Skip to Main Content U.S. Department of Energy
Energy and Environment Directorate

Chris Murray

Chris Murray

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
PO Box 999
Richland, WA 99352

Biography

Dr. Chris Murray has been at PNNL since 1992, with the majority of his research on geostatistics and sedimentary geology. Dr. Murray is lead investigator on the use of geostatistics for environmental mapping and risk assessment, the application of geostatistical techniques to studies of spatial heterogeneity, and the geologic controls on subsurface fluid flow. The spatial heterogeneity studies include projects to investigate sedimentological controls on subsurface transport for environmental characterization and carbon sequestration; to design sampling plans for monitoring contaminated groundwater at the Hanford site and to quantify the uncertainty in mass estimates of contaminants in the subsurface; to map the distribution and mass of contaminated sediments off the coast of Southern California; to identify the spatial distribution of microbes in the subsurface; to determine the relationship between geological and geochemical properties and microbial spatial heterogeneity; and to characterize the spatial continuity of fluvial sediments. Dr. Murray has also performed geological and statistical research on the impact of riverine and hyporheic processes on salmon spawning. Prior to joining PNNL in 1992, he worked for 10 years as a petroleum geologist, performing subsurface mapping of structure and sedimentary geology for petroleum exploration and production, and applying statistical and geostatistical methods for contouring and classification of subsurface geologic data. Dr. Murray is a registered professional geologist in the State of Washington.

Research Interests

  • Geostatistical analysis for environmental mapping and risk assessment
  • Geostatistical modeling of sedimentary facies and petrophysical properties
  • Environmental sampling design and decision analysis
  • Statistical approaches to sedimentology and study of the geologic controls on subsurface fluid flow

Education and Credentials

  • Ph.D., Geostatistics, Stanford University, 1992
  • M.S., Geology, University of Montana, 1982
  • B.A., Geology, University of Montana, 1980

Affiliations and Professional Service

  • Adjunct faculty, University of Montana and Washington State University, Tri-Cities (1997-present)
  • Registered Professional Geologist, Washington (No. 1393)
  • Member of National Academy of Sciences panel evaluating groundwater contamination at Los Alamos National Laboratory (2006-2007)
  • Editorial Board, GEOLOGY, 1998-2000
  • Co-coordinator for DOE’s Subsurface Science, Bacterial Transport Subprogram (1994-1997)
  • American Geophysical Union
  • Geological Society of America
  • International Association for Mathematical Geology

Awards and Recognitions

  • Thomas D. and Janice H. Barrow Fellowship in the Earth Sciences (1988-1992)
  • Blaustein Fellowship in the Earth Sciences (1988-1992)
  • National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship (1980-1982)
  • Sigma Xi Research Award (1980)
  • Watkins Fellowship (1979-1980)
  • Marathon Oil Scholarship (1979-1980)
  • Estwing Award for Field Geology (1979)
  • National Association of Geology Teachers' Summer Field Scholarship (1979)

PNNL Publications

2021

  • Hou Z., H. Ren, C.J. Murray, X. Song, Y. Fang, E.V. Arntzen, and X. Chen, et al. 2021. "A Novel Construct for Scaling Groundwater-River Interactions Based on Machine-Guided Hydromorphic Classification." Environmental Research Letters 16, no. 10:104016. PNNL-SA-151112. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/ac24ce

2020

  • Zachara J.M., X. Chen, X. Song, P. Shuai, C.J. Murray, and C.T. Resch. 2020. "Kilometer-scale hydrologic exchange flows in a gravel bed river corridor and their implications to solute migration." Water Resources Research 56, no. 2:Article NO. e2019WR025258. PNNL-SA-137616. doi:10.1029/2019WR025258

2019

  • Hou Z., T.D. Scheibe, C.J. Murray, W.A. Perkins, E.V. Arntzen, H. Ren, and R.D. Mackley, et al. 2019. "Identification and mapping of riverbed sediment facies in the Columbia River through integration of field observations and numerical simulations." Hydrological Processes 33, no. 8:1245-1259. PNNL-SA-123667. doi:10.1002/hyp.13396

2018

  • Bao J., T. Zhou, M. Huang, Z. Hou, W.A. Perkins, S.F. Harding, and P. Titzler, et al. 2018. "Modulating factors of hydrologic exchanges in a large-scale river reach: Insights from three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations." Hydrological Processes 32, no. 23:3446-3463. PNNL-SA-123673. doi:10.1002/hyp.13266
  • Zhou T., J. Bao, M. Huang, Z. Hou, E.V. Arntzen, X. Song, and S.F. Harding, et al. 2018. "Riverbed Hydrologic Exchange Dynamics in a Large Regulated River Reach." Water Resources Research 54, no. 4:2715-2730. PNNL-SA-123666. doi:10.1002/2017WR020508

2017

  • Hou Z., W.C. Nelson, J.C. Stegen, C.J. Murray, E.V. Arntzen, A.R. Crump, and D.W. Kennedy, et al. 2017. "Geochemical and Microbial Community Attributes in Relation to Hyporheic Zone Geological Facies." Scientific Reports 7. PNNL-SA-121286. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-12275-w

2016

  • Last G.V., C.J. Murray, and Y. Bott. 2016. "Derivation of Groundwater Threshold Values for Analysis of Impacts Predicted at Potential Carbon Sequestration Sites." International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control 49. PNNL-SA-109638. doi:10.1016/j.ijggc.2016.03.004
  • Nguyen B.N., Z. Hou, D.H. Bacon, C.J. Murray, and M.D. White. 2016. "Three-Dimensional Modeling of the Reactive Transport of CO2 and Its Impact on Geomechanical Properties of Reservoir Rocks and Seals." International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control 46. PNNL-SA-109235. doi:10.1016/j.ijggc.2016.01.004
  • Nguyen B.N., Z. Hou, M.L. Stewart, C.J. Murray, and A. Bonneville. 2016. "Thermal Impact of CO2 Injection on Geomechanical Response at the FutureGEN 2.0 Site: A Three-dimensional Thermo-geomechanical Approach." International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control 54, no. Part 1:29-49. PNWD-SA-10505. doi:10.1016/j.ijggc.2016.08.026
  • Stegen J.C., A. Konopka, J. McKinely, C.J. Murray, X. Lin, M.D. Miller, and D.W. Kennedy, et al. 2016. "Coupling among Microbial Communities, Biogeochemistry, and Mineralogy across Biogeochemical Facies." Scientific Reports. PNNL-SA-117630. doi:10.1038/srep30553
  • Zachara J.M., X. Chen, C.J. Murray, and G. Hammond. 2016. "River Stage Influences on Uranium Transport in a Hydrologically Dynamic Groundwater-Surface Water Transition Zone." Water Resources Research 52, no. 3:1568-1590. PNNL-SA-112480. doi:10.1002/2015WR018009

2015

  • Long P.E., K.H. Williams, J.A. Davis, P.M. Fox, M.J. Wilkins, S.B. Yabusaki, and Y. Fang, et al. 2015. "Bicarbonate Impact on U(VI) Bioreduction in a Shallow Alluvial Aquifer." Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 150. PNNL-SA-106900. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2014.11.013
  • Venteris E.R., J.D. Tagestad, J.L. Downs, and C.J. Murray. 2015. "Detection of Anomalous Crop Condition and Soil Variability Mappping Using a 26 Year Landsat Record and the Palmer Crop Moisture Index." International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation 39. PNWD-SA-10365. doi:10.1016/j.jag.2015.03.008

2014

  • Bonneville A., B.N. Nguyen, M.L. Stewart, Z. Hou, C.J. Murray, and T.J. Gilmore. 2014. "Geomechanical Evaluation of Thermal Impact of Injected CO2 Temperature on a Geological Reservoir: Application to the FutureGen 2.0 Site." Energy Procedia 63. PNWD-SA-10393. doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2014.11.358
  • Freedman V.L., X. Chen, S.A. Finsterle, M.D. Freshley, I. Gorton, L.J. Gosink, and E. Keating, et al. 2014. "A high-performance workflow system for subsurface simulation." Environmental Modelling & Software 55. PNNL-SA-92680. doi:10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.01.030
  • Last G.V., C.J. Murray, Y. Bott, and C.F. Brown. 2014. "Threshold Values for Identification of Contamination Predicted by Reduced-Order Models." Energy Procedia 63. PNNL-SA-105259. doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2014.11.389

2013

  • Chen X., G.E. Hammond, C.J. Murray, M.L. Rockhold, V.R. Vermeul, and J.M. Zachara. 2013. "Applications of Ensemble-based Data Assimilation Techniques for Aquifer Characterization using Tracer Data at Hanford 300 Area." Water Resources Research 49. PNNL-SA-91954. doi:10.1002/2012WR013285
  • Klett K.J., C. Torgersen, J. Henning, and C.J. Murray. 2013. "Spatial consistency of Chinook salmon redd distribution within and among years in the Cowlitz River, Washington." North American Journal of Fisheries Management 33, no. 3:508-518. PNNL-SA-94487. doi:10.1080/02755947.2013.778924
  • Murray C.J., J.M. Zachara, J.P. McKinley, A.L. Ward, Y. Bott, K.E. Draper, and D.A. Moore. 2013. "Establishing a geochemical heterogeneity model for a contaminated vadose zone - Aquifer system." Journal of Contaminant Hydrology Hydrology, no. 153:122-140. PNNL-SA-84111. doi:10.1016/j.jconhyd.2012.02.003
  • Stegen J.C., X. Lin, J.K. Fredrickson, X. Chen, D.W. Kennedy, C.J. Murray, and M.L. Rockhold, et al. 2013. "Quantifying Community Assembly Processes and Identifying Features that Impose Them." The ISME Journal 7. PNNL-SA-86535. doi:10.1038/ismej.2013.93

2012

  • Hou Z., M.L. Rockhold, and C.J. Murray. 2012. "Evaluating the impact of caprock and reservoir properties on potential risk of CO2 leakage after injection." Environmental Earth Sciences 66, no. 8:2403-2415. PNNL-SA-78848. doi:10.1007/s12665-011-1465-2
  • Kowalsky M.B., S.A. Finsterle, K.H. Williams, C.J. Murray, M. Commer, D.R. Newcomer, and A.L. Englert, et al. 2012. "On parameterization of the inverse problem for estimating aquifer properties using tracer data." Water Resources Research 48. PNNL-SA-82457. doi:10.1029/2011WR011203

2011

  • Bonneville A., G.D. Black, I. Gorton, P.S. Hui, E.M. Murphy, C.J. Murray, and M.L. Rockhold, et al. 2011. "Geologic Sequestration Software Suite (GS3): a collaborative approach to the management of geological GHG storage projects." In Proceedings of the 10th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference (GHGT10), September 19-23, 2010, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Energy Procedia, edited by J Gale, C Hendriks W Turkenberg, 4, 3825-3832. Amsterdam:Elsevier. PNNL-SA-74783. doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2011.02.318
  • Yabusaki S.B., Y. Fang, K.H. Williams, C.J. Murray, A.L. Ward, R. Dayvault, and S.R. Waichler, et al. 2011. "Variably Saturated Flow and Multicomponent Biogeochemical Reactive Transport Modeling of a Uranium Bioremediation Field Experiment." Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 126, no. 3-4:271-290. PNNL-SA-76394. doi:10.1016/j.jconhyd.2011.09.002

2010

  • Tonkin M.J., M. Karanovic, M.E. Byrnes, J.G. Morse, C.J. Murray, and P. Clement. 2010. "Systematic Application of Flow-and-Transport Modeling for Wellfield Design: the Hanford 200-ZP-1 Groundwater Pump-and-Treat Remedy - 10320." In 36th Annual Radioactive Waste Management Symposium (WM 2010), March 7-11, 2010, Phoenix, AZ, 5, 4102-4115. Tucson, Arizona:WM Symposia, Inc. PNNL-SA-69644.

2008

  • Geist D.R., C.J. Murray, T.P. Hanrahan, and Y. Xie. 2008. "A model of the effects of flow fluctuations on fall Chinook salmon spawning habitat availability in the Columbia River." North American Journal of Fisheries Management 28, no. 6:1894-1910. PNNL-SA-55022. doi:10.1577/M07-074.1
  • Geist D.R., E.V. Arntzen, C.J. Murray, K. McGrath, Y. Bott, and T.P. Hanrahan. 2008. "Influence of river level on temperature and hydraulic gradients in chum and fall Chinook salmon spawning areas downstream of Bonneville Dam, Columbia River." North American Journal of Fisheries Management 28, no. 1:30-41. PNNL-SA-53405.
  • Xie Y., C.J. Murray, T.P. Hanrahan, and D.R. Geist. 2008. "Data Mining on Large Data Set for Predicting Salmon Spawning Habitat." In Proceedings of The 2008 International Conference on Data Mining (DMIN'08), edited by R. Stahlbock, S. F. Crone and S. Lessmann, 1, 233-239. Athens, Nevada:CSREA Press. PNNL-SA-59284.

2007

  • Clement W.P., and C.J. Murray. 2007. "GPR Imaging of Clastic Dikes at the Hanford Site, Hanford, Washington." In Stratigraphic Analyses Using GPR, edited by Baker, GS, and Jol, HM. 169-181. Boulder, Colorado:Geological Society of America. PNNL-SA-45501.
  • Knight R.J., J.D. Irving, P. Tercier, E.J. Freeman, C.J. Murray, and M.L. Rockhold. 2007. "A Comparison of the Use of Radar Images and Neutron Probe Data to Determine the Horizontal Correlation Length of Water Content." In Subsurface Hydrology: Data Integration for Properties and Processes: Geophysical Monograph Series, edited by David W. Hyndman, Frederick D. Day-Lewis, Kamini Singha. 31-44. Washington, District Of Columbia:American Geophysical Union. PNNL-SA-52665.
  • Last G.V., C.J. Murray, D.A. Bush, E.C. Sullivan, M.L. Rockhold, R.D. Mackley, and B.N. Bjornstad. 2007. "Standardization of Borehole Data to Support Vadose Zone Flow and Transport Modeling." Vadose Zone Journal 6, no. 4:906-912. PNNL-SA-53079. doi:10.2136/vzj2006.0175
  • Matzke B.D., L.L. Nuffer, R.O. Gilbert, J.E. Hathaway, L.H. Sego, B.L. Roberts, and J.E. Wilson, et al. 2007. Visual Sample Plan Version 5.0 User's Guide. PNNL-16939. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Visual Sample Plan Version 5.0 User's Guide
  • Murray C.J., A.L. Ward, and J. Wilson. 2007. "Influence of Clastic Dikes on Vertical Migration of Contaminants at the Hanford Site." Vadose Zone Journal 6, no. 4:959-970. PNNL-SA-54224. doi:10.2136/vzj2007.0004

2006

  • Scheibe T.D., Y. Fang, C.J. Murray, E.E. Roden, J. Chen, Y. Chien, and S.C. Brooks, et al. 2006. "Transport and biogeochemical reaction of metals in a physically and chemically heterogeneous aquifer." Geosphere 2, no. 4:220-235. PNNL-SA-47423.

2004

  • Chen J., S. Hubbard, Y. Rubin, C.J. Murray, E.E. Roden, and E.L. Majer. 2004. "Geochemical Characterization Using Geophysical Data and Markov Chain Monte Carlo Methods: A Case Study at the South Oyster Bacterial Transport Site in Virginia." Water Resources Research Vol. 40, no. No. 12:W12412. PNNL-SA-43212.
  • Hampton M.A., C.T. Blay, and C.J. Murray. 2004. "Carbonate Sediment Deposits on the Reef Front Around Oahu, Hawaii." Marine Georesources & Geotechnology 22, no. 1-2:65-102. PNWD-SA-6650.
  • Wildung R.E., S.W. Li, C.J. Murray, K.M. Krupka, Y. Xie, N.J. Hess, and E.E. Roden. 2004. "Technetium Reduction in Sediments of a Shallow Aquifer Exhibiting Dissimilatory Iron Reduction Potential." FEMS Microbiology Ecology 49, no. 1:151-162. PNNL-SA-40807.

2003

  • Musslewhite C.L., M. Mcinerney, H. Dong, T.C. Onstott, M. Green-Blum, D.P. Swift, and S. MacNaughton, et al. 2003. "The Factors Controlling Microbial Distribution and Activity in the Shallow Subsurface." Geomicrobiology Journal 20, no. 3:245 - 261. PNNL-SA-38826.
  • Savelieva-Trofimova E.A., M. Kanevski, v. timonin, A. Pozdnukhov, C.J. Murray, T.D. Scheibe, and Y. Xie, et al. 2003. "Aquifer Hydrogeologic Layer Zonation at the Hanford Site." In Proceedings IAMG 2003, 46+. Kingston, Ont:International Association for Mathematical Geosciences. PNNL-SA-38948.
  • Scheibe T.D., C.J. Murray, Y. Xie, M.D. Williams, C.R. Cole, V.R. Vermeul, and M.P. Bergeron. 2003. "Temporal and Spatial Weighting of Head and Concentration Observations for a Large-Scale Transient Inverse Model." In Proceedings of Modflow and More 2003: Understanding through Modeling, 610-614. Golden, Colorado:Colorado School of Mines, International Ground Water Modeling Center. PNNL-SA-39048.

2002

  • Geist D.R., T.P. Hanrahan, E.V. Arntzen, G.A. McMichael, C.J. Murray, and Y. Chien. 2002. "Physicochemical charateristics of the hyporheic zone affect redd site selection of chum salmon and fall chinook salmon in the Columbia River." North American Journal of Fisheries Management 22, no. 4:1077-1085. PNNL-SA-35782.
  • Hampton M.A., H. Karl, and C.J. Murray. 2002. "Acoustic profiles and images of the Palos Verdes Margin: Implications concerning deposition from the White's Point outfall." Continental Shelf Research 22, no. 6-7:841-857. PNWD-SA-4667.
  • Murray C.J., H.J. Lee, and M.A. Hampton. 2002. "Geostatistical mapping of effluent-affected sediment distribution on the Palos Verdes Shelf." Continental Shelf Research 22. PNWD-SA-4666.

2001

  • Balkwill D., J. Chen, M. Deflaun, F. Dobbs, H. Dong, J.K. Fredrickson, and M. Fuller, et al. 2001. "Breakthroughs in field-scale bacterial transport." Eos 82, no. 38:417, 423-425. PNNL-SA-31732.
  • Murray C.J. 2001. "Sampling and Data Analysis for Environmental Microbiology." In Manual of Environmental Microbiology, 2nd ed., edited by CJ Hurst; et al. 166-178. Washington Dc:ASM Press. PNNL-SA-33003.

2000

  • Geist D.R., J. Jones, C.J. Murray, and D.D. Dauble. 2000. "Suitability criteria analyzed at the spatial scale of redd clusters improved estimates of fall chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) spawning habitat use in the Hanford Reach, Columbia River." Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 57, no. 8:1636-1646. PNNL-SA-33077.
  • Michael D., P. Dresel, C.J. Chou, C.J. Murray, R.O. Gilbert, and B.A. Pulsipher. 2000. "Rethinking Groundwater Monitoring at the Hanford Site." Remediation 10, no. 2:19-44. PNNL-SA-32273.

1999

  • Rockhold M.L., C.J. Murray, and M.J. Fayer. 1999. "Conditional simulation and upscaling of soil hydraulic properties." In Characterization and Measurement of the Hydraulic Properties of Unsaturated Porous Media, edited by M. Th. van Genuchten, F. J. Leij, and L. Wu, 2, 1391-1401. Riverside, California:University of California Press. PNNL-SA-31799.

1998

  • Zhang C.L., A.V. Palumbo, T.J. Phelps, J.J. Beauchamp, F.J. Brockman, C.J. Murray, and B.S. Parsons, et al. 1998. "Grain size and depth constraints on microbial variability in coastal plain subsurface sediments." Geomicrobiology Journal 15, no. 3:171-185. PNNL-SA-31654. doi:10.1080/01490459809378074

Energy and Environment

Core Research Areas

Contacts