Andrew's defining contributions to the scientific community include:
Adaptation of the National Uranium Resource Evaluation program (NURE) geochemical and geophysical data for industrial heavy-mineral exploration and resource assessment.
Andrew is a geologist, geochemist, and mineral resources specialist, having served the USGS for 35 years (1975-2011); 28 as a Research Geologist and 5+ as Developmental Geologist. Concurrently he served as the USGS Resources Specialist for Rare Earths (REE), Yttrium (Y), Scandium (Sc), Titanium (Ti), Zirconium (Zr), and Hafnium (Hf), for which he developed exploration methods for US onshore and US Exclusive Economic Zone (USEEZ) marine hard-mineral resources. Over the course of his career at USGS, Andrew led many multi-disciplinary, multi-agency scientific research projects and has developed and cultivated constructive enterprises between the federal and private sectors. He continues his research as head of the Global Mineral Sands, Inc..
His expertise on heavy minerals (HM) is demonstrated in over 130 peer-reviewed professional manuscripts and publications that cover the fields of economic geology, geochemistry, geophysics, and environmental geology, for most of which he was the senior author. His technical reports detail the use of national-scale geochemical and geophysical data for heavy-mineral exploration, a new method of exploration for continental and marine heavy-mineral deposits by use of induced polarization technology, and the production of a US National Geochemical Survey (NGS) of large-scale utility in placer minerals exploration. These publications have received numerous personal citations from state geological surveys, industry exploration and are cited in many academic, scientific, industrial and government publications and policy documents.
Over the course of his career, Andrew has initiated and lead work in melding highly disparate data sets of chemical, geophysical, bathymetric, and geologic information, and developed completely new ways to evaluate the data collected both on land and offshore.
Andrew’s studies of industrial heavy-mineral resources in Coastal Plain, Continental Shelf, and periglacial sediments have become the definitive body of work for the province. His work on placers of the US Atlantic Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is the first informed evaluation of the mineral resource potential of an area nearly the size of the entire eastern US, and his technical work established the de-facto standards for both data-acquisition and analysis for placer mineral resources in Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain Province and the adjacent US EEZ.
A recognized researcher in offshore/onshore heavy-mineral resources, Andrew has been invited many times to address national and international professional organizations and received numerous citations in the literature. He was honored by requests by Federal and state agencies, industry, academia (including foreign), and foreign governments to formulate and guide heavy-mineral resource assessment studies along with training of technical personnel. Over the course of his career, he has been invited to make many presentations at international conferences, plenary sessions, and as keynote speaker. Andrew has received numerous personal citations from state geological surveys, industry exploration geologists, and other federal agencies for methods and philosophies of approach he developed.
He also introduced the use of the National Uranium Resource Evaluation program (NURE) geochemical and geophysical data for industrial heavy-mineral exploration and resource assessment. His work using NURE data has been widely adopted by industry for domestic and international exploration and he has been widely sought out as an Expert Advisor by a large group of federal and state agencies, mineral exploration companies, and universities.
Andrew’s professional record demonstrates his ability to conceive, organize, implement, and complete a wide range of projects. For example on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the US Atlantic Continental Shelf and EEZ; new uses for NURE geochemical data and sample processing and analytical procedures, and the first national-scale geochemical survey of the United States.
National Geochemical Survey
1999-2011
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Extensively consulted, collaborated, and gained the cooperation of diverse groups in state geological surveys, private industry, Alaskan Native Corporations, other Federal agencies, and foreign geological surveys.
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Lead of a team of senior research scientists in a US National Geochemical Survey (NGS).
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Planned, designed, coordinated, and directed sample selection, acquisition, compilation, upgrading, and acquisition of new data coverage.
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Defined chemical elements to be determined and the types of analytical methods, techniques, and sensitivities required.
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Directed and conducted analysis and interpretation of geochemical data.
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Monitored, technically directed, reviewed, and evaluated cooperative and/or contracted activities.
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Expanded the work to include Canadian and Mexican geochemical data for a North American compilation.
Andrew conceived, designed, and implemented the National Geochemical Survey (NGS); a collaborative effort between government, industry, and academia to map the geochemical landscape of the US (the entire 50 States).
The NGS was the first systematic study of it’s type and magnitude attempted by the USGS with a parallel effort to map North America collaboratively with Mexico and Canada. The survey’s scope provides data for over 60 analytes, and extended to the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain Province and adjacent Continental Shelf, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of the Mariannas.
Over 80,000 analyzed samples of surficial sediment covering about 70% of the US significantly advanced our knowledge about the chemical characteristics of the rocks and soils of the US. The NGS also characterized the nature and magnitude of anthropogenic and geologic arsenic signatures for the US.
Leading a federal project team in developing a vision for and achieving a national geochemical coverage, Andrew designed and implemented studies that addressed issues ranging from baseline values for chemical elements with known environmental impacts, to guiding mineral exploration activities ranging widely in geologic setting, sampling philosophy, and scale.
Through the NGS, Andrew showed potential for heavy-mineral resources in the US to be much greater than previously thought, especially in the largely unexplored central and western states and Alaska.
Managing the NGS was a complex and eclectic scientific undertaking that required careful daily collaborative interaction with a very diverse group that includes geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, chemists, engineers, land managers, hydrologists, soil scientists, statisticians, and mineral-exploration industry counterparts. The team was carefully assembled to assure expert knowledge of developments in government, industry, and academia concerning issues such as current and future availability of mineral resources, and potential new, or unconventional sources of a variety of important mineral resources.
Atlantic Coastal Plain and Continental Shelf
Andrew’s body of research on Atlantic Coastal Plain and Continental Shelf sediments spans 35 years and consists of 31 manuscripts and 25 abstracts. He developed the philosophy and method of research used in these publications, instituted uniform reporting standards, and was the senior author of most. These publications comprise over 95% of the available literature on the geology and economic geology of HM resources in Atlantic Continental Shelf sediments, and are the first systematic study attempted for the province.
Andrew designed and developed strategy and procedures for using existing geochemical and geophysical data for titanium mineral exploration in sub-marine regions where exploration is difficult, or where there is only suggestive evidence for mineralization. He successfully promoted the effort into a joint enterprise with government (Federal, State), academia, and industry. Numerous publications and a short course transferred this technology to industry which is using the method in exploration domestically and abroad.
Providing the foundation of a new understanding, this work corrected previous hypotheses on HM in ACS sediments. The roles that weathering, texture, dispersal, geologic and geomorphic settings, environment of deposition, and other factors play in the formation and preservation of placer deposits are detailed.These publications are commonly used and cited in scientific, government (Federal, State, and foreign), industrial (DuPont and RGC Minerals), and academic publications and policy documents.
Salient Publications
Grosz, A.E., Berquist, C.R., Jr., and Fischler, C.T., 1990, A procedure for assessing heavy-mineral resources potential of continental shelf sediments, in, Heavy Mineral Studies--Virginia Inner Continental Shelf, Berquist, C.R., Jr., ed., Virginia Division of Mineral Resources Publication 103, pp. 13-30.
This publication codifies field, laboratory, and data reduction methods and procedures for studies conducted on over 30,000 heavy-mineral fractions of samples representing surficial and shallow subsurface sediments. Procedures have been adopted in studies by other federal agencies (former USBM, MMS), state geological surveys, academia, industry, and by foreign governments. This system is the basis for our new understanding of the nature and magnitude of titanium and related heavy-mineral resources in U.S. Atlantic Continental Shelf sediments.
Wynn, J.C., and Grosz, A.E., 2000, Induced polarization: A tool for mapping titanium-bearing placers, hidden metallic objects, and urban waste on and beneath the seafloor: Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, v. 5, no. 3, pp. 27-35.
A study developing a new method of exploration for continental and marine placer mineral deposits, and introducing an application to locating man-made artifacts on and within the shallow ocean-floor. Concentrations of titanium minerals below commercial thresholds can be detected and quantified to depths exceeding those of the commercial deposits. Concentrations of a number of associated economic heavy minerals (for example, zircon and monazite) can also be measured. Results have implications for quick and effective quantitative measures of hard-mineral resources of continental shelves and of anthropogenic effects onshore and offshore.
Andrew catalyzed a series of studies with Jeff Wynn on the application of Induced Polarization technology to placers and collaborated with Jeff by laboratory and mineralogic measurements, suggesting and promoting offshore extension of the work. Andrew arranged for ship-time and support crew for critical developmental work offshore of the Atlantic seaboard, including work over the Inner Atlantic Continental Shelf offshore of Murrells Inlet, SC. The USGS subsequently patented the offshore streamer developed a CRADA for commercial application.
Publications & Speaking Engagements
Invited lectures & keynote presentations on
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Gamma-ray spectrometry in geologic mapping and exploration.
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Geologic, geophysical, economic geologic, and exploration methods for placer deposits of heavy minerals in sediments of the Atlantic Coastal Plain and Continental Shelf.
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Methods and data standards for continental shelf studies.
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Geochemical survey designs, concepts, mapping, interpretation and application to mineral exploration and environmental baseline determinations domestically and abroad.
Publications
Andrew has authored over 130 peer-reviewed publications including abstracts of presentations given at scientific meetings (references available upon request)
Select Abstracts
Grosz, A.E., and Grossman, J.N., 2000, Mapping arsenic, selenium, and mercury in the United States: methods, results, and implications: Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine, May 7-10, San Juan, PR, pp. 32-33.
Grosz, A.E., Grossman, J., Garrett, Robert, Friske, Peter, Smith, D.B., Darnley, A.G., and Vowinkel, Eric, 2000, A Preliminary Geochemical Map for Arsenic in Surficial Materials of Canada and the United States: Arsenic in Groundwater of Sedimentary Aquifers, Abstracts Pre-Congress Workshop, 31st International Geological Congress, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 3-5, pp. 47-49.
McNeal, J.M., Schruben, P.G., Grosz, A.E., Newell, W.L., and Duval, J.S., 2000, Predicting the potential occurrence of radium in ground water in the Atlantic Coastal Plain, in Abstracts with Programs, The Geological Society of America 35th Annual Meeting, Northeastern Section, March 13-15, New Brunswick, NJ, Feb. 2000, v. 32, no. 1, p. A-59.
Grosz, A.E., Grossman, J.N., and Smith, D.B., 2002, National-scale maps of arsenic in soils and stream sediments of the United States, in Fifth International Conference on Arsenic Exposure and Health Effects, San Diego, CA.
Grosz, A.E., Grossman, J.N., Garrett, R.G., and Gómez, E.D.R., 2003, Geochemistry of Surficial Materials of North America, Abstracts with Programme, 6th International Symposium on Environmental Geochemistry, 7-11 September 2003, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Grosz, A.E., Grossman, J.N., and Smith, D.B., 2003, The National Geochemical Survey of the United States: Implications for Radioelement Mapping, IAEA Meeting on “Radioelement Mapping and Status of the Global Radioelement Baseline and Maps”, Golden, CO, June 2003
Grosz, A.E., Grossman, J.N., Soller, D.R., Garrett, R., Friske, P.W.B., Rivera, F.M., Iturribarría, F de M.H., Prieto J.C.S., and Gómez, E.D.R., 2004, Arsenic in surficial sediments of North America, Abstracts with Program, 32nd International Geological Congress, Florence, Italy, August 20-28.
Grosz, A.E., and Grossman, J.N, 2004, The National Geochemical Survey of the United States, Abstracts with Program, 32nd International Geological Congress, Florence, Italy, August 20-28. BIBLIOGRAPHY (non-abstract publications) 1978-1988, 17 Wilderness and RARE II Mineral Resource Assessments (references on request) 1983- 1993) 19 reports on the economic geology of Atlantic continental margin mineral resources
Force, E.R., Grosz, A.E., Loferski, P.J., and Maybin, A.H., 1982, Aeroradioactivity maps in heavy-mineral exploration--Charleston, S.C., area: USGS Professional Paper 1218, 19 p.
Grosz, A.E., 1983, Application of total-count aeroradiometric maps to the exploration for heavy-mineral deposits in the Coastal Plain of Virginia, with a section on field spectrometer data reduction by K. L. Kosanke: USGS Professional Paper 1263, 20 p.
Grosz, A.E., 1984, Assessment and scientific understanding of placer resources in the EEZ (Placer Deposits Section), in Symposium Proceed¬ings -- A National Program for the Assessment and Development of the Mineral Resources of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone: USGS Circular 929, pp. 191-193.
Grosz, A.E., Ronai, A., and Lopez, R., 1985, Contribution to the deter-mination of the Plio-Pleistocene boundary in sediments of the Pannonian Basin: Geophysical Transactions of the Eotvos Lorand Geophysical Institute, Hungary, Vol. 31, No. 1-3, pp. 89-99.
Luepke, G., and Grosz, A.E., (1986), Distribution of economic heavy minerals in sediments of Saco Bay, Maine: USGS Bulletin 1681, 12 p.
Attanasi, E.D., de Young, J.H., Force, E.R., and Grosz, A.E., 1987, Resource assessments, geologic deposit models, and offshore minerals with an example of heavy-mineral sands, in Advances in marine minerals research and assessment, P.G. Teleki, M.R. Dobson, J.R. Moore, and U. von Stackelberg, eds., NATO Advanced Research Institute Series, Dordrecht, Netherlands: Reidel Publishing Co., pp. 485-513.
Wynn, J.C., Grosz, A.E., and Foscz, V.M., 1990, Induced polarization and magnetic response of titanium-bearing placer deposits in the south¬eastern United States, in Induced Polarization--Application and Case Histories: Society of Exploration Geophysicists Investigations in Geophysics No.4, pp. 280-303.
Grosz, A.E., Cathcart, J.B., Macke D.L., Knapp, M.S., Schmidt, W., and Scott, T.M., 1989, Geologic interpretation of the gamma-ray aeroradio¬metric maps of central and northern Florida: USGS Professional Paper 1461, 48 p.
Grosz, A.E., 1987, Nature and distribution of potential heavy-mineral resources offshore of the Atlantic Coast of the United States: Marine Mining, v. 6, pp. 339-357.
Grosz, A.E., Berquist, C.R., Jr., and Fischler, C.T., 1990, A procedure for assessing heavy-mineral resources potential of continental shelf sediments, in Heavy Mineral Studies--Virginia Inner Continental Shelf, Berquist, C.R., Jr., ed., Virginia Division of Mineral Resources Publication 103, pp. 13-30.
Grosz, A.E., 1992, Exploration for submarine mineral deposits by use of gamma-ray radiometric methods, in Geyer, R.A., ed., CRC Handbook of Geophysical Exploration at Sea, Second Edition, Hard Minerals: CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, FL, pp. 283-310.
Grosz, A.E., and Kelly, W.M., 1991, Titanium-zirconium-rare-earth placer resources potential of surficial sediments on the Atlantic Continental Shelf offshore of New York, Rhode Island, and southern Massachusetts: USGS OF Report 091-391, 36 p.
Grosz, A.E., 1993, Mineralogy and heavy-mineral resource potential of surficial sediments on the Atlantic Continental Shelf offshore of Georgia: Georgia Geologic Survey Project Report 19, 31 p.
Grosz, A.E., 1993, Use of geochemical surveys in Ti-Hf-REE-Th-U placer exploration--A mid-Atlantic states example, in, Scott, R.W., Jr., Detra, P.S., and Berger, B.R., eds., Advances related to United states and international mineral resources: Developing frameworks and exploration technologies: USGS Bulletin 2039, pp. 181-188.
Grosz, A.E., 1993, NURE stream sediment geochemical data indicative of prospective terranes for Ti-Zr-REE placer exploration in selected regions of the United States: USGS OF Report 93-240-A, 158 p.
Peper, J.D., Grosz, A.E., Kress, T.H., Collins, T.K., Kappesser, G.B., Huber, C.M., and Webb, J.R., 1995, Acid deposition sensitivity map of the Southern Appalachian Assessment Area – Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama: USGS Digital OF Report 95-810.
Grosz, A.E., Meier, A.L., and Clardy, B.F., 1995, Rare earth elements in the Cason Shale of northern Arkansas: A geochemical reconnaissance: Arkansas Geological Commission Information Circular 33, 13 p.
Foley, J.Y., LaBerge, R.D., Grosz, A.E., Oliver, F.S., and Hirt, W.C., 1995, Onshore titanium and related heavy-mineral investigations in the eastern Gulf of Alaska, southeastern Alaska: US Bureau of Mines OF Report 10-95, 125p.
Grosz, A.E., and Schruben, P.G., 1994, NURE geochemical and geophysical surveys–Defining prospective terranes for placer exploration in the United States: USGS Bulletin 2097, 9p.
Grosz A.E., Greenwood J.W., Schruben P.G., and Grossman J.N., 1997, Definition of prospective terranes for industrial polyminerallic placers in the Mississippi embayment region by use of uranium exploration data, in, Uranium Exploration Data and the Techniques Applied to the Preparation of Radioelement Maps, Proceedings of a Technical Committee Meeting held in Vienna, 13-17 May 1996: International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA-TECDOC-980. pp. 409-423.
Wynn, J.C., and Grosz, A.E., 2000, Induced polarization – A tool for mapping titanium-bearing placers, hidden metallic objects, and urban waste on and beneath the seafloor: Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, v. 5, no. 3, pp. 27-35.
Grosz, A.E., Grossman, J.N., Garrett, R., Friske, P., Smith, D.B., Darnley, A.G., Vowinkel, E., 2004, A preliminary geochemical map for arsenic in surficial materials of Canada and the United States, Applied Geochemistry v. 19, pp. 257–260. US Geological Survey, 2004, The National Geochemical Survey - Database and Documentation, USGS OF Report 2004-1001, Version 1.0, http://tin.er.usgs.gov/geochem/doc/home.htm