Applied Research

SSP&A's recognized expertise in groundwater, geochemistry, and environmental science has led to several ongoing research projects.

Fate and Transport of PCBs in the Subsurface

SSP&A served on an expert panel assembled by the Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation. The charge to this panel was to develop feasible remedial alternatives for sites where soil and groundwater were contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds. Dr. Charles Andrews, President of SSP&A, served as Director of this panel that defined the chemical properties of the PCBs and their degradation products. The panel conducted laboratory and field studies of biodegradation, surfactant chemistry and transport, PCB transport and sorption, and the behavior of DNAPL in the subsurface; and field testing methods for PCB solubilization and recovery in fractured and porous media. 

PDF Project Summary

Parameterization and Predictive Analysis in Environmental Modeling

SSP&A is collaborating with Dr. John Doherty of Watermark Numerical Computing (creator of PEST) to undertake research to improve environmental data processing through the use of numerical models, pooling resources and expertise to improve the use of computer simulation in environmental management. The theme of much of this research is parameter estimation and predictive uncertainty analysis.

Related activities can always be found on the PEST pages.