Publications by authors named "R A Runkel"
Concentration-discharge (CQ) relations are commonly used to understand geochemical and hydrologic controls on the generation of solutes in watersheds. Despite the widespread application of CQ relations, this technique has been infrequently applied to acid mine drainage (AMD) sites, but the CQ framework may allow mechanistic understanding of remedial outcomes such as impoundment of water within underground mines. Results of CQ analyses and changes in metal loads in an AMD affected watershed in Colorado, USA indicate that dissolved loads increased at many individual locations following water impoundment within mine workings.
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- Acid mine drainage at the Captain Jack Superfund Site in Colorado impacts local ecosystems and groundwater quality, prompting remediation efforts to prevent contamination in Lefthand Creek.
- A 2020 study collected various isotope and environmental data to analyze groundwater recharge, sulfide oxidation, and the effects of remediation on the site’s hydrology and geochemistry.
- Findings revealed distinct groundwater characteristics, sources of sulfate and carbon changes, and signs of groundwater mixing, providing insights for future mine site investigations and remediation strategies.
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- The study investigates how microplastics move through the Boulder Creek and its tributary, South Boulder Creek, focusing on the influence of urbanization and water management practices.
- It found that Boulder Creek, being more urbanized, had higher concentrations of microplastics in both water and sediments compared to the less urbanized South Boulder Creek.
- Flow diversions in the river removed over 500 microplastic particles per second, indicating these management practices significantly affect microplastic distribution and should be included in models assessing plastic pollution entering the oceans.
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- Two sampling campaigns were conducted in Illinois Gulch to assess metal loading from historical mining activities, focusing on water loss to mine workings and the resulting metal concentrations.
- A tracer injection method was employed to calculate streamflow and determine the connections between the stream and subsurface mine workings, revealing significant water loss during the first campaign.
- Findings indicated that reducing flow loss through remedial measures could help lower metal loading, with diffuse springs and groundwater identified as major contributors to water quality issues.
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- AlphaFold has predicted the 3D structures of thousands of proteins, revealing previously unknown, complex topologies, particularly knotting.
- Researchers identified a 7-knot, the most complex knot found in a protein, along with several six-crossing and two new five-crossing knots.
- These findings suggest that gene duplication and dimer interconnections contribute to the formation of these knots and serve as a foundation for future experimental studies to verify these structures and understand their folding processes.