Recent Work

Multi-phase Biogeochemical Model for Microbially Induced Desaturation and Precipitation [pre-print] (under review, open for public comment)

by Caitlyn A. Hall, Andre van Turnhout, Leon van Paassen, Edward Kavazanjian, and Bruce Rittmann

A next-generation biogeochemical model to explore the impact of the natural environmental conditions on microbially induced desaturation and precipitation (MIDP) via denitrification. MIDP is a non-disruptive, nature-based ground improvement technique that offers the promise of cost-effective mitigation of earthquake-induced soil liquefaction under and adjacent to existing structures. MIDP uses native soil bacteria to reduce the potential for liquefaction triggering in the short term through biogenic gas generation (treatment completed within hours to days) and over a longer term through calcium carbonate precipitation (treatment completed in weeks to months).

Diversifying the geosciences in higher education: a manifesto for change

by Caitlyn A. Hall, Sam Illingworth, Solmaz Mohadjer, Mathew Koll Roxy, Craig Poku, Frederick Otu-Larbi, Darryl Reano, Mara Freilich, Maria-Luisa Veisaga, Miguel Valencia, and Joey Morales

There is still a significant lack of diversity and equity in geoscience education, even after decades of work and widespread calls for improvement and action. We join fellow community voices in calls for improved diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the geosciences. Here, in this manifesto, we present a list of opportunities for educators to bring about this cultural shift within higher education: (1) advocating for institutional change, (2) incorporating diverse perspectives and authors in curricula, (3) teaching historical and socio-political contexts of geoscience information, (4) connecting geoscience principles to more geographically diverse locations, (5) implementing different communication styles that consider different ways of knowing and learning, and (6) empowering learner transformation and agency.

A hydrologist’s guide to open science

by Caitlyn A. Hall, Sheila M. Saia, Andrea L. Popp, Nilay Dogulu, Stanislaus J. Schymanski, Niels Drost, Tim van Emmerik, and Rolf Hut

We propose the general “Open Hydrology Principles” to guide individual and community progress toward open science for research and education and the “Open Hydrology Practical Guide” to improve the accessibility of currently available tools and approaches. We aim to inform and empower hydrologists as they transition to open, accessible, reusable, and reproducible research. We discuss the benefits as well as common open science challenges and how hydrologists can overcome them. The Open Hydrology Principles and Open Hydrology Practical Guide reflect our knowledge of the current state of open hydrology; we recognize that recommendations and suggestions will evolve and expand with emerging open science infrastructures, workflows, and research experiences.

Techno-Economic Assessment of Liquefaction Mitigation by Microbially Induced Desaturation

by Caitlyn A. Hall, Leon van Paassen, Soheil Kamalzare, Dominic Parmantier, and Edward Kavazanjian

Microbially induced desaturation (MID) is a novel, minimally disruptive biogeochemical technique for mitigating the potential for triggering earthquake-induced soil liquefaction. Its minimally disruptive nature makes MID particularly attractive for mitigating liquefaction triggering beneath and around existing facilities, where current mitigation techniques are generally either not applicable due to their disruptive nature or too costly to be economically viable for all but the most critical facilities. The key technical factors influencing the effectiveness of MID for mitigation of liquefaction triggering include delivery of the nutrients for generation of biogas in the liquefaction susceptible soils, the persistence of the induced desaturation, and the impact of local environmental conditions, including groundwater pH and the presence of alternative electron acceptors, e.g., sulfate. Economic analysis suggests that if these technical factors can be managed, MID can be a cost-effective means to mitigate liquefaction triggering beneath and around existing infrastructure.