Laserfiche WebLink
Richard J. Abitz 4 <br />active with laboratory investigations that examine the distribution of uranium phases <br />in soil and aquifer sediment, the leaching behavior of the uranium phases, the <br />treatment of contaminated soil with phosphate, and the geochemical properties of <br />aggregate materials used to construct liners in the OSDF. The research established <br />important baseline information on the distribution of uranium in the aquifer and in <br />OSDF construction materials, while treatment studies evaluated the effectiveness of <br />phosphate in reducing the solubility and mobility of uranium in the disposal cell. <br />• As a participant in research that evaluated the natural attenuation of uranium using a <br />combination of passive inorganic and organic systems, Dr. Abitz was involved with <br />work groups from industry, academia and DOE laboratories. The inorganic systems <br />that were investigated include rip -rap channels constructed with rock containing iron <br />oxyhydroxide phases (e.g., goethite and hematite) or phosphate minerals (e.g., <br />apatite) and flow- through cells using zero - valent iron. Organic systems that showed <br />potential promise include sulfate- reducing bacteria, microbial mats, lichen, and <br />phytoextraction. A combination of these systems may prove to be practical and cost <br />effective in the treatment of low leachate volumes generated by the OSDF after its <br />1997- closure. <br />1998 <br />President/Owner, Geochemical Consulting Services, Albuquerque, New Mexico. <br />Dr. Abitz served as a geochemical consultant to the Fernald Environmental Management <br />Program (FEMP) and the WIPP Project. <br />• Dr. Abitz performed confidential work for the Navajo Nation on the proposed in <br />situ uranium leach mines in the vicinity of Church Rock and Crownpoint, New <br />Mexico. <br />• At FEMP, he evaluated the efficiency of selected alternatives for soil and groundwater <br />remediation, including soil washing and in situ uranium leaching methods. This <br />effort involved supervising the technical team, assisting in the negotiation of clean- <br />up levels with DOE and EPA, developing soil - treatment protocols, and interacting <br />with public - interest groups. <br />• At the WIPP site, Dr. Abitz provided the operating contractor with expertise in the <br />area of brine geochemistry. He was responsible for oversight of laboratory analyses <br />and QA /QC, data analysis, and geochemical interpretation of the composition and <br />origin of fluids in the vicinity of underground operations. Dr. Abitz also evaluated <br />1994- the solubility of transuranic elements in sodium - chloride brine and in brine <br />1997 containing organic - complexing agents such as citric acid, oxalic acid, and EDTA. <br />Project Manager /Senior Staff Consultant, IT Corporation, Albuquerque, New Mexico. <br />Dr. Abitz served as project scientist /manager on geochemical tasks associated with the <br />WIPP Project, Norton AFB Groundwater Study, FEMP Operable Units 5 and 3 Rl /FS, and <br />Navajo EPA. Specific activities include: <br />