Donald I. Siegel
{{Short description|American hydrogeologist (born 1947)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox scientist
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| name = Donald I. Siegel
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| image = DonaldSiegel.jpg
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| caption = Donald I. Siegel in 2014
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| birth_date = {{birth date |1947|10|24}}
| birth_place = New York City
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| citizenship = American
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| workplaces = Syracuse University
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| alma_mater = University of Minnesota
Pennsylvania State University
University of Rhode Island
| thesis_title = Hydrogeochemistry and kinetics of silicate weathering in a gabbroic watershed, Filson Creek, Northeastern Minnesota
| thesis_url = https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/007397060
| thesis_year = 1981
| doctoral_advisor = Hans-Olaf Pfannkuch
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| awards = Meinzer Award (2005)
Fellow of the AAAS (2012)
Fellow of the AGU (2013)
Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal (2022)
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| website = {{URL|https://thecollege.syr.edu/people/faculty/siegel-donald-i/}}
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Donald Ira Siegel (born October 24, 1947) is the emeritus Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor in the department of Earth Science at Syracuse University.{{cite web |title=Donald I. Siegel |url=https://thecollege.syr.edu/people/faculty/siegel-donald-i/ |publisher=Syracuse University College of Arts and Sciences |access-date=May 8, 2021 |language=en-us}} He served as the president of the Geological Society of America from July 2019 until June 2020. Siegel is known for his work in wetland geochemistry and hydrogeology.
Education
Siegel earned his Bachelors in Geology at University of Rhode Island in 1969. He earned his MS at Penn State and PhD in Hydrogeology at University of Minnesota.{{cite thesis |last1=Siegel |first1=Donald I. |type=M.S.|title=Quartzite genesis in the upper Johnnie Formation. |date=1971 |publisher=Pennsylvania State University |url=https://catalog.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/1458584 |oclc=299194121 |access-date=May 8, 2021 |language=English}} His 1981 PhD thesis was titled "Hydrogeochemistry and kinetics of silicate weathering in a gabbroic watershed, Filson Creek, Northeastern Minnesota".{{cite thesis |last1=Siegel |first1=Donald I. |title=Hydrogeochemistry and kinetics of silicate weathering in a gabbroic watershed, Filson Creek, Northeastern Minnesota |oclc=152580376 |date=1981 |url=https://primo.lib.umn.edu/permalink/f/1jg5c4a/UMN_ALMA21414540660001701 |access-date=May 8, 2021 |publisher=University of Minnesota}}
Career
Siegel began his career at Amerada Hess Corporation in 1971 as an exploration geologist, conducting geological studies to locate oil and gas in the Rocky Mountains and southwestern United States.
He moved to the United States Geological Survey in 1976 as a district hydrogeologist in the Minnesota District.{{cite tech report |first=Siegel |last=Donald I. |title=Testimony before the Committee on Environmental and Public Works: Statement of Donald Seigel, Wetlands Regulations |date=June 26, 1997 |number= |institution=United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works |url=https://www.epw.senate.gov/105th/sie_6-26.htm |access-date=May 8, 2021}}
In 1982, he became an assistant professor at the College of Arts and Sciences at Syracuse University, becoming a full professor in 1992. Siegel was appointed department chair in 2013 and worked at Syracuse until his retirement in 2017. He was also the Jessie Page Heroy Professor and a Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence (2009).{{cite news |last1=Moritz |first1=Cyndi |title=Earth Sciences Chair Pursues Sideline as Guitarist |url=https://news.syr.edu/blog/2016/08/15/earth-sciences-chair-pursues-sideline-as-guitarist-81668/ |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=SU News |date=August 15, 2016 |language=en-us}}{{cite news |last1=Winne Alvarez |first1=Jaime |title=Eleven Syracuse University faculty members to be recognized at April 6 Faculty Honors Reception |url=https://news.syr.edu/blog/2009/04/06/eleven-syracuse-university-faculty-members-to-be-recognized-at-april-6-faculty-honors-reception/ |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=SU News |date=April 6, 2009}}
Research
While working as a USGS hydrologist, after making his early observations on deep groundwater deposits, Siegel discovered that groundwater flow regulates the diversity of habitats in the mires, world's largest wetlands. He also studied interaction of oil-spill organic matter with minerals in affected aquifers, interaction of this groundwater with wetlands, and the westernmost edge where acid rain was being deposited by coal-fired power plants.
After joining the faculty at Syracuse, Siegel studied of how groundwater and deep saline waters passed through the Marcellus Shale millions of years ago to the present. Siegel's wetland research evolved into an examination of how groundwater flow and water quality influences greenhouse gas emissions in vast peat lands in northern Canada, Siberia, and northern Minnesota. His early study of groundwater contamination resulted in the closure of Staten Island's Fresh Kills Landfill.{{cite journal |last1=Siegel |first1=D. I. |last2=Chanton |first2=J. R. |last3=Glaser |first3=P. H. |last4=Chasar |first4=L. S. |last5=Rosenberry |first5=D. O. |title=Estimating methane production rates in bogs and landfills by deuterium enrichment of pore water |journal=Global Biogeochemical Cycles |date=2001 |volume=15 |issue=4 |pages=967–975 |doi=10.1029/2000GB001329 |bibcode=2001GBioC..15..967S |language=en |issn=1944-9224|doi-access=free }}
Siegel also investigated the use of similar forensic techniques to characterize fluids generated by hydraulic fracking and other unconventional gas and oil extraction in western China, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York State.{{cite news |title=Researchers work to fingerprint hydrofracking water quality |url=https://news.syr.edu/blog/2012/09/26/fracking/ |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=SU News |date=September 26, 2012}}{{cite news |last1=Lovell |first1=Daryl |title=Infrastructure Investment Needed Immediately To Address Drinking Water Safety |url=https://news.syr.edu/blog/2019/08/15/infrastructure-investment-needed-immediately-to-address-drinking-water-safety/ |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=SU News |date=August 15, 2019}}
Siegel has said that hydrofracking benefits in New York state outweigh the environmental risks,{{cite news |last1=McCrea |first1=Nicholas |title=Some scientists say hydrofracking benefits outweigh risks |url=https://www.syracuse.com/news/2010/05/some_scientists_sat_hydrofrack.html |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=The Post-Standard |date=May 2, 2010 |language=en}} calling it a safe process.{{cite news |last1=O'Toole |first1=Catie |title=Otisco imposes hydrofracking moratorium |url=https://www.syracuse.com/news/2010/12/otisco_imposes_hydrofracking_m.html |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=Syracuse Post-Standard |date=December 14, 2010 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Siegel |first1=Donald |title=Scientific fact vs. public fears on water issues |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/scientific-fact-vs-public-fears-on-water-issues-1.1080155 |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=CBC.ca |date=November 29, 2011}}
=Chesapeake Energy Funding Controversy=
In 2015, Siegel was involved in a conflict-of-interest controversy.{{cite journal |last1=Tollefson |first1=Jeff |title=Earth science wrestles with conflict-of-interest policies |journal=Nature News |date=June 25, 2015 |volume=522 |issue=7557 |pages=403–404 |doi=10.1038/522403a |pmid=26108831 |bibcode=2015Natur.522..403T |language=en|doi-access=free }}{{cite news |last1=Coin |first1=Glenn |title=Critics say SU prof hid ties to gas driller Chesapeake in fracking study |url=https://www.syracuse.com/news/2015/04/fracking_study_syracuse_university_chesapeake_energy_methane_wells.html |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=The Post-Standard |date=April 10, 2015 |language=en}}{{cite news |title="Scientific Study" or Paid Advertisement for Fracking? |url=https://www.collinslaw.com/blog/scientific-study-or-paid-advertisement-for-fracking/ |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=Collins Law |date=May 12, 2015}} In a peer reviewed paper, Siegel came to a conclusion that natural-gas production using fracking wells had not contaminated groundwater in Pennsylvania and that methane in drinking water was unrelated to fracking.{{cite journal |last1=Siegel |first1=Donald I. |last2=Azzolina |first2=Nicholas A. |last3=Smith |first3=Bert J. |last4=Perry |first4=A. Elizabeth |last5=Bothun |first5=Rikka L. |title=Methane Concentrations in Water Wells Unrelated to Proximity to Existing Oil and Gas Wells in Northeastern Pennsylvania |journal=Environmental Science & Technology |date=April 7, 2015 |volume=49 |issue=7 |pages=4106–4112 |doi=10.1021/es505775c |url=https://doi.org/10.1021/es505775c |access-date=May 8, 2021 |publisher=American Chemical Society |pmid=25764141 |bibcode=2015EnST...49.4106S |issn=0013-936X|url-access=subscription }}{{Erratum|doi=10.1021/acs.est.5b01800|pmid=25886209|http://retractionwatch.com/2015/05/08/undisclosed-industry-funding-prompts-correction-of-fracking-paper/ Retraction Watch|checked=yes}}{{cite journal |last1=Hand |first1=Eric |title=Methane in drinking water unrelated to fracking, study suggests |journal=Science |date=March 30, 2015 |doi=10.1126/science.aab0392 |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/methane-drinking-water-unrelated-fracking-study-suggests |access-date=May 8, 2021 |language=en|url-access=subscription }}
After media reports that Siegel did not disclose that Chesapeake Energy, a hydrocarbon exploration company, had paid him to analyze the data, the journal Environmental Science & Technology, which published the analysis, posted a correction.{{cite journal |last1=Siegel |first1=Donald I. |last2=Azzolina |first2=Nicholas A. |last3=Smith |first3=Bert J. |last4=Perry |first4=A. Elizabeth |last5=Bothun |first5=Rikka L. |title=Correction to Methane Concentrations in Water Wells Unrelated to Proximity to Existing Oil and Gas Wells in Northeastern Pennsylvania |journal=Environmental Science & Technology |date=May 5, 2015 |volume=49 |issue=9 |pages=5840 |doi=10.1021/acs.est.5b01800 |pmid=25886209 |bibcode=2015EnST...49.5840S |url=https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5b01800 |access-date=May 8, 2021 |issn=0013-936X|url-access=subscription }}{{cite news |last1=Sandler |first1=Rachel |title=Department chair at Syracuse University has fracking research corrected due to conflict of interest |url=http://dailyorange.com/2015/05/department-chair-at-syracuse-university-has-fracking-research-corrected-due-to-conflict-of-interest/ |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=The Daily Orange |date=May 8, 2015}}
While fracking proponents praised the study, many environmental groups ethical violations and cited smaller sample size that had produced conflicting results. Despite Siegel's admission of private funding, he received intense backlash. Critics demanded that he be fired or retire from Syracuse University, and that an ethics investigation be launched by both SU and the journal. The university later found that Siegel was in compliance with University's internal disclosure policies.{{cite news |last1=Bernstein |first1=Sam |title=The Hydrofracking Debate |url=https://www.hamilton.edu/news/story/the-hydrofracking-debate |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=Hamilton College |date=December 5, 2016 |language=en}} In 2015, Siegel was called to testify before the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology in Washington, D.C.{{cite report |title=TESTIMONY OF DONALD I. SIEGEL |url=https://docs.house.gov/meetings/SY/SY00/20150423/103366/HHRG-114-SY00-Wstate-SiegelD-20150423.pdf |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=United States House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology |date=April 23, 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Enslin |first1=Robert M. |title=Syracuse Professor Throws Cold Water on Fracking Debate |url=https://thecollege.syr.edu/news-all/news-2015/syracuse-professor-throws-cold-water-fracking-debate/ |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=College of Arts & Sciences at Syracuse University |date=December 8, 2015 |language=en-us}}{{cite web |title=Dr. Donald Siegel on "The Dismissal of Scientific Facts and How to Fix it" |url=https://strathmorespeakers.com/dr-donald-siegel-on-the-dismissal-of-scientific-facts-and-how-to-fix-it/ |website=STRATHMORE SPEAKERS SERIES |access-date=May 8, 2021 |language=en |date=October 24, 2018}}
Awards
The Hydrogeology Division of the Geological Society of America selected Siegel as the 1993 Birdsall Distinguished Lecturer in Hydrogeology.{{cite magazine |title=Biographies of Candidates: Nominee for Chairman |magazine=The Hydrogeologist |date=September 1994 |page=8 |url=https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/GEOSOCIETY/d267ed61-55fa-417e-9424-83bbfcfd5414/UploadedImages/Content_Documents/Newsletter/fall_1994.pdf |access-date=May 8, 2021 |publisher=Geological Society of America}}{{cite magazine |title=1993 Birdsall Lecturer to Speak at GSA |magazine=The Hydrogeologist |date= |page=5,6 |url=https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/GEOSOCIETY/d267ed61-55fa-417e-9424-83bbfcfd5414/UploadedImages/Content_Documents/Newsletter/fall_1993.pdf |access-date=May 8, 2021 |publisher=Geological Society of America}} He was elected and served as the 1995 Chairman of the Hydrogeology Division of the GSA. He is a recipient of the Geological Society of American’s Distinguished Service Award.
In 2005, Siegel received the Meinzer Award for Research by the Hydrogeology Division of the Geological Society of America.{{cite journal |last1=Pfannkuch |first1=Olaf |title=2005 Medals & Awards |journal=Geological Society of America |date=2005 |pages=8, 9 |url=https://www.geosociety.org/awards/05speeches/05_DivAwards.pdf |access-date=May 8, 2021}}
In 2010, Siegel was appointed chair of the Water Sciences & Technology Board for a three year term.{{cite news |last1=Enslin |first1=Rob |title=SU professor to chair national Water Sciences & Technology Board |url=https://news.syr.edu/blog/2010/04/30/su-professor-to-chair-national-water-sciences-technology-board/ |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=SU News |date=April 30, 2010}} In 2012, Siegel was elected member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for "his distinguished service and pioneering contributions on the hydrogeology and biogeochemistry of wetlands and contaminant transport".{{cite news |title=Hydrologist named fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Science |url=https://news.syr.edu/blog/2012/12/05/hydrologist-named-fellow-of-american-association-for-the-advancement-of-science/ |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=SU News |date=December 5, 2012}}{{cite news |title=AAAS Members Elected as Fellows |url=https://www.aaas.org/news/aaas-members-elected-fellows-1 |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=American Association for the Advancement of Science |date=November 29, 2012 |language=en}} He was elected a fellow of the American Geophysical Union in 2013.{{cite news |last1=Scalese |first1=Sarah |title=SU Scientist Wins American Geophysical Union Fellowship |url=https://news.syr.edu/blog/2014/01/24/su-scientist-wins-american-geophysical-union-fellowship-81778/ |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=SU News |date=January 24, 2014}}
Siegel served as the president of the Geological Society of America from July 2019 until June 2020.{{cite journal |title=Message from GSA President Donald I. Siegel |journal=GSA Today |date=July 2019 |volume=29 |issue=7 |pages=11, 48 |url=https://www.geosociety.org/gsatoday/archive/29/7/ |access-date=May 8, 2021 |publisher=Geological Society of America}}{{cite web |title=GSA Officers & Councilors |url=https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/About/Leadership/Officers_Councilors/GSA/About/Officers_Councilors.aspx |website=Geological Society of America |access-date=May 8, 2021}}{{cite news |title=Chancellor Syverud Addresses Wednesday's University Senate Meeting |url=https://news.syr.edu/blog/2018/04/19/chancellor-syverud-addresses-wednesdays-university-senate-meeting/ |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=SU News |date=April 19, 2018}}
In 2022, he was awarded the Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal by the American Geosciences Institute.{{cite press release |last1=Camphire |first1=Geoff |title=Dr. Donald Siegel Honored as the 2022 Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist |url=https://www.americangeosciences.org/news/dr-donald-siegel-honored-2022-marcus-milling-legendary-geoscientist |access-date=15 October 2022 |work=American Geosciences Institute |date=8 July 2022 |language=en}}
Personal life
Siegel was born on October 24, 1947, into a Jewish family in New York City. He lives in Syracuse with his wife Bette Siegel.
In 2005, he wrote a cookbook titled "From Lokshen to Lo Mein: The Jewish Love Affair With Chinese Food" (Gefen, {{ISBN|9789652293572}}).{{cite news |last1=Masiclat |first1=Carol K. |title=Award-winning SU earth science professor turns passion for cooking into unique cookbook |url=https://news.syr.edu/blog/2005/10/11/award-winning-su-earth-science-professor-turns-passion-for-cooking-into-unique-cookbook/ |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=SU News |date=October 11, 2005}}{{cite news |last1=Shapiro |first1=Ari |author1-link=Ari Shapiro |title=A Fine Day for Chinese Food |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17599785 |access-date=May 8, 2021 |work=Talk of the Nation |publisher=NPR |date=December 25, 2007 |language=en}}
References
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External links
- {{Official website|https://thecollege.syr.edu/people/faculty/siegel-donald-i/}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Siegel, Donald Ira}}
Category:21st-century American geologists
Category:American hydrographers
Category:American hydrologists
Category:American environmental scientists
Category:Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Category:Fellows of the Geological Society of America
Category:Fellows of the American Geophysical Union
Category:Members of the United States National Academy of Engineering
Category:Pennsylvania State University alumni
Category:Presidents of the Geological Society of America
Category:Syracuse University faculty