Paul Buszka
Paul is a Scientist Emeritus (Hydrologist) in the Hydrologic Investigations Section (2021-present). Paul has worked with USGS in Texas (1984-1993) and in Indianapolis (1993-2021) on groundwater, water chemistry, and invasive carp studies in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Illinois. He also worked as a Hydrogeologist with STS Consultants in Green Bay, Wisconsin (1982-84).
Paul works with USGS scientific staff, chiefly in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois and elsewhere and with USGS partners to identify, facilitate and pursue scientific investigations intended to increase understanding of the quantity, quality and availability of groundwater and surface water in the Nation. Topics of these investigations included:
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Groundwater-surface water interactions and hydrologic changes at a long-term (20-year) riverbank filtration project, Ohio River alluvial aquifer, Kentucky
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Per-and polyfluorinated substances in groundwater, southwestern Ohio, including analytical method comparison
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Field-scale nutrient and sediment pathways to a Lake Erie tributary, Indiana
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Geochemical aspects of carbon dioxide at a potential invasive species barrier site, Illinois
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Near-real time reporting of groundwater levels from a dam mitigation site, Kentucky
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Continuous surface-water quality monitoring and microbial evaluations of onshore groundwater and beach sediment at Lake Michigan beaches affected by E. coli
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Use of hydrophone telemetry with USGS streamflow gages to detect radiotagged invasive carp
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Groundwater hydrology and quality of carbonate aquifers and alluvial deposits
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Boron isotope geochemistry and contaminant source evaluation
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Occurrence, environmental fate, and tracer applications of volatile organic, wastewater and pharmaceutical compounds
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Elemental ratios in groundwater to evaluate oil and gas brine and salinity sources
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Groundwater-age estimates using tritium and fluorocarbon tracers.
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Groundwater-surface water interactions and their relation to wetland restoration, Indiana
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Emerging contaminants in water at a restored wetland and in Lake Michigan tributaries, Indiana
Cooperative relationships with numerous Federal, State, local and private partners were established or renewed during my term as Supervisory Hydrologist (1993-2019) in Indianapolis.
Recipient of USGS 2023 Dallas Peck Outstanding Scientist Emeritus Award
Co-recipient with national Urban Waters Federal Partnership team (through Northwest Indiana team) of 2017 People’s Choice Award, Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal
Education and Certifications
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (B.S., Geology, 1979)
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, M.Sc., Hydrogeology and Environmental Geochemistry, 1982.
M.Sc. research was on fate and transport of leachate contaminants from a landfill in a terrain that was depleted in carbonate minerals.
Science and Products
Reconnaissance of surface-water and ground-water quality at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001-02
Effects of highway-deicer application on ground-water quality in a part of the Calumet Aquifer, northwestern Indiana
Hydrogeologic framework and geochemistry of the Edwards aquifer saline-water zone, south-central Texas
Identification of groundwater solute sources using boron isotopic composition
Determination of nanogram per liter concentrations of volatile organic compounds in water by capillary gas chromatography and selected ion monitoring mass spectrometry and its use to define groundwater flow directions in Edwards Aquifer, Texas
Characteristics of streams and aquifers and processes affecting the salinity of water in the upper Colorado River basin, Texas
Hydrogeologic and water-quality data from wells near the Hueco Bolson Recharge Project area, El Paso, Texas, 1990 and 1991
Organic compounds downstream from a treated-wastewater discharge near Dallas, Texas, March 1987
Hydrogeology and selected water-quality aspects of the Hueco Bolson Aquifer at the Hueco Bolson Recharge Project area, El Paso, Texas
Hydrogeology, geochemistry, and quality of water of The Basin and Oak Spring areas of the Chisos Mountains, Big Bend National Park, Texas
Determination of trace concentrations of volatile organic compounds in ground water using closed-loop stripping, Edwards aquifer, Texas
Relation of water chemistry of the Edwards aquifer to hydrogeology and land use, San Antonio Region, Texas
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.
Science and Products
Reconnaissance of surface-water and ground-water quality at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001-02
Effects of highway-deicer application on ground-water quality in a part of the Calumet Aquifer, northwestern Indiana
Hydrogeologic framework and geochemistry of the Edwards aquifer saline-water zone, south-central Texas
Identification of groundwater solute sources using boron isotopic composition
Determination of nanogram per liter concentrations of volatile organic compounds in water by capillary gas chromatography and selected ion monitoring mass spectrometry and its use to define groundwater flow directions in Edwards Aquifer, Texas
Characteristics of streams and aquifers and processes affecting the salinity of water in the upper Colorado River basin, Texas
Hydrogeologic and water-quality data from wells near the Hueco Bolson Recharge Project area, El Paso, Texas, 1990 and 1991
Organic compounds downstream from a treated-wastewater discharge near Dallas, Texas, March 1987
Hydrogeology and selected water-quality aspects of the Hueco Bolson Aquifer at the Hueco Bolson Recharge Project area, El Paso, Texas
Hydrogeology, geochemistry, and quality of water of The Basin and Oak Spring areas of the Chisos Mountains, Big Bend National Park, Texas
Determination of trace concentrations of volatile organic compounds in ground water using closed-loop stripping, Edwards aquifer, Texas
Relation of water chemistry of the Edwards aquifer to hydrogeology and land use, San Antonio Region, Texas
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.