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Energy and Environment Directorate

Michael Hochella

Michael Hochella

(509) 371-6764

Biography

Michael F. Hochella, Jr. is an Earth scientist concentrating in the area of nano-bio-geo-environmental science on local, regional, and global levels. He is a Laboratory Fellow at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech. He received his B.S. and M.S. from Virginia Tech in 1975 and 1977, respectively, and his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1981. He has been a professor, first at Stanford, and then at Virginia Tech, for a total of 28 years. He began a joint position with Virginia Tech and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in January, 2016. He has won many awards and honors (see below). He is a former President of both the Geochemical Society and the Mineralogical Society of America, and has served on high-level advisory committees at both NSF and DOE. He is the founder of the Virginia Tech Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology, and the Virginia Tech National Center for Earth and Environmental Nanotechnology Infrastructure funded by the National Science Foundation.

Research Interests

  • Elucidating the roles that nanoscience/nanotechnology and mineral surface geochemistry/ biogeochemistry play in major aspects of the earth sciences, including especially environmental issues and biogeochemical cycling of the elements from local to global levels.
  • Mineral – microbe interactions from both geochemical and biochemical perspectives, applications to nutrients and toxins in the environment and their mobility.
  • Characterizing aqueous partitioning reactions at oxide and silicate surfaces; understanding interactions between mineral surfaces and species in solution with applications to aqueous system transport.

Education and Credentials

  • 8/77 to 8/81 - PhD, Stanford University, School of Earth Sciences.
  • 9/75 to 7/77 - MS, Virginia Tech, Department of Geological Sciences.
  • 9/71 to 6/75 - BS, Virginia Tech, Department of Geological Sciences.

Awards and Recognitions

  • Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award, 2016 (highest honor for faculty in the Commonwealth)
  • Elected Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry (United Kingdom), 2014
  • Elected Fellow, International Association of GeoChemistry, 2013
  • President, Mineralogical Society of America, 2012
  • George W. Brindley Lecture Award, Clay Minerals Society, 2008
  • Elected Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2007
  • Distinguished Service Medal, The Geochemical Society, 2007
  • Elected Fellow, The Geochemical Society, 2007
  • Elected Fellow, European Association of Geochemistry, 2007
  • University Distinguished Professor, 2007 (life award and position,1% of faculty at VT)
  • Elected Fellow, American Geophysical Union, 2006
  • Virginia Scientist of the Year, 2005
  • Virginia Tech Alumni Award for Research Excellence, 2005
  • DOE Outstanding Research Award for Geosciences, 2003
  • Dana Medal, Mineralogical Society of America, 2002
  • Alexander von Humboldt Award, Germany, 2001
  • President, The Geochemical Society, 2000-2001
  • Elected Fellow, Mineralogical Society of America, 1990
  • Senior Fulbright Scholar Award, 1998
  • Elected Fellow, Geological Society of America, 1988

PNNL Publications

2023

  • Takeda A., T. Oki, H. Yokoo, K. Kawamoto, Y. Nakano, A. Ochiai, and I.D. Winarni, et al. 2023. "Direct observation of Mn distribution/speciation within and surrounding a basidiomycete fungus in the production of Mn-oxides important in toxic element containment." Chemosphere 313. PNNL-SA-173053. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137526

2022

  • Babakhani P., T. Phenrat, M. Baalousha, K. Soratana, C. Peacock, B.S. Twining, and M.F. Hochella. 2022. "Potential use of engineered nanoparticles in ocean fertilization for large-scale atmospheric carbon dioxide removal." Nature Nanotechnology 17, no. 12:1342 - 1351. PNNL-SA-173437. doi:10.1038/s41565-022-01226-w
  • Colleary C., S. O'Reilly, A. Dolocan, J.G. Toyoda, R.K. Chu, M.M. Tfaily, and M.F. Hochella, et al. 2022. "Using Macro- and Microscale Preservation in Vertebrate Fossils as Predictors for Molecular Preservation in Fluvial Environments." Biology 11, no. 9:Art. No. 1304. PNNL-SA-178797. doi:10.3390/biology11091304
  • Lybrand R.A., O. Qafoku, M.E. Bowden, M.F. Hochella, L. Kovarik, D.E. Perea, and N. Qafoku, et al. 2022. "Fungal hyphae develop where titanomagnetite inclusions reach the surface of basalt grains." Scientific Reports 12. PNNL-SA-163525. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-04157-z

2021

  • Liu J., S. Inoue, R. Zhu, H. He, and M.F. Hochella. 2021. "Facet-specific oxidation of Mn(II) and heterogeneous growth of manganese (oxyhydr)oxides on hematite nanoparticles." Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 307. PNNL-SA-158672. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2021.05.043

2020

  • Mansor M., E. Cantando, Y. Wang, J. Hernandez-Viezcas, J. Gardea-Torresdey, M.F. Hochella, and J. Xu. 2020. "Insights into the biogeochemical cycling of cobalt: Precipitation and transformation of cobalt sulfide nanoparticles under low-temperature aqueous conditions." Environmental Science & Technology 54, no. 9:5598-5607. PNNL-SA-148305. doi:10.1021/acs.est.0c01363
  • Rod K.A., P. Smith, W. Leng, S.M. Colby, R.K. Kukkadapu, M.E. Bowden, and O. Qafoku, et al. 2020. "Water-dispersible nanocolloids and higher temperatures promote the release of carbon from riparian soil." Vadose Zone Journal 19, no. 1:Article No. e20077. PNNL-SA-156976. doi:10.1002/vzj2.20077

2019

  • Estes E.R., D. Berti, N.R. Coffey, M.F. Hochella, A.S. Wozniak, and G. Luther. 2019. "Abiotic synthesis of graphite in hydrothermal vents." Nature Communications 10, no. 1:Article No. 5179. PNNL-SA-149325. doi:10.1038/s41467-019-13216-z
  • Hochella M.F., D. Mogk, J. Ranville, I. Allen, G. Luther, L. Marr, and B.P. McGrail, et al. 2019. "Natural, incidental, and engineered nanomaterials and their impacts on the Earth system." Science 363, no. 6434:Article number eaau8299. PNNL-SA-138605. doi:10.1126/science.aau8299
  • Inoue S., A. Yasuhara, H. Ai, M.F. Hochella, and M. Murayama. 2019. "Mn(II) oxidation catalyzed by nanohematite surfaces and manganite/hausmannite core-shell nanowire formation by self-catalytic reaction." Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 258. PNNL-SA-143235. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2019.05.011
  • Mansor M., C. Winkler, M.F. Hochella, and J. Xu. 2019. "Nanoparticulate Nickel-Hosting Phases in Sulfidic Environments: Effects of Ferrous Iron and Bacterial Presence on Mineral Formation Mechanism and Solid-Phase Nickel Distribution." Frontiers in Earth Science 7. PNNL-SA-146679. doi:10.3389/feart.2019.00151
  • Mansor M., C. Winkler, M.F. Hochella, and J. Xu. 2019. "Nanoparticulate Nickel-Hosting Phases in Sulfidic Environments: Effects of Ferrous Iron and Bacterial Presence on Mineral Formation Mechanism and Solid-Phase Nickel Distribution." Frontiers in Earth Science 7. PNNL-SA-148309. doi:10.3389/feart.2019.00151
  • McDaniel D.K., V. Ringel, H.A. Morrison, S. Coutermarsh-Ott, R. Council-Troche, J. Angle, and J. Perry, et al. 2019. "Pulmonary Exposure to Magneli Phase Titanium Suboxides Results in Significant Macrophage Abnormalities and Decreased Lung Function." Frontiers in Immunology 10. PNNL-SA-146684. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.02714
  • Schindler M., H. Mantha, and M.F. Hochella. 2019. "The formation of spinel-group minerals in contaminated soils: the sequestration of metal(loid)s by unexpected incidental nanoparticles." Geochemical Transactions 20. PNNL-SA-144009. doi:10.1186/s12932-019-0061-3

2018

  • Guo X., Y. Yang, D. Lu, Z. Niu, J. Feng, Y. Chen, and F. Tou, et al. 2018. "Biofilms as a sink for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the Yangtze Estuary." Water Research 129. PNNL-SA-130868. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2017.11.029
  • Hower J., D. Berti, and M.F. Hochella. 2018. "Ultrafine Mineral Associations in Superhigh-Organic-Sulfur Kentucky Coals." ACS Omega 3, no. 9:12179-12187. PNNL-SA-141228. doi:10.1021/acsomega.8b01632
  • Hower J., D. Berti, M.F. Hochella, and S.M. Mardon. 2018. "Rare earth minerals in a "no tonstein" section of the Dean (Fire Clay) coal, Knox County, Kentucky." International Journal of Coal Geology 193. PNNL-SA-134603. doi:10.1016/j.coal.2018.05.001

2017

  • Brown G.E., M.F. Hochella, and G. Calas. 2017. "Improving Mitigation of the Long-Term Legacy of Mining Activities: Nano- and Molecular-Level Concepts and Methods." Elements 13, no. 5:325-330. PNNL-SA-164289. doi:10.2138/gselements.13.5.325
  • Dale J.G., S.S. Cox, M.E. Vance, L. Marr, and M.F. Hochella. 2017. "Transformation of cerium oxide nanoparticles from a diesel fuel additive during combustion in a diesel engine." Environmental Science & Technology 51, no. 4:1973-1980. PNNL-SA-123029. doi:10.1021/acs.est.6b03173
  • Masaki S., Y. Nakano, K. Ichiyoshi, K. Kawamoto, A. Takeda, T. Ohnuki, and M.F. Hochella, et al. 2017. "Adsorption of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Derived from S. cerevisiae to Ceria Nanoparticles and the Effects on Their Colloidal Stability." Environments 4, no. 3:Article No. 48. PNNL-SA-120178. doi:10.3390/environments4030048
  • Schindler M., and M.F. Hochella. 2017. "Sequestration of Pb-Zn-Sb- and As-bearing incidental nanoparticles by mineral surface coatings and mineralized organic matter in soils." Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts 19, no. 8:1016-1027. PNNL-SA-129891. doi:10.1039/c7em00202e
  • Tou F., Y. Yang, J. Feng, Z. Niu, H. Pan, Y. Qin, and X. Guo, et al. 2017. "Environmental Risk Implications of Metals in Sludges from Waste Water Treatment Plants: The Discovery of Vast Stores of Metal-Containing Nanoparticles." Environmental Science & Technology 51, no. 9:4831-4840. PNNL-SA-164288. doi:10.1021/acs.est.6b05931
  • Xu J., H. Veeramani, N. Qafoku, G. Singh, M.V. Riquelme Breazeal, A. Pruden, and R.K. Kukkadapu, et al. 2017. "Efficacy of Acetate-Amended Biostimulation for Uranium Sequestration: Combined Analysis of Sediment/Groundwater Geochemistry and Bacterial Community Structure." Applied Geochemistry 78. PNNL-SA-120349. doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2016.12.024
  • Xu J., H. Veeramani, N. Qafoku, G. Singh, M.V. Riquelme Breazeal, A. Pruden, and R.K. Kukkadapu, et al. 2017. "Efficacy of Acetate-Amended Biostimulation for Uranium Sequestration: Combined Analysis of Sediment/Groundwater Geochemistry and Bacterial Community Structure." Applied Geochemistry 78. PNNL-SA-123123. doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2016.12.024
  • Yang Y., B. Chen, J. Hower, M. Schindler, C. Winkler, J. Brandt, and R. Di Giulio, et al. 2017. "Discovery and ramifications of incidental Magnéli phase generation and release from industrial coal burning." Nature Communications 8. PNNL-SA-123076. doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00276-2

2016

  • Baalousha M., Y. Yang, M.E. Vance, B.P. Colman, S. McNeal, J. Xu, and J. Blaszczak, et al. 2016. "Outdoor urban nanomaterials: The emergence of a new, integrated, and critical field of study." Science of the Total Environment 557-558. PNNL-SA-120174. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.03.132
  • Baalousha M., Y. Yang, M.E. Vance, B.P. Colman, S. McNeal, J. Xu, and J. Blaszczak, et al. 2016. "Outdoor Urban Nanomaterials: The Emergence of a New, Integrated, and Critical Field of Study." Science of the Total Environment 557-558. PNNL-SA-163985. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.03.132
  • Schindler M., and M.F. Hochella. 2016. "Nanomineralogy as a new dimension in understanding elusive geochemical processes in soils: The case of low-solubility-index elements." Geology 44, no. 7:515-518. PNNL-SA-115942. doi:10.1130/G37774.1
  • Schindler M., and M.F. Hochella. 2016. "Nanomineralogy as a new dimension in understanding elusive geochemical processes in soils: The case of low-solubility-index elements." Geology 44, no. 7:515-518. PNNL-SA-120177. doi:10.1130/G37774.1
  • Xu J., M. Murayama, C.M. Roco, H. Veeramani, F.M. Michel, J.D. Rimstidt, and C. Winkler, et al. 2016. "Highly-defective nanocrystals of ZnS formed via dissimilatory bacterial sulfate reduction: A comparative study with their abiogenic analogues." Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 180. PNNL-SA-120162. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2016.02.007
  • Yang Y., M.E. Vance, F. Tou, A. Tiwari, M. Liu, and M.F. Hochella. 2016. "Nanoparticles in road dust from impervious urban surfaces: distribution, identification, and environmental implications." Environmental Science: Nano 3, no. 3:534-544. PNNL-SA-120161. doi:10.1039/C6EN00056H

2013

  • Veeramani H., H. Veeramani, A. Scheinost, N. Monsegue, N. Qafoku, R.K. Kukkadapu, and M. Newville, et al. 2013. "Abiotic Reductive Immobilization of U(VI) by Biogenic Mackinawite." Environmental Science & Technology 47, no. 5:2361-2369. PNNL-SA-91214. doi:10.1021/es304025x

2009

  • Learman D.R., H. Yi, S.D. Brown, S.L. Martin, G.G. Geesey, A.M. Stevens, and M.F. Hochella. 2009. "Involvement of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 LuxS in Biofilm Development and Sulfur Metabolism." Applied and Environmental Microbiology 75, no. 5:1301-1307. doi:10.1128/AEM.01393-08
  • Wigginton N.S., K.M. Rosso, A.G. Stack, and M.F. Hochella. 2009. "Long-Range Electron Transfer Across Cytochrome-Hematite (a-Fe2O3) Interfaces." Journal of Physical Chemistry C 113, no. 6:2096-2103. PNNL-SA-61324.

2008

  • Lower B.H., R.D. Lins, Z.W. Oestreicher, T. Straatsma, M.F. Hochella, L. Shi, and S. Lower. 2008. "In Vitro Evolution of a Peptide with a Hematite Binding Motif That May Constitute a Natural Metal-Oxide Binding Archetype." Environmental Science & Technology 42, no. 10:3821-3827. PNNL-SA-52976. doi:10.1021/es702688c

2007

  • Wigginton N.S., K.M. Rosso, and M.F. Hochella. 2007. "Mechanisms of Electron Transfer in Two Decaheme Cytochromes from a Metal-Reducing Bacterium." Journal of Physical Chemistry B 111, no. 44:12857-12864. PNNL-SA-54180. doi:10.1021/jp0718698
  • Wigginton N.S., K.M. Rosso, B.H. Lower, L. Shi, and M.F. Hochella. 2007. "Electron tunneling properties of outer-membrane decaheme cytochromes from Shewanella oneidensis." Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 71, no. 3:543-555. PNNL-SA-48154.

2006

  • Lower B.H., M.F. Hochella, and S.K. Lower. 2006. "Putative Mineral-Specific Proteins Synthesized by a Metal Reducing Bacterium." American Journal of Science 305, no. 6-8 sp iss.:687-710. PNWD-SA-6661.
  • Xiong Y., L. Shi, B. Chen, M.U. Mayer, B.H. Lower, y. londer, and S. Bose, et al. 2006. "High-Affinity Binding and Direct Electron Transfer to Solid Metals by the Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 Outer Membrane c-type Cytochrome OmcA." Journal of the American Chemical Society 128, no. 43:13978-13979. PNNL-SA-50097. doi:10.1021/ja063526d

2005

  • Neal A.L., T.L. Bank, M.F. Hochella, and K.M. Rosso. 2005. "Cell Adhesion of Shewanella Oneidensis to Iron Oxide Minerals: Effect of Different Single Crystal Faces." Geochemical Transactions 6, no. 4:77-84. PNNL-SA-48144.

2003

  • Becker U., K.M. Rosso, R. Weaver, M. Warren, and M.F. Hochella. 2003. "Metal Island Growth and Dynamics on Molybdenite Surfaces." Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 67, no. 5:923-934. PNNL-SA-37235.

2002

  • Lower S.K., M.F. Hochella, J. Banfield, and K.M. Rosso. 2002. "Nanogeoscience: From the Movement of Electrons to Lithosphere Plates." Eos 83, no. 6:1. PNNL-SA-36182.

2001

  • Becker U., K.M. Rosso, and M.F. Hochella. 2001. "The Proximity Effect on Semiconducting Mineral Surfaces: A new aspect of Mineral Surface Reactivity and Surface Complexation Theory?." Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 65, no. 16:2641-2649. PNNL-SA-32461.

2000

  • Rosso K.M., U. Becker, and M.F. Hochella. 2000. "Surface Defects and Self-Diffusion on Pyrite {100}: an Ultra-High Vacuum Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Theoretical Modeling Study." The American Mineralogist 85. PNNL-SA-32460.

1999

  • Rosso K.M., and M.F. Hochella. 1999. "A UHV STM/STS and ab initio investigation of covellite {001} surfaces." Surface Science 423, no. 2-3:364-374. PNNL-SA-34235.
  • Rosso K.M., U. Becker, and M.F. Hochella. 1999. "Atomically resolved electronic structure of pyrite {100} surfaces: An experimental and theoretical investigation with implication for reactivity." The American Mineralogist 84, no. 10:1535-1548. PNNL-SA-34238.
  • Rosso K.M., U. Becker, and M.F. Hochella. 1999. "The interaction of pyrite {100} surfaces with O2 and H2O: Fundamental oxidation mechanisms." The American Mineralogist 84, no. 10:1549-1561. PNNL-SA-34251.

Energy and Environment

Core Research Areas

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