Dr. Peter Smyntek is an environmental scientist with broad research interests in water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and environmental change. He came to Saint Vincent College in 2016 and advises students in the environmental science program. He enjoys collecting and analyzing water samples from lakes and streams throughout southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond. He is the advisor of the Environmental Awareness Club at SVC. In addition, he enjoys biking, hiking, playing basketball, and undertaking projects related to sustainable energy.
Education
Postdoctoral research, Queen Mary University of London and University College London Postdoctoral research fellowship, environmental engineering, St. Francis University (PA) PhD, environmental chemistry, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry BS, biochemistry, Grove City College
Courses
Earth Systems Science Earth System Science Laboratory Energy and the Environment Hydrology & Limnology Hydrology & Limnology Laboratory Environmental Research Seminar I Environmental Science Research Laboratory Environmental Research Seminar II Environmental Science Independent Study Science of Sustainable Living Laboratory Science for International Development Science and Global Sustainability Laboratory Environmental Sustainability in Chile Methods of Environmental Analysis Advanced Physical Methods of Chemistry Biostatistics Learning Seminar
Research Interests
Water quality, environmental change, and the interaction of pollutants in the environment.
Structure and function of aquatic ecosystems.
Selected Publications
Spellman, C.D., P. M. Smyntek, C. A. Cravotta, T. L. Tasker, W. H. J. Strosnider (2022) Pollutant co-attenuation via in-stream interactions between mine drainage and municipal wastewater. Water Research, 214, 118173.
Smyntek, P. M., N. Lamagna*, C. A. Cravotta, W. H. J. Strosnider (2022) Mine drainage precipitates attenuate and conceal wastewater-derived phosphate pollution in stream water. Science of the Total Environment, 815, 15672.
Smyntek, P. M., J. Chastel*, R. A. M. Peer*, E. Anthony*, J. McCloskey*, E. Bach*, R. C. Wagner, J. Z. Bandstra, W. H. J. Strosnider. (2018) Assessment of Sulfate and Iron Reduction Rates during Reactor Start-up for Passive Anaerobic Co-Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage and Sewage. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis 18: 76-84.
Smyntek, P. M., R. C. Wagner, S. Carvajal-Sanchez, L. H. Krometis, T.M. Wynn-Thompson, S. Withers, W. H. J. Strosnider. (2017) Passive Biological Treatment of Mine Water to Reduce Conductivity: Potential Designs, Challenges, and Research Needs. Journal of Environmental Quality 46(1):1-9.
Recent Presentations: Smyntek, P. M., C. A. Cravotta, J. Duris, T. L. Tasker, R. C. Wagner, J. A. LaBar, E. S. Vargo*, W. R. Stouffer*, M. J. Russell*, and W. H. J. Strosnider (2019) Hydrogeochemical and microbial interactions during field mixing of abandoned mine drainage and sewage-impacted streams. National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Smyntek, P. M., B. Bollinger, C. Fish, and A. Belli (2019) Screen to Stream: engaging students to explore local watershed issues and become environmentally alert citizen scientists. National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Smyntek, P. M., R. C. Wagner, C. E. Marcillo*, J. Z. Bandstra, and W. H. J. Strosnider (2019) Microbial Community Structure and Diversity in Co-Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage with Municipal Wastewater. American Society of Mining & Reclamation Annual Conference, Big Sky, MT, USA.
A. Rovder*, S. Wolfe*, K. Lagan*, L. Currie*, W. Strosnider, and P. M. Smyntek (2019) Geocoding American Society of Mining and Reclamation Proceedings to Preserve and Easily Access Reclamation Research. American Society of Mining & Reclamation Annual Conference, Big Sky, MT, USA.
Smyntek, P. M. (2017) Biogeochemical evaluation of water depth changes in an upland lake (Red Tarn, England). First National Symposium on Stable Isotopes in Chile, University of Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.
M. Whited*, J. Gaughan*, S. Rensel*, J. Hugo*, W. H. J. Strosnider, and P. M. Smyntek (2017) Seasonal Recovery of an Appalachian Stream Affected by Acid Mine Drainage and Municipal Wastewater. American Society of Mining & Reclamation Annual Conference. Morgantown, WV, USA.
A. Rovder*, Z. Shoff*, D. Madl*, S. Wolfe*, S. Long*, W. Strosnider, and P. M. Smyntek (2017) Georeferencing of American Society of Mining and Reclamation Proceedings: A New Tool and Patterns in Reclamation Research. American Society of Mining & Reclamation Annual Conference. Morgantown, WV, USA
