A Day in the Life of … a Technical Expert.  CSI: Environmental Forensics

"Playing in the woods as a child, I was fascinated by the damp spot on the ground that grew into a trickle that grew eventually into a rather robust creek. For me the great outdoors was a place of comfort and solace that I wanted to protect. Today, I am a hydrologist/geochemist providing technical support for some of ARCADIS' most challenging sites. The work that I conduct is referred to as Environmental Forensics. I weave together bits and pieces of information (evidence) to solve environmental riddles," said Julie S., Technical Expert for ARCADIS.

6:30 a.m. Coffee and breakfast, especially coffee.

8:00 a.m. Arrive at the office. Check e-mail and voice mail. Further refine conceptual site model for a creek running through a mining area.

"Conceptual site models provide answers to questions such as: What is the type of contaminant? How was it released and when?  Where is the contaminant – soil, groundwater, surface water?  How much contaminant is out there? Is it all from this site, or could some have come from another site? Is the contaminant migrating? Is the contaminant fading away on its own, or do we need to do something to clean it up?" 

10:45 a.m. – Discuss a potential strategic hire to expand the technical team. 

11:00 a.m. – Conference call regarding chemical oxidation for residual contaminants in a drinking water aquifer. Chemical oxidation will destroy the contaminants, but the trick is to get the chemical to where your contaminant is.  No easy matter when you are facing the challenges of distributing a chemical in three dimensions in sandy soil and water 250 feet below ground.  I nibble on lunch during the call.

12:00 noon – Evaluate groundwater concentration data for a fuel release site to decide which samples to submit for carbon isotope analysis.

12:30 p.m. – Discuss approach for conducting statistical analysis of metals concentrations data from paint sludge, mine tailing and native soil samples. Did paint sludge that was disposed of on mine tailings contribute arsenic to the mine tailings and potentially to native soil? Or is arsenic naturally occurring in this former mining area and the mine tailing contained arsenic millions of years before man was even a glimmer on the face of this planet?

12:45 p.m. – Back to the conceptual site model I was working on earlier. We have some data gaps – missing pieces in the puzzle – we don't yet have the whole picture. 

"One of the most exciting, fun, and rewarding challenges for me is working with a project team to devise an investigation program that efficiently and effectively answers questions. But first we have to decide which questions are truly worth answering and how the answers may or may not fit into the puzzle."  

2:00 p.m. – An email with results from a geochemical modeling evaluation has arrived. We are trying to figure out how a very high pH (caustic) solution is interacting with soil and causing it to expand.

2:15 p.m. – Coffee break and snack time. Back to the arsenic statistical evaluation.

3:00 p.m. – Review and provide edits for a brochure announcing the book I am writing on isotope applications for environmental consulting. I appreciate the encouragement and support I get from ARCADIS on this endeavor.

4:00 p.m. – Receive a call for support on developing potential remedial approaches for a small former fuel transfer station. The client is requesting a very rapid response on this so I have to assemble a technical team on short notice. By 4:45, the team is assembled and we will meet tomorrow to discuss the site and develop an appropriate remedial approach.

4:45 p.m. – Snack time again. 

"I am a grazer. I perform best if I eat several small meals throughout the day. Several of my clients and coworkers are aware of this and will sometimes stop a meeting to ask if I have enough calories in my system or if I need to get something to eat. I appreciate their concern and acceptance of my somewhat quirky eating habits."

5:00 p.m. – Mini strategy session with the Project Manager of the mining site to discuss the best approach for filling the data gaps we have identified. She conveys the message that the client is very excited about the work we have been doing. It is always motivating to hear such positive feedback and appreciation of the work we do.

5:30 p.m. – Back to the arsenic statistics evaluation.

6:00 p.m. – Pack up and head to yoga class.

"Early in my life I made a commitment to life-long fitness and health. It is a wonderful stress relief and, these days, helps to keep my spare tire at bay. Recently, ARCADIS initiated the CEO Fitness Challenge to encourage us to develop or continue with healthy lifestyles. Life-work balance and health and fitness are recognized and encouraged from the highest levels of the corporation."

7:45 p.m. – Home for dinner with my husband. Fajitas tonight. We recount our days to each other. He is also a hydrologist and geochemist, but conducts research in very pristine environments as opposed to the contaminated sites I work with.  We have many fun and interesting conversations together.

9:30 p.m. – Review site data for the former fuel transfer site to prepare for tomorrow's strategy session.

10:30 p.m. – Time for sleep; tomorrow will be another exciting day.