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
USGS Spectral Library Version 7 Data
Matrix inhibition PCR and Microtox 81.9% screening assay analytical results for samples collected for the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Exposure potential of salt marsh units in Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge to environmental health stressors
Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (dPCR) and Presence/Absence Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) Data From the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy Pilot Study, Northeastern United States, 2015
Location, sampling methods and field conditions of resiliency-mode soil and sediment sampling stations sampled, Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Location, sampling methods and field conditions of response-mode soil and sediment sampling stations sampled, Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Persistent U(IV) and U(VI) following in-situ recovery (ISR) mining of a sandstone uranium deposit, Wyoming, USA
Strategy to evaluate persistent contaminant hazards resulting from sea-level rise and storm-derived disturbances—Study design and methodology for station prioritization
Geospatial compilation of results from field sample collection in support of mineral resource investigations, Western Alaska Range, Alaska, July 2013
Estuarine bed-sediment-quality data collected in New Jersey and New York after Hurricane Sandy, 2013
Assessment of the geoavailability of trace elements from selected zinc minerals
Linking geology and health sciences to assess childhood lead poisoning from artisanal gold mining in Nigeria
Solid-phase data from cores at the proposed Dewey Burdock uranium in-situ recovery mine, near Edgemont, South Dakota
Arsenic in New Jersey Coastal Plain streams, sediments, and shallow groundwater: effects from different geologic sources and anthropogenic inputs on biogeochemical and physical mobilization processes
Mineralogical, chemical, and crystallographic properties of supergene jarosite-group minerals from the Xitieshan Pb-Zn sulfide deposit, northern Tibetan Plateau, China
Microbial transformations of arsenic: Mobilization from glauconitic sediments to water
Assessment of the geoavailability of trace elements from minerals in mine wastes: analytical techniques and assessment of selected copper minerals
Preparation and characterization of "Libby Amphibole" toxicological testing material
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
USGS Spectral Library Version 7 Data
Matrix inhibition PCR and Microtox 81.9% screening assay analytical results for samples collected for the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Exposure potential of salt marsh units in Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge to environmental health stressors
Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (dPCR) and Presence/Absence Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) Data From the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy Pilot Study, Northeastern United States, 2015
Location, sampling methods and field conditions of resiliency-mode soil and sediment sampling stations sampled, Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Location, sampling methods and field conditions of response-mode soil and sediment sampling stations sampled, Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Persistent U(IV) and U(VI) following in-situ recovery (ISR) mining of a sandstone uranium deposit, Wyoming, USA
Strategy to evaluate persistent contaminant hazards resulting from sea-level rise and storm-derived disturbances—Study design and methodology for station prioritization
Geospatial compilation of results from field sample collection in support of mineral resource investigations, Western Alaska Range, Alaska, July 2013
Estuarine bed-sediment-quality data collected in New Jersey and New York after Hurricane Sandy, 2013
Assessment of the geoavailability of trace elements from selected zinc minerals
Linking geology and health sciences to assess childhood lead poisoning from artisanal gold mining in Nigeria
Solid-phase data from cores at the proposed Dewey Burdock uranium in-situ recovery mine, near Edgemont, South Dakota
Arsenic in New Jersey Coastal Plain streams, sediments, and shallow groundwater: effects from different geologic sources and anthropogenic inputs on biogeochemical and physical mobilization processes
Mineralogical, chemical, and crystallographic properties of supergene jarosite-group minerals from the Xitieshan Pb-Zn sulfide deposit, northern Tibetan Plateau, China
Microbial transformations of arsenic: Mobilization from glauconitic sediments to water
Assessment of the geoavailability of trace elements from minerals in mine wastes: analytical techniques and assessment of selected copper minerals
Preparation and characterization of "Libby Amphibole" toxicological testing material
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.