Casey J. Cavanagh, M.S.
Senior Environmental Engineer
Mr. Cavanagh is a senior environmental engineer with expertise in contaminant fate and transport and numerical modeling of earth systems. At Gradient, he applies his experience to site-related matters and risk assessment projects. He also conducts modeling analyses of the EMF impacts of underground and overhead transmission line projects. Prior to joining Gradient, Mr. Cavanagh provided expert consulting support to the US EPA on a range of projects focusing on multipathway fate and transport modeling of chemical emissions. Mr. Cavanagh was also a graduate research assistant at the University of Maryland, where he studied the impact of surface-meltwater infiltration on subglacial hydrology and regional ice flow in Western Greenland using a combination of remote sensing and earth system modeling.
PB-HAP Emissions Modeling: Conducted multipathway modeling of PB-HAP emissions with site-specific analysis of terrain, land use, watershed, climate, and meteorology conditions, and developed modeling parameters for fate, transport, and ecological exposure of the total risk integrated model (TRIM.FaTE). Integrated time- varying, plume-rise adjustment factors to the tiered approach model.
Coal Dust Risk Assessment: Developed methods that assessed the potential human health and ecological impacts of fugitive coal dust emissions from train cars along a river. Estimated and evaluated chemical concentrations in soil, surface water, and sediment against guidance and screening levels and assessed the expected human health and ecological risks.
PFAS Concentration Analysis: Evaluated geologic reports of watersheds to perform a site characterization of a coating manufacturing facility. Analyzed per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations measured in private wells, soil samples, and groundwater.
Coal Ash Pond Evaluation: Evaluated the investigation program and coal ash pond closure plans underway at a power-generating station. Reviewed and analyzed the groundwater monitoring well reports and local geology to develop a site characterization and conceptual site model.
PFAS Source Investigation: Performed site investigations exploring the impacts of PFAS contamination at multiple sites, and identified alternative sources of PFAS compounds in the area.
Regulatory Compliance: Provided AERMOD support and technical guidance for industrial assessments in line with California Proposition 65.
EMF Exposure Assessment: Modeled magnetic field levels that resulted from expansion of a substation and assessed impacts on nearby residential areas.
Historical PCB Evaluation: Evaluated historical polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) released from various metal industries via forensic research and data visualization of the PCB concentration measured in sediment and water media samples.
Climate Impact Assessment: Utilized an integrated assessment model (IAM) to evaluate the global economic and emission outcomes under varying carbon tax scenarios. Assessed the policy effectiveness in achieving the representative concentration pathway (RCP) 2.0 target.
Lampkin, D; Parizek, B; Larour, E; Seroussi, H; Joseph, C; Cavanagh, J. 2018. “Improved Understanding of Changes in Greenland Outlet Glacier Shear Margin Dynamics in a Warming Climate.” Front. Earth Sci. 6:156.
Cavanagh, J; Andrews, L; Lampkin, D; Zwally, J. 2018. “Seasonal Variability in Ice Flow in the High Elevation Pakisoq Region of Western Greenland.” Presented at the American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC.
Cavanagh, J; Lampkin, D; Moon, T. 2017. “Seasonal Variability in Regional Ice Flow Due to Meltwater Injection into the Shear Margins of Jakobshavn Isbrae.” J. Geophys. Res. Earth Surf. 122:12.