Publications

Bergslien, E.T. and J.C. Fountain (2007) Examining the utility of epoxy replicas of single, natural fractures in dolostone for visualization experiments, Hydrogeology Journal. (in press)

Bush, P.J., Bergslien, E.T. and Bush, M.J. (2007) Commentary on: Elemental Analysis of Human Cremains Using ICP-OES to Classify Legitimate and Contaminated Cremains. J Forensic Sci 2006; 51(5):967-73. Journal of Forensic Science, 52(3), 742, doi:10.1111/j.1556-4029.2007.00447.

Bergslien, E.T. and J.C. Fountain (2006) The effect of changes in wettability on two-phase saturated flow in horizontal replicas of single natural fractures, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 88(3-4), 153-180.

Bergslien, E.T. (2006) Teaching to avoid the CSI effect: Keeping the science in forensic science, Journal of Chemical Education, 83(5), 690-691.

Bergslien, E.T., Fountain, J.C. and Giese, Jr. R. (2004) Characterization of the surface properties of epoxy-type models used for multiphase flow studies in fractured media and creation of a new model, Water Resources Research. Vol. 40 (5), W05112.

Invited Presentations

Rocks, Soil and Bones: Characterization of Geologic Trace Evidence. November 2nd, 2006, Edinboro University, guest of Sigma Gamma Epsilon and the EUP Geosciences Department.

Forensic use of x-ray diffraction for the identification of geologic trace evidence. November 29th, 2005, Western New York American Chemical Society Section.

Presentations

Bergslien, E.T. (2006) X-ray diffraction identification of geologic trace evidence: in the classroom and for the courtroom, GSA Abstracts with Programs - Northeastern Section, 38 (invited speaker)

Bergslien, E.T. (2005) Forensic geology: an uncommon approach to rocks, minerals and maps, GSA Abstracts with Programs, 37 (7).
Click here to be taken to the abstract

Bergslien, E.T. (2005) Farmersville Landfill Saga: Geoscience and the Law, GSA Abstracts with Programs, 37 (7).
Click here to be taken to the abstract

Research Areas

Non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) are among the most common groundwater contaminants. Due to their low solubilities in water, NAPLs travel through the subsurface as separate liquid phases, resulting complex multi-phase clean-up problems. Their behavior in porous media and potential methods of remediation, have been the subject of active research for the past decade. However, the characterization of NAPL flow in fractured rock has lagged behind, and the potential effectiveness of remediation techniques remains unclear. The primary reason for this uncertainty is an insufficient understanding of the basic parameters controlling NAPL flow and distribution in natural fractures. While it is generally understood that flow and distribution of NAPL within single natural fractures are controlled by aperture distribution and connectivity, little experimental work has been done to characterize these attributes.

Using translucent polymer casts of single natural fractures it is possible to determine aperture and actively record flow using a digital camera. Because plastic polymers have significantly different wetting characteristics than natural rock, the surfaces of the replicates must be altered using a Radio Frequency Glow Discharge Plasma treatment.