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Andrew L. Masterson, Ph.D.

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

Following his graduate studies involving minor sulfur isotope geochemistry and behavior in marine systems, Dr. Masterson led a low temperature stable isotope laboratory at Northwestern University, supporting research interests in carbon isotope chemostratigraphy, sulfur geochemistry in hypersaline systems, and high latitude paleoclimate. Since joining the USGS in 2022, his principle areas of study involve the evaluation and isotopic characterization of oil and gas-associated wastewaters, and quantifying the influence of high sulfur systems on metal fate and transport.

Professional Experience

  • 2022-Present: Research Chemist, U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

  • 2016-2022: Senior Research Associate, Dept of Earth and Planetary Science, Northwestern University

  • 2011-2016: Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Harvard University

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. Earth and Planetary Science, Harvard University, 2016

  • B.S. Geology and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, 2006

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • Geochemical Society

  • Mineralogical Society of America

  • American Geophysical Union

  • Geological Society of America

Science and Products

link
Investigations Waters Task3 Banner

Oil and Gas Waters Project

The primary objective of this project is to provide information on the volume, quality, impacts, and possible uses of water produced during generation and development of energy resources (particularly hydrocarbons) as well as related fluids injected into reservoirs for energy development and associated waste disposal. The purpose of this work is to address scientific and societal questions...
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
link

Oil and Gas Waters Project

The primary objective of this project is to provide information on the volume, quality, impacts, and possible uses of water produced during generation and development of energy resources (particularly hydrocarbons) as well as related fluids injected into reservoirs for energy development and associated waste disposal. The purpose of this work is to address scientific and societal questions...
Learn More

Lithium resource in the Smackover Formation brines of Southern Arkansas

Lithium-rich brine deposits occur throughout the United States, including in the Smackover Formation. The concentration of lithium in Smackover Formation brines was predicted across southern Arkansas by using a machine-learning model that incorporated lithium concentration data and geologic information. Between 5.1 and 19.0 million metric tons of lithium are calculated to be present in the brines
Authors
Katherine J. Knierim, Andrew L. Masterson, Philip A. Freeman, Bonnie McDevitt, Amanda H. Herzberg, Peng Li, Ciara Mills, Colin Doolan, Aaron M. Jubb, Scott M. Ausbrooks, Jessica Chenault
By
Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

Produced water geochemistry from hydraulically stimulated Niobrara Formation petroleum wells: Origin of salinity and temporal perspectives on treatment and reuse

Produced water (i.e., a mixture of returned injection fluids and geologic formation brines) represents the largest volumetric waste stream associated with petroleum production in the United States. As such, produced water has been the focus of intense study with emphasis on understanding the geologic origin of the fluids, environmental impacts of unintended or intentional release, disposal concern
Authors
Aaron M. Jubb, Jenna L. Shelton, Bonnie McDevitt, Kaela K. Amundson, Amanda Sha Herzberg, Jessica Chenault, Andrew Laurence Masterson, Matthew S. Varonka, Glenn D. Jolly, Christina A. DeVera, Elliott Barnhart, Michael J. Wilkins, Madalyn S. Blondes
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Evaluation of the lithium resource in the Smackover Formation brines of southern Arkansas using machine learning

Global demand for lithium, the primary component of lithium-ion batteries, greatly exceeds known supplies, and this imbalance is expected to increase as the world transitions away from fossil fuel energy sources. High concentrations of lithium in brines have been observed in the Smackover Formation in southern Arkansas (>400 milligrams per liter). We used published and newly collected brine lithiu
Authors
Katherine J. Knierim, Madalyn S. Blondes, Andrew Laurence Masterson, Philip A. Freeman, Bonnie McDevitt, Amanda Sha Herzberg, Peng Li, Ciara Mills, Colin A. Doolan, Aaron M. Jubb, Scott Ausbrooks, Jessica Chenault
By
Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

U.S. Geological Survey National Produced Waters Geochemical Database (ver. 3.0, December 2023) Viewer

The U.S. Geological Survey National Produced Waters Geochemical Database Viewer (ver. 3.0) provides access to an updated compilation of geochemical and related information for water from oil and gas wells in the United States. The information includes identification and location information, well descriptions, dates, rock properties, physical properties of the water, organic chemistry and more.

By
Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

Science and Products

link
Investigations Waters Task3 Banner

Oil and Gas Waters Project

The primary objective of this project is to provide information on the volume, quality, impacts, and possible uses of water produced during generation and development of energy resources (particularly hydrocarbons) as well as related fluids injected into reservoirs for energy development and associated waste disposal. The purpose of this work is to address scientific and societal questions...
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
link

Oil and Gas Waters Project

The primary objective of this project is to provide information on the volume, quality, impacts, and possible uses of water produced during generation and development of energy resources (particularly hydrocarbons) as well as related fluids injected into reservoirs for energy development and associated waste disposal. The purpose of this work is to address scientific and societal questions...
Learn More

Lithium resource in the Smackover Formation brines of Southern Arkansas

Lithium-rich brine deposits occur throughout the United States, including in the Smackover Formation. The concentration of lithium in Smackover Formation brines was predicted across southern Arkansas by using a machine-learning model that incorporated lithium concentration data and geologic information. Between 5.1 and 19.0 million metric tons of lithium are calculated to be present in the brines
Authors
Katherine J. Knierim, Andrew L. Masterson, Philip A. Freeman, Bonnie McDevitt, Amanda H. Herzberg, Peng Li, Ciara Mills, Colin Doolan, Aaron M. Jubb, Scott M. Ausbrooks, Jessica Chenault
By
Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

Produced water geochemistry from hydraulically stimulated Niobrara Formation petroleum wells: Origin of salinity and temporal perspectives on treatment and reuse

Produced water (i.e., a mixture of returned injection fluids and geologic formation brines) represents the largest volumetric waste stream associated with petroleum production in the United States. As such, produced water has been the focus of intense study with emphasis on understanding the geologic origin of the fluids, environmental impacts of unintended or intentional release, disposal concern
Authors
Aaron M. Jubb, Jenna L. Shelton, Bonnie McDevitt, Kaela K. Amundson, Amanda Sha Herzberg, Jessica Chenault, Andrew Laurence Masterson, Matthew S. Varonka, Glenn D. Jolly, Christina A. DeVera, Elliott Barnhart, Michael J. Wilkins, Madalyn S. Blondes
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Evaluation of the lithium resource in the Smackover Formation brines of southern Arkansas using machine learning

Global demand for lithium, the primary component of lithium-ion batteries, greatly exceeds known supplies, and this imbalance is expected to increase as the world transitions away from fossil fuel energy sources. High concentrations of lithium in brines have been observed in the Smackover Formation in southern Arkansas (>400 milligrams per liter). We used published and newly collected brine lithiu
Authors
Katherine J. Knierim, Madalyn S. Blondes, Andrew Laurence Masterson, Philip A. Freeman, Bonnie McDevitt, Amanda Sha Herzberg, Peng Li, Ciara Mills, Colin A. Doolan, Aaron M. Jubb, Scott Ausbrooks, Jessica Chenault
By
Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

U.S. Geological Survey National Produced Waters Geochemical Database (ver. 3.0, December 2023) Viewer

The U.S. Geological Survey National Produced Waters Geochemical Database Viewer (ver. 3.0) provides access to an updated compilation of geochemical and related information for water from oil and gas wells in the United States. The information includes identification and location information, well descriptions, dates, rock properties, physical properties of the water, organic chemistry and more.

By
Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

*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

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