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Andrea M. Curto, Ph.D.,
Environmental Professional
EDUCATION
Ph.D. (Environmental Science) University of Arizona
M.S. (Soil Science) The Ohio State University
B.S. (Horticulture) The Ohio State University
A.A.S. (Forestry) Hocking Technical College
CERTIFICATIONS
EPA AHERA Asbestos Inspection
EPA AHERA Asbestos Management Planner
Certified Environmental Inspector (EAA)
AFFILIATIONS
Environmental Information Association (EIA)
TUCSON Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW, Board Member) 
Employment History
February 2002 – present
Owner, Environmental Scientist
SASA
925 N. Davidson Canyon Road
Vail, AZ 85641
(520) 465-4586
Fax (520) 885-7685
April 2000 – December 2001
Scientist
SRK Consulting
3275 W. Ina Road, Suite 115
Tucson, AZ 85741
August 1994 – March 2000
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Arizona
Soil, Water, and Environmental Science Dept., Shantz Bldg.#38
Tucson, AZ
January 1987 – July 1994
Research Associate,
Graduate Research Assistant
The Ohio State University
Department of Natural Resources, Kottman Hall
Columbus, OH 43210
EXPERIENCE
PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENTS
Extensive experience associated with commercial real estate environmental assessments and management of clean-up strategies. Owner and Environmental Scientist for SASA, performing Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and asbestos inspections. In addition, performed ESAs while employed as a Scientist for a consulting firm in Tucson, involved with regulatory compliance issues and remediation options for commercial and industrial properties in southern Arizona.
· Phase I Site Assessments (Tucson, AZ): Conducted Phase I ESAs to determine areas of environmental concern on commercial properties in regard to site history and land use, hazardous wastes, and potentially hazardous materials. ESAs were conducted in accordance with the requirements specified by ASTM standard practice for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE – SOILS
· Environmental Impact Assessment – Soil Survey Map (Ankara, Turkey): Worked with Turkish soil scientist to design field sampling plan for preparation of general soil survey and land-use classification maps. In areas where land disturbances might occur, a more intensive field study was planned to create a more descriptive soil survey map.
· A Soil Test to Predict Nitrogen Needs for Continuous Corn Production: Performed extensive soil and plant nutrient testing and analysis on field test plots involving various nitrogen fertilizer applications. Evaluated ion exchange resin capsules for use in potassium soil testing.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE – CONTAMINATED ENVIRONMENTAL
· Evaluation of the Feasibility for In Situ Bioremediation of Mineral Oil-Contaminated Soil: Designed and set-up lysimeter study for a greenhouse experiment to evaluate the use of phytoremediation and bioremediation to increase degradation of the oil. Responsibilities included soil sampling, extraction of mineral oil from the soil matrix, oil concentration analysis by GC, evaluation of microbial populations and plant biomass measurements.
· Protective Effect of a Rhamnolipid Biosurfactant on Naphthalene Biodegradation in the Presence of Cadmium: Evaluated bacterial growth in a dual contaminated system using a model metal, cadmium, and naphthalene. Studied the effect of biosurfactant addition on bacterial growth and cadmium concentrations in the system.
· National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) Monitoring, Inactive Phelps Dodge Copper Mine, Arizona: Project Manager for issues associated with NPDES permit at an inactive mine site. Maintain compliance within permit limits. Oversee installation and maintenance of an Ion Exchange Resin column (IX Column) at discharge location.
· Aquifer Protection Permit – Construction Debris Landfill and Land Treatment Unit, Phelps Dodge Bagdad, Arizona: Restructure and edit solid-waste APP application. Compilation of permit application materials in the format provided in the Non-Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Facility Checklist
· Soil and Sediment Field Sampling Plan, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality ADEQ Consent Decree, Apache Nitrogen Products, Inc., Arizona: Assisted in development and implementation of a soil and sediment sampling program for a removal action. The primary objective was to characterize the nature and extent of soil that exceeded the Soil Remediation Level and to evaluate the potential for clean closure of a surface impoundment.
· MSGP Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan: Prepared Multi-Sector General Permit Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans and assisted in development of multi-sector general permits for multiple active and inactive open pit copper mines.
· Geochemical Investigation of Waste Rock, BHP San Manuel, Arizona: Assisted in the assessment of the geochemical stability of waste rock piles. This assessment was performed as part of the Closure Investigation for an active mine site.
· Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan, Apache Nitrogen Products, Inc., Arizona: Plan was prepared in accordance with federal regulation requirements for oil pollution prevention.
Project Experience – revegetation research and design
· Tiger Project – Phase II: Evaluation of Metal Concentrations and Plant Emergence on a Historic Tailings Site, Arizona: Designed and implemented sampling scheme for the 17 acres historic tailings. Monitored plant emergence, identification of native and non-native species. Work included soil and plant sampling for evaluation of metal concentrations.
· Monument Valley UMTRA Site Revegetation Plan, DOE site: Designed revegetation plan for a non-irrigated site. The plant species selected included a variety of native, annual and perennial plants. The plan was implemented by Bitterroot Restoration, Inc., summer of 1999.
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
· Chech, A.M. 2003 Evaluation of the feasibility for in-situ bioremediation of mineral oil-contaminated soil.
· Sandrin, T.R., A.M. Chech, and R.M. Miller-Maier. 2000. Protective effect of a rhamnolipid biosurfactant on naphthalene biodegradation in the presence of cadmium. Appl. Environ. Microbiol.66:4585-4588.
· Eckert, D.J., A.M.Chech, and V.L. Martin. 1990. Ammonium-thoisulfate and ammonium-sulfate effects on corn performance and inorganic soil nitrogen. J. Fert. Issues. 7:24-30.
· Chech, A.M. and R.M. Maier. 2000. Combined phytoremediation and biosurfactant addition for in situ remediation of mineral oil-contaminated soil. American Society of Microbiology National Conference. Los Angeles, CA, May 20-25, 2000.
· Chech, A.M. and R.M. Miller. 1997. Effect of a rhamnolipid biosurfactant on cadmium toxicity during biodegradation of naphthalene. American Society of Microbiology National Conference. Miami Beach, FL, May 6-10, 1997.
