The briny waters produced during extraction of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale require special handling and disposal. A group of G&PS geochemists led by Elizabeth Chapman (Ph.D. 2011) have shown that the natural isotope ratio of strontium (Sr) is highly sensitive for distinguishing between Marcellus brines and other sources.

Keely McCaskie has won a 2012  Morris K. Udall Scholarship, one of just 80 students nationwide who are rewarded for their "commitment to careers in the environment... leadership potential; and academic achievement."