Deborah Leslie
Assistant Professor
My background is in environmental geochemistry, using stable isotopes as tools in hydrology, and groundwater-surface water interactions. My current on-going research projects extend from my previous postdoctoral position with the USDA-ARS Delta Water Management Research Unit in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and relate to regional water quality and quantity. This interdisciplinary research focuses on groundwater management and recharge through combining disciplines of hydrology, hydrogeology, agriculture, and water resource management. The overall research objective is to address alluvial aquifer declines in the Cache River Critical Groundwater Area in eastern Arkansas, with efforts to develop, test, and refine tactics for managed aquifer recharge. I will also be collaborating with the Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering Research (CAESER) to further understand water resources in the Memphis area.
Education
Ph.D. Geological Sciences, Ohio State University, 2013
M.S. Environmental Sciences, Arkansas State University, 2008
B.S. Forensic Chemistry, University of Mississippi, 2005
Selected Publications
- Willett C.D., Grantz E., Leslie D.L., and Reba M.L. (2018) Monitoring residual herbicide concentrations in a tailwater recovery system in the Cache Critical Groundwater Zone. Arkansas Soybean Research Studies 2017, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 655: 45-49.
- Reba, M.L., Massey, J.M., Adviento-Borbe, M.A.A., Anders, M., Leslie, D.L., Yaeger, M.A., and Farris J. (2017) Aquifer depletion in the Lower Mississippi River Basin: challenges and solutions. Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education Special Issue, 162 (1): 128-139.
- Leslie D.L., Welch K.A., and Lyons, W.B. (2017) A temporal stable isotopic (δ18O and δD) comparison in glacier meltwater streams, Taylor Valley, Antarctica. Hydrological Processes, 31(17): 3069-3083.
- Leslie D.L., Lyons W.B., Warner N., Vengosh A., Olesik J., Welch K., and Deuerling K. (2014) Boron isotopic geochemistry of the McMurdo Dry Valley lakes, Antarctica. Chemical Geology 386: 152-164.