Karen Berry-Spark is a principal hydrogeologist based in Guelph, Ontario, with more than 20 years of professional experience. Her practice focuses on the characterization and remediation of sites impacted by chlorinated solvents and other dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) in soil and groundwater. Ms. Berry-Spark has developed site-specific remedies using in situ bioremediation, zero-valent iron, and related technologies at sites throughout North America.
Practice Specialties
Ms. Berry-Spark’s practice also focuses on the assessment and mitigation of subsurface vapor intrusion to indoor air. In this area, she applies her knowledge and experience in not only contaminant fate and transport, but also human health risk assessment. Her experience includes management of groundwater remediation projects using emerging remediation technologies. For example, she managed the design and installation of the first zero-valent iron permeable reactive barrier (ZVI PRB) at a Superfund Site in New Hampshire under U.S. EPA’s risk-sharing program. While managing this project, she also obtained EPA approval to use passive diffusion bag (PDB) samplers for PRB performance monitoring. Her demonstration of the PDB technology at this site has been cited by U.S. EPA as exemplary, and the case study is contained in the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) guidance document for PDBs. Her experience with the U.S. EPA risk-sharing program includes the design of an in situ chemical oxidation system for the treatment of TCE in fractured bedrock at the Dublin Superfund Site. Ms. Berry-Spark has also conducted numerous risk assessments, many of which have been used to support the risk management, remediation, and redevelopment of Brownfields properties. Among her recent projects are the design of vapor barriers for new homes, and the remediation of a former industrial site in Michigan that is being converted to residential use under the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Land Redevelopment Brownfields site program.
Advancing the State-of-the-Practice
Ms. Berry-Spark continues to advance the state-of-the-practice by participating as an invited speaker at conferences to discuss vapor intrusion assessment and mitigation strategies. A former instructor at the vapor intrusion short course offered as part of Battelle’s Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds in Monterey in May 2006, she also peer reviewed a number of guidance documents on vapor intrusion, including the recently released Michigan guidance.
Contact Ms. Berry-Spark at kberryspark@geosyntec.com.