Statewide Analysis of MTBE Risk and Development of Risk Reduction Recommendations - State of New Hampshire

Co-Principal Investigator, as a subcontractor to Weston Solutions, Inc., of a statewide study to identify significant risk factors associated with MTBE contamination of public water supplies and to recommend policy changes to prevent MTBE contamination in the future. This multi-disciplinary study was unique in its comprehensive scope and focus on preventing, rather than merely responding to, contamination. The Phase I Report and the Phase II Report are posted on the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Protection’s web site.

Underground Storage Tank Regulations Evaluation and Recommended Improvements - Chemical Company

Managed a study of underground storage tank regulations and practices in eight Northeast states and California, recommended improvements to the regulations aimed at preventing gasoline releases, and estimated the costs and benefits of implementing the recommendations.

Guidance Documents and Assessment Methodologies (GDAMs) - U.S. Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE)

GDAMs set sustainability goals and methods for tracking performance in a sustainable communities rating system. Provided senior review of GDAMs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from AFCEE-owned GHG sources and AFCEE-purchased electricity; reducing petroleum use by vehicle fleets; reducing GHG emissions from employee travel; and reducing pesticide use.

Green Building Requirements for a Federal Building - U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Site, Washington

Researched and summarized green building requirements for a proposed new Hanford water treatment plant building, including requirements in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and Executive Order 13423.

Addressing Soil Gas Vapor Intrusion Using Green Building Solutions - Paper for Remediation Journal

Lead author of an article describing the use of green building practices to mitigate vapor intrusion from sites deemed technically impracticable to clean up.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water Research and Technology - Evaluation of Water Distribution System Leak Detection and Repair Programs

Masters thesis was an economic analysis of the costs and benefits of conserving water via distribution system leak detection and repair programs. Programs of two different water systems were analyzed – one with high water costs and another with low water costs. Both water conservation programs were determined to be beneficial, despite the many benefits that could not be quantified. The American Water Works Association published the thesis as a book.

Evaluation of Impacts of Burning C&D Wood - Alternative Energy Company

For a biomass plant owner and renewable energy developer, researched the environmental impacts of using construction and demolition (C&D) wood as a biomass fuel for generating electricity. The work included interviewing regulators and reviewing technical papers and reports, stack testing data, and regulatory compliance information. Findings were summarized in a paper (click here) and slide presentation aimed at convincing regulators to stop the burning of C&D wood until and unless it is shown to be safe for human health and the environment. Presented oral and written testimony on proposed Massachusetts Senate bill (click here) and House bill (click here) concerning this issue, and submitted written comments on another House bill (click here)

Evaluation of Impacts of Burning Trees to Produce Electricity - Citizen Pro Bono Effort

For seven years, worked as a citizen to highlight some of the many negative environmental impacts of burning wood to produce electricity. Showed that burning wood emits 1.5 times as much carbon dioxide as coal for each unit of electricity generated. Met with the Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs and his key staff to discuss this and testified at numerous public hearings and legislative hearings (Example 1) (Example 2).

These and other citizen efforts ultimately resulted in Massachusetts changing its Renewable Energy Credit regulations to limit subsidies for biomass power. Co-evaluated forest impacts and showed, using satellite imagery and the State’s own data, that the entire state would be heavily logged in 9 to 16 years if five proposed large biomass plants were to go forward. Evaluated air quality, contaminated wood, and ash waste impacts.

MTBE-Contaminated Wells - New Hampshire Fuel Oil Company

Identified the likely source of MTBE contamination in private bedrock wells, which was not the accused fuel oil company but a vapor release from a gas station caused by backhoe damage to a vent pipe. The case settled favorably for the client.

Expert Witness (Pro Bono) For Residents Opposing a Nearby Quarry Expansion - Vermont Mobile Home Park

Evaluated documents and testified in court regarding the environmental impacts of an existing quarry operation and the potential impacts of a proposed quarry expansion. This included evaluating pumping test data, and analyzing the impacts of increased dewatering and blasting on nearby gasoline contamination sites, which would exacerbate contaminant transport in fractured bedrock to the park’s water supply well as well as other nearby private wells.

Contaminated Well From a Fuel Oil Release - Vermont Resident

For a resident whose private well had become contaminated, demonstrated that the source of contamination was an off-site fuel oil release that was not adequately remediated. The case settled favorably for the client.

MTBE Plume Evaluation - Oil Company

Expert consultant relative to an MTBE groundwater contamination plume from multiple sources. The case settled favorably for the client.

MTBE Research - Oil Company

Researched historical literature regarding MTBE.

Future Remediation Needs Evaluation - State Regulatory Agency

Evaluated whether a major oil company’s remaining unclosed gasoline release sites in the state would likely require significant remediation in the future.

Vapor Intrusion Study - Large Multi-Tenant Department of Defense Facility

Technical lead for a vapor intrusion screening evaluation of 16 site areas with VOCs in groundwater, 2 of which also have soil impacts. The study relied primarily on existing information to identify areas of groundwater contamination with an overlying “clean water lens.” Remaining areas were then evaluated with respect to proximity of contaminants to buildings and preferential airflow pathways, depth to groundwater, contaminant concentrations, and concentration trends over time.

Assessment of Pitch Lagoon in Bahrain - Oil Company

Designed, supervised, and evaluated laboratory studies of pitch and sediments at a 126‑acre refinery lagoon. Analyzed pitch for physical characteristics, heating value, and composition. Evaluated impacts of the lagoon on surrounding groundwater and assessed potential biodegradability of pitch‑affected soils. Evaluated options for dealing with the pitch and its impacts.

Radiological Assessment of Former Combustion Engineering Site in Windsor, Connecticut - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Served as technical lead on an investigation of a former U.S. Department of Energy site with radiological contamination (uranium, cobalt, and nickel radionuclides). The study involved on-site and/or off-site laboratory analysis of over 1,000 samples of soil, groundwater, sediment, surface water, and building materials.

Comprehensive Site Assessment and Feasibility Study - Food Manufacturer

Evaluated a complex tidally influenced Massachusetts site near human and environmental receptors. Work included evaluation of the interaction of groundwater and surface water, risk assessment, contaminant fate and transport modeling, and advanced fingerprinting analysis of site product and adjacent surface water sheen samples. Evaluated the feasibility of remedial alternatives to be applied in conjunction with a proposed site development.

Reserve Pit Groundwater Monitoring - Oil Company

Reviewed salts, metals, and petroleum hydrocarbons data from seven years of monitoring and provided recommendations for future water quality monitoring outside drilling pad reserve pits on Alaska’s North Slope.

Hanford Site, Washington 100 Areas Assessment and Remediation Activities - U.S. Department of Energy

Various assignments relative to the assessment and remediation of nuclear reactor areas (the 100 Area) adjacent to the Columbia River. Authored a white paper on in situ biological and chemical reduction technologies to convert hexavalent to trivalent chromium. Researched green building requirements for new ion exchange water treatment plants. Researched tracer compounds to be used in biotreatability pilot tests. Co-authored a number of documents, including:

• Strategy documents describing the overall approach to addressing the 100-HR-3 Groundwater Operable Unit and the 100 Area as a whole

• A remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) report

• A RI/FS work plan

• A remedial process optimization technical memorandum discussing ways to improve the performance of existing interim actions (groundwater extraction and treatment) and implement new interim actions (in situ bioreduction of hexavalent chromium)

• A focused feasibility study of remedial options for hexavalent chromium contamination

• A remedial design/remedial action work plan

• A remedial technology screening technical memorandum

• A groundwater monitoring plan.

Interim Remedial Actions - U.S. Air National Guard Base

Consulted on interim response actions, including groundwater extraction and treatment, soil vapor extraction, bioventing, and multi-phase extraction. Provided senior review of a feasibility study and quarterly operation and maintenance reports.

Air Sparging Pilot Test, Modeling, and Full-Scale Design - Chemical Company

Designed and managed an air sparging pilot test at a Massachusetts Contingency Plan site with petroleum and hexane groundwater contamination. Modeled leaching of oil in the unsaturated zone and subsequent migration of oil in groundwater. Designed a full-scale sparging system based on results of the pilot test and modeling. Air sparging was successful and the site achieved closure.

Soil and Groundwater Remediation - Superfund Site

Project Manager during remedial design and construction phases. At the time, this was the largest project in ENSR's Eastern Region, involving a number of properties and potentially responsible parties (PRPs). Allocated costs among PRPs and estimated total program costs and schedules. Negotiated with USEPA and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Managed remediation design, excavation of subsurface disposal systems, construction of an infiltration gallery and groundwater treatment system, introduction of super-oxygenated water to the subsurface to remediate arsenic, investigations of the site and adjacent properties, and evaluation of natural attenuation.

Steam Flooding Pilot Study - Pharmaceutical Company

Evaluated remedial alternatives for soil and groundwater contamination by chlorinated solvents from leaking underground storage tanks at a manufacturing plant in Puerto Rico. Recommended steam injection with biostimulation and soil vapor and groundwater extraction, and designed a pilot test to evaluate this approach.

Remediation System Audit and Remediation Redesign - Manufacturing Company

Reviewed extensive documentation on assessment and remediation activities at a chlorinated solvent site and recommended an alternative approach to the existing pump and treat system. The approach included development of site-specific risk-based cleanup levels under Pennsylvania Act 2, source remediation by air sparging/soil vapor extraction, and natural attenuation. Prepared an Act 2 Remedial Investigation Report summarizing all previous work, managed risk assessment, developed additional subsurface data, and performed a rebound test on the pump and treat system. Rebound testing indicated that only natural attenuation was needed, and after a period of monitoring, the site achieved closure.

Biopile Design - Oil Company

Designed an ex situ biocell for treatment of silty sand, diatomaceous earth, and organic material contaminated with natural gas retrograde condensate at a site in Alaska. The biocell was lined and covered with synthetic material and was provided with aeration, leachate collection, and moisture/nutrient addition systems. The design also included a heating system that used steam from the site facility.

Land Farm Design - Oil Company

Provided engineering support for site evaluation and design of a land treatment facility for oily sludges in the Philippines.

Cyanide Remediation - Natural Gas Company

Provided engineering support to the client and the Institute of Gas Technology on remediation technology development for cyanide-containing oxide box wastes.

Groundwater Extraction - Petrochemical Complex Southern France

Evaluated remedial options for a shallow plume of di-isopropyl ether (DIPE) and other fuel oxygenates migrating offsite into a residential neighborhood. Recommended groundwater extraction from an interceptor drain and treatment at the facility’s wastewater treatment plant.

Assessment and Remedial Options - Railroad Company California

Evaluated options for evaluating MTBE/TBA biodegradation potential at the site, whether MTBE is impacting public water supply wells, and potential remedial options for free product and dissolved contaminants. Recommended Bio-Traps, compound-specific isotope analysis, soil vapor extraction, multiphase extraction, and groundwater extraction and bioreactor treatment.

Bioremediation - Fuel Terminal California

Evaluated potential remedial strategies for addressing onsite and offsite MTBE and TBA plumes, including groundwater extraction and treatment options for plume containment. Options included ex-situ bioreactor treatment as well as establishment of an in-situ biobarrier seeded from ex situ bioreactors. Also worked with a vendor to design and implement an ex-situ bioreactor pilot test and optimize operation of the existing Bio-GAC system.

In Situ Chemical Oxidation - Railroad Company California

Evaluated remedial options for rapidly addressing a small area of clayey soils with high concentrations of MTBE/TBA in an area with very difficult access. Recommended in-situ chemical oxidation using persulfate.

Bioremediation - Pipeline Company California

Evaluated remedial options for an MTBE/TBA plume. The existing groundwater extraction and treatment system was extracting but not treating the TBA. Recommended ex-situ treatment in bioreactors, solicited and evaluated bids, and recommended a preferred vendor.

Carbon Adsorption - Air Force Base California

Evaluated remedial options for addressing an MTBE plume. Recommended groundwater extraction and treatment using granular activated carbon using virgin coconut carbon.

Expected Value Analysis for Remediation of Three Sites and Project Management of Remediation - Chemical Company

Estimated site closure costs and approximate remediation schedules for three properties with multiple sources of contamination and impacted media. The analysis included estimating costs of groundwater extraction and treatment, air sparging and soil vapor extraction, capping, and soil excavation and disposal, and incorporated probabilities that various actions would be required to close the sites under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan. Managed much of the remediation work.

Liability Estimation - Oil Company

Estimated remediation costs for a portfolio of 252 retail gas stations in the Caribbean region.

Solutions for Private Well Contamination in Maryland - Chemical Company

Principal investigator of a study for Maryland Department of the Environment of water treatment and alternative water supply options for 19 private wells contaminated by MTBE and TBA. Developed cost estimates for various options and presented recommendations for addressing each of the 19 wells.

Coal Tar and Arsenic Feasibility Study - Manufacturer

Provided technical support on a feasibility study to evaluate remedial options for coal tar and arsenic contamination that is discharging to a river.

Biotreatability Study - Wood Tar Superfund Site

Designed and supervised bench‑scale treatability studies of slurry-phase bioremediation of wood tar-contaminated soils in Michigan. On the basis of the study results and site investigation, recommended biosparging, and provided engineering recommendations relative to pilot testing and full‑scale implementation of bioremediation of soil and groundwater contaminants.

Biotreatability Study - Railroad Superfund Site

Managed a bench-scale biotreatability study testing the ability of surfactants, phytoremediation, Fenton’s reagent, compost, and bacterial inoculum to aid the remediation of weathered hydrocarbons at a site in Massachusetts.

Evaluation of Remedial Options - Wood Tar National Priorities List Site

Interpreted bioremediation treatability data for forced aeration biopile treatment for this wood tar site in Michigan. Evaluated various in situ and ex situ remediation alternatives for site soil and groundwater and prepared planning level cost estimates.

Biotreatability Study - Wood-Treating Superfund Site

Evaluated ex situ and in situ bioremediation options for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon soil contamination in South Carolina. Designed and supervised treatability studies to determine the feasibility of land treatment.

Seven State Study of Fuel Oxygenates in Groundwater and Public Water Supply Wells - Chemical Company

Principal investigator of a seven state study of MTBE, TBA, and ethanol in public water supply wells and nearby gasoline release sites. The study included identifying public wells most likely to be impacted and significant sites from state databases, and groundwater sampling and analysis to develop new data. This is believed to be the first study to investigate ethanol and TBA in public water supply wells.

Study of Causes of MTBE Well Contamination in New Hampshire - Chemical Company

Principal investigator of a study of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services data relative to MTBE and other gasoline constituents detected in public water systems and potential sources of gasoline in Source Water Protection Areas such as leaking underground storage tanks, spills, junkyards, and watercraft traffic.

Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation of MTBE Impacts - Chemical Company

Reviewed literature on MTBE’s air benefits, water impacts, health effects, remediation technologies, and alternatives (such as ethanol) and submitted written comments on the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management Draft White Papers on MTBE.

Analysis of Gasoline Transport and Remediation - USEPA R.S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory

For Ph.D. research, conducted soil core experiments of soil and groundwater remediation by soil vapor extraction, bioventing, and air sparging. Research included laboratory analysis of vapor samples and computer modeling of gasoline vapor fate and transport. Demonstrated that soil vapor extraction is limited by the diffusive release of contaminants from product and that beyond a certain point, increasing the SVE air flow rate does not improve contaminant removal. Also, this was one of the earliest studies to demonstrate significant biodegradation of vapor-phase petroleum hydrocarbons in clean soil.

Research and Educational Outreach - Chemical Company

Managed research and educational outreach work for a manufacturer of the gasoline additive, MTBE. The program included conducting research projects concerning gasoline releases and impacts to public water supply wells, developing and presenting over 100 seminars on remediation of MTBE and related chemicals in North America and Europe, editing the MTBE Remediation Handbook, writing technical papers, organizing/editing 2001 and 2002 special oxygenated fuels issues of Contaminated Soil, Sediment & Water magazine, organizing and chairing conference sessions, analyzing the economics of MTBE remediation, participating in the MTBE work group of the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council, and participating in a workshop to develop research priorities for fuel oxygenates in groundwater for the California Department of Health Services.

Soil Vapor Extraction/Bioventing Engineering Manual, Course, and Course Handbook - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

Wrote a number of sections for this manual and served as technical editor of the document. Helped develop the outline and organization of the manual. Wrote sections on data needs and screening evaluations of soil vapor extraction/bioventing, bench‑ and pilot‑scale testing, biodegradation kinetics, and principles of contaminant transport. One of four instructors of a three-day USACE course offered in Baltimore and Omaha, covering sections on technology screening, pneumatic analysis, aboveground equipment selection, offgas treatment, case studies, and other topics. Wrote corresponding sections of the course handbook.

Multiphase Extraction Engineering Manual - USACE

Served as technical editor of the document and wrote section on technology selection.

Northeast U.S. Bioreactor Marketing - CardnoERI

Marketing bioreactors for treating MTBE, TBA, and other fuel oxygenates in groundwater at sites in the Northeast. Work includes making over 60 presentations (view example here) to regulators, consultants, and underground storage tank owners, as well as making presentations at conferences; co-writing articles (view example here); developing proposals; and tracking bioreactor performance. Co-developed a brochure (view example here) summarizing essential information about the bioreactors.

Market Analysis of Vapor-Phase Compound Specific Isotope Analysis - Microseeps, Inc.

Interviewed federal and state regulators, environmental consultants, and industry representatives to evaluate the market for vapor-phase compound specific isotope analysis.

Chemical Oxidation and Reduction Technology Marketing - Remediation Technology Vendor

Marketed ex situ and in situ chemical oxidation technology that converts organic contaminants to carbon dioxide and water, as well as an ex situ reduction technology that uses hollow-fiber membranes to deliver hydrogen gas to anaerobic bacteria that biodegrade highly oxidized compounds such as perchlorate and nitrate. Work included identifying leads, writing papers, making presentations, and developing marketing materials.

Marketing and Business Development - Remediation Consulting Firm

Helped the firm identify and pursue project opportunities and expand its network and visibility. Identified potential clients and set up meetings with them and assisted with marketing materials, remediation workshops, platform presentations, and courses.