Bio
Dr. Benjamin Petri is a licensed environmental engineer with 20 years of experience in the environmental litigation and remediation fields serving a range of clients. Much of Dr. Petri’s career has focused on analyzing the fate and transport of contaminants in complex environmental systems and determining the implications for clients. He has developed conceptual site models, and designed and managed multiple field, laboratory, and modeling investigations. He has specialized experience in assessing fate and transport of chlorinated solvents, nonaqueous-phase liquids (NAPLs), and PFAS in groundwater, as well as PCBs in sediments. Dr. Petri is also particularly experienced in working with in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) technologies.
Dr. Petri is experienced in litigation, having managed or supported numerous environmental litigation cases for differing clients. Dr. Petri’s litigation support experience has focused on CERCLA cost recovery cases and other forms of environmental torts, including class actions and natural resource damage litigation. Analyses performed or led by Dr. Petri in support of litigation include contaminant fate and transport modeling, environmental forensics, cost estimation, and historical facility review.
Dr. Petri has collaborated with a variety of colleagues across disciplines in industry, academia, and consulting. In addition, he has authored numerous articles, book chapters, conferences presentations, and short courses, and has served as a peer reviewer for multiple refereed journals.
Relevant Experience
Litigation Support
Class Action and Mass Action Litigation Related to PFAS in Biosolids, Multiple Cases and Locations, United States — Provided litigation support on multiple class action and mass action cases in federal court, all involving PFAS contamination of groundwater alleged to have occurred as a result of application of biosolids sourced from municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. Served as project manager or provided technical direction and support on multiple cases. Directed the evaluation of site history, review of past PFAS chemical use, collection of data, evaluation of PFAS transformation products and forensics, research of third-party sources, and analysis of fate and transport of PFAS in soil, groundwater, and surface water. Supported the preparation of expert reports.
Class Action Litigation Alleging PFAS Contamination of Groundwater at an Industrial Site, Wisconsin — Served as project manager providing consulting support on a case alleging PFAS in groundwater from a nearby industrial facility. Directed the evaluation of site history, industrial operations, groundwater fate and transport, third-party sources, and forensics. Supported the preparation of an expert report and reviewed opposing expert submissions.
PFAS Litigation Support, Southeastern United States — Evaluated an expert report on PFAS transformation and degradation in the environment, and related PFAS forensic signatures. Provided support for depositions.
Multiple Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) Sites, New York — Provided technical and project management support on an insurance cost recovery case involving multiple former MGP sites in New York. Evaluated NAPL mobility and morphology, and supported expert report preparation.
Cost Allocation Process for a Sediment Cleanup Site, Confidential Location — Led development and authored multiple expert reports that evaluated contaminant mass loading from current and historical industrial facilities. Evaluation particularly emphasized sources affiliated with agricultural chemical supply facilities, high temperature industrial operations, and electrical equipment repair and maintenance facilities. Contaminants evaluated included PCBs, PAHs, dioxins/furans, metals, NAPLs, and others. Coordinated reports and positions with other outside experts and counsel. Reviewed and prepared rebuttals of opposing expert reports. Advised counsel and project team on technical issues of strategic importance. Ongoing matter.
Cost Allocation Process for a Sediment Cleanup Site, Confidential Location — Evaluated contaminant mass loading of PCBs and other contaminants of concern from multiple facilities, including paper mills, stormwater and combined sewer systems, wastewater treatment facilities, electrical utilities, and other industrial operations. Contributed to expert report preparation and coordination with counsel.
PFAS Treatment Litigation, Southeastern United States — Provided litigation support including data review and analysis on a case related to costs associated with treatment of PFAS in a municipal water system.
Cost Recovery Litigation Regarding a Chlorinated Solvent Plume, New Mexico — Supported rebuttal and supplemental expert report preparation in a cost recovery matter. Role included review and evaluation of co-located trichloroethene and methyl tert-butyl ether sources, as well as conceptual site model review and development.
Petroleum Release Litigation Support, New York City, New York — Evaluated transport of a Number 6 fuel oil spill using a multiphase flow and transport model to inform release magnitude and timing for a litigation matter.
Industrial Site on the Lower Duwamish Waterway, Washington, Confidential Client — Provided technical support for an industrial client in a cost allocation process for a sediment cleanup involving PCBs, dioxins/furans, metals, and other contaminants. Conducted historical operations research, environmental data analysis, GIS mapping support, remedy design and cost review, chemical fate and transport evaluations, report preparation, natural resource damages estimation and support, natural resources restoration project scoping, and expert witness support at the request of the client.
Industrial Site, Missouri, Confidential Client — Provided technical support to an expert witness for an industrial client in a cost recovery suit. The work involved conducting a forensic analysis of a trichloroethene release by estimating the age of a source zone through data analysis and modeling. Managed a field data collection effort that gathered soil and aquifer test data to support the modeling analysis. Reviewed and critiqued opposing expert opinions and assisted with trial preparation.
Confidential Gas Station Site, New York — Conducted forensic transport calculations and data analysis to determine the date of a gasoline and methyl tert-butyl ether release. The work was performed in support of an expert witness for an insurance cost recovery case that went to trial.
PFAS Site, Confidential Location — Investigated sources and assessed impacts to groundwater by a number of perfluoroalkyl substances, including PFOS and PFOA, in support of settlement negotiations involving natural resource damages.
Confidential Client involved in Litigation at Multiple Locations, United States — Provided data loading support for the development of a database supporting litigation in multiple geographic locations. Tasks included data review and research to ensure quality upload of environmental data.
Active and Former Rocket Launch Facilities, California and Florida, Confidential Client — Researched the administrative record for multiple defense sites and assisted an expert witness in preparing expert reports and a counter-allocation in support of a cost recovery action. Evaluated fate and transport of trichloroethene and other chlorinated solvents in groundwater. Researched historical military and industrial operations, analyzed environmental data, critiqued the cost allocation model, presented findings to the client, and contributed to report writing.
Confidential Gas Station Site, New Jersey, Confidential Client — Provided technical support to an expert witness for an insurance cost recovery case. Reviewed historical site operations, records, and environmental data. Case resolved in a settlement.
Litigation Regarding a Planned Gas Pipeline, Eastern United States — Provided geospatial mapping and analysis support for a community group concerned about the routing of a gas pipeline proposed for construction in their community.
CERCLA PCB Site, Michigan — Provided investigative and analytical support for an expert witness as part of a cost contribution litigation process for a river system with multiple sources of PCBs from multiple paper mills. Researched historical industrial operations, analyzed environmental data, modeled important environmental processes, critiqued opposing expert reports, prepared trial exhibits, and supported deposition and trial activities.
Litigation Support for an Industrial Site, Rhode Island — Supported trial preparation by drafting figures based on site data, for use in courtroom exhibits.
Engineering
Remedial Design, Sediment Cleanup Site, Portland, Oregon — Assisted preparation of a basis of design report and other remedial design deliverables for a sediment cleanup project, with emphasis on remedial standards, applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements, contaminant delineation, and monitoring requirements. Advised on key technical issues such as delineation of NAPL and other chemicals of concern.
Former Landfill Site, Minnesota — Evaluated the fate and transport and natural attenuation of metals in groundwater from a closed landfill using a groundwater model in support of a 5-year review.
Copper and Gold Mine, Alaska — Supported annual environmental reporting for an active copper and gold prospect. Responsibilities included data import supervision, review and analysis, and annual report preparation.
Dry Cleaner Site, Napa, California — Assessed the viability of ISCO as a remedial technology for a tetrachloroethene release at a dry cleaner facility.
Lithium Mine, South America — Supported geological studies and resource assessment at a brine extraction and lithium processing facility. Assisted with preparation of work plans and a sampling and analysis plan to support well installation and brine reservoir characterization. Compiled data to support the development of a model to be used to assess the lithium resource. Provided GIS mapping support.
Industrial Site, Minneapolis, Minnesota — Reviewed the technical feasibility of ISCO as a possible follow-on remedy at a railyard with comingled plumes of petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents. Evaluated soil data for remedy effectiveness and designed a confirmation sampling plan in anticipation of site closure.
San Jacinto River Waste Pits, Harris County, Texas — Assisted collection of environmental media to assess dioxin contamination from upland and overwater areas of this former paper mill waste disposal site. Media collected included soil borings, fish tissue, surface sediment, and high-volume surface water samples. Assisted with preparation of the related field sampling reports.
Lithium Manufacturing Facility, North Carolina — Provided engineering support for a facility experiencing soil heave related to infiltration of caustic materials in a manufacturing area. Tasks included analysis of structural monitoring survey data, review of historical data, development of risk management and mitigation strategies, and performance of a feasibility study evaluating remedial alternatives. Facilitated preparation of work plans and standard operating procedures for data collection and subsurface site characterization.
Dry Cleaner Site, New York, New York — Assessed chemical fate and transport of a chlorinated solvent plume undergoing biodegradation. Tasks involved determination of aquifer hydraulic properties from aquifer testing, estimation of biodegradation rates, and estimation of the rate and extent of downgradient transport.
Lower Passaic River Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study, New Jersey — Provided project support for a CERCLA feasibility study for this multiparty Superfund sediment site. Performed calculations and conducted quality assurance and quality control on dredge volume calculations.
Contaminant Transport Modeling at a Sediment Site, Oregon — Supported development of an updated contaminant transport model to evaluate the potential for natural recovery. Identified data needs within the model for assessment of natural recovery.
Humidity Cell Testing at a Mining Site, Nevada — Assisted with humidity cell testing and conducted research into net acid generation testing methods for a mine undergoing the permitting process. Through a laboratory study, researched the effect of carbonate minerals on chemical oxidation and the efficacy of the net acid generation test.
Environmental Monitoring
Former Pulp Mill, Montana — Served as a client representative to observe fish tissue sample preparation and processing in an EPA laboratory to ensure quality analysis.
R&D
Laboratory Research and Modeling Evaluation of Vapor Intrusion from NAPL Sources and Groundwater Plumes, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado — Conducted laboratory experiments for a project that focused on developing a more complete understanding of the vapor intrusion pathway, with particular emphasis on spatial and temporal dynamics. Developed numerical models to evaluate temporal vapor dynamics in response to rain and water table fluctuation events. Contributed extensively to project reporting and final debriefing. Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) Grant ER-1687.
In Situ Chemical Oxidation for Groundwater Remediation, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado — Reviewed state-of-the-science and best practices for the development of new tools, protocols, and guidance to support implementation of ISCO for groundwater remediation. Assisted with the development of a protocol and tools to support ISCO technology selection and implementation, and with publication of a book documenting the findings from this project. Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) Grant ER-0623.
Reaction and Transport Processes Controlling In Situ Chemical Oxidation of DNAPLs, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado — Conducted laboratory research for master’s thesis project. The objective of the project was to evaluate the efficacy of treating DNAPL sources with ISCO technologies. The research focused on mass transfer from DNAPL source zones undergoing oxidation using permanganate. Assisted with preparing the final report and project debriefing. The project team won the SERDP Project of the Year Award in 2005. SERDP Grant ER-1290.
Education & Credentials
Ph.D., Environmental Science and Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, 2015
M.S., Environmental Science and Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, 2006
B.S., Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, 2003
Professional Engineer, Colorado (License No. 67556)
Continuing Education
OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER
OSHA 8-Hour HAZWOPER Refresher
PSMJ Resources Project Management Bootcamp training for Architects, Engineers and Consultants (2016)
Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council Vapor Intrusion Classroom Training (2011)
Emergency Medical Technician (basic) and Wilderness First Responder (2005)
Professional Affiliations
American Chemical Society
National Groundwater Association