Superfund Geophysics: Case Studies from Region 4
Sponsored by: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation

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