Research Interests

Geochemistry and isotope systematics of carbon cycling in the vadose zone and in freshwater aquifers.

Soil-gas monitoring at CO₂ sequestration sites.

Geochemical behavior of fluids in deep engineered reservoirs

Fate and transport of organic contaminants.

Education

B.S. Geology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, 1984

M.S. Geology, University of Texas, Arlington, TX 1988

Ph.D. Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, 1997

Professional History

Staff Scientist—Smithsonian Institution, 1988–1990—National Museum of Natural History, Division of Mineral Sciences, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C.

Selected Publications

Romanak, K. D., P. C. Bennett, C. Yang, and S. D. Hovorka (2012), Process-based approach to CO2 leakage detection by vadose zone gas monitoring at geologic CO2 storage sites, Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L15405, doi:10.1029/2012GL052426. 

Romanak, K. D., Smyth, R. C., Yang, C., Hovorka, S. D., Rearick, M., and Lu, J., 2012, Sensitivity of groundwater systems to CO2: application of a site-specific analysis of carbonate monitoring parameters at the SACROC CO2-enhanced oil field: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, v. 5, no. 1, p. 142-152.

Sherk, G. W., Romanak, K. D., Dale, J., Gilfillan, S. M. V., Haszeldine, R. S., Ringler, E. S., Wolaver, B. D., and Yang, C., 2011, The Kerr investigation: findings of the investigation into the impact of CO2 on the Kerr property: IPAC Research Inc., final report prepared for property owners Cameron and Jean Kerr, 181 p. [link]

Smyth, R. C., Hovorka, S. D., Romanak, K. D., Partin, J. W., Wong, C., Meckel, T. A., Nicot, J. P., and Holt, R. H., 2008, Assessing risk to fresh water resources from long term CO2 injection—laboratory and field studies (abs.), in 9th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Technologies, November 16–20, Washington, D.C.

Romanak, K. D., Bennett, P. C., and Nicot, J. P., 1996, Vadose zone processes beneath a perched playa wetland, Texas High Plains (abs.): Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, South-Central Section, v. 28, no. 1, p. 61.

Duncker, K. E., Wolff, J. A., Harmon, R. S., Leat, P. T., Dickin, A. P., and Thompson, R. N., 1991, Diverse mantle and crustal components in lavas of the NW Cerros del Rio volcanic field, Rio Grande rift, New Mexico: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 108, 331–345.