SENIOR GEOLOGICAL & HYDROGEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATE
Department of Geology, 210 Petrie Hall
Phone: (334)844-4884
Auburn University, AL 36849
Email: saundja@auburn.edu
Education
Ph.D., Geology, Colorado School of Mines, 1986
M.S., Geology, University of Georgia, 1978
B.S., Geology, Auburn University, 1975 (summa cum laude)
Registration
Registered Professional Geologist, Alabama (#267)
Current Research Interests
Hydrothermal geochemistry of gold in volcanic settings and geology of epithermal deposits; gold deposits, aqueous and environmental geochemistry, environmental geology, and anaerobic bioremediation; geomicrobiology, geochemistry of metals and radionuclides in groundwater.
Recent Research Projects
Geochemistry and geomicrobiology of natural arsenic contamination of groundwater in Bangladesh (National Science Foundation); Sequestration of arsenic by iron sulfides formed by sulfate-reducing bacteria (Southern Company Services and Electrical Power Research Institute); Bacterial metabolism as an ore-forming process in sediment-host Zn-Pb-Ag ores from Ireland (Petroleum Research Fund of American Chemical Society), and origin of volcanic-hosted, bonanza gold deposits in northern Nevada/SW Idaho (U.S. Geological Survey, National Science Foundation).
Professional Experience
1996 – Professor of Geology, Auburn University. Course offerings and research in ore deposits, aqueous and environmental geochemistry and research in geochemistry of ore deposits, anaerobic groundwater geomicrobiology, geochemistry and bioremediation. Research supported by the National Science Foundation, NRC, USGS, and the Petroleum Research Fund of the American Chemical Society.
1991-1996 Associate Professor of Geology, Auburn University
1995-present Co-Founder, Vice President, Envirotrace, LLC, Auburn, AL. Intellectual property management and groundwater remediation small business.
Summer-1994 Summer Faculty Research Appointment, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Envir. Sci. Div.). Research on the mobility of radionuclides and heavy metals in groundwater adjacent to low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities on the Oak Ridge Reservation. Geochemical modeling with MINTEQA2 computer program.
Summer-1991 Summer Faculty Research Appointment, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Envir. Sci. Div.). Research on processes controlling the chemical evolution of groundwater on the Oak Ridge Reservation adjacent to DOE’s Y-12 facility; analysis of rock cores and hydrogeochemical data from deep multiport monitoring wells.
1986-1991 Assistant Professor of Geology and Geological Engineering, University of Mississippi.
Course offerings included: economic geology, introductory geochemistry, groundwater geochemistry, petrology, and hydrogeology. Research on the trace-element geochemistry of fresh and hypersaline groundwaters in Mississippi, geochemistry of strontium-rich salt- dome cap rocks, and the geochemistry of gold and silver and epithermal gold deposits.
1986-1991 Instructor, Jackson Engineering Program (Univ. Miss.), Jackson, MS. Taught courses in geochemistry and hydrogeology.
1984-1986 Part-time appointment, U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Geochemistry, Denver, Colorado. Conducted geochemical surveys as part of mineral-resource evaluation studies.
1980-1983 Project Geologist, Law Environmental Services, Inc., Marietta, Georgia. Major Projects: Geochemical and hydrogeologic studies of Gulf Coast salt domes for potential of storage of nuclear and hazardous wastes; environmental problems associated with coal mining; hydrogeologic studies at proposed or existing waste-storage facilities.
1978-1980 Research Associate, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Boise State University, Boise, ID. Principal Investigator on a DOE-funded project to document water-rock interactions at the Raft River Geothermal System demonstration project. Taught undergraduate 2-semester sequence of mineralogy and petrology (lecture and labs).
1975-1979 Summer jobs, U.S. Steel (Warrior Basin, AL), Selco Mining Co. (Quebec), U.S. Steel (central Alaska and SE Texas), and AMAX Mining Co. (Washington state). Field mapping, geochemical exploration studies, core logging, research on hydrothermal alteration around mineral deposits.
Professional Affiliations
International Association of Geochemists
Society of Economic Geology (Fellow)
Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits (SGA)
International Association for the Genesis of Ore Deposits (IAGOD)
The Geochemical Society
Sigma Xi (the Scientific Research Society)
Patents:
“In situ bioremediation of contaminated groundwater” (#5,833,855)
“Method for forming an in situ groundwater filter” (#7,341,664 B2)
Significant Honors & Awards
Chaired Session at GSA-Denver (2013) on isotopes and ore deposits research
Joint Technical Program (SEG coordinator), GSA Annual Meeting (Charlotte, NC, 2012)
Invited (Pardee) Keynote Lecturer, Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver, Fall, 2010
Panelist for USGS “External” Mineral Resources Research Program (MRERP), Denver, CO, Nov., 2010
Proposed, convened, and chaired a session at Goldschmidt Int’l Geochemistry Conference, 6/10, Knoxville TN
Invited Talk, Geol. Soc of Nevada – USGS – SEG Symposium on Great Basin Evolution & Metallogeny, 5/10
Invited Keynote Speaker, 2009 International Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conf., Davos, Switzerland
Invited Speaker, Geological Society of Nevada, 2/09
Invited Distinguished Lecturer, Ralph Roberts Gold Research Institute, U. Nevada – Reno, 4/2008
Organized and coordinated AU’s Sigma Xi Chapter’s monthly lecture series (2007-2008)
Associate Editor, Ore Geology Reviews, (Elsevier, Amsterdam), 1996-2009
Invited Keynote Speaker, Mineral Deposits Studies Group AGM 2007, Brighton, UK, 1/2007.
Invited Moderator, Inorganic Geochemistry Gordon Research Conference, 2005, Andover, NH
Invited (Pardee) Keynote Lecturer, Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver, Fall, 2004
Invited Keynote Speaker, 6th Geochemistry of the Earth’s Surface Meeting, Honolulu, HA, 2002
Invited by NASA to be an external science team member for their Mars HORSE project (2002)
NSF Panelist for multidisciplinary “Biocomplexity” competition (2001) Selected as Distinguished Visiting Scientist, Geological Survey of Japan (1998) Technical Program Chair, SEG/GSA Annual Meeting (New Orleans, LA 1995)
Auburn Univ. Sigma Xi-Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Faculty Research (1996)
Best graduate student M.S. Research at Auburn University (selected by AU Graduate School) for 2001 (Ivy. N. Thompson, Co-MP Saunders and Morton)
Auburn University Sigma Xi Chapter’s awards for Best M.S. Research at AU awarded for Saunders’ students S. Mohammad (2003-2004), Tom Barry (1995-1996), and Paul Schoenly (1994)
Elected as Fellow of Society of Economic Geologists (1990)
Recent Funded Research (since 2000)
- Sulfate-reducing bacteria and origin of some sediment-hosted ore deposits (Petroleum Research Fund of American Chemical Society).
- Low-Temperature gold geochemistry (funded by Barrick Mining Company)
- Geochronology and geochemistry of epithermal ores in northern Nevada, USA (U.S. Geological Survey MRERP grant)
- Geochemistry and Geomicrobiology of arsenic in groundwater in Bangladesh and India (US National Science Foundation, 2 grants)
- Genesis of gold deposits related to Yellowstone hotspot… Northern NV, Owyhee Mountains, ID (NSF)
- Hydrocarbon oxidation and the geochemistry of arsenic and mercury related to BP oil spill (NSF RAPID grant, 2010)
- Transport and deposition of metallic nanoparticles in hydrothermal systems (NSF-2013)
Publications
Saunders, J.A., Mathur, R, Shimizu, T., and Kamenov, G.D., Magmatic inputs of metals and sulphur into epithermal gold-silver ores: Economic Geology, in prep.
Saunders, J.A., and Lee, M.-K., Thiosulfate model of gold nugget formation: Evidence form the southern Appalachian Piedmont: Journal of Geochemical Exploration, in review.
Saunders, J.A., Steltenpohl, M.G., and Cook, R.B., 2013, Recent gold exploration and general geology of the Appalachian Piedmont of eastern Alabama: Society of Economic Geologists Newsletter, Nov., 2013, no. 94, July 2013, p. 1; 12-19.
Lee, M.-K, Natter, M., Jeff Keevan, Guerra, K., Saunders, J., Uddin, A., Humayun, M., Wang, Y., and Keimowitz, A., 2013, Assessing effects of climate change on Biogeochemical cycling of trace metals in Alluvial and Coastal Watersheds: British Journal of Environment & Climate Change, v. 3, p. 44-66.
Saunders, J.A., Goldfarb, R., Hofstra, A.H., and Reed, M.H., 2014, Geochemistry of hydrothermal gold deposits, in Scott, S.D., (ed.) Treatise of Geochemistry (Elsevier, invited chapter), in press.
Saunders, J.A., Kamenov, G.D., Mathur, R., Shimizu, T., and Brueseke, M.E., 2013, Transport and deposition of metallic nanoparticles and the origin of bonanza epithermal ores: Biennial SGA Proceedings, Uppsala, Sweden, August, 2013, in press.
Saunders, J.A., Aseto, C.O., and Hames, W.E., Epithermal gold-silver mineralization on War Eagle Mountain, Silver City district, Idaho: Economic Geology, in prep.
Saunders, J.A., and Brueseke, M.E., 2012, Volatility of Se and Te during subduction-related “distillation” and the geochemistry of epithermal ores of western USA: Economic Geology, v. 107, p. 165-172.
Saunders, J.A. 2012, Textural evidence of episodic introduction of metallic nanoparticles into bonanza epithermal ores: Minerals, v. 2, p. 228-243, doi:10.3390/min2030228.
Saunders, J.A., Kamenov, G.D., Hofstra, A.H., Unger, D.L., Creaser, R.A., and Barra, F., 2011, “Forensic” geochemical approaches to constrain the source of Au-Ag in low-sulfidation epithermal ores, in R. Steininger, and W. Pennell (eds.): Great Basin Evolution and Metallogeny, Geological Society of NV 2010 Symposium, May 14-22, 2010, p. 693-700.
Saunders, J.A., Peter Vikre, P., Unger, D.L., and Beasley, L., 2011, Colloidal and physical transport textures exhibited by electrum and naumannite in bonanza epithermal veins from western USA, and their significance, in R. Steininger, and W. Pennell (eds.): Great Basin Evolution and Metallogeny, Geological Society of NV 2010 Symposium, May 14-22, 2010, p. 825-832.
Uddin, A., Shamsudduha,M., Saunders, J.A., Lee, M-K, and Ahmed, K.M., 2010, Mineralogical and geochemical profiling of arsenic-contaminated aquifers in central Bangladesh: Applied Geochemistry, v. 26, p. 470-483.
Saunders, J.A., 2010, Geologic time and epithermal ore formation: Technical article (peer reviewed) for Society of Economic Geologist’s Newsletter, no. 82, July, 2010, p. 10-11.
Hames, W.E., Unger, D.L., Saunders, J.A., Kamenov, G.D., 2009, Metallogeny and magmatism in the Early Yellowstone hotspot: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 188, p. 214-22.
Shamsudduha, Marzen, L.J., Uddin, A., Lee, M.-K., and Saunders, J.A., 2008, Spatial relationship of groundwater arsenic distribution with regional topography and water-table fluctuations in the shallow aquifers in Bangladesh: Environ. Geology, v.57, p. 1521-1535.(DOI:10.1007/s00254-008-1429-3).
Saunders, J.A., Lee, M.-K., Shamsudduha, M., Chawdry, T., and Ahmed, K.M., 2008, Geochemistry and mineralogy of arsenic under anaerobic conditions: Applied Geochemistry, v. 23, p. 3205-3214.
Saunders, J.A., Unger, D.L., Kamenov, G.D., Fayek, M., Hames, W.E., and Utterback, W.C., 2008, Genesis of Middle Miocene Yellowstone-hotspot-related bonanza epithermal Au-Ag deposits, Northern Great Basin Region, USA: Mineralium Deposita, v. 43, p. 715-734.
Shamsudduha, M., Uddin, A., Saunders, J.A., Lee M.-K., 2008, Quaternary stratigraphy, sediment characteristics and geochemistry of arsenic-contaminated alluvial aquifers in the Ganges-Brahmaputra floodplain in central Bangladesh: Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, v. 99, p. 112-136.
Kamenov, G.D., Saunders, J.A., and Hames W.E., Unger, D., 2007, Mafic magmas as sources for gold in middle-Miocene epithermal deposits of northern Great Basin, USA: Evidence from Pb isotopic compositions of native gold: Economic Geology, v. 102, p.1191-1195.
Lee, M., Griffin, J., Saunders, J., Wang, Y., and Jean, J. 2007, Reactive transport of trace elements and isotopes in the Eutaw coastal plain aquifer, Alabama: J. Geophys. Res., 112, G02026, doi:10.1029/2006JG000238.
Southam, G., and Saunders, J.A., 2005, Geomicrobiology of ore deposits: Economic Geology, v. 100, p. 1067-1084.
Saunders, J.A., Lee, M.-K., Uddin, A., Mohammad, S., Wilkin, R.T., Fayek, M., and Korte, N.E., 2005, Natural arsenic contamination of Holocene alluvial aquifers by linked tectonic, weathering, and microbial processes: G-Cubed (Geochemistry, Geophysics, and Geosystems), v. 6, 13 April.
Saunders, J.A, Lee, M.-K., and Mohammad, S., 2005, Geochemistry and geomicrobiology of arsenic in Holocene alluvial flood-plain aquifers, USA: Implications for universal causative mechanisms and possible bioremediation: In P. Bhattacharya, J. Bundschuh, and D. Chandrasekharam (eds.) Natural Arsenic in Groundwater, A.A. Balkema, London, p. 155-162.
Saunders, J.A., Mohammad, S., Korte, N.E., Lee, M.-K., Fayek, M., Castle, D., and Barnett, M.O., 2005, Groundwater geochemistry, microbiology, and mineralogy of two arsenic-bearing Holocene alluvial aquifers from the USA: American Chemical Society Symposium Series 915, p. 191-205.
Lee, M.-K., Saunders, J.A., Wilkin, R.T., and Shahnewaz, M., 2005, Geochemical modeling of arsenic speciation and mobilization: Implications for bioremediation: American Chemical Society Symposium Series 915, p. 398-413.
Saunders, J.A, Lee, M-K., Wolf. L.A., Morton, C.M., Feng, Y., Thomson, I., and Park, S, 2005, Geochemical, microbiological, and geophysical assessments of anaerobic immobilization of heavy metals: Bioremediation Journal, v. 9, p. 33-48.
Saunders, J.A., Mohammad, S., Korte, N.E., Lee, M.-K., Fayek, M., Castle, D., and Barnett, M.O., 2005, Groundwater geochemistry, microbiology, and mineralogy of two arsenic-bearing Holocene alluvial aquifers from the USA: American Chemical Society Symposium Series 915, p. 191-205.
Lee, M.-K., Saunders, J.A., Mohammad, S., Wilkin, R.T., Harrington, J., and Lutes, C., 2004, Strategy for bioremediation of arsenic in groundwater: Book chapter, Remediation of Recalcitrant Contaminants, Battelle Press, Columbus, OH, (in press).
Lee, M.-K., Saunders, J.A., Uddin, A., 2003, Geochemical and hydrologic considerations on evolution of groundwaters in a portion of the Mississippi Embayment: Southeastern Geology, v. 42, p. 83-98.
Lee, M.-K. and Saunders, J.A., 2003, Effects of pH on metals precipitation and sorption: Field Bioremediation and geochemical modeling approaches: Vadose Zone Journal, v. 2, p. 177-185.
Saunders, J.A., Lee, M.-K. Lee, Whitmer, J.M., and Thomas, R.C., 2001, In situ bioremediation of metals- contaminated groundwater using sulfate-reducing bacteria: A case history, In: Bioremediation of Inorganic Compounds, v. 6(9), Leeson, A. et al., (eds.), Battelle Press, p. 105-112.
Lee, M.-K., and Saunders, J.A., and Wolf, L.A., 2000, Effects of geologic heterogeneities on pump-and-treat and in-situ bioremediation: Environmental Engineering Science, v. 17, no. 3, p. 183-189.
Toran, L., and Saunders, J.A.,1999, Alternative chemical evolution path of NaHCO3 groundwaters at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Journal of Hydrology, v.7, p. 355-364.
Toran, L.E., Bryant, S., Saunders, J.A., and Wheeler, M.F., 1998, A two-tiered approach to reactive transport: application to Sr mobility under variable pH: Ground Water, v. 36, p. 404-410.
Saunders, J.A., Pritchett, M.A., Cook, R.B., 1997, Geochemistry of biogenic pyrite and ferromanganese stream coatings: A bacterial connection? Geomicrobiology Journal, v. 14, p. 203-217.
Kyle, J.R., and Saunders, J.A., 1996,Metallic deposits in the Gulf Coast Basin of southern North America: Diverse mineralization styles in a young sedimentary basin: Economic Geology Special Publication No. 4, p. 218- 229.
Saunders, J.A., and Thomas, R.C., 1996, Origin of “exotic” minerals in Mississippi salt dome cap rocks: Results of reaction-path modeling: Applied Geochemistry, v. 11, p. 667-676.
Saunders, J.A., Schoenly, P.A., and Cook, R.B., 1996, Electrum disequilibrium crystallization textures in volcanic- hosted bonanza epithermal gold deposits: Proceedings of the International Symposium on the Geology and Ore Deposits of the America Cordillera: (Reno, NV) p. 173-179.
Saunders, J.A. and Toran, L.E., 1995, Modeling of radionuclide and heavy metal sorption around waste disposal sites near Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Applied Geochemistry, v. 10, p. 673-684.
Saunders, J.A., and Schoenly, P.A.., 1995, Boiling, colloid nucleation and aggregation, and the genesis of bonanza gold mineralization at the Sleeper Deposit, Nevada: Mineralium Deposita, v. 30, p. 199-211.
Saunders, J.A., and Schoenly, P.A., 1995, Fractal structure of electrum dendrites in bonanza epithermal Au-Ag deposits, in Barton, C.C., and LaPointe, P.R. (eds.) Fractal Geometry and Its Use in the Earth Sciences: Plenum Publishing, New York, p. 251-261.
Saunders, J.A., and Toran, L.E., 1994, Evidence for dedolomitization and ground-water mixing in Paleozoic carbonates near Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Ground Water, v. 32, p. 207-214.
Saunders, J.A., 1994, Silica and gold textures at the Sleeper deposit, Humboldt County, Nevada: Evidence for colloids and implications for ore-forming processes: Economic Geology, v. 89, p. 628-638
Saunders, J.A., and Swann, C.T., 1994, Mineralogy and geochemistry of cap rock Zn-Pb-Sr-Ba mineralization at Hazlehurst salt dome, Mississippi: Economic Geology, v. 89, p. 381-390.
Lavery, N.G., Leach, D.L., and Saunders, J.A., 1994, Lithogeochemical investigations applied to exploration for sediment-hosted lead-zinc deposits, In: Fontbote, L., and Boni, M., (eds.), Sediment-hosted Zn-Pb Ores: Berlin, Springer-Verlag, p. 393-428.
Schoenly, P.A., and Saunders, J.A., 1993, Natural gold dendrites from hydrothermal Au-Ag deposits characteristics and computer simulations: Fractals, v. 1, p. 585-593.
Saunders, J.A., and Savrda, C.E., 1993, Geochemistry of the Athens Shale: Implications for the genesis of Mississippi Valley-Type Deposits of the southernmost Appalachians: Southeastern Geology, v.33, p. 161-170.
Saunders, J.A., 1993, Hydrothermal alteration and mineralization at the Jackson Dome volcanic complex, Mississippi: Southeastern Geology, v. 33, p. 71-79.
Saunders, J.A., 1993, Supergene oxidation of bonanza Au-Ag veins at the Sleeper deposit, Nevada: Implications for hydrogeochemical exploration in the Great Basin: Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 47, p. 359-375.
Saunders, J.A., and Swann, C.T., 1992, Nature and origin of authigenic rhodochrosite and siderite in the Paleozoic aquifer, northeast Mississippi: Applied Geochemistry, v. 7, p. 361-374.
Saunders, J.A., and Harrelson, D.H., 1992, Age and petrology of the Jackson Dome igneous-volcanic complex, Mississippi: Implications for the tectonic history of the Mississippi Salt Dome Basin: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, v. 42, p. 659-667.
Swann, C.T., and Saunders, J.A., 1992, Cap rock geology of Hazlehurst salt dome, Copiah County, Mississippi: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, v. 42, p. 697-705.
Nash, J.T., Utterback, W.C., and Saunders, J.A., 1991, Geology and geochemistry of the Sleeper deposit, Ore Deposits of the Great Basin (Geological Society of Nevada, Reno, NV) p. 1063-1084.
Saunders, J.A., 1991, Gold deposits of the Boulder County gold district, Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1857-I, p. 137-148.
Saunders, J.A., and Swann, C.T., 1990, Tracemetal content of Mississippi oil field brines: Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 37, p. 171-183.
Saunders, J.A., and Rowan, E.L., 1990, Mineralogy and geochemistry of metallic well scale, Raleigh and Boykin Church oil fields, Mississippi, U.S.A.: Instit. of Mining and Metallurgy (London) Trans. v. 99, p.B54-B58.
Saunders, J.A., 1990, Colloidal transport of gold and silica in epithermal precious metal systems: Evidence from the Sleeper deposit, Humboldt County, Nevada: Geology, v. 18, p. 757-760.
Saunders, J.A., and Allard, G.O., 1990, The Scott Lake deposit: a contact-metamorphosed volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, Chibougamau area, Quebec: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences: v.27, p. 180-186.
Saunders, J.A., 1990, Oxygen isotope zonation of agates from Karoo volcanics of the Skeleton Coast, Namibia: Discussion: American Mineralogist, v. 75, p. 1205-1206.
Saunders, J.A., 1989, Identification of opaque minerals using automated photomicrographic system Journal of Geological Education, v. 37, p. 114-116.
Saunders, J.A., 1989, Hydrogeochemistry of gold in the weathering environment: implications for possible secondary concentration in Coastal Plain sediments of South Carolina: Southeastern Geology, v. 29, no. 4, p.129-142.
Saunders, J.A., Prikryl, J.D., and Posey, H.H., 1988, Mineralogic and isotopic constraints on the origin of Sr-rich caprock, Tatum salt dome, Mississippi, U.S.A.: Chemical Geology, v. 74, p. 137-152.
Saunders, J.A., 1988, Textural and geochemical characteristics of gold mineralization from the Cresson Mine, Cripple Creek district, Colorado, U.S.A.: Institution of Mining and Metallurgy (London) Transactions, v. 97, p. B36-B39.
Saunders, J.A., 1988, Pb-Zn-Sr mineralization in limestone caprock, Tatum salt dome, Mississippi: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, v. 38, p. 569-576.
Saunders, J.A., and May, E.R., 1986, Bessie G: A high-grade epithermal gold telluride deposit, La Plata County, Colorado, in Macdonald, A.J., ed., GOLD=86, An International Symposium on the Geology of Gold: Toronto, 1986, p. 436-444.
Short Contributions (editorially reviewed by journals)
Saunders, J.A., 2010, Another view of hydrogen sulfide: Letter to American Scientist, v. 98, no. 2, p. 100, DOI:10.1511/2010.83.100.
Saunders, J.A., 2010, Review of “Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Water-Rock Interaction” (MSA Review in Mineralogy and Geochemistry 70) by Oehlers and Schott (eds.): Economic Geology, v. 105, v. 105; no.2; p. 451; DOI: 10.2113/gsecongeo.105.2.451.
Saunders, J.A., 2006, Review of “Molecular Geomicrobiology” (MSA Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry 59, by Banfield et al., Economic Geology, v. 101, p. 700-701.
Conference Proceedings: (variably peer-reviewed)
Saunders, J.A., Kamenov, G.D., Mathur, R, and Shimizu, T., 2013, Transport and deposition of metallic nanoparticles and the origin of bonanza epithermal ores: SGA Proceedings Volume, Uppsala, Sweden, July, 2013.
Saunders, J.A., Thomson, I.N., Lee, M.K., and Morton, C.M, 2002, Stimulation of Indigenous Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria to Bioremediate Acidic Groundwater Contaminated by Cd, Pb, and Zn: Microbiological and Geochemical Results: Proceedings of 6th International Symposium on the Geochemistry of Earth’s Surface, Honolulu, Hawaii, May, 2002.
Saunders, J.A., 2002, Geochemical Systematics of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria at the MineralBWater Interface: The Good, the Bad, and the Smelly: Proceedings of 6th International Symposium on the Geochemistry of Earth’s Surface, Honolulu, Hawaii, May, 2002.
Whitmer, J.M., and Saunders, J.A., 2000, Bioremediation of groundwater contaminated by phosphate mining and extraction: a new approach using indigenous sulfate-reducing bacteria: Proceedings of American Society For Surface Mining and Reclamation Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL, June, 2000, p. 107-116.
Whitmer, J.M., and Saunders, J.A., 1999, Geochemistry and remediation of phosphate mining wastes, Florida, USA: Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Geochemistry of the Earth’s Surface, Reykjavik, Iceland, Aug. 16-20, 1999, p. 235-238.
Saunders, J.A., Thomas, R.C., Lee, M.K., and Wolf, L., 1997, Geologic evidence for the utility of using sulfate reducing bacteria for in situ anaerobic bioremediation of heavy-metal contaminated groundwater: Proc.4th International Symposium on In Situ and On Site Bioremediation: New Orleans, LA, April, 1997, v. 3, p. 379-384.
Lee, M.-K., Saunders, J.A., Wolf, L.W., 1997, Stochastic analysis of in situ bioremediation within heterogeneous porous medium: Proc. 4th International Symposium on In Situ and On Site Bioremediation: New Orleans, LA, April, 1997, v. 5, p. 583-588.
Saunders, J.A., Cook, R.B., Thomas, R.C., and Crowe, D.E. 1996, Coprecipitation of trace metals in pyrite: Implications for enhanced intrinsic bioremediation. In ed. S.H. Bottrell, Proc. Fourth International Symposium on the Geochemistry of the Earth’s Surface (Ilkley, Yorkshire, England), pp. 470-474.
Kyle, J.R., and Saunders, J.A., 1995, Metallicmineralization in the Gulf Coast Basin of southern North America: Proceedings, International Conference on Carbonate-hosted Lead-Zinc Deposits (St. Louis, MO), p. 167-170.
Kyle, J.R., and Saunders, J.A., 1995, Origin of Mississippi Valley Type Zn-Pb-Ag sulfide mineralization in the Upper Jurassic Smackover formation, Gulf Coast Basin, USA: Proceedings, International Conference on Carbonate-hosted Lead-Zinc Deposits (St. Louis, MO), p. 170-174.
Kyle, J.R., and Saunders, J.A., 1995,Metallic deposits in the Gulf Coast Basin of southern North America: Diverse mineralization styles in a young sedimentary basin: Models for Carbonate-hosted Base Metal Deposits, Irish Association for Economic Geology, Proceedings Volume (Dublin, Ireland), p. 66-74.
Saunders, J.A., 1992, Geochemical modeling of salt dome cap rock-brine reactions: Proceedings of the 7thInternational Symposium on Water-Rock Interaction, Park City, Utah: (Balkeema Press), p. 1121-1124.
Saunders, J.A., and Swann, C.T., 1991, Relationship between calcite solubility and chloride content of ground water from the Paleozoic aquifer, Alcorn County, Mississippi: Miss. Water Resources Conf. Proc., Jackson, MS, p. 56-66.
U.S. Government and Other Publications (variably peer-reviewed)
Kyle, J.R. and Saunders, J.A., Nature and origin of mineral resources in the Gulf Coast basin: Society of Economic Geologists Field Trip Guidebook Series, v. 24, p. 3-30.
Saunders, J.A., 1992, Geology of the Shiloh Church Mo-Zn-Pb deposit, Polk County, Georgia, in Chowns, T.C. and O’Connor, B.J., (eds.), Cambro-Ordovician strata in northwest Georgia and southeast Tennessee; The Knox Group and the Sequatchie Formation: Georgia Geological Society Field Trip Guidebook, v. 12, no. 1, p. 81-87.
Saunders, J.A., 1992, Cretaceous water-rock reactions at the Jackson dome, Mississippi: geochemical modeling with the computer program SOLMINEQ.88: Mississippi Geology, v. 13, p. 6-11.
Riddle, G.O, Meier, A.L., Matooka, J.M., Erlich, O., Clark, J.R., Saunders, J.A., Fey, D.L., and Sparks, T., 1992, Analytical results for B-horizon soil samples from the International Falls and Roseau 1ox2o quadrangles, Minnesota/Ontario: U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 92-721, 10 p. + diskette.
Toran, L.E., and Saunders, J.A., 1992, Geochemical and groundwater flow modeling of multiport-instrumented core holes (GW-131 through GW-135): Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant Technical Report Y/TS-895, 27 p.
Saunders, J.A., 1991, Mineral resource potential of the Jackson Dome: Phase II: U.S. Bureau of Mines Open File Report OFR 34-92, 26 p.
Saunders, J.A., 1990, Preliminary evaluation of the mineral resource potential of the Jackson Dome, Mississippi: U.S. Bureau of Mines Open File Report OFR 48-90, 25p.
Nash, J.T., Utterback, W.C., and Saunders, J.A., 1989, Geology and geochemistry of the Sleeper Gold-silver deposit, Humboldt County, Nevada–an interim report: U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 89-476, 39 p.
Saunders, J.A., 1989, Groundwater geochemistry as a guide to aquifer interconnection above Tatum salt dome, Mississippi: Mississippi Geology, v. 9, no. 3, p. 1-8.
Saunders, J.A., 1988, Occurrence and origin of native sulfur in caprock from Tatum salt dome, Mississippi: Mississippi Geology, v. 8, no. 3, p. 1-4.
Nash, J.T., Hahn, G.A., and Saunders, J.A., 1987, The occurrence of gold in siliceous Co-Cu exhalite deposits of the Blackbird district, Lemhi County, Idaho: U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report OFR87-410.
Saunders, J.A., Fairfield, R.F., Jr., and Siems, D.F., 1986, Analytical results and sample locality map for stream- sediment and panned concentrate samples from the Fandango and Morey Peak Wilderness Study areas, Nye County, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report OFR-196, 16 p.
Diggles, M.F., Saunders, J.A., Ponce, D.A., Rochette, E., and Neubert, J.T., 1986, Mineral resources of the South Reveille Wilderness Study Area, Nye County, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1731-C, 11 p.
Saunders, J.A., and Siems, D.F., 1986, Analytical results and sample locality map for nonmagnetic heavy-mineral concentrates from stream sediments from the South Reveille Wilderness Study Area, Nye County, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report OFR86-95.
Saunders, J.A., and Rowan, E.L., 1986, Reconnaissance fluid inclusion study of silver and gold deposits in the Tonopah 1×2 degree quadrangle, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report OFR86-519, 13 p.
Recent Published Abstracts
Saunders, J.A., Kyle, J.R., and Reed, M.H., 2013, Formation of base metal and silver sulfide occurrences in Gulf Coast salt dome cap rocks from formation fluids: Geological Society of America Annual meeting, Denver, CO, GSA Abstracts with Programs Vol. 45, No. 7.
Wells, A., Uddin, A., Lee, M.-K., Saunders, J.A., 2013, Heavy minerals in sediments from arsenic contaminated aquifers in central Bengal Basin, Bangladesh: Geological Society of America Annual meeting, Denver, CO, GSA Abstracts with Programs Vol. 45, No. 7.
Huq, M., Uddin, A., Lee, M.-K., Saunders, J.A., Alam, M., and Ahmed, K.M., 2013, XRF and geochemical study of pore fluid and shallow sediments from arsenic-dsafe and arsenic-bearing aquifers in Bangladesh: Geological Society of America Annual meeting, Denver, CO, GSA Abstracts with Programs Vol. 45, No. 7.
Shimizu, T., Saunders, J., and Morishita, Y., 2013, Petrographic characteristics of electrum, chalcopyrite and quartz in the bonanza ores of Hishikari Au-Ag epithermal deposit, Japan: The Society of Resource Geology (Japan), Annual Meeting, Abstracts with Programs, p. 51.
Hames, W., Brueseke, M., and Saunders, J., 2013, Laser 40Ar/39Ar dating of supervolcanoes and super gold deposits along the trace of the Miocene Yellowstone Hotspot : International Goldschmidt Conference, Florence, Italy, Sept, 2013, Abstract Volume, p. 1248.
Mason, M., Saunders, J.A., Shimizu, T., 2013, Doubly terminated quartz crystals in epithermal gold-silver veins: evidence for physical transport. Geological Society of America Annual meeting, Denver, CO, GSA Abstracts with Programs Vol. 45, No. 7 Abstract No: 232188.
Shimizu, T., and Saunders, J.A. 2013, Petrographic and copper isotopic study of epithermal bonanza ores in Japan: Evidence from Hishikari and Koryu deposits:, Geological Society of America Annual meeting, Denver, CO, GSA Abstracts with Programs Vol. 45, No. 7 Abstract No: 228239.
Summerlin, E.S., Saunders, J.A., Gonzales, D., 2013, Contrasting styles of gold-silver ores in the La Plata mining district, southwestern Colorado: The porphyry to epithermal transition: Geological Society of America Annual meeting, Denver, CO, GSA Abstracts with Programs Vol. 45, No. 7 Abstract No: 228511.
Kamenov, G.D., and Saunders, J.A., 2013, Decoding fine-scale Pb isotope disequilibrium between gold and vein gangue minerals in the Sleeper epithermal deposit, Nevada: Geological Society of America Annual meeting, Denver, CO, GSA Abstracts with Programs Vol. 45, No. 7.
Saunders, J.A., and Carpenter, R.H, 2012, Formation of alluvial gold nuggets of by biogeochemical weathering in the Southern Appalachian Piedmont: GSA Annual national meeting, Charlotte NC, 11/12. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 44, No. 7, Paper No. 30893-207202.
Saunders, J.A., Mathur, R., Kamenov, G.D., Breuseke, M., and Hames, W.E., New copper and lead isotope data supporting a deep origin of metallic nanoparticles in bonanza epithermal ores: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 44, No. 7, p.505, Paper No. 213-3.
Aseto, C., Hames, W.E., Saunders, J.A., and Brueseke, M., 2012 ,Timing of mineralization and epithermal Au-Ag deposits in relation to magmatism along the track of the Miocene Yellowstone Hotpsot: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 44, No. 7, p.505, Paper No. 213-12.
Steiner, R., Brake, S., Brinkmann, S., Saunders, J.A., Hames, W.E., Aseto, C., 2012, Evaluation of ore mineralogy associated with precious metals mineralization at Florida Mountain, Silver City District, ID: GSA North-Central Section – 46th Annual Meeting (23–24 April 2012)
Hasten, Z., Brueseke, M., Hames, W. and Saunders, J., 2012, Mid-Miocene volcanism in the Owyhee Mountains(ID) and implications for coeval epithermal precious-metal mineralization: International Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference, Montreal, Canada, June 2012, Abstracts Volume.
Saunders, J.A., Kemenov, G.D., Brueseke, M.E., and Hames, W.E., 2011, Hydrothermal precious-metal and sulfide nanoparticle transport and deposition and the genesis of bonanza epithermal ores (Paper 212-9):Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program, v. 43, no. 5, p. 514.
Steiner, R.A., Brake, S.S., Saunders, J.A., Hames, W.E., and Aseto, C., 2011, Precious metal mineralization at Florida Mountain, Silver City District, Idaho (Paper 168-12): Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program, v. 43, no. 5, p. 414.
Aseto, C., Saunders, J.A., Hames, W.E., and Brueseke, M.E., 2011, Geochronology of gold-silver mineralization on War Eagle Mountain and contiguous mines in the Silver City District, Idaho (Paper 13-10): Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 43, no. 2, p. 28.
Keimowitz, A.R., Lee, M.-K., Saunders, J.A., Lamborg, K.H., Okeke, B., Natter, M., Natter, M., Lewis, D., and Chung, h., 2011, After the Spill: Metal cycling in Gulf Coast Wetlands Paper (137-11): Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program, v. 43, no. 5, p. 346.
Hasten, Z.E.L., Brueseke, M.E., Hames, W.E., and Saunders, J.A., 2011, Petrology and magmatic evolution of the Silver City District, Owyhee Mountains (ID): Geol. Soc. America Abstracts with Programs v. 43, no. 4, Abstract No: 187435.
Saunders, J.A., and Brueseke, M.E., 2010, Volatility of metal(loid)s and the geographic-geochemical zonation of epithermal/epizonal ores in western USA :, Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Nov., 2010 (talk 11-1).
Saunders, J.A., 2010, Arsenic and old minerals: How earth’s oxidation led to arsenic’s toxic release to the continental hydrosphere: Geol. Soc. America Abstracts with Programs, Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Nov., 2010 (talk 80-9, INVITED PARDEE KEYNOTE).
Hames, W., Brueseke, M., Kamenov, G., Marma, J., Saunders, J., and Unger, D., 2010, Geochemical and geochronologic constraints for evolution of epithermal Au-Ag veins of the northern Great basin: New data from Midas, Nevada: Geol. Soc. America Abstracts with Programs, Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Nov., 2010 (talk 246-15)
Saunders, J.A., and Brueseke, M.E., 2010, Volatility of metals during subduction-related “distillation” and the geochemistry of epithermal ores in western USA: Goldschmidt International Geochemistry Symposium, Knoxville, Tennessee., (June 13-18, 2010) Abstracts with Programs, Abstract # A193, p. 161.
Uddin, A., Shamsudduha, M., Saunders, J.A., Lee, M-K, and Ahmed, K.M., 2010, Mineralogical and geochemical profiling ot arsenic-contaminated aquifers in central Bangladesh: Goldschmidt International Geochemistry Symposium, Knoxville, Tennessee., (June 13-18, 2010) Abstracts with Programs, Abstract # A1062, p. 247.
Saunders, J.A., Kamenov, G.D., Barra, F., Hofstra, A.H. and Unger, D.L., 2010, “Forensic” geochemical approaches to constrain origin of Au-Ag in low-sulfidation epithermal Ores: Geological Society of Nevada 2010 Symposium, Great Basin Evolution and Metallogeny, Program with Abstracts, p. 77.
Saunders, J.A., Vikre, P.G., and Unger, D. L., 2010, Colloidal textures exhibited by ore and gangue minerals in bonanza epithermal veins and their significance: Geological Society of Nevada 2010 Symposium, Great Basin Evolution and Metallogeny, Program with Abstracts, p. 77-78.
Brueseke, M.E., Saunders, J.A., and Hames, W.E., 2009, Mid-Miocene magmatism and mineralization in the northern Great basin and Oregon Plateau,: The link between bonanza epithermal ore deposits and the Yellowstone hotspot: Geol. Soc. America Abstracts with Programs (INVITED)., Annual meeting, Portland, OR, Nov. 2009.
Saunders, J.A., 2009, Role of bacteria in hydrogeochemistry, metal cycling and ore deposit formation; Proceedings of 2009 Goldschmidt Conference, Davos, Switzerland, (pg. A1161) and to be republished in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. (INVITED KEYNOTE)
Lee, M.-K., Saunders, J.A., Dhakal, P., Uddin, A., Shamsudduha, M., 2008, Geochemical Modeling of arsenic speciation, sorption, and precipitation under changing redox conditions: Geol. Soc. Am. Abstracts with Programs, v. 40 (GSA Annual Meeting, Houston, TX.)
Dhakal, P., Saunders, J.A., and Lee, M.-K., 2008, Arsenic sequestration in arsenian pyrite in low-temperature groundwater: Filed bioremediation, laboratory investigations, and geochemical Modeling approaches: Geol. Soc. Am. Abstracts with Programs, v. 40 (Southeastern GSA).
Dhakal, P., Saunders, J.A., Lee, M.-K., and Savage, K.S., 2007, Arsenian pyrite : The most important solid arsenic phase in groundwater under sulfate-reducing conditions: Geol. Soc. Am. Abstracts with Programs, v. 39, (GSA Annual Meeting, Denver)
Hames, W.E, Saunders, J.A., Kamenov, G.D., and Unger, D.L., 2007, Metallogeny and magmatism of the early Yellowstone hotspot: Geol. Soc. Am. Abstracts with Programs, v. 39, (GSA Annual Meeting, Denver).
Saunders, J.A, Kamenov, G.D., Hames, W.E, Unger, D.L. 2007, Lead isotope data from precious-metal minerals: Implications for the genesis of bonanza Au-Ag-Se deposits of the northern Great Basin, USA: Geol. Soc. Am. Abstracts with Programs, v. 39, (GSA Annual Meeting, Denver).
Kamenov, G.D., Saunders, J.A, Hames, W.E, 2007, Mafic magmas as gold sources for epithermal deposits: Insights from high-precision Pb-Isotopic measurements of gold ores from diverse volcanic-tectonic settings: Geol. Soc. Am. Abstracts with Programs, v. 39, (GSA Annual Meeting, Denver).
Shamsudduha, Mohammad, Uddin, Ashraf, Saunders, James A., Lee, Ming-Kuo, Chowdury, Mohammad T., and Ahmed, Kazi M., 2007, Authigenic and detrital minerals in the Quaternary sediments and their connection to elevated arsenic concentrations in alluvial aquifers in the Bengal Basin: Geol. Soc. Am. Abstracts with Programs, v. 39, (GSA Annual Meeting, Denver).
Dhakal, P., Saunders, J.A., 2007, Risk evaluation – a case study Chlanakhel landslide, Kathmandu Valley, Central Nepal: Geol. Soc. Am. Abstracts with Programs, v. 39, (GSA Annual Meeting, Denver).
Saunders, J.A., 2007, Genesis of Yellowstone Hotspot-related bonanza Au-Ag epithermal deposits, Northern Great Basin, USA: Abstracts of Mineral Deposits Studies Group AGM, Brighton, UK, 1/2007. (INVITED KEYNOTE)
Shamuddha, M., Uddin, A., Saunders, J., Lee, M.K., 2007, Sediment and mineralogical constraints on elevated groundwater arsenic in alluvial aquifers in Bangladesh: Geol. Soc. Am. Abstracts with Programs, v. 39, (GSA SE Meeting, Savannah, GA).
Shamuddha, M., Uddin, A., Saunders, J., Lee, M.K., 2006, Sediment characteristics and stratigraphy of arsenic- contaminated alluvial aquifers of Manikganj, Bangladesh: GSA Abstracts with Programs Vol. 38, No. 7 (Annual meeting, Philadelphia)
Shamsudduha, M, Uddin, Asraf, Lee, Ming-Kuo, and Saunders, James A., 2006, Geomorphological control on spatial correlation between groundwater arsenic and other ions in alluvial aquifers of Bangladesh: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Southeastern Section Meeting.
Graduate Students
Saunders has directed or served as a thesis committee member >50 BS, MS, and PhD thesis at Auburn University and University of Mississippi. Two new MS students started 8/12 (Erin Summerlin, U. Georgia; Mike Mason, UVA).
Courses Taught at Auburn University
Min. Resources & Environment
Economic Geology
Principles of Geochemistry
Aq. and Envir. Geochemistry
Groundwater Chemical Modeling Engineering Geology
Physical Geology
Geology of the National Parks
Geology of the Southeast
Additional Courses Taught Elsewhere
Mineralogy (BSU; U. Miss)
Petrology (BSU; Univ. Miss.)
Hydrogeology (Univ. Miss., Jackson Engineering Program)
Advanced Geochemistry (Univ. Miss., Jackson Engineering Program)
Feel free to contact us to discuss your project needs or to arrange a speaking engagement by one of our Associates for a professional training session, a technical conference, society meeting, or for a graduation ceremony or other function where the knowledge and experience of our Associates may be of interest to your group.
