Scholarship –
I have grown significantly as a scholar since my arrival at Buffalo State College, developing new skills and branching out
into new areas of research. My 2004 National Science Foundation grant brought a major piece of research grade equipment to
campus, an X-ray diffractometer (XRD). This equipment is used not only in three of my upper-division courses, not to mention
for courses in other departments, it has also been utilized for several undergraduate, graduate and faculty research projects.
Identification and characterization of crystalline materials has become a fundamental part of many of my research projects and its
role will only expand in the next few years.
I have expanded my original areas of research on non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) flow behavior in the subsurface, and am
now working on a study of NAPL interaction with clay minerals. Clay minerals are extremely sensitive to changes in environmental
chemistry. It is well understood that organic liquids interact with clay minerals, affecting their fundamental physical and chemical
properties such as permeability (ease with which a fluid flows through the material), shear strength and wettability (how attracted
water is versus how attracted oil is to the same surface). Municipal and hazardous waste landfills are typically isolated from the
surrounding soil and rock by low permeability clay barriers comprised of mixtures including smectite clay minerals or fine-grained
locally derived clay-rich deposits, often of glacial origin. This means that a wide range of different clay minerals can potentially be
used as barrier material. Because all landfills leak, it is virtually assured that the clay barrier layers will eventually be exposed to some
assortment of organic compounds. The low permeability of these clay barriers can then be adversely impacted by changes in the nature
of the pore fluids caused by contact with organic fluids leaching from a landfill or migrating through the subsurface. A potential outcome
is the shrinkage of the clay barrier resulting in the production of fractures in the barrier material and failure of the landfill. While there
have been decades of research into this issue, there is little fundamental understanding of the processes involved in the shrinkage of the
clay material. I have been approaching the problem by applying XDLVO theory to investigate these changes via a thermodynamic analysis
of the system as a function of chemical change. It should be noted that the chemical interactions under investigation take years to manifest
and replicate, which is why there have been no publishable results as of yet. I also plan to remain at least somewhat active in physical
modeling of NAPL flow and pursue potential research partnerships in this area. A colleague in the Marine Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Department at North Carolina State University has recently proposed a collaboration in which they would use the results of my physical
modeling experiments to refine their computer models.
Additional, I have branched into several new research areas to develop new fundable projects and I have become particularly interested in
cross-disciplinary research. I have also spent the last couple of years developing new analytical skills (primarily in the area of x-ray fluorescence
spectroscopy or XRF) and forming new research partnerships. I have started working with the Conservation Scientists in the Art Conservation
Department, developing research projects that examine some aspect of the relationship between humans and their geologic environment. We
are especially interested in the concept of geosourcing, or identifying characteristics that can be used to determine the country, location or mine
of origin for mineral pigments. For example, a series of lapis lazuli samples from the Badakshan area of Afghanistan all display an anomalous
FTIR peak. We are interested in isolating the origin of that peak and determining if it is a diagnostic characteristic of Badakshan lazurite (not
so much it turns out). If we can differentiate between Afghani lapis and Italian lapis, this information be used to help determine when trade
was established between Afghanistan and Europe, therefore this research is of interest to researchers in a variety of disciplines.
Another major on-going project involves analyzing the heavy metal loads in western New York public recreation areas. For the past two
years, students have been collecting soil samples from a range of parks, playgrounds and picnic areas in Erie and Niagara County, which we
then analyze with the XRF. The long-term goal of this project is to make a map of the regional distribution of a range of heavy metals (such
as lead, copper, zinc and arsenic) and to try and separate the anthropogenic load from the naturally occurring background. This project has
both environmental and forensic applications. As a result of a student presentation at the Geological Society Meeting Annual Meeting this
past October, I have just started discussions with Sabina F. Thomas in the Department of Biology & Geology at Baldwin-Wallace College
for a project to compare lead levels and socio-economic conditions Buffalo and Cleveland.
Following the development of GES 360 Forensic Geoscience, I learned that there is also a great need for fundamental forensic geoscience
research in the United States. Forensic geoscience is simply the application of geoscience skills and knowledge to criminal and civil law. As
a contaminant hydrogeologist, I already have experience serving in the capacity of a consultant and expert witness in civil litigation. The research
projects that I am developing now are simply an extension of this experience and have a focus on addressing questions that are of forensic and
geoscience interest. The United Kingdom, Italy and Japan all have a long tradition of uniting geoscience research with its potential for forensic
application. One example is the SoilFit initiative in the UK to investigate the potential of advanced analytical methods in providing soil forensic
intelligence to police investigations. In the United States, it is still hard to convince some people that there is such a discipline as forensic geoscience.
In the past year, I been working on forming research partnerships with Peter Bush, director of the South Campus instruments center, Maureen C.
Bottrell a geologist in the Trace Evidence Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and with Erich P. Junger, Ph.D., Prince William County
Police Department, a working forensic geologist. Our research interests include examining trace element variations in the environment for the
combined purpose of differentiating anthropogenic sources from the local geologic background, determining the utility of using trace element
composition for soil “fingerprinting” and relating environmental trace element loads to their distribution in human and animal skeletal material.
My forensic research has attracted attention internationally and from working professionals. My opinion has been sought on questions of XRD
identification and forensic soil analysis. I have also just been asked to serve as a reviewer for the Journal of Forensic Sciences, the official publication
of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) and one of the premier journals in the field of forensics.
I look forward to significant and fruitful contributions in these and other new areas of endeavor, and to a significant number of new student
research projects.
According to my Memorandum of Understanding:
• At least one article should be submitted for publication in a refereed journal;
• At least one presentation of your scholarly activities at a local, state, regional or national meeting;
• Submit/obtain at least one internally-funded grant (possibly a pilot-study);
• Have in preparation one grant proposal of a research nature for external funding.
As demonstrated by the materials in my portfolio, I have met or exceeded all four of these expectations. I have 6 publications,
given 7 presentations at meetings, 2 of which were invited, I have obtained one National Science Foundation Grant and three
internal grants, have submitted 8 proposals and currently have one grant proposal in preparation.
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Bergslien, E.T., Bush M. A. and Bush, P.J. (2007) Identification of cremains using x-ray diffraction spectroscopy and a
comparison to trace element analysis, Forensic Science International (in press).
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., E.T. Bergslien and M. Bush (2007) Commentary on: Elemental Analysis of Human Cremains Using ICP-OES to
Classify Legitimate and Contaminated Cremains. J Forensic Sci 2006;51(5):967-973. 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.
Please note that among the water resources and hydrology journals that Water Resources Research and the Journal of Contaminant
Hydrology are the highest-ranking publications.
Continuing Growth in Scholarship
New Research Partnerships – On-Campus
- Aaron Shuger and Gregory Dale Smith, Art Conservation Department
Characterization and geo-sourcing of mineral pigments, development of analytical protocols for XRD of small samples
- William Engelbrecht and Lisa Anselmi, Anthropology
Trace elemental analysis of skeletal material; Analysis of archeological artifacts
- William Durfee, Chemistry
Single crystal x-ray diffraction
New Research Partnerships/Relationships – Off-Campus
- Peter Bush
Director South Campus Instruments Center, University at Buffalo
- Mary Bush
Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo
- Erich P. Junger, Ph.D.,
Prince William County Police Dept.
- Maureen C. Bottrell,
Geologist/Forensic Examiner, Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Timothy Spierto,
Sr. Wildlife Biologist, Division of Fish, Wildlife & Marine Resources, New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation
Heavy metals in the deer populations in western New York
• Attended UUP sponsored Scholarly Writing Workshop, May 18, 2006.
• Attended National Science Foundation sponsored Forensic Chemistry workshop June, 2005 in Williamstown, MA. (cross-listed in teaching)
• Attended National Science Foundation sponsored Chemistry of Art workshop June 6 – 11, 2004 in Millersville, PA. (cross-listed in teaching)
Mastery in Scholarship
National and International Invited Presentations
Bergslien, E.T., P. Bush & M. Bush. (2006) Application of Field Portable X-ray Fluorescence (FPXRF) Spectrometry in
Forensic and Environmental Geology. December 20th, 2006, Geoscientists at Crime Scenes, Geological Society of London.
Bergslien, E.T. (2006) Rocks, Soil and Bones: Characterization of Geologic Trace Evidence. November 2nd, 2006, Edinboro
University, guest of Sigma Gamma Epsilon and the EUP Geosciences Department.
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
Bergslien, E.T. (2005) Forensic use of x-ray diffraction for the identification of geologic trace evidence. November 29th, 2005,
Western New York American Chemical Society Section.
Awards
• Certificate of Appreciation from the Geological Society of America for Service, October 2007.
• Recipient of a Dr. Nuala Drescher Affirmative Action/Diversity Leave Award, Fall 2006.
• Research Foundation Recognition Award, 2005.
Grants Awarded
Bergslien, E.T. (2004-2006, no cost extension to 2007). National Science Foundation Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement
Program-Adaptation and Implementation. Development of a Novel, Problem-Based Forensic Geology Laboratory for Earth Science and
Forensic Chemistry Students Utilizing XRD Analysis. (This proposal was funded for $87,403)
This award was one of about 110 new awards that were made by the Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) in response to 840
proposals submitted to the program.
Bergslien, E.T. (2006 – 2007) Buffalo State College Research Council Incentive Grant. Acquisition of X-ray Diffraction Standards and
Materials Necessary for Spectra Submission to the International Centre for Diffraction Data (ICDD). (This proposal was funded for $6,807)
Bergslien, E.T. (2005 – 2006) Buffalo State College Research Council Incentive Grant. An Experimental Thermodynamics Analysis of
Clay Mineral – Organic Compound Interactions. (This proposal was funded for $6,945)
• For information on unfunded grant proposals see Appendix D.
Other Examples of Mastery in Scholarship
• 10/07: Moderator for a Public Forum on Forensic Science at the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, 2007.
• 10/07: Session co-chair at the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, 2007.
Co-chair of a session on Forensic Geoscience
• 10/06: Session co-chair at the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, 2006.
Co-chair of a session on Forensic Geoscience
• As a result of my presentations at the 2005 Geological Society of America Annual meeting, I was approached to write a textbook,
thus I have signed a book contract with Blackwell Publishing to write an introductory Forensic Geoscience text. This project should
be completed for publication in about two years.
• Reviewer for the Journal of South American Earth Sciences and Groundwater. (Cross listed in Professional Service). Newly invited
to review for the Journal of Forensic Sciences.
• Reviewed book chapters for Understanding Earth 5th edition, Grotzinger, Jordan, Press and Siever; Exploring Geology 1st edition
by Stephen Reynolds, Julia Johnson, Michael Kelly, Paul Morin, and Chuck Carter; and Geology 4th edition by Stanley Chernicoff
and Donna Whitney (Cross-listed in Professional Service)
• One of the founding members of the Laboratory for Forensic Odontology Research (LFOR) at the University at Buffalo, a
multidisciplinary group formed to address a variety of research questions focusing on human skeletal material and its alteration
through time and exposure.
• I am routinely contacted by colleagues at Buffalo State College to perform X-ray diffraction analysis of samples for their or
their students research projects.
• Participant in an invitation only workshop June 21, 2004, on Public Participation in the Buffalo –Niagara Region sponsored by the
Baldy Center for Law & Social Policy housed in the Law Department in the University at Buffalo. The conference specifically
addressed public participation in governmental handling of local environmental issues, such as Hickory Woods, Seneca Babcock
and other areas.
• Asked by Tim Ku, Wesleyan University, to serve as a consultant and write a letter of support for his Forensic Geoscience NSF proposal.
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