William Benzel
William Benzel is a Physical Scientist with the Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center.
My graduate work focused on geologic membranes trying to understand fluid flow in basins and evaluate methods to isolate hazardous materials, such as nuclear wastes injected in deep wells. While working in the oil industry, I continued my studies in fluid flow through geologic materials working on methods to improve oil production. I moved on to work in the mining industry, supporting efforts to locate and process gold ore as well as studying world-wide talc deposits for hazardous contaminants. Since joining the USGS, I support two Teams (GGGSC and CERSC) providing mineralogy and material characterization. My research efforts are focused on improving quantitative mineralogy by combining and rectifying X-ray diffraction scans with chemical data sets.
Professional Experience
2008-Present - Physical Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, X-ray Specialist
2000-2008 - Consultant, providing geochemical interpretations of laboratory data: including x-ray diffraction, x-ray fluorescence and transmission/scanning electron microscopy as well as other test results
1986-Present - Qualified Inspector (QI082) State of Colorado, Department of Health, Radiation Control Division; specializing in industrial x-ray and radiography audits for compliance with Colorado Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Radiation Control
1990-2000 - Senior Geologist, Analytical Resources Department, Petroleum Technology Center, Marathon Oil Company, Littleton, CO
1990-2000 - Inorganic Geochemistry Program - designs and directs all studies of inorganic materials among Geology/Engineering/Refining Groups. Specialty areas include whole rock and clay mineralogy, catalysts, corrosion scale/deposits, crude oil characterization and sulfur in fuels. Chairman Radiation Protection Committee
1983-1990 - Research Geologist, Instrumental Analysis Section, Denver Research Center, Marathon Oil Company, Littleton, CO
1982-1983 - Geologist, Instrumental Analysis Section, Denver Research Center, Marathon Oil Company, Littleton, CO
1978-1982 - Geochemistry Research Assistant, Department of Geology, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL
1976-1978 - Chemistry Research Assistant, Illinois State Geological Survey, Physical Chemistry Section, Champaign, IL
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Department of Geology, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois, 1982
M.S., Department of Geology, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois, 1978
A.B., Geology and Chemistry double major, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, 1975
North Haven High School, North Haven, Connecticut, 1971
Science and Products
Persistent U(IV) and U(VI) following in-situ recovery (ISR) mining of a sandstone uranium deposit, Wyoming, USA
Strategy to evaluate persistent contaminant hazards resulting from sea-level rise and storm-derived disturbances—Study design and methodology for station prioritization
Geospatial compilation of results from field sample collection in support of mineral resource investigations, Western Alaska Range, Alaska, July 2013
Estuarine bed-sediment-quality data collected in New Jersey and New York after Hurricane Sandy, 2013
Assessment of the geoavailability of trace elements from selected zinc minerals
Linking geology and health sciences to assess childhood lead poisoning from artisanal gold mining in Nigeria
Solid-phase data from cores at the proposed Dewey Burdock uranium in-situ recovery mine, near Edgemont, South Dakota
Arsenic in New Jersey Coastal Plain streams, sediments, and shallow groundwater: effects from different geologic sources and anthropogenic inputs on biogeochemical and physical mobilization processes
Mineralogical, chemical, and crystallographic properties of supergene jarosite-group minerals from the Xitieshan Pb-Zn sulfide deposit, northern Tibetan Plateau, China
Microbial transformations of arsenic: Mobilization from glauconitic sediments to water
Assessment of the geoavailability of trace elements from minerals in mine wastes: analytical techniques and assessment of selected copper minerals
Preparation and characterization of "Libby Amphibole" toxicological testing material
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.
Matrix inhibition PCR and Microtox 81.9% screening assay analytical results for samples collected for the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Exposure potential of salt marsh units in Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge to environmental health stressors
Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (dPCR) and Presence/Absence Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) Data From the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy Pilot Study, Northeastern United States, 2015
Location, sampling methods and field conditions of resiliency-mode soil and sediment sampling stations sampled, Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Location, sampling methods and field conditions of response-mode soil and sediment sampling stations sampled, Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 26
Persistent U(IV) and U(VI) following in-situ recovery (ISR) mining of a sandstone uranium deposit, Wyoming, USA
Drill-core samples from a sandstone-hosted uranium (U) deposit in Wyoming were characterized to determine the abundance and distribution of uranium following in-situ recovery (ISR) mining with oxygen- and carbon dioxide-enriched water. Concentrations of uranium, collected from ten depth intervals, ranged from 5 to 1920 ppm. A composite sample contained 750 ppm uranium with an average oxidation stAuthorsTanya J. Gallegos, Kate M. Campbell, Robert A. Zielinski, P.W. Reimus, J.T. Clay, N. Janot, J. J. Bargar, William BenzelStrategy to evaluate persistent contaminant hazards resulting from sea-level rise and storm-derived disturbances—Study design and methodology for station prioritization
Coastal communities are uniquely vulnerable to sea-level rise (SLR) and severe storms such as hurricanes. These events enhance the dispersion and concentration of natural and anthropogenic chemicals and pathogenic microorganisms that could adversely affect the health and resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems in coming years. The U.S. Geological Survey has developed a strategy to defineAuthorsTimothy J. Reilly, Daniel Jones, Michael J. Focazio, Kimberly C. Aquino, Chelsea L. Carbo, Erika E. Kaufhold, Elizabeth K. Zinecker, William Benzel, Shawn C. Fisher, Dale W. Griffin, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Keith A. Loftin, William B. SchillGeospatial compilation of results from field sample collection in support of mineral resource investigations, Western Alaska Range, Alaska, July 2013
This Data Series summarizes results from July 2013 sampling in the western Alaska Range near Mount Estelle, Alaska. The fieldwork combined in situ and camp-based spectral measurements of talus/soil and rock samples. Five rock and 48 soil samples were submitted for quantitative geochemical analysis (for 55 major and trace elements), and the 48 soils samples were also analyzed by x-ray diffractionAuthorsMichaela R. Johnson, Garth E. Graham, Bernard E. Hubbard, William BenzelEstuarine bed-sediment-quality data collected in New Jersey and New York after Hurricane Sandy, 2013
This report describes a reconnaissance study of estuarine bed-sediment quality conducted June–October 2013 in New Jersey and New York after Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 to assess the extent of contamination and the potential long-term human and ecological impacts of the storm. The study, funded through the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 (PL 113-2), was conducted by the U.S. GeologicAuthorsJeffrey M. Fischer, Patrick J. Phillips, Timothy J. Reilly, Michael J. Focazio, Keith A. Loftin, William Benzel, Daniel Jones, Kelly L. Smalling, Shawn C. Fisher, Irene J. Fisher, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Kristin M. Romanok, Darkus E. Jenkins, Luke Bowers, Adam Boehlke, William T. Foreman, Anna C. Deetz, Lisa G. Carper, Thomas E. Imbrigiotta, Justin E. BirdwellAssessment of the geoavailability of trace elements from selected zinc minerals
This assessment focused on five zinc-bearing minerals. The minerals were subjected to a number of analyses including quantitative X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, leaching tests, and bioaccessibility and toxicity studies. Like a previous comprehensive assessment of five copper-bearing minerals, the purpose of this assessment was to obtain structural and chemical information and to characteriAuthorsRhonda L. Driscoll, Phillip L. Hageman, William Benzel, Sharon F. Diehl, Suzette Morman, LaDonna M. Choate, Heather LowersLinking geology and health sciences to assess childhood lead poisoning from artisanal gold mining in Nigeria
Background: In 2010, Médecins Sans Frontières discovered a lead poisoning outbreak linked to artisanal gold processing in northwestern Nigeria. The outbreak has killed approximately 400 young children and affected thousands more. Objectives: Our aim was to undertake an interdisciplinary geological- and health-science assessment to clarify lead sources and exposure pathways, identify additional toAuthorsGeoffrey S. Plumlee, James T. Durant, Suzette A. Morman, Antonio Neri, Ruth E. Wolf, Carrie A. Dooyema, Philip L. Hageman, Heather Lowers, Gregory L. Fernette, Gregory P. Meeker, William Benzel, Rhonda L. Driscoll, Cyrus J. Berry, James G. Crock, Harland L. Goldstein, Monique Adams, Casey L. Bartrem, Simba Tirima, Behbod Behrooz, Ian von Lindern, Mary Jean BrownSolid-phase data from cores at the proposed Dewey Burdock uranium in-situ recovery mine, near Edgemont, South Dakota
This report releases solid-phase data from cores at the proposed Dewey Burdock uranium in-situ recovery site near Edgemont, South Dakota. These cores were collected by Powertech Uranium Corporation, and material not used for their analyses were given to the U.S. Geological Survey for additional sampling and analyses. These additional analyses included total carbon and sulfur, whole rock acid digesAuthorsRaymond H. Johnson, Sharon F. Diehl, William BenzelArsenic in New Jersey Coastal Plain streams, sediments, and shallow groundwater: effects from different geologic sources and anthropogenic inputs on biogeochemical and physical mobilization processes
Arsenic (As) concentrations in New Jersey Coastal Plain streams generally exceed the State Surface Water Quality Standard (0.017 micrograms per liter (µg/L)), but concentrations seldom exceed 1 µg/L in filtered stream-water samples, regardless of geologic contributions or anthropogenic inputs. Nevertheless, As concentrations in unfiltered stream water indicate substantial variation because of partAuthorsJulia L. Barringer, Pamela A. Reilly, Dennis D. Eberl, Adam C. Mumford, William Benzel, Zoltan Szabo, Jennifer L. Shourds, Lily Y. YoungMineralogical, chemical, and crystallographic properties of supergene jarosite-group minerals from the Xitieshan Pb-Zn sulfide deposit, northern Tibetan Plateau, China
Supergene jarosite-group minerals are widespread in weathering profiles overlying Pb-Zn sulfide ores at Xitieshan, northern Tibetan Plateau, China. They consist predominantly of K-deficient natrojarosite, with lesser amounts of K-rich natrojarosite and plumbojarosite. Electron microprobe (EMP) analyses, scanning electron microcopy (SEM) investigation, and X-ray mapping reveal that the jarosite-groAuthorsLei Chen, Jian-Wei Li, Robert O. Rye, William H. Benzel, H.A. Lowers, Ming-Zhong HeMicrobial transformations of arsenic: Mobilization from glauconitic sediments to water
In the Inner Coastal Plain of New Jersey, arsenic (As) is released from glauconitic sediment to carbon- and nutrient-rich shallow groundwater. This As-rich groundwater discharges to a major area stream. We hypothesize that microbes play an active role in the mobilization of As from glauconitic subsurface sediments into groundwater in the Inner Coastal Plain of New Jersey. We have examined the poteAuthorsAdam C. Mumford, Julia L. Barringer, William Benzel, Pamela A. Reilly, L.Y. YoungAssessment of the geoavailability of trace elements from minerals in mine wastes: analytical techniques and assessment of selected copper minerals
In this study, four randomly selected copper-bearing minerals were examined—azurite, malachite, bornite, and chalcopyrite. The objectives were to examine and enumerate the crystalline and chemical properties of each of the minerals, to determine which, if any, of the Cu-bearing minerals might adversely affect systems biota, and to provide a multi-procedure reference. Laboratory work included use oAuthorsRhonda Driscoll, Phillip L. Hageman, William Benzel, Sharon F. Diehl, David T. Adams, Suzette Morman, LaDonna M. ChoatePreparation and characterization of "Libby Amphibole" toxicological testing material
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) began work in Libby, Mont. in 1999 when an Emergency Response Team was sent to investigate local concern and media reports regarding asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. Since that time, the site has been granted Superfund status and site remediation to a safe level of asbestos has been ongoing. The amphibole asbestos from the Vermiculite Mountain verAuthorsHeather Lowers, Stephen A. Wilson, Todd M. Hoefen, William Benzel, Gregory P. MeekerNon-USGS Publications**
Benzel, William M., and Graf, Donald L., 1984, Studies of Smectite Membrane Behavior: Importance of Layer Thickness and Fabric in Experiments at 20°C: Geochimica et Comoshimica Acta, 48 (9), pp. 1769-1778, https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(84)90031-0.**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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Filter Total Items: 17
Matrix inhibition PCR and Microtox 81.9% screening assay analytical results for samples collected for the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Coastal communities are uniquely vulnerable to sea-level rise (SLR) and severe storms such as hurricanes. These events enhance the dispersion and concentration of natural and anthropogenic chemicals and pathogenic microorganisms that could adversely affect the health and resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems in coming years. The U.S. Geological Survey has developed the Sediment-Bound CoExposure potential of salt marsh units in Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge to environmental health stressors
Natural and anthropogenic contaminants, pathogens, and viruses are found in soils and sediments throughout the United States. Enhanced dispersion and concentration of these environmental health stressors in coastal regions can result from sea level rise and storm-derived disturbances. The combination of existing environmental health stressors and those mobilized by natural or anthropogenic disasteDigital Polymerase Chain Reaction (dPCR) and Presence/Absence Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) Data From the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy Pilot Study, Northeastern United States, 2015
The purpose of these data sets was to define which samples contained antibiotic resistance genes (screened antibiotic resistance gene targets) and Vibrio species, the number of detectable targets per sample and the quantity of those respective gene targets per gram of soil. These data were determined from samples collected in the NE US in support of the Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and ReLocation, sampling methods and field conditions of resiliency-mode soil and sediment sampling stations sampled, Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Coastal communities are uniquely vulnerable to sea-level rise (SLR) and severe storms such as hurricanes. These events enhance the dispersion and concentration of natural and anthropogenic chemicals and pathogenic microorganisms that could adversely affect the health and resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems in coming years. The U.S. Geological Survey has developed the Sediment-Bound CoLocation, sampling methods and field conditions of response-mode soil and sediment sampling stations sampled, Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Coastal communities are uniquely vulnerable to sea-level rise (SLR) and severe storms such as hurricanes. These events enhance the dispersion and concentration of natural and anthropogenic chemicals and pathogenic microorganisms that could adversely affect the health and resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems in coming years. The U.S. Geological Survey has developed the Sediment-Bound Co - Multimedia