Mike, Orion's Berkeley-based vice president, and Steve, Denver-based senior project engineer, attended the Emerging Contaminants Summit in Westminster, Colorado, during March 2018. The summit focused on the latest developments in the detection, fate-and-transport, risk assessment, treatment, and regulation of emerging and recalcitrant contaminants including per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 1,4-dioxane. Mike and Steve enjoyed learning more about these substances as well as interacting with industry colleagues. Following the summit, Steve joined a group of consultants and industry vendors for a day of recreational skiing at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area.
Orion Attends RMAEP Luncheon in Golden, Colorado
Steve, Orion's Denver-based senior project engineer, attended a monthly luncheon in Golden, Colorado, organized by the Rocky Mountain Association of Environmental Professionals (RMAEP). The RMAEP luncheon presenter was Professor John Ryan of the University of Colorado, Boulder’s Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering. Professor Ryan is also faculty director of the National Science Foundation-funded AirWaterGas Sustainability Research Network. AirWaterGas’s research focuses on addressing the effects of oil and gas development on air and water resources in the Rocky Mountain region. Steve took note of the results of AirWaterGas’ research related to water quality and the occurrence of methane and BTEX in aquifers above Denver‑Julesburg Basin in northeastern Colorado.
Orion Sits on “Women in Science” Panel
Orion was invited to sit on a "Women in Science" panel at HighTech LA High School in Lake Balboa, California, in January 2018. The panel was organized for students who were taking Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) classes and curious about future careers in STEM fields.
Adair, project scientist in the Long Beach office, was one of five women panelists to speak with the 11th and 12th grade STEM students. The panel answered student-prepared questions related to their positions in science and engineering. Students and panelists broke into smaller focus groups to learn more about each panelist’s career and what kind of academic background was necessary for their type of work. Adair discussed her background in biology and environmental science, explaining how it applies to soil and groundwater remediation projects at Orion.
Orion Attends “Back to Business” Developer’s Conference
Orion attended and presented at the AD64 "Back to Business" Conference at Cal State Dominguez Hills in January 2017. The conference was organized to inform developers and stakeholders of the resources and tools to address environmental challenges at Brownfields in the 64th district.
Orion's president Jeff and project manager Onamia were invited to the workshop by Matt Winefield of Winefield and Associates and Mike Gipson, the assemblymember of the 64th district in Los Angeles. The 64th district includes the cities of Carson, Compton, and East Rancho Dominguez.
During her presentation, Onamia told the audience about state and federal funding programs available for Brownfield properties including programs administered by the State Water Resources Control Board, California Department of Toxic Substances Control, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Her goal was to inform
ORION PERFORMS BENCH TESTING FOR TREATMENT OF HEAVY METALS
Orion teamed with a technical expert to conduct modeling and perform a SOIL COLUMN STUDY to evaluate in situ aquifer flushing for remediation of cadmium-impacted soil and groundwater.
Orion was retained to study the feasibility of in situ flushing for removing the heavy metal cadmium from a contaminated aquifer. Orion’s goals were to evaluate the efficacy of aquifer flushing for achieving remedial objectives and estimate critical design parameters for potential full-scale remediation. Orion partnered with Accord Environmental (Accord) of Long Beach, California, to design, construct, and perform the soil column study.
Accord performed PHREEQC geochemical modeling to simulate chemical reactions and transport processes for various potential flushing reagents. In addition, the model was used to predict the potential effect of
New P.G. in The House!
Orion's Berkeley-based project geologist, Scott, is now a registered professional geologist in California!
Despite his demanding work schedule, Scott made time to study diligently for the P.G. exam. The three-part exam covered fundamentals of geology, practice of geology, and California specific exam. Some of the questions touched on subjects such as structural geology, seismology, and hydrogeology.
This past spring, Scott and 60 others took the exam. Scott reported not being nervous, but because it had been awhile since he took a long standardized test, he said, "I could barely see straight when I walked out after staring at the pages for so long."
After months of anticipation, Scott received news that he passed and went out with his Berkeley colleagues to celebrate.
Congrats to Scott on all of your hard work and studying!
Orion Visits Johnson Middle School for Career Day
Orion was invited to speak at the Johnson Middle School Career Day in Westminster, California.
Orion's president Jeff and engineering intern Andy delivered a 30-minute presentation to three different groups over the course of the morning. The 8th graders learned about the technical people (engineers, geologist, and scientists) who work at Orion, what kind of work environmental consultants do, and what are the best high school class subjects for college and an eventual career in environmental science or engineering.
The Career Day organizer said "the kids really enjoyed it!” A couple of the students said "now I want to be an environmental engineer!"
A few days after the event, Jeff and Andy received personally written cards from students thanking them for their visit and informative presentation.
In Situ Treatment of MTBE
Orion used in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) to treat MTBE-impacted groundwater using ozone and hydrogen peroxide.
Orion implements pilot test for MTBE remediation using in situ chemical oxidation
Orion designed and implemented an in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) pilot test to evaluate the potential effectiveness of combined ozone and hydrogen peroxide injection to treat impacted groundwater.
Orion was retained to study the potential benefit of ISCO technology for multiple sites impacted by total petroleum hydrocarbons as gasoline (TPHg), including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) and the fuel oxygenates methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA). Orion’s goals were to test the technology effectiveness, collect design data for full-scale implementation, and develop protocols for future pilot tests.
Two nested injection wells were installed and spaced 20 feet apart in anticipation of a 10-foot radius of
- « Previous Articles
- 1
- …
- 4
- 5
- 6