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Resume for Brian Schumacher
Brian A. Schumacher, Ph.D.
Education
B.A. 1980. Physical Geography, State
University of New York at Buffalo
M.S. 1982. Soil Genesis, Morphology, and
Classification, University of Georgia - Athens
Ph.D. 1985. Soil Genesis, Morphology, and Classification
and Soil Mineralogy, University of Georgia - Athens
Work Experience
Supervisory Physical Scientist,
Characterization and Monitoring Branch, ESD, NERL, US EPA, Las Vegas,
NV, 2/27/00 to present.
Environmental Scientist, National Exposure Research Laboratory,
US EPA, Las Vegas, NV, 6/16/91 to 2/26/00.
Senior Scientist, Soils Quality Assurance Section, Lockheed
Environmental Systems Company, Las Vegas, NV, 1/4/88 to 6/15/91.
Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Louisiana State University,
Baton Rouge, LA, 7/85 to 12/87.
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Georgia, Athens,
GA, 9/80 to 6/85.
Research Interests
Dr. Schumacher's primary research focus is on improving the collection of soils contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to more accurately and effectively obtain samples that best represent the extent and degree of contamination at any given hazardous waste site. Current research projects include:
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determining the influence of sample size on the representativeness (i.e., precision and bias) of VOC concentrations,
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examining the influence of caliche (a calcium carbonate-rich cemented layer) on the movement of spilled solvents,
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analyzing the effectiveness of sample preservation techniques including methanol, CuCl2, sodium bisulfate, pressurization, freezing, and common antiseptics (e.g. BactineT) in preserving VOC-contaminated soils,
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exploring the influence of when to add the extraction/preservation solutions to VOC-contaminated soils,
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quantifying the release of VOC due to sample disturbance,
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evaluating the efficiency of new micro-purge soil gas techniques in determining soil VOC concentrations,
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performing a methods comparison study among the most common methods used to determine VOCs in soils,
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developing a new prototype soil sampling device for the direct collection of the contaminated soil into the final analytical vial (i.e., without any sample transfer steps and exposure to the atmosphere), and
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investigating the effectiveness and practicality of compositing VOC-contaminated soils in methanol.
Other research areas and interests include: determination of lead and other heavy metals in soils via X-ray fluorescence spectrometry; improvement of sampling techniques in all matrices; methods development and assessment; assessment of sample holding times; examination of potential health effects of pesticide usage in young children using geographic information systems (GIS) technology; assessment of mercury cycling in estuarine systems; and the development of performance evaluation/reference materials.
Dr. Schumacher has over 45 publications with refereed journal articles appearing in the Soil Science Society of America Journal, Environmental Science & Technology, Journal of Environmental Quality, Journal of Soil Contamination, Journal of AOAC International, and Geoderma.
The Penetration of Caliche by Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids; NERL-LV 99-137.
Influence of LIP Imperfections on the Integrity of VOA Vial Sampling; NERL-LV 00-138; EPA/600/R-00/066
Phone: (702) 798-2242
Fax: (702) 798-2107
email: Brian
Schumacher schumacher.brian@epa.gov