lopezd@ohio.edu

    My research interests include the geochemistry and hydrogeology of geothermal systems (including diffuse soil degassing and heat flow studies), and environmental problems such as acid mine drainage and arsenic contamination in water. At the present time, my areas of research in geothermal systems are located in Central America (Guatemala and El Salvador), and in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. The release of gases from the magmatic environment, their incorporation to the groundwater system, and their release to the air at the soil-air interface can provide important information about the volcanic activity, fluid paths, and preferential routes of circulation in the upper crust. This information is important for geothermal energy exploitation as well as for volcanic monitoring.

   I am also interested in environmental problems associated to mining and resource exploitation. Within Ohio, I investigate the chemistry, fluid flow, and mass transfer associated with acid mine drainage from coal mines. The exploitation of sulfide-rich coal in this region produces mine drainage of low pH and high acidity and metal concentrations (mainly iron, aluminum, and manganese) affecting hundreds of miles of streams and aquatic life. I investigate the hydrology of abandoned coal mines and the fate of the acid mine drainage chemicals in the environment. In addition, I have started a research project on a closed uranium mine in Brazil. At this mine, waste rock piles are releasing acidic waters rich in aluminum, manganese, and iron as well as uranium. Treatment of the acid mine drainage there is a huge economical burden and new alternatives for remediation need to be implemented. I am also investigating arsenic in volcanic lakes and groundwaters, and acid mine drainage problems in El Salvador.

>¤ Lopez, Dina L., Ransom, L., Monterrosa, J., Soriano, T., Barahona, F., Olmos, R., and Bundschuh, J., 2009. Volcanic arsenic and boron pollution of Ilopango Lake, El Salvador. In Natural Arsenic in Groundwater of Latin America, J. Bundschuh, Armienta, M., Birkle, P., Bhattacharya, P., Matschullat, J., A. B Mukherjee, A.B. editors, Taylor & Francis, p. 129-143.

>¤ Lopez, Dina L., Matus, A., Castro, C., Magana, M.I., and Sulllivan, M., Implications of temporal changes in solute concentrations for the mass balance of the Berlin Geothermal Reservoir, Geothermal Resources Council Transactions, vol. 32, p. 459-465.

>¤ Marrero, R., Lopez, Dina L., Hernandez, P.A., and Perez, N.M., 2008. Carbon dioxide discharged through the Las Canadas aquifer, Tenerife, Canary Islands. In "Terrestrial fluids, earthquakes and volcanoes: The Hiroshi Wakita Volume II", Pure and Applied Geophysics (PAGEOPH), vol. 165, p. 147–172.

>¤ Olmos, R., Barrancos, J., Rivera, C., Barahona, F., Lopez, Dina L., Henriquez, B., Hernandez,A., Benitez,B., Hernandez, P.A., Perez, N.M., Galle, B., 2007. Anomalous emissions of SO2 during the recent eruption of Santa Ana Volcano, El Salvador, Central America. In "Terrestrial fluids, earthquakes and volcanoes: The Hiroshi Wakita Volume II", Pure and Applied Geophysics (PAGEOPH), vol 164, p. 2489-2506.

>¤ Perez, N.M., Hernandez, P. A., Padron, E., Cartagena, R., Olmos, R., Barahona, F., Melian, G., Salazar, P. and Lopez, Dina L., 2006. Anomalous diffuse CO2 emission prior the January 2002 short-term unrest at San Miguel volcano, El Salvador, Central America, in "Terrestrial fluids, earthquakes and volcanoes: The Hiroshi Wakita Volume I", McGee, K., King, Chi-Yu, Gurrieri, S., and Perez, N.M. editors, Pure and Applied Geophysics (PAGEOPH), vol. 163, p. 883-896.

>¤ Lopez, Dina L., Bundschuh, J., Soto, G.J., Fernandez, J.F., and Alvarado, G.E., 2006. Chemical evolution of thermal springs at Arenal volcano, Costa Rica: Effect of volcanic activity, precipitation, seismic activity, and earth tides. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 157, p. 166-181.

>¤ Lopez, Dina L., Castro, M., Matus, A., Reyes Lopez, J., Guevara, W., Montalvo, F., and Guerra, C.E., 2006. Assessment of silica scaling around injection wells of the Berlin Geothermal Field, El Salvador, using field experiments and chemical modeling, Geothermal Resources Council Transactions, Vol. 30, p. 501-506.

>¤ Castro, M., Lopez, Dina L., Reyes, J.A., Matus, A., Montalvo, F., and Guerra, C.E., 2006. Expected silica scaling from reinjection waters after installation of a binary cycle power station at Berlin Geothermal Field, El Salvador, Central America, Geothermal Resources Council Transactions, Vol. 30, p. 487-494.

>¤ Magana, M.I., Henriquez, E., and Lopez, Dina L., 2006. Anomalies in the content of radon gas and presence of hydrothermal alteration in Chipilapa Geothermal Area. Geothermal Resources Council Transactions, Vol. 30, p. 487-494.

>¤ Castro, M.R., Lopez, Dina L., Reyes, J.A., Montalvo, F.E., Montalvo, Romero, R., Ramirez Hernandez, J., Lazaro Mancilla, O., 2006. Modeling Scaling of Silica at Reinjection Wells at Berlin Geothermal Field, El Salvador, Central America. Proceedings 31st Stanford Geothermal Workshop Geothermal Reservoir Engineering Jan 30-Feb 1, 2006 Stanford, California, p. 408-415.

>¤ Lopez, Dina L., Padron, E., Magana, M.I., Gomez, L., Barrios, L.A., Perez, N.M. and Hernandez, P. 2004. Structural Control on Thermal Anomalies and Diffuse Surficial Degassing at Berlin Geothermal Field, El Salvador. Geothermal Resources Council Transactions, Vol. 28, p. 477-483.

>¤ Magana, M.I., Lopez, Dina L., Barrios, L.A., Perez, N.M., Padron, E., and Henriquez, E., 2004. Diffuse and Convective Degassing of Soil Gases and Heat at the TR-6-Zapotillo Hydrothermal Discharge Zone, Berlin Geothermal Field, El Salvador. Geothermal Resources Council Transactions, Vol. 28, p. 485-488.

>¤ Lopez, Dina L., Ransom, L., Perez, N., Hernandez, P. and Monterrosa, J., 2004.Dynamics of diffuse degassing at Ilopango Caldera, El Salvador. Rose, W.I., Bommer, J.J., Lopez, Dina L., Carr, M.J., and Major, J.J. editors, Geological Society of America Special Paper No. 375 “Natural Hazards in El Salvador”, pp. 191-202.

>¤ Cartagena, R., Olmos, R., Lopez, Dina L. Soriano, T., Barahona,F., Hernandez, P. and Perez, N., 2004. Diffuse soil degassing of carbon dioxide, radon, and mercury at San Miguel Volcano, El Salvador Rose, W.I., Bommer, J.J., Lopez, Dina L., Carr, M.J., and Major, J.J. editors, Geological Society of America Special Paper No. 375 “Natural Hazards in El Salvador”, pp. 203-212.

>¤ Salazar, J.M.L., Hernandez, P.A., Perez, N.M., Olmos, R., Barahona, F., Cartagena, R., Soriano, T., Lopez, Dina L., and Notsu, K., 2004. Spatial and temporal variations of diffuse CO2 degassing at Santa Ana-Izalco-Coatepeque volcanic complex, El Salvador, Central America. Rose, W.I., Bommer, J.J., Lopez, Dina L., Carr, M.J., and Major, J.J. editors, Geological Society of America Special Paper No. 375 “Natural Hazards in El Salvador”, pp. 135-146.

>¤ Perez, N.M., Salazar, J.M.L., Hernandez, P.A., Olmos, R., Barahona, F., Cartagena, R., Soriano, T., Lopez, Dina L., and Notsu, K., 2004. Diffuse CO2 and 222Rn degassing from San Salvador volcano, El Salvador, Central America. Rose, W.I., Bommer, J.J., Lopez, Dina L., Carr, M.J., and Major, J.J. editors, Geological Society of America Special Paper No. 375 “Natural Hazards in El Salvador”, pp. 227-236.

>¤ Sahu, Parasmewar, Lopez, Dina L., and Stoertz, Mary W., in press, Using Time Series Analysis of Coal Mine Hydrographs to Estimate Mine Storage, Retention Time, and Mine-pool Interconnection, Mine Waters and the Environment.

>¤ Doe, Carol F., Lopez, Dina L., and Stuart, Ben J., 2008, Water flow, soil temperature, and carbon dioxide concentrations in a burning coal refuse pile. Proceedings 2008 U.S. EPA/NGWA Remediation of Abandoned Mine Lands Conference, October 2-3, Denver, Colorado, NGWA, Ground Water On-line, p. 220-234.

>¤ Lopez, Dina L. and Zhang, Qian, 2008. Leaching experiments with acid mine drainage sediments from abandoned coal mines of Southeastern Ohio. Proceedings 2008 U.S. EPA/NGWA Remediation of Abandoned Mine Lands Conference, October 2-3, Denver, Colorado, NGWA, Ground Water On-line, p. 167-181.

>¤ Dsa, J.V., Johnson,K.S., Lopez, Dina L., Kanuckel, C., and Tumlinson, J., 2008. Residual toxicity of acid mine drainage-contaminated sediment to stream macroinvertebrates: relative contribution of acidity vs. metals, Water, Air and Soil Pollution, vol. 194, p. 185-197.

>¤ Armienta, M.A., Amat, P.D., Larios, T., and Lopez, Dina L., 2008. America Central y Mexico. In “Distribucion de Arsenico en las Regiones Iberica e Iberoamericana”, J. Bundschuh, A. Perez Carrera, and M.I. Litter editors, Monograph for CYTED, p. 187-210.

>¤ Larios de Lopez, D., Guzman, H., and Mira, E., 2008. Riesgos y posibles impactos de la minerìa metàlica en El Salvador, Revista ECA, Universidad Centroamericana Josè Simeòn Canas, v. 63, No. 711-712, p. 77-91.

>¤ Carroll, K., Lopez, Dina L., and Stoertz, M., 2003. Solute transport at low flow in an acid stream in Appalachian Ohio. Air, Water and Soil Pollution, vol. 144, pp. 195-222.

>¤ Lopez, Dina L., and Stoertz, M., 2001. Chemical and physical controls on waters discharged from abandoned underground coalmines, Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, Vol. 1, pp. 51-60.

>¤ Cook, Shannon, The Hydrogeology of an Old Growth Forest with Implications for Defining Impact Zones Associated with Underground Mining, M. Sc. in Geology, 2008.

>¤ Zhang, Qian, Chemical Characterization of AMD Sediments: Possible Application to Arsenic Remediation, M. Sc. in Environmental Studies, 2008.

>¤ Gbolo, Prosper, Chemical and Geological Controls on the Composition of Waters and Sediments in Streams Located within the Western Allegheny Plateau: The Shade River Watershed.M. Sc. in Geology, 2008.

>¤ Sullivan, Michael, Water Balance of the San Simon River Groundwater Basin, El Salvador, Central America: Implications for the Berlin Geothermal Field, M. Sc. in Geology, 2008.

>¤ Larkins, Clayton, Analysis of physical and chemical parameters at Majestic Mine, Athens County, Ohio, and the evaluation of passive remediation efforts, B. Sc. in Geology, 2007.

>¤ Graham, Amber, Effects of subsidence closure and stream reclamation on the hydrogeochemistry of Majestic Mine, Athens County, Ohio, M. Sc. in Geology, 2006.

>¤ Castro, Marlon. Simulation of silica scaling in the reinjection zone of Berlin Geothermal Field, El Salvador, Central America. Master in Engineering Thesis. Universidad de Baja California, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, 2006.

>¤ Amaning, Kwarteng, Streamwater and Sediment Chemistry of Ohio's Western Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion and their Relation to Aquatic Life, M. Sc. in Geology, 2006.

>¤ Clinton, Timothy, Natural versus anthropogenic remediation of acid mine drainage in southeast Ohio: an assessment of water and sediment chemistry, M. Sc. in Geology, 2005.

>¤ Ruiz, Victoria, Diffuse soil degassing at abandoned underground coal mines. M. Sc. in Geology, 2003.

>¤ Soto, Yomari, The impact of the Fajardo Municipal Landfill on Fajardo River, Puerto Rico. M. Sc. in Geology, 2003.

>¤ Kudel, David. Investigation of heavy metal contamination in Ilopango Lake, El Salvador, Central America, M. Sc. in Environmental Sciences, 2003.

>¤ Ransom, Loretta, Volcanic diffuse soil degassing and lake chemistry of the Ilopango Caldera system, El Salvador, Central America, M.Sc. in Geology, 2002.

>¤ Doe, Carol F., Hydrological and thermal mechanisms in a burning coal refuse pile: The Misco gob pile, Perry County, Ohio, M. Sc. in Geology, 2001.

>¤ Shimala, Jennifer, Hydrogeochemical characterization of the Carbondale wetland, Athens County, Ohio: Evaluation of acid mine drainage remediation alternatives. M.Sc. in Geology, 2000.

>¤ Carroll, Kenneth C., The transport and fate of acid mine drainage along the Snowfork flowpath in the Monday Creek watershed, Southeastern Ohio, M. Sc. in Geology, 1999.

>¤ Hunt, Kristy, The characterization of groundwater flow and trichloroethylene transport in the West Lafayette, Ohio wellfield (Using three dimensional modeling techniques), M.Sc. in Geology, 1999.

>¤ Prim, Debra, The effect of acid mine drainage on sedimentation processes and water quality at Lake Hope, Lake Hope State Park, Vinton County, Ohio, M.Sc. in Geology, 1999.

>¤ McCutcheon, Molly, Anthropogenic and volcanic pollution at Coatepeque Lake, El Salvador, Senior Thesis, B.Sc. in Geology, 1998.

>¤ GEOL 205: Statistical Methods in Geology

>¤ GEOL 231: Water and Pollution

>¤ GEOL 4/505: Modeling and Computer Methods in Geology

>¤ GEOL 4/527: Water Geochemistry

>¤ GEOL 4/528: Physical Geochemistry

>¤ GEOL 4/529: Contaminant Geochemistry

>¤ GEOL 4/571: Advanced Environmental Geology

>¤ GEOL 4/581: Groundwater Flow Modeling

>¤ GEOL 4/582: Transport Processes in Groundwater

>¤ Geological Society of America

>¤ American Geophysical Union

>¤ American Association of University Women

>¤ Best Paper Award, 2006 meeting of the Geothermal Resources Council, Geofluids section, for the paper: "Assessment of silica scaling around injection wells of the Berlin Geothermal Field, El Salvador, using field experiments and chemical modeling".

>¤ Best Paper Award, 2004 meeting of the Geothermal Resources Council, for the paper: "Diffuse and Convective Degassing of Soil Gases and Heat at the TR-6-Zapotillo Hydrothermal Discharge Zone, Berlin Geothermal Field, El Salvador".

>¤ Victor de Sola 2003 National Award for outstanding contributions to the development of Geothermal Energy in El Salvador, LaGeo (Geothermal Energy Company in El Salvador).

>¤ Outstanding Faculty Award 1999, 2000, 2001, Department of Geological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.