital to the national and economic security of the United States. Understanding the known and potential health effects of exposures to such mineral commodities can inform prudent and environmentally responsible handling and harvesting. We
Authors
Jill Jenkins, Marylynn Musgrove, Sarah Jane White
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Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

A novel non-destructive workflow for examining germanium and co-substituents in ZnS

A suite of complementary techniques was used to examine germanium (Ge), a byproduct critical element, and co-substituent trace elements in ZnS and mine wastes from four mineral districts where germanium is, or has been, produced within the United States. This contribution establishes a comprehensive workflow for characterizing Ge and other trace elements, which captures the full heterogeneity of s
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Sarah M. Hayes, Ryan J. McAleer, Nadine M. Piatak, Sarah Jane White, Robert R. Seal
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Mineral Resources Program, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Germanium redistribution during weathering of Zn mine wastes: Implications for environmental mobility and recovery of a critical mineral

Germanium (Ge) is a metal used in emerging energy technologies, communications, and defense, and has been deemed critical by the United States due to its essential applications and scarce supply. Germanium is recovered as a byproduct of zinc (Zn) sulfides, and mining and processing of these materials lead to waste that could act both as a source of extractable Ge and a source for exposure to human
Authors
Sarah Jane White, Nadine M. Piatak, Ryan J. McAleer, Sarah M. Hayes, Robert R. Seal, Laurel A. Schaider, James P. Shine
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Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Chemical and structural degradation of CH3NH3PbI3 propagate from PEDOT:PSS interface in the presence of humidity

Understanding interfacial reactions that occur between the active layer and charge-transport layers can extend the stability of perovskite solar cells. In this study, the exposure of methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3) thin films prepared on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)-coated glass to 70% relative humidity (R.H.) leads to a perovskite crystal structure c
Authors
Sara A Thomas, J. Clay Hamill Jr, Sarah Jane White, Yueh-Lin Loo
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Emerging investigator series: Atmospheric cycling of indium in the northeastern United States

Indium is critical to the global economy and is used in an increasing number of electronics and new energy technologies. However, little is known about its environmental behavior or impacts, including its concentrations or cycling in the atmosphere. This study determined indium concentrations in air particulate matter at five locations across the northeastern United States over the course of one y
Authors
Sarah Jane White, Harold F. Hemond
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

White, S.J.O.; *Hussain, F.A.; Hemond, H.F.; *Sacco, S.A.; Shine, J.P.; Runkel, R.L.; Walton-Day, K.; Kimball, B.A. (2017) The precipitation of indium at elevated pH in a stream influenced by acid-mine drainage. Science of the Total Environment, 574:1484-1491. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.08.136.


(* denotes undergraduate supervised)
White, S.J.O.; Shine, J.P. (2016) Exposure potential and health impacts of indium and gallium, metals critical to emerging electronics and energy technologies. Current Environmental Health Reports, 3(4): 459-467. doi:10.1007/s40572-016-0118-8.
White, S.J.O.; *Keach, C.; Hemond, H.F. (2015) Atmospheric deposition of indium in the northeastern United States: flux and historical trends. Environmental Science & Technology, 49(21): 12705-12713. doi:10.1021. Highlighted in Chemical & Engineering News (“Indium Takes an Atmospheric Downturn”, October 12, 2015, C&EN, 93(40), p. 31.) https://cen.acs.org/articles/93/i40/Indium-Takes-Atmospheric-Downturn.html
White, S.J.O.; Hemond, H.F. (2012) The Anthrobiogeochemical Cycle of Indium: A review of the natural and anthropogenic cycling of indium in the environment. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 42(2): 155-186.
Somani, A., Gschwend, P., White, S.J.; Boning, D., Reif, R. (2006) Environmental Impact Evaluation Methodology for Emerging Silicon-Based Technologies, Proceedings of the 2006 IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment, 8-11: 258-263.
White, S.J.; Rosenbach, A.; Lephart, P.; Nguyen, D.; Benjamin, A.; Tzipori, S.; Whiteway, M.; Mecsas, J.; and Kumamoto, C. (2007) Self-regulation of Candida albicans population size during GI colonization, PLoS Pathogens, 3(12): 1866-1878.

**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.

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