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
Sources, Forms, Extractability of Metals in Non-Ore Deposit Sources
Semiquantitative mineralogy results from powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses of mineral scales from The Geysers geothermal field, California, USA
Geochemical Analysis of Bulk Dust and Human Respiratory Cells and Fluids in Research on Deployment-related Lung Injury
Geochemical and mineralogical data for mine waste from Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine, Lake County, California
Geochemical and mineralogic investigation of elevated arsenic and trace element concentrations in glauconitic soils and sediments of the New Jersey Inner Coastal Plain
Grain size, mineralogic, and trace-element data from field samples near Hinkley, California
Spectroscopy of Expanded Vermiculite Products and Insulation
Mineralogical and Chemical Data for Heavy-Mineral Concentrate Samples Collected in the Taylor Mountains Quadrangle, Alaska, 2004-2008
Mineralogical analyses of drill core samples from the Canyon uranium-copper deposit, a solution-collapse breccia pipe, Grand Canyon area, Coconino County, Arizona, USA
Geochemical and mineralogical analyses of uranium ores from the Hack II and Pigeon deposits, solution-collapse breccia pipes, Grand Canyon region, Mohave and Coconino Counties, Arizona, USA
Geochemical and X-ray diffraction analyses of drill core samples from the Canyon uranium-copper deposit, a solution-collapse breccia pipe, Grand Canyon area, Coconino County, Arizona
Analytical inorganic chemistry results for samples collected for the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Laboratory data from testing parameters of EPA Method 3060A on Soils Contaminated with Chromium Ore Processing Residue 2013-2016
Chromium in minerals and selected aquifer materials
The dynamic floor of Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming, USA: The last 14 k.y. of hydrothermal explosions, venting, doming, and faulting
The presence of antibiotic resistance genes in coastal soil and sediment samples from the eastern seaboard of the USA
Characterizing the source of potentially asbestos-bearing commercial vermiculite insulation using in situ IR spectroscopy
Documenting mudstone heterogeneity by use of principal component analysis of X-ray diffraction and portable X-ray fluorescence data: A case study in the Triassic Shublik Formation, Alaska North Slope
Modifications to EPA Method 3060A to Improve Extraction of Cr(VI) from Chromium Ore Processing Residue-Contaminated Soils
Rare earth mineral potential in the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain from integrated geophysical, geochemical, and geological approaches
USGS Spectral Library Version 7
Environmental implications of the use of sulfidic back-bay sediments for dune reconstruction — Lessons learned post Hurricane Sandy
Discovery of alunite in Cross crater, Terra Sirenum, Mars: Evidence for acidic, sulfurous waters
The distribution and composition of REE-bearing minerals in placers of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains, USA
Rare earth element (REE) resources are currently of great interest because of their importance as raw materials for high-technology manufacturing. The REE-phosphates monazite (light REE enriched) and xenotime (heavy REE enriched) resist weathering and can accumulate in placer deposits as part of the heavy mineral assemblage. The Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains of the southeastern United States ar
Standard operating procedures for collection of soil and sediment samples for the Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response (SCoRR) strategy pilot study
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
Sources, Forms, Extractability of Metals in Non-Ore Deposit Sources
Semiquantitative mineralogy results from powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses of mineral scales from The Geysers geothermal field, California, USA
Geochemical Analysis of Bulk Dust and Human Respiratory Cells and Fluids in Research on Deployment-related Lung Injury
Geochemical and mineralogical data for mine waste from Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine, Lake County, California
Geochemical and mineralogic investigation of elevated arsenic and trace element concentrations in glauconitic soils and sediments of the New Jersey Inner Coastal Plain
Grain size, mineralogic, and trace-element data from field samples near Hinkley, California
Spectroscopy of Expanded Vermiculite Products and Insulation
Mineralogical and Chemical Data for Heavy-Mineral Concentrate Samples Collected in the Taylor Mountains Quadrangle, Alaska, 2004-2008
Mineralogical analyses of drill core samples from the Canyon uranium-copper deposit, a solution-collapse breccia pipe, Grand Canyon area, Coconino County, Arizona, USA
Geochemical and mineralogical analyses of uranium ores from the Hack II and Pigeon deposits, solution-collapse breccia pipes, Grand Canyon region, Mohave and Coconino Counties, Arizona, USA
Geochemical and X-ray diffraction analyses of drill core samples from the Canyon uranium-copper deposit, a solution-collapse breccia pipe, Grand Canyon area, Coconino County, Arizona
Analytical inorganic chemistry results for samples collected for the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Laboratory data from testing parameters of EPA Method 3060A on Soils Contaminated with Chromium Ore Processing Residue 2013-2016
Chromium in minerals and selected aquifer materials
The dynamic floor of Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming, USA: The last 14 k.y. of hydrothermal explosions, venting, doming, and faulting
The presence of antibiotic resistance genes in coastal soil and sediment samples from the eastern seaboard of the USA
Characterizing the source of potentially asbestos-bearing commercial vermiculite insulation using in situ IR spectroscopy
Documenting mudstone heterogeneity by use of principal component analysis of X-ray diffraction and portable X-ray fluorescence data: A case study in the Triassic Shublik Formation, Alaska North Slope
Modifications to EPA Method 3060A to Improve Extraction of Cr(VI) from Chromium Ore Processing Residue-Contaminated Soils
Rare earth mineral potential in the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain from integrated geophysical, geochemical, and geological approaches
USGS Spectral Library Version 7
Environmental implications of the use of sulfidic back-bay sediments for dune reconstruction — Lessons learned post Hurricane Sandy
Discovery of alunite in Cross crater, Terra Sirenum, Mars: Evidence for acidic, sulfurous waters
The distribution and composition of REE-bearing minerals in placers of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains, USA
Rare earth element (REE) resources are currently of great interest because of their importance as raw materials for high-technology manufacturing. The REE-phosphates monazite (light REE enriched) and xenotime (heavy REE enriched) resist weathering and can accumulate in placer deposits as part of the heavy mineral assemblage. The Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains of the southeastern United States ar
Standard operating procedures for collection of soil and sediment samples for the Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response (SCoRR) strategy pilot study
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.