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Christina A. DeVera

Christina DeVera is a Physical Scientist with the USGS Geology, Energy & Minerals (GEM) Science Center in Reston, VA.

Christina received a B.S. in Biology concentrating in Environmental and Conservation Biology from George Mason University in 2010 and a Professional Career Certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Northern Virginia Community College in 2011. Since joining the USGS in 2009 as an undergraduate student intern, Christina has been a part of numerous research efforts including microbial methanogenesis studies, hydraulic fracturing and effects on human health, CO2 sequestration and carbon mineralization, microbial community characterization in natural CO2 systems, source rock characterization in North Slope Alaska, and more recently, geoheritage. Currently, she leads the Geoheritage Sites of the Nation Project focused on understanding the intersection of geology and societal values to provide educational and outreach resources making geoscience topics and geologic mapping more relevant for the public.

Professional Experience

  • March 2016 - Present: Physical Scientist, USGS Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, VA

  • December 2011 - March 2016: Physical Science Technician, USGS Eastern Energy Resources Science Center, Reston, VA

  • May 2010 - December 2011: Student Career Experience Program, USGS Eastern Energy Resources Science Center, Reston, VA

  • December 2009 - May 2010: Student Temporary Experience Program, USGS Eastern Energy Resources Science Center, Reston, VA

Education and Certifications

  • Certificate in Geographic Information Systems, Northern Virginia Community College, 2011

  • B.S. Biology, College of Science, George Mason University, 2010

Honors and Awards

  • 2023 Unit Award for Excellence of Service – Energy and Minerals Resources Mission Area Quality Management System Team

  • 2017 USGS Group Safety and Occupational Heath Award of Excellence – The Midwest Region Passive Vehicle Visibility and Conspicuity Guidance

Science and Products

link
This color photograph shows a view of the red and cream-colored, flat-lying sedimentary rocks in the Grand Canyon. On the left,

Geoheritage Sites of the Nation

Geoheritage is a value-laden term that is applied to features and landforms of geologic significance and includes the scientific, educational, cultural, economic, and aesthetic values that society places on them (Brilha, 2018; GSA, 2017; NASEM, 2021; NPS and AGI, 2015) . The goal of the Geoheritage Sites of the Nation project is to develop an inventory of geoheritage sites that showcase the...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
link

Geoheritage Sites of the Nation

Geoheritage is a value-laden term that is applied to features and landforms of geologic significance and includes the scientific, educational, cultural, economic, and aesthetic values that society places on them (Brilha, 2018; GSA, 2017; NASEM, 2021; NPS and AGI, 2015) . The goal of the Geoheritage Sites of the Nation project is to develop an inventory of geoheritage sites that showcase the...
Learn More
link
Carbon Dioxide Mineralization Feasibility in the United States Thumb

Carbon Mineralization

Carbon dioxide (CO2) can react with silicate rocks that are rich in magnesium, calcium, and iron to precipitate carbonate minerals. This process is typically referred to as carbon mineralization, which represents a potential mitigation option for rising CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere. The U.S. has pledged to reduce net greenhouse gas pollution to 50-52 percent of 2005 levels, which will...
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
link

Carbon Mineralization

Carbon dioxide (CO2) can react with silicate rocks that are rich in magnesium, calcium, and iron to precipitate carbonate minerals. This process is typically referred to as carbon mineralization, which represents a potential mitigation option for rising CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere. The U.S. has pledged to reduce net greenhouse gas pollution to 50-52 percent of 2005 levels, which will...
Learn More

Produced water major ion geochemistry, water isotopes, radium content, and field parameters and gas compositions from Niobrara Formation petroleum wells in the Denver-Julesburg Basin

This data release includes field parameters (pH and specific conductance), major ion geochemistry (B, Ba, Br, Cl, Ca, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Si, SO4, Sr), total dissolved solids, specific gravity, water isotopes (delta-2H and delta-18O), and radium isotopes (226Ra and 228Ra) from produced water samples taken from petroleum wells producing from the Niobrara Formation in the Denver-Julesburg Basin,
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

Geoheritage Sites of the Nation Data Release v.1

Geoheritage is a term which lies at the intersection of science, society, and sustainability and is applied to significant geologic features and landforms that have scientific, educational, cultural, economic, and aesthetic value. Many geologic sites have enriched society through the geoheritage values: scientific research and education, cultural significance, economic opportunities, and aesthetic
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources-Anadarko and Southern Oklahoma Basins: Chapter R. Spatial Data

This data release provides shapefiles that represent storage assessment units (SAUs) and drilling-density cells in the Anadarko and Southern Oklahoma Basins of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas in the United States. The SAU is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources project for the assessment of geologic CO2 storage resources. The SAU i
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Carbon Isotopes, Total Organic Carbon, Programmed Pyrolysis, Volcanic Zircon U-Pb, and Geochemistry Data from the Hue Shale, Arctic Alaska - 2024

This dataset contains results from a stratigraphic section of the Hue Shale located along the Jago River in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge at 69.9099, -143.3947 (WGS84). Sample heights were measured with a tape measure in a continuous succession. Zircon grains from volcanic ashes were analyzed via laser ablation at either the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) or the University of
By
Alaska Science Center

Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources - Appalachian Basin, Black Warrior Basin, Illinois Basin, and Michigan Basin: Chapter P, Spatial Data

The storage assessment unit (SAU) is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources project for the assessment of geologic CO2 storage resources. The SAU is shown here as a geographic boundary interpreted, defined, and mapped by the geologist responsible for the assessment interval. Individual SAUs are defined on the basis of common geologic and h
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Geochemical Data from Selected Triassic Rock Samples in Northeastern Alaska

This set of data files contains analyses of samples representing Triassic units (Shublik and Ivishak Formations and Karen Creek Sandstone) in Alaska. The samples were collected from 20 outcrop localities in northeastern Alaska. The data set includes total organic carbon (TOC) and geochemical data from inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy-mass spectroscopy (ICP-OES-MS) and porta
By
Alaska Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Geologic formations and mine locations for potential CO2 mineralization

This geodatabase contains geologic unit boundaries and asbestos site locations shown in "Carbon dioxide mineralization feasibility in the United States" (Blondes and others, 2019). Data was compiled from source material at a scale range of 1:100,000 to 1:5,000,000 and is not intended for any greater detail.
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Microbial Communities Associated with Hot Springs and other CO2-rich Waters, Rocky Mountain Plateau

The Colorado Plateau is associated with several different commercial sources of natural CO2 and other non-hydrocarbon gases, such as noble gases. Twenty-five different hot springs, warm springs, cold springs, and/or rivers across the Utah region of the Colorado Plateau were sampled for microbial biomass. These different locations were associated with some concentration of dissolved or effervesci
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Low biomass microbiology samples collected from a hydraulically fractured well producing from the Niobrara Shale in Colorado

Low biomass waters provide a unique challenge in the field of microbial ecology. It is difficult to determine, when biomass concentrations are extremely low, whether or not the sequencing data received are of good quality and representative of the waters sampled. Fifty-nine samples including 8 blanks were collected from a low biomass hydraulically fractured well producing from the Niobrara Shale i
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Microbiology of the greater Bravo Dome region

Bravo Dome is a commercial natural CO2 field that supplies the gas to depleted oil fields for enhanced oil recovery. In order to understand the distribution of CO2 across the greater Bravo Dome region, including southeastern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico, and to assess the impacts of high CO2 concentrations on microbes in the subsurface, 7 samples were collected from sites associated with h
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
Filter Total Items: 24

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

Facies variation within outcrops of the Triassic Shublik Formation, northeastern Alaska

The Shublik Formation (Middle to Upper Triassic) is a heterogeneous unit that is a major hydrocarbon source rock in northern Alaska and the largest known Triassic phosphate accumulation in the world. This formation, which occurs in the subsurface and crops out within the Arctic Alaska basin, was deposited on a gently sloping ramp along the northwestern Laurentian margin. In this study, we document
Authors
Julie A. Dumoulin, Katherine J. Whidden, William A. Rouse, Christina A. DeVera
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Alaska Science Center

Arctic Alaska deepwater organic carbon burial and environmental changes during the late Albian–early Campanian (103–82 Ma)

The middle Cretaceous greenhouse period experienced profound environmental change including episodes of enhanced global burial of organic carbon marked by carbon isotopic excursions (CIEs). However, the role and response of polar regions like the newly formed, partially enclosed Arctic Ocean Basin during middle Cretaceous carbon burial remains enigmatic. We present the first Arctic deepwater CIE r
Authors
Richard O. Lease, Katherine J. Whidden, Julie A. Dumoulin, David W. Houseknecht, Palma J. Botterell, Mark F. Dreier, Neil Patrick Griffis, Roland Mundil, Andrew Kylander-Clark, Margaret M. Sanders, John W. Counts, Jean Self-Trail, Jared T. Gooley, William A. Rouse, Rebecca A. Smith, Christina A. DeVera
By
Energy Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered gas resources in Upper Devonian to Lower Cretaceous strata of the western North Slope, Alaska, 2021

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated a mean of 1,407 billion (1.4 trillion) cubic feet of gas in conventional accumulations in Upper Devonian to Lower Cretaceous strata of the western North Slope, Alaska.
Authors
David W. Houseknecht, Tracey J. Mercier, Christopher J. Schenk, Thomas E. Moore, William A. Rouse, Julie A. Dumoulin, William H. Craddock, Richard O. Lease, Palma J. Botterell, Margaret M. Sanders, Rebecca A. Smith, Christopher D. Connors, Christopher P. Garrity, Katherine J. Whidden, Jared T. Gooley, John W. Counts, Joshua H. Long, Christina A. DeVera
By
Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Repetitive sampling and control threshold improve 16S rRNA results from produced waters associated with hydraulically fractured shales

Sequencing microbial DNA from deep subsurface environments is complicated by a number of issues ranging from contamination to non-reproducible results. Many samples obtained from these environments - which are of great interest due to the potential to stimulate microbial methane generation - contain low biomass. Therefore, samples from these environments are difficult to study as sequencing result
Authors
Jenna L. Shelton, Elliott Barnhart, Leslie F. Ruppert, Aaron M. Jubb, Madalyn S. Blondes, Christina A. DeVera
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

Compositional analysis of formation water geochemistry and microbiology of commercial and carbon dioxide-rich wells in the southwestern United States

Studies of naturally occurring subsurface carbon dioxide (CO2) accumulations can provide useful information for potential CO2 injection projects; however, the microbial communities and formation water geochemistry of most reservoirs are understudied. Formation water and microbial biomass were sampled at four CO2-rich reservoir sites: two within Bravo Dome, a commercial CO2 field in New Mexico; one
Authors
Jenna L. Shelton, Robert S. Andrews, Denise M. Akob, Christina A. DeVera, Adam C. Mumford, Mark Engle, Michelle R. Plampin, Sean T. Brennan
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Energy Resources Program, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Central North Slope of Alaska, 2020

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 3.6 billion barrels of oil and 8.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (associated and nonassociated) in conventional accumulations in Mississippian through Paleogene strata in the central North Slope of Alaska.
Authors
David W. Houseknecht, Katherine J. Whidden, Christopher D. Connors, Richard O. Lease, Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, William A. Rouse, Palma J. Botterell, Rebecca A. Smith, Margaret M. Sanders, William H. Craddock, Christina A. DeVera, Christopher P. Garrity, Marc L. Buursink, C. Özgen Karacan, Samuel J. Heller, Thomas E. Moore, Julie A. Dumoulin, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Katherine L. French, Cheryl A. Woodall, Ronald M. Drake, Kristen R. Marra, Thomas M. Finn, Scott A. Kinney, Chilisa M. Shorten
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Carbon dioxide mineralization feasibility in the United States

Geologic carbon dioxide (CO2) storage is one of many methods for stabilizing the increasing concentration of CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere. The injection of CO2 in deep subsurface sedimentary reservoirs is the most commonly discussed method; however, the potential for CO2 leakage can create long-term stability concerns. This report discusses the feasibility of an alternative form of geologic CO2 s
Authors
Madalyn S. Blondes, Matthew D. Merrill, Steven T. Anderson, Christina A. DeVera
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Microbial community composition of a hydrocarbon reservoir 40 years after a CO2 enhanced oil recovery flood

Injecting CO2 into depleted oil reservoirs to extract additional crude oil is a common enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) technique. However, little is known about how in situ microbial communities may be impacted by CO2 flooding, or if any permanent microbiological changes occur after flooding has ceased. Formation water was collected from an oil field that was flooded for CO2-EOR in the 1980s, incl
Authors
Jenna L. Shelton, Robert S. Andrews, Denise M. Akob, Christina A. DeVera, Adam C. Mumford, John E. McCray, Jennifer C. McIntosh
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Energy Resources Program, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Geologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources—Atlantic Coastal Plain and Eastern Mesozoic Rift Basins

This chapter presents information pertinent to the geologic carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration potential within saline aquifers located in the Atlantic Coastal Plain and Eastern Mesozoic Rift Basins of the Eastern United States. The Atlantic Coastal Plain is underlain by a Jurassic to Quaternary succession of sedimentary strata that onlap westward onto strata of the Appalachian Piedmont physiograp
Authors
William H. Craddock, Matthew D. Merrill, Tina L. Roberts-Ashby, Sean T. Brennan, Marc L. Buursink, Ronald M. Drake, Peter D. Warwick, Steven M. Cahan, Christina A. DeVera, Philip A. Freeman, Mayur A. Gosai, Celeste D. Lohr
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Mantle and crustal gases of the Colorado Plateau: Geochemistry, sources, and migration pathways

The Colorado Plateau hosts several large accumulations of naturally occurring, non-hydrocarbon gases, including CO2, N2, and the noble gases, making it a good field location to study the fluxes of these gases within the crust and to the atmosphere. In this study, we present a compilation of 1252 published gas-composition measurements. The data reveal at least three natural gas associations in the
Authors
William H. Craddock, Madalyn S. Blondes, Christina A. DeVera, Andrew G. Hunt
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Geologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources—Southern Rocky Mountain Basins: Chapter M in Geologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources

The U.S. Geological Survey has completed an assessment of the potential geologic carbon dioxide storage resources in the onshore areas of the United States. To provide geological context and input data sources for the resources numbers, framework documents are being prepared for all areas that were investigated as part of the national assessment. This report, chapter M, is the geologic framework d

Authors
Matthew D. Merrill, Ronald M. Drake, Marc L. Buursink, William H. Craddock, Joseph A. East, Ernie R. Slucher, Peter D. Warwick, Sean T. Brennan, Madalyn S. Blondes, Philip A. Freeman, Steven M. Cahan, Christina A. DeVera, Celeste D. Lohr
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Science and Products

link
This color photograph shows a view of the red and cream-colored, flat-lying sedimentary rocks in the Grand Canyon. On the left,

Geoheritage Sites of the Nation

Geoheritage is a value-laden term that is applied to features and landforms of geologic significance and includes the scientific, educational, cultural, economic, and aesthetic values that society places on them (Brilha, 2018; GSA, 2017; NASEM, 2021; NPS and AGI, 2015) . The goal of the Geoheritage Sites of the Nation project is to develop an inventory of geoheritage sites that showcase the...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
link

Geoheritage Sites of the Nation

Geoheritage is a value-laden term that is applied to features and landforms of geologic significance and includes the scientific, educational, cultural, economic, and aesthetic values that society places on them (Brilha, 2018; GSA, 2017; NASEM, 2021; NPS and AGI, 2015) . The goal of the Geoheritage Sites of the Nation project is to develop an inventory of geoheritage sites that showcase the...
Learn More
link
Carbon Dioxide Mineralization Feasibility in the United States Thumb

Carbon Mineralization

Carbon dioxide (CO2) can react with silicate rocks that are rich in magnesium, calcium, and iron to precipitate carbonate minerals. This process is typically referred to as carbon mineralization, which represents a potential mitigation option for rising CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere. The U.S. has pledged to reduce net greenhouse gas pollution to 50-52 percent of 2005 levels, which will...
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
link

Carbon Mineralization

Carbon dioxide (CO2) can react with silicate rocks that are rich in magnesium, calcium, and iron to precipitate carbonate minerals. This process is typically referred to as carbon mineralization, which represents a potential mitigation option for rising CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere. The U.S. has pledged to reduce net greenhouse gas pollution to 50-52 percent of 2005 levels, which will...
Learn More

Produced water major ion geochemistry, water isotopes, radium content, and field parameters and gas compositions from Niobrara Formation petroleum wells in the Denver-Julesburg Basin

This data release includes field parameters (pH and specific conductance), major ion geochemistry (B, Ba, Br, Cl, Ca, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Si, SO4, Sr), total dissolved solids, specific gravity, water isotopes (delta-2H and delta-18O), and radium isotopes (226Ra and 228Ra) from produced water samples taken from petroleum wells producing from the Niobrara Formation in the Denver-Julesburg Basin,
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

Geoheritage Sites of the Nation Data Release v.1

Geoheritage is a term which lies at the intersection of science, society, and sustainability and is applied to significant geologic features and landforms that have scientific, educational, cultural, economic, and aesthetic value. Many geologic sites have enriched society through the geoheritage values: scientific research and education, cultural significance, economic opportunities, and aesthetic
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources-Anadarko and Southern Oklahoma Basins: Chapter R. Spatial Data

This data release provides shapefiles that represent storage assessment units (SAUs) and drilling-density cells in the Anadarko and Southern Oklahoma Basins of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas in the United States. The SAU is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources project for the assessment of geologic CO2 storage resources. The SAU i
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Carbon Isotopes, Total Organic Carbon, Programmed Pyrolysis, Volcanic Zircon U-Pb, and Geochemistry Data from the Hue Shale, Arctic Alaska - 2024

This dataset contains results from a stratigraphic section of the Hue Shale located along the Jago River in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge at 69.9099, -143.3947 (WGS84). Sample heights were measured with a tape measure in a continuous succession. Zircon grains from volcanic ashes were analyzed via laser ablation at either the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) or the University of
By
Alaska Science Center

Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources - Appalachian Basin, Black Warrior Basin, Illinois Basin, and Michigan Basin: Chapter P, Spatial Data

The storage assessment unit (SAU) is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources project for the assessment of geologic CO2 storage resources. The SAU is shown here as a geographic boundary interpreted, defined, and mapped by the geologist responsible for the assessment interval. Individual SAUs are defined on the basis of common geologic and h
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Geochemical Data from Selected Triassic Rock Samples in Northeastern Alaska

This set of data files contains analyses of samples representing Triassic units (Shublik and Ivishak Formations and Karen Creek Sandstone) in Alaska. The samples were collected from 20 outcrop localities in northeastern Alaska. The data set includes total organic carbon (TOC) and geochemical data from inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy-mass spectroscopy (ICP-OES-MS) and porta
By
Alaska Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Geologic formations and mine locations for potential CO2 mineralization

This geodatabase contains geologic unit boundaries and asbestos site locations shown in "Carbon dioxide mineralization feasibility in the United States" (Blondes and others, 2019). Data was compiled from source material at a scale range of 1:100,000 to 1:5,000,000 and is not intended for any greater detail.
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Microbial Communities Associated with Hot Springs and other CO2-rich Waters, Rocky Mountain Plateau

The Colorado Plateau is associated with several different commercial sources of natural CO2 and other non-hydrocarbon gases, such as noble gases. Twenty-five different hot springs, warm springs, cold springs, and/or rivers across the Utah region of the Colorado Plateau were sampled for microbial biomass. These different locations were associated with some concentration of dissolved or effervesci
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Low biomass microbiology samples collected from a hydraulically fractured well producing from the Niobrara Shale in Colorado

Low biomass waters provide a unique challenge in the field of microbial ecology. It is difficult to determine, when biomass concentrations are extremely low, whether or not the sequencing data received are of good quality and representative of the waters sampled. Fifty-nine samples including 8 blanks were collected from a low biomass hydraulically fractured well producing from the Niobrara Shale i
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Microbiology of the greater Bravo Dome region

Bravo Dome is a commercial natural CO2 field that supplies the gas to depleted oil fields for enhanced oil recovery. In order to understand the distribution of CO2 across the greater Bravo Dome region, including southeastern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico, and to assess the impacts of high CO2 concentrations on microbes in the subsurface, 7 samples were collected from sites associated with h
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
Filter Total Items: 24

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

Facies variation within outcrops of the Triassic Shublik Formation, northeastern Alaska

The Shublik Formation (Middle to Upper Triassic) is a heterogeneous unit that is a major hydrocarbon source rock in northern Alaska and the largest known Triassic phosphate accumulation in the world. This formation, which occurs in the subsurface and crops out within the Arctic Alaska basin, was deposited on a gently sloping ramp along the northwestern Laurentian margin. In this study, we document
Authors
Julie A. Dumoulin, Katherine J. Whidden, William A. Rouse, Christina A. DeVera
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Alaska Science Center

Arctic Alaska deepwater organic carbon burial and environmental changes during the late Albian–early Campanian (103–82 Ma)

The middle Cretaceous greenhouse period experienced profound environmental change including episodes of enhanced global burial of organic carbon marked by carbon isotopic excursions (CIEs). However, the role and response of polar regions like the newly formed, partially enclosed Arctic Ocean Basin during middle Cretaceous carbon burial remains enigmatic. We present the first Arctic deepwater CIE r
Authors
Richard O. Lease, Katherine J. Whidden, Julie A. Dumoulin, David W. Houseknecht, Palma J. Botterell, Mark F. Dreier, Neil Patrick Griffis, Roland Mundil, Andrew Kylander-Clark, Margaret M. Sanders, John W. Counts, Jean Self-Trail, Jared T. Gooley, William A. Rouse, Rebecca A. Smith, Christina A. DeVera
By
Energy Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered gas resources in Upper Devonian to Lower Cretaceous strata of the western North Slope, Alaska, 2021

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated a mean of 1,407 billion (1.4 trillion) cubic feet of gas in conventional accumulations in Upper Devonian to Lower Cretaceous strata of the western North Slope, Alaska.
Authors
David W. Houseknecht, Tracey J. Mercier, Christopher J. Schenk, Thomas E. Moore, William A. Rouse, Julie A. Dumoulin, William H. Craddock, Richard O. Lease, Palma J. Botterell, Margaret M. Sanders, Rebecca A. Smith, Christopher D. Connors, Christopher P. Garrity, Katherine J. Whidden, Jared T. Gooley, John W. Counts, Joshua H. Long, Christina A. DeVera
By
Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Repetitive sampling and control threshold improve 16S rRNA results from produced waters associated with hydraulically fractured shales

Sequencing microbial DNA from deep subsurface environments is complicated by a number of issues ranging from contamination to non-reproducible results. Many samples obtained from these environments - which are of great interest due to the potential to stimulate microbial methane generation - contain low biomass. Therefore, samples from these environments are difficult to study as sequencing result
Authors
Jenna L. Shelton, Elliott Barnhart, Leslie F. Ruppert, Aaron M. Jubb, Madalyn S. Blondes, Christina A. DeVera
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

Compositional analysis of formation water geochemistry and microbiology of commercial and carbon dioxide-rich wells in the southwestern United States

Studies of naturally occurring subsurface carbon dioxide (CO2) accumulations can provide useful information for potential CO2 injection projects; however, the microbial communities and formation water geochemistry of most reservoirs are understudied. Formation water and microbial biomass were sampled at four CO2-rich reservoir sites: two within Bravo Dome, a commercial CO2 field in New Mexico; one
Authors
Jenna L. Shelton, Robert S. Andrews, Denise M. Akob, Christina A. DeVera, Adam C. Mumford, Mark Engle, Michelle R. Plampin, Sean T. Brennan
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Energy Resources Program, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Central North Slope of Alaska, 2020

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 3.6 billion barrels of oil and 8.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (associated and nonassociated) in conventional accumulations in Mississippian through Paleogene strata in the central North Slope of Alaska.
Authors
David W. Houseknecht, Katherine J. Whidden, Christopher D. Connors, Richard O. Lease, Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, William A. Rouse, Palma J. Botterell, Rebecca A. Smith, Margaret M. Sanders, William H. Craddock, Christina A. DeVera, Christopher P. Garrity, Marc L. Buursink, C. Özgen Karacan, Samuel J. Heller, Thomas E. Moore, Julie A. Dumoulin, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Katherine L. French, Cheryl A. Woodall, Ronald M. Drake, Kristen R. Marra, Thomas M. Finn, Scott A. Kinney, Chilisa M. Shorten
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Carbon dioxide mineralization feasibility in the United States

Geologic carbon dioxide (CO2) storage is one of many methods for stabilizing the increasing concentration of CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere. The injection of CO2 in deep subsurface sedimentary reservoirs is the most commonly discussed method; however, the potential for CO2 leakage can create long-term stability concerns. This report discusses the feasibility of an alternative form of geologic CO2 s
Authors
Madalyn S. Blondes, Matthew D. Merrill, Steven T. Anderson, Christina A. DeVera
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Microbial community composition of a hydrocarbon reservoir 40 years after a CO2 enhanced oil recovery flood

Injecting CO2 into depleted oil reservoirs to extract additional crude oil is a common enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) technique. However, little is known about how in situ microbial communities may be impacted by CO2 flooding, or if any permanent microbiological changes occur after flooding has ceased. Formation water was collected from an oil field that was flooded for CO2-EOR in the 1980s, incl
Authors
Jenna L. Shelton, Robert S. Andrews, Denise M. Akob, Christina A. DeVera, Adam C. Mumford, John E. McCray, Jennifer C. McIntosh
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Energy Resources Program, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Geologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources—Atlantic Coastal Plain and Eastern Mesozoic Rift Basins

This chapter presents information pertinent to the geologic carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration potential within saline aquifers located in the Atlantic Coastal Plain and Eastern Mesozoic Rift Basins of the Eastern United States. The Atlantic Coastal Plain is underlain by a Jurassic to Quaternary succession of sedimentary strata that onlap westward onto strata of the Appalachian Piedmont physiograp
Authors
William H. Craddock, Matthew D. Merrill, Tina L. Roberts-Ashby, Sean T. Brennan, Marc L. Buursink, Ronald M. Drake, Peter D. Warwick, Steven M. Cahan, Christina A. DeVera, Philip A. Freeman, Mayur A. Gosai, Celeste D. Lohr
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Mantle and crustal gases of the Colorado Plateau: Geochemistry, sources, and migration pathways

The Colorado Plateau hosts several large accumulations of naturally occurring, non-hydrocarbon gases, including CO2, N2, and the noble gases, making it a good field location to study the fluxes of these gases within the crust and to the atmosphere. In this study, we present a compilation of 1252 published gas-composition measurements. The data reveal at least three natural gas associations in the
Authors
William H. Craddock, Madalyn S. Blondes, Christina A. DeVera, Andrew G. Hunt
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Geologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources—Southern Rocky Mountain Basins: Chapter M in Geologic framework for the national assessment of carbon dioxide storage resources

The U.S. Geological Survey has completed an assessment of the potential geologic carbon dioxide storage resources in the onshore areas of the United States. To provide geological context and input data sources for the resources numbers, framework documents are being prepared for all areas that were investigated as part of the national assessment. This report, chapter M, is the geologic framework d

Authors
Matthew D. Merrill, Ronald M. Drake, Marc L. Buursink, William H. Craddock, Joseph A. East, Ernie R. Slucher, Peter D. Warwick, Sean T. Brennan, Madalyn S. Blondes, Philip A. Freeman, Steven M. Cahan, Christina A. DeVera, Celeste D. Lohr
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
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