CSUSB Department of Geological Sciences

Dr. Erik B. Melchiorre
Associate Professor of Geology
Department of Geological Sciences
Office: PS-211 (winter 07)
BI-113E (starting sprg 07)
Phone: (909) 537-7754
Email: emelch@csusb.edu

Teaching Responsibilities

Course Number

Course Title

Quarter Taught

Geol 322 Introduction to Geochemistry Spring

Geol 375 Groundwater Hydrology Fall

Geol 376 Field Methods in Hydrology Winter

Geol 395 Directed Studies as needed

Geol 460 Topics in Applied Geology TBA*

Geol 510 Science Issues in Surface and Groundwater Management TBA*

Geol 540
Advanced Topics in Geology Fall, Winter, Spring

Geol 595 Independent Studies as needed

Nsci 320 Energy
TBA*

* For more information please contact the dept. ASC

Geol 610 Environmental Geosciences Winter

Current Research Projects

Isotope Hydrology of the San Bernardino Region, California
The use of oxygen and hydrogen isotopes as conservative tracers to estimate basic hydrologic parameters and zones of recharge. Includes precipitation, snow pack, river, well, and spring sampling. This project is partially funded by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Isotope Hydrology of Abandoned Coal Mine Lands, Indiana
Using stable isotopes as conservative tracers, we are determining sources and routing of acid mine drainage at the Green Valley and Friar Tuck abandoned coal mine sites. We have also identified and confirmed the World's second occurrence of the mineral Xeiteshanite at the Green Valley site. This project is funded by a grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and is preformed in conjunction with Deborah Dale of the Indiana DNR, and Dr. Jim Mills of DePauw University.

Oxidation and Mobilization of Copper and Lead, Arizona and Australia
An examination of the conditions, products, and geochemistry of fluids produced by the weathering of natural deposits of copper and lead. We are presently studying the role of nitrogen fixation by termite mounds in producing the rare copper nitrate minerals of the Great Australia deposit at Cloncurry, QLD, Australia. We are also examining the paleotemperatures of supergene enrichment at the Morenci Mine, Arizona, and the role of extremophiles in the fixation of carbon at lead deposits in western Tasmania. This project is funded by the Petroleum Research Fund of the American Chemical Society, and is performed in collaboration with Dr. Peter Williams at the University of Western Sydney, and Dr. Timothy Rose at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Geochemistry of Placer Gold Deposits, Arizona and Australia
Examination of trace element geochemistry of placer gold nuggets may be used to "fingerprint" gold from distinct source lode deposits. We are examining the placer gold from the Meekathara area of Western Australia, and the Rich Hill-Vulture District of Arizona. This work is performed in collaboration with Dr. Dante Lauretta of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at University of Arizona.

Educational Background

B.S. in Geological Science, 1990, University of Southern California

M.S. in Geology, 1993, Arizona State University

Ph.D. in Earth & Planetary Science, 1998, Washington University

Employment History

2002 to present Assistant Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, CSUSB

2000-2002 Assistant Professor, Department of Geology, DePauw University

1998-2000 Program Director, Sustainable Development Department, College of Menominee Nation

1995-1996 AWU Fellow, Isotope Science Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

1992-1994 Mine Hydrogeologist/Geologist, Phelps Dodge Morenci Mine (Summers)

1991 Mine Geologist, Cyprus Bagdad Copper Corp., (Summer)

1991-1992 COGEOMAP Geologist, Arizona Geological Survey

Selected Publications

Melchiorre, E. B., and Dale, D., 2003, Stable isotope hydrology and water routing of the Green Valley acid mine drainage site, Indiana: Chemical Geology, in prep. (1/03).

Melchiorre, E. B., and Criss, R. E., 2003, Isotope hydrology and slow basin response in an old-growth forested basin, Wolf River Watershed, central Wisconsin: Journal of Hydrology, in review. (1/03).

Melchiorre, E.B., and Enders, M.S., 2003, Stable isotope geochemistry of copper carbonates at the Northwest Extension mine, Morenci District, Arizona: Implications for conditions of supergene oxidation and related mineralization: Economic Geology, (in press).

Crombie, M.K., Gholson, C.T., Lauretta, D.S., and Melchiorre, E.B., 2002, Rich Hill - The Story of Arizona's Most Amazing Gold District: Golden Retriever Press, Tucson, AZ, 102 figures, 262 pages.

Melchiorre, E.B., and Williams, P., 2001, Stable isotope characterization of the thermal profile and subsurface biological activity during oxidation of the Great Australia Deposit, Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia: Economic Geology, v 96, no. 7 p.1685-1893.

Melchiorre, E.B., Williams, P., and Bevins, R., 2001, A low-temperature oxygen isotope thermometer for cerussite, with application at Broken Hill, NSW, Australia: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 65, p. 2527-2533.

Melchiorre, E.B., Williams, P., and Bevins, R., 2000, An oxygen isotope thermometer for cerussite: Applications at the Block 14 Mine, Broken Hill, NSW, Australia: Journal of the Royal Society of New South Wales, v. 133, p. 22-25.

Melchiorre, E. B., Criss, R. E., and Rose, T., 2000, Oxygen and carbon isotope study of natural and synthetic azurite: Economic Geology, v.95, no. 3, p. 623-630.

Melchiorre, E. B., Criss, R. E., and Davisson, M. L., 1999, Relationship between seismicity and subsurface fluids, central Coast Ranges, California: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 104, no. B-1 , p 921-939.

Melchiorre, E. B., Criss, R. E., and Rose, T., 1999, Oxygen and carbon isotope study of natural and synthetic malachite: Economic Geology, v. 94, no. 2 , p . 245-259.

Melchiorre, E. B., 1994, Possible temper material from the Sierra Estrella, Arizona, in Schroeder, K.J. ed., Pioneer & Military Memorial Park archaeological project in Phoenix, Arizona: Roadrunner Publications in Anthropology #3.

Melchiorre, E. B., 1993, Hydrogen potential from existing natural gas wells: Hydrogen Today (American Hydrogen Association), v. 4, no. 1, p. 1-5.

Melchiorre, E. B., 1993, Natural gamma radiation as a mapping tool, Sierra Estrella, Arizona: The Compass, v. 71, No. 2. p. 51-58.

Melchiorre, E. B., 1990, Geology and history of the Little Fishermans Campground Landslide, Santa Catalina Island, California: The Compass, v. 67, No. 2, p. 94-98.

MAPS AND OFR's

Melchiorre, E. B., 1994, Geologic map of the Enebro Mountain area, Greenlee County, Arizona, 1:10,000: Arizona Geologic Survey Map CM-94-A, with accompanying unit descriptions, 1 sheet.

Melchiorre, E. B., and Clemens, D. M., 1993, Geologic map of the south-central Goldfield Mountains, Arizona, 1:10,000: Arizona Geologic Survey Map CM-93-A, with accompanying unit descriptions, 1 sheet.

Melchiorre, E. B., 1993, Economic geology of the Sierra Estrella, Maricopa and Pinal Counties, Arizona: Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources Open-File Report 93-12, 29 p.

Melchiorre, E. B., 1993, Geologic map and trail guide of the Painted Bluff Trail, Coronado National Forest, Arizona, 1:24,000: U.S. Forest Service, Clifton District Map #13, 5p.

Melchiorre, E. B., 1993, Mine site reports for the Bagdad District, and White Picacho Pegmatite District, Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources, Open File Data for AZMILS #144, #137, #210, #310c, and #192.

Melchiorre, E. B., 1992, Geologic map of the Sierra Estrella, Maricopa County, Arizona 1:50,000: Arizona Geologic Survey Open-File Report 92-15, with accompanying unit descriptions and geologic report, 34 p.

Dr. Erik B. Melchiorre Associate Professor of Geology Department of Geological Sciences Office: PS-211 (winter 07) BI-113E (starting sprg 07) Phone: (909) 537-7754 Email: emelch@csusb.edu
Teaching Responsibilities
Course Number	Course Title	Quarter Taught
Geol 322	Introduction to Geochemistry	Spring
Geol 375	Groundwater Hydrology	Fall
Geol 376	Field Methods in Hydrology	Winter
Geol 395	Directed Studies	as needed
Geol 460	Topics in Applied Geology	TBA*
Geol 510	Science Issues in Surface and Groundwater Management	TBA*
Geol 540	Advanced Topics in Geology	Fall, Winter, Spring
Geol 595	Independent Studies	as needed
Nsci 320	Energy	TBA* * For more information please contact the dept. ASC
		TBA* * For more information please contact the dept. ASC
Geol 610	Environmental Geosciences	Winter
Current Research Projects
Isotope Hydrology of the San Bernardino Region, California The use of oxygen and hydrogen isotopes as conservative tracers to estimate basic hydrologic parameters and zones of recharge. Includes precipitation, snow pack, river, well, and spring sampling. This project is partially funded by the Environmental Protection Agency. Isotope Hydrology of Abandoned Coal Mine Lands, Indiana Using stable isotopes as conservative tracers, we are determining sources and routing of acid mine drainage at the Green Valley and Friar Tuck abandoned coal mine sites. We have also identified and confirmed the World's second occurrence of the mineral Xeiteshanite at the Green Valley site. This project is funded by a grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and is preformed in conjunction with Deborah Dale of the Indiana DNR, and Dr. Jim Mills of DePauw University. Oxidation and Mobilization of Copper and Lead, Arizona and Australia An examination of the conditions, products, and geochemistry of fluids produced by the weathering of natural deposits of copper and lead. We are presently studying the role of nitrogen fixation by termite mounds in producing the rare copper nitrate minerals of the Great Australia deposit at Cloncurry, QLD, Australia. We are also examining the paleotemperatures of supergene enrichment at the Morenci Mine, Arizona, and the role of extremophiles in the fixation of carbon at lead deposits in western Tasmania. This project is funded by the Petroleum Research Fund of the American Chemical Society, and is performed in collaboration with Dr. Peter Williams at the University of Western Sydney, and Dr. Timothy Rose at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Geochemistry of Placer Gold Deposits, Arizona and Australia Examination of trace element geochemistry of placer gold nuggets may be used to "fingerprint" gold from distinct source lode deposits. We are examining the placer gold from the Meekathara area of Western Australia, and the Rich Hill-Vulture District of Arizona. This work is performed in collaboration with Dr. Dante Lauretta of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at University of Arizona.
Educational Background
B.S. in Geological Science, 1990, University of Southern California M.S. in Geology, 1993, Arizona State University Ph.D. in Earth & Planetary Science, 1998, Washington University
Employment History
2002 to present Assistant Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, CSUSB 2000-2002 Assistant Professor, Department of Geology, DePauw University 1998-2000 Program Director, Sustainable Development Department, College of Menominee Nation 1995-1996 AWU Fellow, Isotope Science Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory 1992-1994 Mine Hydrogeologist/Geologist, Phelps Dodge Morenci Mine (Summers) 1991 Mine Geologist, Cyprus Bagdad Copper Corp., (Summer) 1991-1992 COGEOMAP Geologist, Arizona Geological Survey
Selected Publications
Melchiorre, E. B., and Dale, D., 2003, Stable isotope hydrology and water routing of the Green Valley acid mine drainage site, Indiana: Chemical Geology, in prep. (1/03). Melchiorre, E. B., and Criss, R. E., 2003, Isotope hydrology and slow basin response in an old-growth forested basin, Wolf River Watershed, central Wisconsin: Journal of Hydrology, in review. (1/03). Melchiorre, E.B., and Enders, M.S., 2003, Stable isotope geochemistry of copper carbonates at the Northwest Extension mine, Morenci District, Arizona: Implications for conditions of supergene oxidation and related mineralization: Economic Geology, (in press). Crombie, M.K., Gholson, C.T., Lauretta, D.S., and Melchiorre, E.B., 2002, Rich Hill - The Story of Arizona's Most Amazing Gold District: Golden Retriever Press, Tucson, AZ, 102 figures, 262 pages. Melchiorre, E.B., and Williams, P., 2001, Stable isotope characterization of the thermal profile and subsurface biological activity during oxidation of the Great Australia Deposit, Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia: Economic Geology, v 96, no. 7 p.1685-1893. Melchiorre, E.B., Williams, P., and Bevins, R., 2001, A low-temperature oxygen isotope thermometer for cerussite, with application at Broken Hill, NSW, Australia: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 65, p. 2527-2533. Melchiorre, E.B., Williams, P., and Bevins, R., 2000, An oxygen isotope thermometer for cerussite: Applications at the Block 14 Mine, Broken Hill, NSW, Australia: Journal of the Royal Society of New South Wales, v. 133, p. 22-25. Melchiorre, E. B., Criss, R. E., and Rose, T., 2000, Oxygen and carbon isotope study of natural and synthetic azurite: Economic Geology, v.95, no. 3, p. 623-630. Melchiorre, E. B., Criss, R. E., and Davisson, M. L., 1999, Relationship between seismicity and subsurface fluids, central Coast Ranges, California: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 104, no. B-1 , p 921-939. Melchiorre, E. B., Criss, R. E., and Rose, T., 1999, Oxygen and carbon isotope study of natural and synthetic malachite: Economic Geology, v. 94, no. 2 , p . 245-259. Melchiorre, E. B., 1994, Possible temper material from the Sierra Estrella, Arizona, in Schroeder, K.J. ed., Pioneer & Military Memorial Park archaeological project in Phoenix, Arizona: Roadrunner Publications in Anthropology #3. Melchiorre, E. B., 1993, Hydrogen potential from existing natural gas wells: Hydrogen Today (American Hydrogen Association), v. 4, no. 1, p. 1-5. Melchiorre, E. B., 1993, Natural gamma radiation as a mapping tool, Sierra Estrella, Arizona: The Compass, v. 71, No. 2. p. 51-58. Melchiorre, E. B., 1990, Geology and history of the Little Fishermans Campground Landslide, Santa Catalina Island, California: The Compass, v. 67, No. 2, p. 94-98. MAPS AND OFR's Melchiorre, E. B., 1994, Geologic map of the Enebro Mountain area, Greenlee County, Arizona, 1:10,000: Arizona Geologic Survey Map CM-94-A, with accompanying unit descriptions, 1 sheet. Melchiorre, E. B., and Clemens, D. M., 1993, Geologic map of the south-central Goldfield Mountains, Arizona, 1:10,000: Arizona Geologic Survey Map CM-93-A, with accompanying unit descriptions, 1 sheet. Melchiorre, E. B., 1993, Economic geology of the Sierra Estrella, Maricopa and Pinal Counties, Arizona: Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources Open-File Report 93-12, 29 p. Melchiorre, E. B., 1993, Geologic map and trail guide of the Painted Bluff Trail, Coronado National Forest, Arizona, 1:24,000: U.S. Forest Service, Clifton District Map #13, 5p. Melchiorre, E. B., 1993, Mine site reports for the Bagdad District, and White Picacho Pegmatite District, Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources, Open File Data for AZMILS #144, #137, #210, #310c, and #192. Melchiorre, E. B., 1992, Geologic map of the Sierra Estrella, Maricopa County, Arizona 1:50,000: Arizona Geologic Survey Open-File Report 92-15, with accompanying unit descriptions and geologic report, 34 p.