Gwendelyn Geidel, Ph.D., J.D.

Research Professor,
Department of Geological Sciences
and
Assistant Director,
School of the Environment
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208

(803) 777-4511 or (803) 777-5340
geidel@environ.sc.edu

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS
Prediction, prevention and remediation of ground and surface water contamination caused by mining and other anthropogenic disturbances of the earth’s surface. Examples include investigations of rock-water interactions from mining activities (including both coal and metal mining in the US and Canada), the degradation of water quality from the oxidation of sulfide minerals, laboratory evaluation of acid and alkaline potentials from rock strata, field investigations of the long term effects of mining, and the implementation at field sites of constructed wetlands, anoxic limestone drains, alkaline trenches and other remediation and reclamation technologies.

EDUCATION
J.D. School of Law, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 1989
Ph.D. Geology, University of South Carolina, College of Science and Mathematics, 1982
M.S. Geology, University of South Carolina, College of Science and Mathematics; 1976
B.S. cum laude, Geology, University of South Carolina, 1974

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2001-present Associate Dean, School of the Environment, Univ. of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
2001-present Research Professor of Geology, USC, Columbia, SC
1997-2001 Assistant Dean, School of the Environment, USC,
1993-2001 Research Associate Professor of Geology, USC
1992-1995 Adjunct Professor, Earth Science Resources Institute, USC
1989-1995 Attorney, Woodward, Leventis, Unger, Daves, Herdon & Cothran, Columbia, SC
1988 Summer Associate, Nelson, Mullins Riley & Scarborough Law Firm, Columbia, SC
1987 Law Clerk, South Carolina Water Resources Commission, Columbia, SC
1983-1987 Research Assistant Professor of Geology, USC
1979-1983 Research Specialist, Department of Geology, USC

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Group Leader- Coal Mining (1996-present) and Metal Mining Steering Committee member (1998-
1999): Acid Drainage Technology Initiative, National joint effort sponsored by EPA, DOI-Office of Surface Mining, Interstate Mining Compact Commission and National Mining Association. ADTI is comprised of government, industry and university representatives who, on a national level, are charged with formulating guidelines and methodologies related to mine water quality. http://www.unr.edu/mines/adti/index.html

Member (Vice-Chairman, 1991-1992); Environmental Planning Advisory Committee of the
Central Midlands Council of Governments, Columbia, SC, 1991-present.

Chairman Midlands Summit 1990 Solid Waste Task Force, 1990-1991.

Member Hungary Groundwater Workshop Team, Environmental Law Institute, Washington, DC, 1990. Team met with government officials and scientists from Hungary to evaluate the state of groundwater contamination in Hungary, discuss the laws and policies which may be effective in reclaiming the resource, and to develop a workshop given in Hungary, 1990.

Member West Virginia Acid Mine Drainage Technical Advisory Committee, 1981-1985.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
1. American Society for Mining and Reclamation
2. Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society (Secretary-Treasurer of USC Chapter, 1983-1986)
3. International Assoc. of Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry
4. International Assoc. of Land Reclamationists
5. American Bar Association, Section on Natural Resources

HONORS/AWARDS
Teacher of the Month Award, Patterson Hall, USC, Spring 2003
Order of Wig and Robe, 1989
Member of Sigma Xi, 1976
Member of Phi Beta Kappa, 1974

CERTIFICATIONS
Registered Professional Geologist of State of South Carolina
Member of South Carolina Bar


MOST RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS
“Evaluation of Surface Application of Limestone for Controlling Acid Mine Discharges from Abandoned Strip Mines: Sewellsville, Ohio,” G. Geidel, F. Caruccio. EPA-600/2-84-004, National Tech. Info. Service, Springfield, VA, (1984).
“Pyritic Materials: Acid Drainage, Soil Acidity, and Liming, Chapter of Reclamation of Surface-Mined Lands,” G. Geidel, F. Caruccio and L. Hossner, Vol. 1, CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, FL (1988).
“Overburden Analyses; Some Important Factors, G. Geidel, F. Caruccio and W. Bradham. WV Surface Mine Drainage Task Force Symposium, April 1993, Morgantown, WV, paper appears in Proceedings of ...,” WV Mining and Reclamation Assoc., Charleston, WV (1993).
“Status Report: Long Term Effects of Alkaline Trenches and Funnels at the Mercer Site,” G. Geidel, WV Surface Mine Drainage Task Force Symposium, April 1995, Morgantown, WV; in Proceedings of..., WV Mining and Reclamation Assoc., Charleston, WV (1995).
“Handbook on Remediation and Avoidance Technologies, Acid Drainage Technology Initiative,” Co-Editor, WV Nat’l Mine Land Recl. Center, Morgantown, WV (1998).
“Reclamation of Kyanite Mine Tailings with Surface Reconfiguration,” G. Geidel, F. Caruccio and R. Dotson., Amer. Soc. of Surface Mining and Reclamation, August 1999, Scottsdale, AZ; in Proceedings of…, Lexington, KY. pp. 198-207 (1999).
“Geochemical Factors Affecting Coal Mine Drainage Quality,” Chapter 5 of Reclamation of Drastically Disturbed Lands, 2nd Ed., American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI (G. Geidel, F. Caruccio) (2000).
“Guidelines and Recommendations for the Use of Kinetic Tests for Coal Mining (AMD) Prediction in the Eastern U.S.,” Chapter 5 of Prediction of Water Quality at Surface Coal Mines, Edited by R.L.P. Kleinmann, Nat’l Mine Land Recl. Center, WVU, Morgantown, WV (G. Geidel, F. Caruccio, R. Hornberger and K. Brady) (2000).

(Total Publications: exceed 45)