Layered deposit of unconsolidated heavy mineral sands along the shores of Folly Beach, South Carolina.
Carleton Bern, PhD
Carl is a Research Soil Scientist with the USGS Colorado Water Science Center.
My research examines the geochemical interactions between water, rock, and soil in both natural and human-managed systems. I specialize in using isotopes and geochemical tracers to answer questions of both basic and applied research. Areas of focus in my recent work include:
- Using tritium to trace the ages of surface waters and water availability in the Upper Colorado River Basin as part of the USGS Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS)
- Salinity in surface waters and soils of the semiarid western U.S.
- Contaminants of concern like PFAS and selenium
- Water and soil effects from uranium mining
Science and Products
Technique Used to Distinguish Natural Background from Human-Caused Enrichment of Trace Elements in Soils
Human activities can enrich toxic trace elements like uranium and arsenic in the environment, but these elements also are from natural sources and occur at background levels. Scientists utilized a technique that identifies the background and the elemental fingerprint of human-caused enrichment and tested the new technique on data collected near uranium mines in Arizona.
Soil Disturbance Can Increase Stream Salinity in Semiarid Watersheds
Soil disturbance from construction of roads, pipelines, and well pads on naturally salt-rich soils was determined to be a potential factor resulting in increased salinity in a southern Wyoming stream. Construction can expose salt-rich soils in the subsurface to increased contact with rain and snow, thus mobilizing salts through runoff or water percolating into soils.
Heavy mineral sands, Folly Beach, South Carolina
Layered deposit of unconsolidated heavy mineral sands along the shores of Folly Beach, South Carolina.
White crusts of natural salts along a tributary to Muddy Creek, WY
White crusts of natural salts along a tributary to Muddy Creek, Wyoming. Natural salts are present in soils from drier climates, and rain and snowmelt can percolate into the soil and carry the salts to streams.
White crusts of natural salts along a tributary to Muddy Creek, Wyoming. Natural salts are present in soils from drier climates, and rain and snowmelt can percolate into the soil and carry the salts to streams.
Science and Products
Technique Used to Distinguish Natural Background from Human-Caused Enrichment of Trace Elements in Soils
Human activities can enrich toxic trace elements like uranium and arsenic in the environment, but these elements also are from natural sources and occur at background levels. Scientists utilized a technique that identifies the background and the elemental fingerprint of human-caused enrichment and tested the new technique on data collected near uranium mines in Arizona.
Soil Disturbance Can Increase Stream Salinity in Semiarid Watersheds
Soil disturbance from construction of roads, pipelines, and well pads on naturally salt-rich soils was determined to be a potential factor resulting in increased salinity in a southern Wyoming stream. Construction can expose salt-rich soils in the subsurface to increased contact with rain and snow, thus mobilizing salts through runoff or water percolating into soils.
Heavy mineral sands, Folly Beach, South Carolina
Layered deposit of unconsolidated heavy mineral sands along the shores of Folly Beach, South Carolina.
Layered deposit of unconsolidated heavy mineral sands along the shores of Folly Beach, South Carolina.
White crusts of natural salts along a tributary to Muddy Creek, WY
White crusts of natural salts along a tributary to Muddy Creek, Wyoming. Natural salts are present in soils from drier climates, and rain and snowmelt can percolate into the soil and carry the salts to streams.
White crusts of natural salts along a tributary to Muddy Creek, Wyoming. Natural salts are present in soils from drier climates, and rain and snowmelt can percolate into the soil and carry the salts to streams.