John M. Kondziolka, M.S.
Principal Scientist
he/him
Mr. Kondziolka is a principal scientist with a successful record leading projects in contaminant fate and transport, risk assessment, and multimedia site characterization. He uses a variety of analytical and numerical modeling techniques, coupled with statistical analyses, to support technically robust reports and presentations. His expertise has been applied to interstate groundwater resource disputes, risk-based investigation and remediation of Superfund sites, coal combustion residual surface impoundment impact analyses, and green chemistry product assessments for refrigerants in emerging markets.
Before joining Gradient, Mr. Kondziolka performed research on a fellowship at the MIT Environmental Fluid Mechanics Laboratory, where he developed numerical models of sediment transport, turbulence, and the implications for the landscape evolution of wetlands. He has worked in surface water, drinking water quality, air quality, and geotechnical engineering laboratories.
Water Resources Numerical Modeling: Managed the production of expert reports filed with the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) using a large-scale groundwater flow and particle tracking model to support opinions on historical groundwater flow patterns and groundwater-surface water interactions. Oversaw a modeling team and presented results frequently to the client group.
Green Chemistry Product Evaluation: Managed a green chemistry product risk assessment using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling with OpenFOAM and ParaView to support fault tree analysis. Conducted a site visit in support of model development.
Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) Risk Assessment: Developed a relative risk framework to assess impacts to water resources from CCR associated with different surface impoundment closure options. Created and compared two contaminant transport models (MYGRT and EPACMTP) to predict receptor risk from metals. Modeled infiltration using the Hydrologic Evaluation of Landfill Performance (HELP) model.
Interstate Chlorinated Solvent Plume Insurance Litigation: Produced expert reports based on soil, vapor, and groundwater quality data for an insurance cost recovery case.
Probabilistic Refrigerant Risk Evaluation: Developed Monte Carlo models to forecast product risk from the introduction of new chemical blends into existing markets.
Multimedia Site Investigation and Risk-based Corrective Action: Designed a phased site investigation and risk-based corrective action for a former manufactured gas plant (MGP) site in a commercial/urban area. Modeled potential vapor intrusion into residences. Worked with a multi-firm team to produce work plans, remedial investigation/feasibility study reports, remedial action work plans, remedy implementation reports, closure reports, and presentations to regulators. Managed expert report production to support insurance cost recovery.
Bittner, A; Kondziolka, J; Benson, C. 2019. “Relative Liner Performance for Coal Combustion Product Management Sites: Conceptual Review and Model Evaluation for Surface Impoundments.“ Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Technical Report 3002016498, June.
Kondziolka, J; Kim, S; Abbas, L; Dale, A; Briggs, N; Lewandowski, T. 2019. “Flammability and Risk Assessment of Low GWP Refrigerants.“ Presented at American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Winter Conference, January 12-16.
Bittner, A; Kondziolka, J; Sharma, S; Nangeroni, P; McGrath, R. 2016. “Using Tracer Test Data to Calibrate a Complex Flow and Solute Transport Model.“ Presented at National Groundwater Association Groundwater Summit, April 25.
Bittner, AB; Kondziolka, JM; Lewis, A; Hensel, B; Ladwig, K. 2016. “Groundwater Assessment Framework for Evaluating the Relative Impacts of Coal Ash Surface Impoundment Closure Options.” Presented at Battelle’s Tenth International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds, Palm Springs, CA, May 22-26.
Miere, DWSA; Kondziolka, JM; Nepf, HM. 2014. “Interaction between neighboring vegetation patches: Impact on flow and deposition.” Water Resour. Res. 50:3809-3825.
Kondziolka, JM; Nepf, HM. 2014. “Vegetation wakes and wake interaction shaping aquatic landscape evolution.” Limnol. Oceanogr. Fluids Environ. 4:106-119.
Kondziolka, J; Nepf, H. 2014. “Spatial structure and evolution in emergent vegetated ecosystems.” Presented at Community Surface Dynamics Modeling System (CSDMS) Annual Meeting, Boulder, Colorado, May 20-22.