FRC 2025 Poster Presentations

Ultrashort Chain PFAS and their Implications

Dr. Kesavalu M. Bagawandoss, Ph.D., J.D., Industries & Environment Technical Director North America, SGS North America, Inc.

Abstract:

PFAS measurements have posed a complex problem due to the number and chemical diversity of PFAS, coupled with unavailability of standards and methods for analysis. Most current PFAS methods measure between 2-80 long (≥ C7 carbon chain length) and short-chain (C4-C7) PFAS. However, ultrashort fluorinated compounds (<C4) such as trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) have emerged as an issue due to their ubiquitous use as refrigerants, battery fluids and more. As the number of PFAS extend from 3000 to 6000 PFAS to greater than seven million depending on definition and inclusion of ultrashorts, these subset of PFAS need further attention. There are no standard methods for ultrashort PFAS due to their incompatibility with current workflows. In this presentation, we will discuss multiple aspects of ultrashort PFAS starting with the differential definition based on jurisdiction (OECD/Canada vs. US). We will detail a new SGS-developed method for ultrashorts extending on our work in developing and validating 1633 Draft for the US EPA and DoD (Department of Defense). We will discuss sources and occurrence of these ultrashorts. This work fills a gap on the occurrence, measurement and issues around ultrashort PFAS. The ASTM Work Item 88987 submitted by SGS North America will be discussed.

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AMP Up Your Leadership: Bold Strategies to Inspire, Influence, and Succeed

Emmanuel Buisson, Amp Your Life

Abstract:

Great leaders don’t just manage—they inspire, influence, and drive real impact. In this high-energy keynote, award-winning international speaker, Emmanuel shares transformative leadership strategies that empower professionals to lead with confidence and clarity.  Having shared the stage with icons like Eric Thomas, Inky Johnson, and John Maxwell, I bring a unique blend of real-world experience, mindset mastery, and actionable strategies to help leaders break through limitations and step into their full potential.  This talk goes beyond theory—it’s a call to action. Attendees will discover how to develop a leadership mindset, build influence, and create a culture of success within their teams or businesses. Whether leading a startup, corporation, or personal brand, this session delivers the tools to AMP up leadership, communication, and impact.

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Challenges with Redevelopment of Former Dumps and Lakefills Presents 

Somshekhar Kundral, PE, BCEE, Vice President, Project Director, SCS Engineers, Inc.

Abstract:

The redevelopment of former dumps and lakefills presents unique environmental, geotechnical, and regulatory challenges, especially in regions like South Florida where land availability is limited and development pressure is high. These sites often involve complex legacy conditions such as uncontrolled waste placement, variable geotechnical conditions, and contamination of soil and groundwater. Despite these constraints, successful redevelopment is possible with careful planning, regulatory coordination, and integrated engineering strategies.  This abstract outlines the key challenges and best practices in redeveloping these properties, including the design and implementation of landfill gas management systems to address explosive methane concentrations, groundwater remediation and containment strategies, and stormwater design that must account for waste limits, plume zones, and regulatory constraints. Ground improvement methods such as deep dynamic compaction, surcharging, and pile foundations are essential to support long-term structural performance over degrading waste.  Additionally, redevelopment must meet the local or state closure criteria including adequate cover, gas management, and groundwater and stormwater control. The integration of development features (e.g., buildings, roads, liners) as part of the closure system can offer regulatory and cost advantages when designed appropriately.  Drawing from active redevelopment projects on dumps and lakefills, this abstract demonstrates how coordinated environmental management, stakeholder trust, and innovative engineering can transform former waste sites into economically productive, community-enhancing developments. These projects not only address legacy liabilities but also create jobs, increase tax revenue, and reintegrate long-neglected land into the urban fabric.   

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In-situ Remediation of Contaminated Sediments, Wetlands, and Soils

Dr. Charles Menzie, Principal Scientist, Exponent

Abstract:

Over the past two decades there have been several developments in in-situ remediation of soils and sediments for petroleum hydrocarbons (including PAH compounds), PCBs, dioxins, and metals (especially lead and arsenic). In-situ treatment amendments have included activated carbon (granular and powdered), organoclay, highly concentrated microbial inoculants for bioremediation, and geochemical modifications for reducing metal bioavailability. This paper provides an overview of the developments using case studies for PCBs, dioxins, and lead. In-situ remediation for PFAS in soils and sediments is relatively new, and the presentation will provide a status. Because in-situ remediation involves a range of considerations including addressing potential for adverse impacts and addressing factors affecting efficacy, the utility of in-situ remediation methods for soils and sediments will be presented within the broader context of remedial decision-making as laid out by the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC). 

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A Breath of Fresh Air—How Air Monitoring is Helping Transform a Marine Brownfield into a Hub for Green Energy

Paul Pickering, VP Global Strategic Accounts, Aeroqual

Abstract:

The South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT) is undergoing a Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP), which involves redeveloping the derelict, contaminated port to create a world-class hub for offshore wind operations on the East Coast. It will become the largest dedicated port facility for offshore wind staging and maintenance in the United States. The new SBMT will help create hundreds of jobs, generate billions of dollars in economic activity for the city, state, and region, and potentially provide wind power to millions of homes and businesses. We showcase challenges, solutions, and lessons learned from a well-executed air monitoring program that complies with state guidelines and supports the cleanup for one of the nation's most ambitious renewable energy projects.    As a BCP-designated site, the project must comply with local regulatory guidelines, including implementing a site-specific Health and Safety Plan (HASP) and a Community Air Monitoring Plan (CAMP) during remediation activities. The HASP and CAMP establish procedures to protect on-site workers and residents, including continuous monitoring of airborne contaminants of concern and measures to suppress dust and odor. We present the site's history and investigative findings, the remedial cleanup design, and how Tetra Tech leveraged next-gen air monitoring technology to overcome technical challenges and streamline compliance. Lessons from the case study inform how technological advances can resolve power and data issues, apportion off-site marine and land-based contaminant sources, cost-effectively target mitigation measures, and maintain data hygiene and defensibility on large brownfield sites.  

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Chlorinated Solvent Daughter Product Management and Expedited Remediation

Derek Pizarro, Senior Product Manager, Remediation of Recalcitrant and Emerging Groundwater Contaminants, AST Environmental, Inc.

Abstract:

Chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) are common contaminants that tend to persist in the subsurface. Daughter products are generated where an electron donor is introduced or where sufficient natural organic carbon is present in the aquifer. This generation of daughter products- incomplete sequential reductive dichlorination, can create groundwater or soil vapor conditions that are more serious than even the parent compound(s).  For sites where either perchloroethylene (PCE) or trichloroethylene (TCE) is the parent compound, the degradation products are primarily cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (DCE) and/or vinyl chloride (VC). For source areas, significant daughter product concentrations can be generated and can persist for extended periods of time, even decades; the site exists in a near static or “stalled” remediation phase. There are various reasons why daughter products do not degrade naturally or post-enhanced reductive dechlorination (ERD) remediation.  This poster depicts the use of reactant mixtures that restart the sequential dehalogenation process. Examples from three sites are used in graphic format with a discussion of the technology and how it finished the process in situ: 1) elevated parent compounds relative to daughter compounds, 2) elevated daughter compounds relative to parent compounds, and 3) significant saturated soil mass (DNAPL). 

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Natural Source Zone Depletion and the Activated Carbon Remedy: Friend or Foe

Derek Pizarro, Senior Product Manager, Remediation of Recalcitrant and Emerging Groundwater Contaminants, AST Environmental, Inc.

Abstract:

Natural Source Zone Depletion (NSZD) is a term of art that describes those processes that act to physically redistribute LNAPL to the aqueous or gaseous phase as well as processes that biologically diminish the contaminant source over time. In practice, NSZD is rarely employed as the sole remedy but is often a polishing step that follows one or more active remedies. Some active remedies are more supportive of NSZD than others. We will demonstrate that carbon-based injectates particularly support NSZD by presenting field data and laboratory showing that carbon-based injectates reduce LNAPL and provide data demonstrating that activated carbon facilitates biodegradation. We will further demonstrate that contaminants absorbed into the microporous structure of carbon are bioavailable and that biodegradation regenerates the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon.  Thus, redistributing LNAPL into the carbon’s pore structure is not limited by its initial adsorption capacity. Therefore, activated carbon supports a continuing, physical redistribution of LNAPL and supports biodegradation.  A laboratory study, employing various carbons, blends of commercially available microorganisms purported to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons, and numerous supplements and substrates, was structured to characterize the effects of these elements on gasoline and diesel LNAPL degradation. Three different controls were used to evaluate experimental losses and provide performance profiles for changes due to simple absorption by the activated carbon.  GC/MS was used to quantify the products of LNAPL degradation. The data was then used to derive overall NAPL and compound-specific degradation rates. Field data illustrating these same principles will be presented.  The test program was structured to examine the individual carbons with the same set of organisms and substrates. The data demonstrate that organic compounds absorbed into the microporous structure of carbon are bioavailable. Extraction of absorbed fuel constituents from the carbon demonstrates LNAPL degradation. A proposed mechanism for LNAPL degradation is supported by the data. After applying a carbon-based injectate remedy, NSZD is supported through continued LNAPL redistribution and biodegradation.  

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Mitigating LNAPL Migration to Adjacent Surface Water Bodies Using Regenerative PRBs

Derek Pizarro, Senior Product Manager, Remediation of Recalcitrant and Emerging Groundwater Contaminants, AST Environmental, Inc.

Abstract:

Background/Objectives:

At active terminal sites, petroleum sheening may be observed on adjacent waterways. Light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) seeping through soil and beneath bulkheads (seawalls) are attributed to the sheen. Many sites have installed, or attempted, LNAPL recovery (sumps) along the seawall, which remove a substantial portion of LNAPL volume. However, in many cases, sheening continues with seasonal groundwater fluctuation, infiltration events, or at low tides. Seep locations do not always correlate to delineated LNAPL presence (wells, sumps) due to historic fill, geologic depositional setting, or bulkhead age and integrity.  Regardless of existing or planned remedial activities, plume bisection is typically considered to eliminate seepage and discharge to water bodies. A permeable reactive barrier (PRB) installed via direct push technology (DPT) using a bioremediation platform with an intrinsic capture mechanism (activated carbon) is the most appropriate choice in many cases, as this type of biobarrier can be augmented to prolong the lifespan or adjust with changes in plume and water body conditions, or if other remediation activities are taken offline, i.e. recovery systems.  

Approach/Activities:

To optimize the performance of PRBs, especially in the presence of tidally influenced bodies of water, high-resolution site characterization (HRSC) is twinned with a Remedial Design Characterization (RDC) event (soil, groundwater, sump water) to adjust placement, depth of installation, and product design loadings. HRSC tooling, including– optical Image Profiler (OIP) and hydraulic profiling tool (HPT)- and traditional soil boring investigations are completed to horizontally and vertically characterize PRB target zone. HRSC tooling does not always line up well with soil analytical, and this data supports the use of HRSC to pare-down the area of installation (“refine the box”) before using physical samples and laboratory data to define and design remediation.  A slurry composed of specific, facultative, petroleum-degrading microbes, activated carbon, electron acceptors, and nutrients are installed via DPT injection. Treatment of LNAPL is viable due to the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon system, providing immediate control of the LNAPL and biological regeneration of the activated carbon to allow continued trapping and treating to reduce LNAPL and control dissolved phase concentrations and discharge.  

Results/Lessons Learned:

PRBs are effective in eliminating seeps, sheens, and discharge to water bodies. Continued monitoring will be necessary to pursue regulatory objectives, even site closure in some cases, while eliminating pathways for PHC migration using institutional and/or engineering controls. Ongoing performance monitoring and modeling of post-injection results evaluate the need for a second full scale injection and/or sulfate augmentation at end of service lifespan, or augmentation events– if planned, due to mass flux or limitations on formational uptake of injectate in one injection event.  

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Infiltration Basin Fate and Transport in a Shallow Aquifer

Stephen Saller, P.G., GHD Services, Inc.

Abstract:

An out of use infiltration basin was monitored for groundwater water quality constituents and found to have detection levels over the limits. The local shallow aquifer was examined with rising and falling head tests, then characterized with Bouwer-Rice curve fitting for hydraulic conductivity and storage coefficients. Three conservative scenarios using highs in detection levels collected at different sampling events were constructed as plumes in MODFLOW MT3D and run as transient fate-transport simulations to evaluate risk to downgradient receptors. The models predicted each plume would dissipate to below limited levels prior to migrating to receptors due to advection/dispersion.  

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Combined Colloidal Remedy Saves Time and Money

Patrick Singer, Southeast District Manager, REGENESIS

Abstract:

Groundwater contamination by chlorinated solvents poses significant environmental challenges, primarily in the speed in efficacy needed for projects such as property redevelopments.  Regenesis has engineered a suite of technically advanced colloidal technologies based on activated carbon, sulfidated zero-valent iron (ZVI), and solid organics. These patented technologies offer a groundbreaking approach to accelerate effective chlorinated solvent remediation, characterized by co-mixability, superior distribution properties, high reaction speeds, and longevity.  These amendments' co-application, flexibility and tunability enable precise chemical redox control. Colloidal activated carbon (CAC) immediately absorbs contaminants and prevents plume movement, effectively increasing residence time for action by other chemistries. Additionally, the prolonged reactive performance of Regenesis colloidal ZVI and colloidal organics can ‘dial in’ biotic and abiotic reduction chemistries where performance matters, such as barriers near property boundaries, roadways, etc.   Historically, standard batch mixing and injection practices for in-situ remediation have faced challenges in vertical or horizontal dosing adjustments, limiting the flexibility of applying colloidal amendments. To address this, Regenesis pioneered the world’s first in situ inline injection system, commercially known as IBIS, designed for highly flexible and precise dosing, with the ability to adjust point-by-point. This new system improves granular dosing of colloidal amendments while improving delivery efficiency by over 20% and reducing overall application costs.  A pilot-scale permeable reactive barrier (PRB) using PlumeStop and S-MicroZVI was implemented to treat a fast-moving, high-concentration TCE, cis-1,2DCE, and VC plume. Within a month, the highest concentrations were reduced by 98%, and the single injection event maintained at least 99% reductions of chlorinated ethenes for 3.5 years in performance wells. Following extended post-application monitoring, full-scale implementation of colloidal carbon, ZVI, and donor will be performed in the Fall 2024 using the new IBIS system, with the most recent data to be shared in this presentation.