In a new award, Christine Mardle of Celtic was crowned Young brownfield professional
Prior to joining Celtic, Christine undertook site investigations (both geotechnical and geoenvironmental), acted as supervising engineer on in-situ groundwater treatment and undertook conceptualisation and risk assessment of contaminated sites. On joining Celtic as a remediation engineer in 2004, she quickly became involved in the continued research, development and application of Celtic's Stabilisation/Solidification product, EvoCem.
As a result of this research and product development, Celtic pioneered the use of in-situ S/S techniques for organic wastes in 2005/2006. The design, implementation and management of both the feasibility study and full scale works, including validation, were led by Christine.
Christine has since acted as project manager or technical specialist on all of Celtic's S/S contracts throughout the UK, and holds a senior management position. She is also responsible for the design of S/S remedial strategies as per site specific objectives and requirements, as well as developing an in-house capability for laboratory and field based feasibility assessment for S/S and post treatment validation.
Christine has implemented on-site quality procedures applicable to in-situ and ex-situ S/S works, real time validation of S/S site works against bench scale design, rapid response to changes in soil conditions with the ability to amend design without halting works, and continues the development of S/S within Celtic.
Ongoing research (both internal and involvement with external bodies) into long-term performance of materials treated through S/S, led by Christine, has provided a high level of confidence in this technology as a viable remedial option, both internally and externally.
The conclusions of this research as well as site specific case studies are regularly presented to regulatory authorities, consultants and clients. The resulting program and cost savings, which can be passed onto the client, have made S/S a much more attractive option for a wide range of clients.
Christine often works with clients and consultants at the design stage, with this early contractual involvement an invaluable mechanism in gaining new clients, high profile contracts and raising the profile of S/S.
In an appraisal of leach testing monolithic waste forms (diffusion tests); Christine has found that the current standards were not wholly appropriate for a number of examples of S/S materials. In an ongoing dialogue with the EA, an alternative assessment methodology has been proposed.
"Commendable progress in her chosen profession and a clear signifcant contribution to her employer and the industry." Clive Boyle
The judges were impressed with the quality of entries in this category and wanted to specially commend:
Sarah Bear - Buro Happold
Paul Adams - QDS Environmental
Robert Timson - QDS Environmental
Lowell Lewis - QDS Environmental
Monika Klabun - QDS Environmental
Neil Whalley - Grontmij
