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Sara M. Barbuto

Sara M. Barbuto
Sara M. Barbuto
Senior Consultant

Sara M. Barbuto

Senior Consultant

Ms. Sara Barbuto is an engineer with 3 years of experience in environmental consulting.  Her skills include identifying and evaluating potential areas of concern and preparing technical documentation, environmental modeling, planning and conducting environmental investigations, and proficiency in ArcGIS and data visualization software.  In addition to her strong data analysis background, she has expertise in environmental sample collection, processing, and reporting.  Ms. Barbuto also has experience evaluating emerging treatment techniques for contaminated sediments.

Site Investigation

Big River Sediment Feasibility Study, Missouri Provided reporting, mapping, and data analysis support for feasibility study of a 50-mile reach of a mining-impacted river.  Worked with project team on the development of a site conceptual model, supplemental remedial investigation, updates to the ecological and human health risk assessments, and the identification and evaluation of remedial options.  Provided logistical support for field investigations and with field teams for site access and logistical support.
Fox Point Park Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study, Delaware Provided reporting, mapping, and data analysis support for the remedial investigation and feasibility study of Fox Point Park Operable Unit 2, a 200-acre sediment site located in the Delaware River.  Worked with project team to develop a remedial investigation and feasibility study work plan and sampling analysis plan.
Sampling and Analysis Plan for a Large Open-Pit Gold Mine, Nevada Managed the development of a sampling and analysis plan for the monitoring of a property in an advanced stage of mineral exploration.  Major components of the ongoing monitoring include modeling of groundwater flow and a baseline assessment of water quantity and quality.  Sampling results are being used to evaluate project risk and support additional data collection efforts to reduce risk uncertainty.
Geographic Information System (GIS) and Spatial Analysis Support of Risk Assessment of PCB Residues at a Former Natural Gas Facility, Texas Performed data treatment, visualization, and spatial analysis for a probabilistic risk assessment of PCBs in soils at a former natural gas facility in Texas.  Soil data was prepared for input to ArcGIS mapping software and used to generate spatially-weighted average concentrations for use as exposure point concentrations in a probabilistic risk assessment; the assessment predicted potential human exposures and helped to support site management decisions for the site.
Site Survey and GIS Support of Risk Assessment for Extended Floodplain, New York Provided field and mapping support to risk assessment team for a river floodplain area in New York State where PCBs have been identified.  Organized and performed onsite floodplain survey for human use, bank slope and composition, and accessibility.  Developed ArcGIS database of onsite observations in support of a screening analysis to focus the risk assessment on those areas of the floodplain where there is the greatest potential for human exposure to PCBs.

Modeling

Air Modeling at a Chemical Manufacturer, East Coast, U.S. Supported air modeling of various emission scenarios from stacks at a chemical manufacturer.  Provided visualization of AERMOD outputs in support of conceptual site model development and reporting to state agencies.
Barr Lake and Milton Reservoir Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Water Quality Model, Colorado Lead modeler for the expansion and recalibration of a water quality model to support assessment of TMDL alternatives for the Barr Lake and Milton Reservoir Watershed Association Technical Committee.  The linked watershed/in-lake model simulated flows and nutrients in a complex system with an extensive canal system, numerous irrigation inputs and withdrawals, and two water supply reservoirs.  The EPA models SWAT and WASP were applied to ultimately predict present and potential future in-lake nutrient systems in a severely eutrophic system.
Effluent Mixing Analysis at Former Waste Oil and Storage Facility, New Jersey Lead modeler in the mixing analysis of a surface water discharge to a tidal waterway.  Site-specific chemistry data, discharge dimensions, and physical conditions were applied to the EPA Visual Plumes model for the characterization of mixing behavior of total dissolved solids from a CERCLA site discharge.  Findings from the modeling effort were used in support of a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection application.
Sediment Transport Modeling in Support of Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis (EE/CA) at a Former Chemical Manufacturing Facility, Portland, Oregon Modeled sediment transport in support of the EE/CA for a Willamette River CERCLA site.  Monitored natural recovery, capping, and dredging scenarios were examined through the application of site-specific data and physical conditions to the Sediment Containment Assessment Model and Reible Cap model.  Model results under the various scenarios were used in support of the evaluation of remedial alternatives.

Remedial Design

New York State Brownfield Cleanup Program, Willets Point Development, Queens, New York Aided in the compilation of the brownfield cleanup program application and Phase I environmental site assessment effort for 45 parcels of industrialized land.  Organized and performed the site investigations of these New York City-owned Willets Point properties.  Phase I reporting included evaluations of site history, observations from site investigations, and mapping of recognized environmental concerns.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Spill Site, Manhattan, New York Performed field activities and reporting for the remediation and closure of a fuel oil spill site in Times Square, Manhattan, New York.  Field activities included soil core and soil vapor sampling as well as oversight of recovery well installation.  Performed data analysis and visualization for delineation of fuel oil impacted zones beneath city sidewalk and a commercial building.  Coordinated with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the New York Container Terminal for permission to perform drilling work proximal to a subway station.  Supported preparation of the subsurface investigation report and remedial alternatives proposal to NYSDEC; remediation is ongoing to close out spill site.

Sampling

Field Support for Soil and Sediment Sampling, Watertown, Massachusetts Reviewed available data and performed logistics and mapping in support of field efforts at a small pond in Watertown, Massachusetts.  Identified and conducted field surveys of potential reference ponds.  Supported ecological habitat assessment.  Performed soil and surface sediment sampling for chemical and toxicological analysis.
Field Support and Data Analysis for Berry’s Creek, Meadowlands, New Jersey Conducted multiple field surveys of Berry’s Creek and the surrounding tributaries of the Hackensack River, including aquatic fauna surveys of the creek and marsh invertebrate sampling.  Coordinated sample collection, preparation, preservation, and transportation to analytical laboratory.  Worked with ecological risk assessment team to prepare laboratory data for analysis.  Recent field efforts include marsh invertebrate collection, fish residue biomonitoring collection, and annelid and fiddler crab collection for benthic residue analysis.
Field Support to Mystic River Watershed Association, Arlington, Massachusetts Performed assessments of the Mystic River and its tributaries, denoting problem areas and pipe outfalls.  Continue to collect and prepare water samples for baseline and hot spot monitoring.  Serve on committee for water quality and aided in development of sampling plans.

Litigation Support

Allocation and Technical Consulting, Michigan Served as the project manager for an allocation and technical consulting project.  Performed data analysis and visualization, literature review, and mapping for allocation work.  Coordinated team of partners and managed the budget.  Worked with project team to develop a cleanup goal for a class of emerging contaminants.
Allocation Consulting, Kalamazoo, Michigan Provided data analysis and visualization in support of expert testimony for an allocation case at a Kalamazoo River Superfund site.  Performed flow, suspended sediment, and chemistry data analysis in support of mass balance calculations.
Technical Support for Air Model Expert Report, New York Performed wind data analysis and visualization, literature review, and mapping in support of identifying additional potentially responsible parties for an air model expert report.

Contaminated Sediments

Assessment of a Reactive Core Mat for Contaminated Sediments, Boston, Massachusetts Master’s thesis research under the direction of Dr. Akram Alshawabkeh at Northeastern University.  Performed research to evaluate an active capping technique for contaminated sediments.  Analyzed water and sediment samples prior to and following application of a reactive core mat.  Assessed the bioavailability of PCBs and PAHs to benthic invertebrates following this treatment measure.  This project involved sediment sampling, literature review, bench-scale consolidation studies, analytical chemistry, statistical analyses, and manuscript preparation.  Research results will support pilot studies of reactive core mat field deployment.

Training

Land Surveying Instructor, Boston, Massachusetts Instructed undergraduate students in offsite field measurements and surveying.  Prepared and presented lectures for land surveying course.  Developed classroom materials and course activities and evaluated student performance.  Maintained surveying equipment and supplies.
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