Superfund Geophysics: Case Studies from Region 4

OLEM is hosting its first in a series of Region-based Geophysics talks. This session will introduce the geophysics state of play, new EPA resources, and a brief overview of some of the more commonly used geophysical tools that help us understand Superfund geology, groundwater, and contaminant pathways. Then we will get to hear two case studies from Region 4: electrical resistivity imaging in Macon, GA and combined seismic and resistivity in Roxboro, NC. This training is intended to equip OLEM and Regional staff and management with the necessary information, resources, and tools to select and manage a successful geophysics deployment at their site.

Ben Bentkowski, U.S. EPA - Region 4 (Bentkowski.Ben@epa.gov or 404-562-8507)
Ben Bentkowski, P.G. is a Senior Hydrogeologist in the Scientific Support Section in the Superfund and Emergency Management Division of EPA Region 4 in Atlanta, GA. He has been with the Agency 15 years in the role of scientific support for the hydrogeology of investigations and remedial actions and is also the Regional Vapor Intrusion coordinator. Ben participates in several national workgroups including the Groundwater Forum and is an instructor for the CERCLA Education Center’s High-Resolution Site Characterization training course. Prior to joining EPA, Ben provided geology, hydrogeology, project and program management skills to various Federal contracting vehicles while employed at consulting companies based in Atlanta from 1986 to 2007. Prior to that he was involved in petroleum exploration in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Libya. Ben graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a BS in Geology and earned a Masters in Geology from Oklahoma State University. He is the past president of the Atlanta Geological Society.

Jon Fields, U.S. EPA - ORD (Fields.Jon@epa.gov or 580-436-8630)
EPA hydrologist Jon Fields studies groundwater quality, quantity, and flow. His current research includes expanded use of geophysics for characterizing an Enhanced Aquifer Recharge (EAR) site, application of electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) to a variety of sites and geologies across the US, and experimenting with the use of transient ERI (TERI) for monitoring groundwater flow in karst. He is also collaborating with other EPA researchers to study the effects of climate change and sea-level rise on remediation technologies at contaminated sites.

Luci Dunnington, U.S. EPA - OSRTI (Dunnington.Lucila@epa.gov or 202-566-0925)
Dr. Dunnington has 10 years of experience in the collection of geochemistry and geophysical data and integrating it into surface water and groundwater models to support research and project decision making. Her involvement as a geologist and geophysicist for aquifer delineation projects across the country has led to expertise in evaluating aquifer continuity, heterogeneity, and geometry in a manner that is technically rigorous. Dr. Dunnington has recently created a new technology section and this webinar series on CLU-IN.org, focusing on the integration of geophysics in remedial investigations at CERCLA sites.

Moderator:

Jean Balent, U.S. EPA Technology Innovation and Field Services Division (balent.jean@epa.gov or 202-566-0832)
Ms Balent is on the staff of the EPA's Technology Innovation and Field Services Division where she has worked to collect and disseminate hazardous waste remediation and characterization information since 2003. Ms Balent manages the Clean Up Information Network website and actively supports online communication and collaboration resources available to EPA. She formerly worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Engineering Division in the Buffalo District. Ms Balent was also a member of the SUNY-Buffalo Groundwater Research Group where she constructed and tested large scale models of groundwater flow. Ms Balent has also conducted research relating to the Great Lakes, environmental remediation, and brownfields re-development. She holds a Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering from SUNY-Buffalo and a Master's degree in Information Technology from AIU.

• Slide Presentation for Luci Dunnington, U.S. EPA - OSRTI (2.05MB/PDF)
• Slide Presentation for Ben Bentkowski, U.S. EPA - Region 4 (2.26MB/PDF)
• Slide Presentation for Jon Fields, U.S. EPA - ORD (3.45MB/PDF)

Webinar Slides and References:

• Slide Presentation for Luci Dunnington, U.S. EPA - OSRTI (2.05MB/PDF)
• Slide Presentation for Ben Bentkowski, U.S. EPA - Region 4 (2.26MB/PDF)
• Slide Presentation for Jon Fields, U.S. EPA - ORD (3.45MB/PDF)

Additional Resources:

• Geophysical Methods Focus Area
• Geophysical Method Selection: Matching Study Goals, Method Capabilities and Limitations, and Site Conditions (Archive of October 29, 2018 Webinar)
• EPA Environmental Geophysics

Help & FAQs

• Frequently Asked Questions
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Zoom Resources

This seminar will be delivered through Zoom. Participants are encouraged to update to the latest version of the Zoom application for the best experience. If you are unable to install the Zoom application, most functions will be available if you join just using a modern web browser such as Chrome, Edge or Firefox. We strongly encourage you to run the Zoom Meeting Test prior to attending this seminar. Technical support on the day of the seminar will be very limited and subject to significant delays.

Rehabilitation Act Notice for Reasonable Accommodation

It is EPA's policy to make reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities wishing to participate in the agency's programs and activities, pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 791. Any request for accommodation should be made to Luci Dunnington at 202-566-0925 or Dunnington.Lucila@epa.gov, preferably one week or more in advance of the seminar, so that EPA will have sufficient time to process the request. EPA would welcome specific recommendations from requestors specifying the nature or type of accommodation needed. EPA welcomes specific recommendations from requestors specifying the nature or type of accommodation needed. Please note that CLU-IN provides both alternate phone call-in options and closed captioning for all webinars, and requests for these specific accommodations are not necessary.

Rehabilitation Act Notice for Reasonable Accommodation

It is EPA's policy to make reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities wishing to participate in the agency's programs and activities, pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 791. Any request for accommodation should be made to Luci Dunnington at 202-566-0925 or Dunnington.Lucila@epa.gov, preferably one week or more in advance of the webinar, so that EPA will have sufficient time to process the request. EPA would welcome specific recommendations from requestors specifying the nature or type of accommodation needed. EPA welcomes specific recommendations from requestors specifying the nature or type of accommodation needed. Please note that CLU-IN provides both alternate phone call-in options and closed captioning for all webinars, and requests for these specific accommodations are not necessary.

Webinar Recording

By participating in this CLU-IN webinar, you automatically agree to authorize recording of audio and visual content presented during this live event and consent to subsequent use of this recording in the public domain by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This recording may include questions, comments and poll responses provided by you during the live event in addition to your name, voice, image or likeness. This recording will be made available after the conclusion of the live event as part of the CLU-IN webinar archives, and will remain available indefinitely. If you do not wish to consent to the recording, please do not join the live event, and contact Jean Balent at 202-566-0832 or balent.jean@epa.gov to discuss your concerns.

Content Disclaimer

This webinar is intended solely to provide information to the public. The views and opinions expressed as part of this webinar do not necessarily state or reflect those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It is not intended, nor can it be relied upon, to create any rights enforceable by any party in litigation with the United States, or to endorse the use of products or services provided by specific vendors. With respect to this webinar, neither the United States Government nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.