Post-Doc

Brian Kirtland, Ph. D.
Post-Doctoral Associate

Department of Environmental Health Sciences
Arnold School of Public Health
University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208

Biographical Information:

I joined Dr. Aelion’s research laboratory in January 1995 when I began the Master of Science in Environmental Health program at the University of South Carolina. My research during my master’s study included comparing the effectiveness of air sparging/soil vapor extraction versus microbial degradation (bioremediation) for clean-up of petroleum hydrocarbons in low permeability, clayey sediment. The field site for my master’s research was a closed gas station with leaking underground storage tanks located in Columbia, SC. A portion of my master’s research utilized carbon isotopes (ä13C and 14C) to detect and quantify biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in sediment and groundwater. I entered the Ph.D. program in January 1998 and my dissertation research included the development of the use of carbon and hydrogen isotopes to detect and quantify the bioremediation of chlorinated hydrocarbons, which are notably more recalcitrant to biodegradation compared to petroleum hydrocarbons. The field sites used for my dissertation research were the Department of Defense’s Savannah River Site near Aiken, SC, and a former dry cleaning facility in Columbia, SC. I obtained my Ph.D. in May 2002, and I am currently a post-doc investigating the use of carbon isotopes to quantify in situ anaerobic and aerobic biodegradation processes at the former dry cleaning facility contaminated with perchloroethylene. I have enjoyed the field-based research opportunities, coursework flexibility and resources available in Dr. Aelion’s laboratory and in the Environmental Health Science program.

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