Faculty Profile - University of Houston
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Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

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Faculty Profile

Regina CapuanoRegina Capuano

Associate Professor of Geology, Hydrogeology, and Geochemistry
Faculty Advisor Environmental Sciences B.S. and Atmospheric Science B.S.

Curriculum Vitae

Office: Science & Research 1, 221
Contact: capuano@uh.edu - 713-743-2957

Education: PH.D.,1988, Geosciences/Hydrology, University of Arizona
M.S., Geosciences, University of Arizona
B.S., Geology/Mathematics, State University of New York

Google Scholar Profile

Accepting Graduate Students? Yes

  1. Aquifer geochemistry and cation exchange to identify aquifer depositional environment, modern contamination, and paleo-groundwater flow (Capuano and Jones, 2020, 2022; Jones and Capuano, 2023)
  2. Petroleum water and oil chemistry, fluid migration, source rock prediction, and basin modeling (e.g. Banga, Capuano and Bissada, 2011)
  3. Geothermal/Hydrothermal systems: geochemistry, exploration, production, reservoir characterization, injection-backflow, scale potential, alteration.
  4. Calculation of water-rock reactions to determine constants for isotope fractionation and mineral fluid equilibria. (e.g. Capuano, 1992, Hyeong and Capuano, 2001, 2004)
  5. Hydrogen isotopes in clays (see Capuano, 1992; Hyeong and Capuano, 2000 and 2004)
  6. Fluid flow in fractured media (e.g. Capuano, 1993,1994; Capuano and Jan 1996)
  7. Fluid flow and water/rock reactions during diagenesis of deep basin sediments associated with petroleum resources. Of particular interest are the geopressured/non geopressured interface, and the use of stable isotopes as tracers of oil and water migration, biodegradation and mixing. (e.g. Capuano, R.M., 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994; Hyeong and Capuano, 2001, 2004; Banga, Capuano and van Nieuwenhuise, 2002)
  8. Hydrogeology, hydrochemistry, contaminant transport, and meteoric recharge in low permeability sediments both in the vadose zone and saturated sediments. (e.g. Capuano and Jan, 1996; Hinks and Capuano, 1995; Mills and Capuano, 1995)
  9. Soil/water/microbial reactions associated with the bioremediation of contamination in shallow aquifers and the vadose zone. We have a Hydrogeology Research Site at the University of Houston Coastal Center with two approved Class I injection wells and numerous other wells available for long term research projects. (e.g. Capuano, R.M., Siringan, M.A., Jan, R.Z., and Jurtshuk, P. Jr., 1996; Capuano, R.M., and Johnson, M., 1996 Capuano, R.M., and Kreitler, C.W., 1989)
  10. Geochemistry of geothermal systems (e.g. Capuano, R.M., and Cole, D. R., 1982, Capuano, R.M., 1981; Struhsacker, E.M., Smith, C., and Capuano, R.M., 1983)
  • Jones, C.R. and Capuano, R.M., 2023 Fluvial and marine depositional environments determined from groundwater chemistry and calculated clay-cation compositions. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 24, e2022GC010601. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GC010601
  • Capuano, R. and Jones, C., 2022, Clay-cation composition of river sediments as evidence of wet versus dry paleoclimate. Applied Geochemistry, 146, article 105421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2022.105421
  • Capuano, R.M., and Jones, C.R., 2020, Cation exchange in groundwater-chemical evolution and prediction of paleo-groundwater flow: a natural-system study. Water Resources Research, 56, e2019WR026318. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019WR026318
  • Banga, T, Capuano, R.M. and Bissada, K.K., 2011, Petroleum generation in the southeast Texas basin: Implications for hydrocarbon occurrence at the South Liberty salt dome. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v95, p1257-1291. org/10.1306/11051007036
  • Hyeong, K., and Capuano, R.M., 2004, Hydrogen isotope fractionation factor for mixed layer illite/smectite 60o to 150oC, new data from the northeast Texas Gulf Coast. Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta, v68, p1529-1543. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2003.10.002
  • Capuano, R.M., and Lindsay, S.V., 2004, Chicot/Evangeline aquifer of the Texas Gulf Coast , groundwater age and pathways for salt-water contamination, in Environmental Institute of Houston, 2004 Annual Report p 4-5
  • Capuano, R.M., and Lindsay, S.V., 2003, Chicot/Evangeline aquifer of the Texas Gulf Coast, groundwater age and pathways for salt-water contamination, in Environmental Institute of Houston, 2003 Annual Report p 22-24.
  • Banga, T., Capuano, R.M., van Nieuwenhuise, D.S., 2002, Fluid flow, stratigraphy and structure in the vicinity of the South Liberty Salt Dome, Texas, Gulf Coast Association of Geological Society Transactions, v52, p25-36.
  • Hyeong, K. and Capuano, R.M., 2001, Ca/Mg of brines in Miocene/Oligocene clastic sediments of the Texas Gulf Coast: Buffering by calcite/disordered dolomite equilibria: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v.65, 3065-3080. doi:10.1016/S0016-7037(01)00659-7
  • Hyeong, K. and Capuano, R.M., 2000, The effect of organic matter on the δD of clay minerals, Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta, v. 64, p. 3829-3837. doi:10.1016/S0016-7037(00)00438-5
  • Capuano, R.M. and Jan, R.Z., 1997, In-situ hydraulic conductivity of clay and silty-clay fluvial deltaic sediments: discussion and reply, Ground Water, v35, no1, p2-3.
  • Capuano, R.M., and Jan, R.Z., 1996, In-situ hydraulic conductivity of clay and silty-clay fluvial-deltaic sediments: Ground Water, v34, no3, p545-551.
  • Capuano, R.M., Siringan, M.A., Jan, R.Z., and Jurtshuk, P. Jr., 1996, Enhanced activity of oligotrophic endogenous bacteria in clay-rich sediments by nutrient injection: Geomicrobiology Journal, v13, p165-179.
  • Capuano, R.M., and Johnson, M., 1996, Geochemical reactions during biodegradation/vapor-extraction remediation of petroleum contamination in the vadose zone: Ground Water, v34, p31-40.
  • Hinks, A.W., and Capuano, R.M., 1995, Spatial and temporal variations in the hydrogeologic properties of the Upper Beaumont Clay: In. R. Jensen ed., Proceedings of the 24th Water for Texas Conference: Texas Water Development Board, p 147-156.
  • Mills, S.D., and Capuano, R.M., 1995, Infiltration of rain water through clay-rich soil of the Beaumont Formation, Galveston County, Texas: In. R. Jensen ed., Proceedings of the 24th Water for Texas Conference: Texas Water Development Board, p 161-170.
  • Capuano, R.M., 1994, Evidence of fluid flow in microfractures in geopressured shales: Reply: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v78, p 1641-1646.
  • Capuano, R.M., 1993, Evidence of fluid flow in microfractures in geopressured shales: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v77, p1303-1314.
  • Capuano, R.M., 1992, The temperature dependence of hydrogen isotope fractionation between clay minerals and water, evidence from a geopressured system: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v56, p2547-2554. doi:10.1016/0016-7037(92)90208-Z
  • Capuano, R.M., 1990, Hydrochemical constraints on fluid-mineral equilibria during compaction diagenesis of kerogen-rich geopressured sediments: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v54, p1283-1299. doi:10.1016/0016-7037(90)90153-C
  • Kreitler, C.W., Capuano, R.M., Akhter, M.S., Hamlin, H.S., Erwin, M.E., and Walter, T.G., 1990, Consolidation of Geologic Studies of Geopressured-Geothermal Resources in Texas: U.S. Department of Energy, Advanced Technology Division, DOE-FC07-85NV10412, 185p.
  • Capuano, R.M., 1990, Subsurface degradation of wastes disposed. Bulletin Houston Geological Society v32, p 14-15.
  • Capuano, R.M., and Kreitler, C.W., 1989, Chemical controls on subsurface degradation of wastes disposed of by deep well injection: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Class I & II Injection Well Technology, May 8-11, 1989; Underground Injection Practices Council, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, p345-355.
  • Capuano, R.M., and Kreitler, C.W., 1989, Deep well injection: chemical wastes disposed and their subsurface reactions: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Drinking Water, CR-8144056-01-0, 169p.
  • Wright, P.M., Capuano, R.M., Adams, M., and Moore, J.N., 1984, Uses of geochemistry with injection backflow testing in geothermal reservoir studies: Geothermal Resources Council, Trans., v8, p349 354.
  • Sibbett, B.S., and Capuano, R.M., 1984, Potential for a low temperature geothermal resource near Mackay Idaho: U.S. Department of Energy, DOE ID 12079 120, UURI-ESL 137, 12p.
  • Capuano, R.M., Adams, M.C., and Wright, P.M., 1983, Tracer recovery and mixing from two geothermal injection backflow studies: Ninth Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Stanford, p299-304.
  • Christensen, O.D., Capuano, R.A., and Moore, J.N., 1983, Trace element zoning in the Roosevelt Hot Springs Thermal Area, Utah: Journal Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v16, p 99-129. doi:10.1016/0377-0273(83)90086-0
  • Struhsacker, E.M., Smith, C., and Capuano, R.M., 1983, An evaluation of exploration methods for low temperature geothermal systems in the Artesian City area, Twin Falls and Cassia Counties, Idaho: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v94, p58 79.
  • Thussu, J.L., Moore, J.N., and Capuano, R.M., 1983, Preliminary geothermal assessment of the Tattapani thermal area, Madhya Pradesh, India: Geothermal Resources Council, Trans., v7, 6p.
  • Apps, J.A, and Capuano, R.M., 1983, Solid liquid equilibria, in P.M. Wright, ed., In Situ Leaching and Solution Mining State of the Art and Recommended Research: University of Utah Research Institute, ESL 85031 TR.
  • Blackett, R.E., Capuano, R.M., Kolesar, P.T., Sill, W.R., Allman, D.W., Downs, W.F., Hull, L.C., Koslow, K.N., Large, R.M., McAtee, R.E., Miller, J.D., Russell, B.F., and Skiba, P.A., 1983, Hydrothermal Injection Research Program Annual Progress Report FY 1983: U.S. Department of Energy , DOE ID 10117, Cat. UC 66a
  • Capuano, R.M., and Cole, D. R., 1982, Fluid mineral equilibria in a hydrothermal system, Roosevelt Hot Springs, Utah: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v46, p1353 1364. doi:10.1016/0016-7037(82)90271-X
  • Adams, M.C., and Capuano, R.M., 1982, Evaluation of the geothermal reservoir associated with Auburn and Johnson Hot Springs, Upper Star Valley, Wyoming: Geothermal Resources Council, Trans., v6, p73 76.
  • Downs, W.F, McAtee, R.E, Capuano, R.M., and Sill, W.R., 1982, Hydrothermal injection experiments at the Raft River KGRA, Idaho: Eight Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Stanford, 4p.
  • Capuano, R.M., 1981, Water chemistry as an aid in reconnaissance exploration for a low temperature geothermal system, Artesian City Area, Idaho: Geothermal Resources Council, Trans., v5, p59 62.
  • Buma, G., Johnson, P., Bienek, G., Watson, G., Noyes, H., and Capuano, R., 1981, Analysis of Ground Water Criteria and Recent Restoration Attempts After In Situ Uranium Leaching: U. S. Bureau of Mines, Open File Report 90 82.
  • Christensen, O.D., Moore, J.N., and Capuano, R.M., 1980, Trace element geochemical zoning in the Roosevelt Hot Springs thermal area, Utah: Geothermal Resources Council, Trans., v4, p149 152.
  • Christensen, O.D., Kroneman, R.L., and Capuano, R.M., 1980, Multielement analysis of Geologic Materials by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: U.S. Department of Energy, DOE ID 12079 2, UURI ESL32, 33p.
  • Glenn, W.E., Chapman, D.S., Foley, D., Capuano, R.M., Sibbett, B.S., Cole, D., and Ward, S.H., 1980, Geothermal Exploration at Hill Air force Base, Ogden, Utah: U.S. Department of Energy, DOE ET-28392 42, UURI ESL34, 77p.
  • Bamford, R.W., Christensen, O.D., and Capuano, R.M., 1980, Multielement Geochemistry of Solid Materials in Geothermal Systems and Its Application, Part I: The Hot Water System at Roosevelt Hot Springs KGRA Utah: U.S. Department of Energy, DOE ET 27002 7, UURI ESL30, 168p.
  • Capuano, R.M., and Bamford, R. W., 1978, Initial Investigation of Soil Mercury Geochemistry as an Aid to Drill Site Selection in Geothermal Systems: U.S. Department of Energy, DOE-ET-28390220, IDO 78 1701.b.3.3, UURI ESL13, 32p.