UCLA Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering - CEE 259A: Selected Topics in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Seminar
“EMERGING TRENDS IN REMEDIATION: A CONSULTING PERSPECTIVE” presented by Dr. Rula A. Deeb, Vice President and Technical Director, ARCADIS U.S.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
11:00 AM
4275 Boelter Hall
Abstract: Many federal (e.g., Air Force, Army) and commercial entities (e.g., British Petroleum) are using performance-based remediation to manage or eliminate environmental cleanup responsibilities and lingering liabilities as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. Innovation plays an important role in successfully achieving closure at complex sites. This presentation will focus on the use of innovative remedial approaches to achieve accelerated site closure under performance-based contracts, and will highlight key research and development applications at six large complex sites across the U.S. For example, at Reese Air Force Base in Texas, a remedial strategy was developed to aggressively drive a number of large diffuse groundwater plumes to closure. The basis of this approach involved Directed Groundwater Recirculation (DGR), a technology developed by ARCADIS through R&D. The successful application of DGR resulted in a 90% reduction of contaminant mass in a 3-mile long TCE plume in less than 7 years and the achievement of MCLs at 98% of monitoring wells. At the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Missouri, remedial investigations and feasibility studies were completed at 3 operable units encompassing over 30 areas of concern. Affected media included soil, groundwater and sediments contaminated with chlorinated solvents, metals, petroleum hydrocarbons and explosive chemicals. Innovative design remedies incorporated sustainable, state-of-the-art in situ approaches. This project was recently awarded a 2011 American Association of Environmental Engineers Excellence in Environmental Engineering Award in the Design Category. Following the technical discussion, time will be allocated to answer any questions about the technical career track in consulting engineering.
Biography: Rula A. Deeb, Ph.D., BCEEM, is a Vice President and Technical Director in the Environment Division of ARCADIS U.S. (Emeryville, CA). Her expertise includes the cross-media fate and transport of emerging contaminants and the remediation of complex soil and groundwater sites impacted by non-aqueous phase liquids. Within ARCADIS, she is the technical liaison to the federal program. Her responsibilities include leveraging technical knowledge, innovation and resources to better meet federal client needs (Air Force, Army, Navy, SERDP/ESTCP). She also coordinates ARCADIS’ external outreach activities. Dr. Deeb’s research has been recognized with awards from the National Science Foundation, EPA and the American Society of Civil Engineers. She received the 2007 Berkeley Engineering Innovation Young Outstanding Leader Award.
