Samuel A. Flewelling, Ph.D.
Principal
Dr. Flewelling is a principal at Gradient who specializes in evaluating water resources and the behavior of chemicals in the environment, including chemical transport through groundwater and surface water, fluid-rock interactions, and underground migration of multiple fluid phases (i.e., DNAPL and LNAPL). He has published peer-reviewed papers on a variety of topics, ranging from the natural controls on agricultural chemical migration through the landscape, to the potential for hydraulic fracturing fluid to migrate through fractures and faults to shallow drinking water resources. During Dr. Flewelling’s 20+ years as a consultant, he has applied in-depth knowledge of fluid-mediated processes to solve a range of complex challenges associated with the oil and gas, electric power, chemical manufacturing, pharmaceutical, mining, agrichemical, and waste disposal sectors. This work has included site-specific evaluations (e.g., CERCLA sites), as well as large-scale assessments of the potential transport and effects of chemicals across entire states or countries.
Significant Nexus Evaluation: For a Clean Water Act (CWA) case, evaluated the hydrology of drainage features at a site in relation to Significant Nexus allegations.
Water Rights Dispute: Provided technical evaluation and expert testimony for an equitable water allocation request before the US Supreme Court (Original Action 142). Evaluations included assessments of watershed hydrology, groundwater flow, human water consumption, and reservoir operations.
Hydraulic Fracturing Risk Evaluation: Evaluated the potential effects of hydraulic fracturing (HF) of deep shale formations on potable aquifers, including the migration of HF additives through fractures and intact bedrock. The combination of a literature review and modeling analyses allowed for the estimation of the likelihood for HF additive migration beyond the target shale zone.
Pesticide Fate and Transport: Modeled the biodegradation of a wide range of pesticides in soils to determine pesticide residue levels expected from historical applications. The analysis was used in negotiations over the need for additional sampling and site investigation.
Radionuclides in Drinking Water: For a toxic tort case, analyzed natural and anthropogenic sources of radionuclides to a coastal aquifer and the dominant transport mechanisms downgradient of an industrial facility.
DNAPL Source and Release Timing: At a complex multi-PRP site in the Northeast, analyzed the fate and transport of PCB and chlorinated solvent DNAPLs as part of an evaluation regarding the sources, release timing, and impacts to streams bordering the site. The analysis considered DNAPL migration through underground pipes, fractures, and sand seams.
Flewelling, SA; Sharma, M. 2014. “Constraints on upward migration of hydraulic fracturing fluid and brine.” Ground Water 52:9-19.
Flewelling, SA; Sharma, M. 2014. “Interpretation of the Data Collected as Part of US EPA’s Investigation at Pavillion, WY.” American Association of Petroleum Geologists 2014 Annual Convention and Exhibition, Houston, Texas.
Fitzsimmons, M; Flewelling, SA; Tymchak, MP. 2014. “Will earthquakes shake up the shale wastewater debate?” Law360.
Flewelling, SA; Tymchak, MP; Warpinski, NW. 2013. “Hydraulic fracture height limits and fault interactions in tight oil and gas formations.” Geophysical Res. Lett. 40:3602-3606.
Flewelling, SA; Sharma, M. 2011. “The Timing of DNAPL Releases in a Fractured-Clay Setting.” Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) North America 32nd National Meeting, Boston, MA, November 13-17, 30p.
Gu, C; Hornberger, GM; Mills, AL; Herman, JS; Flewelling, SA. 2007. “Nitrate reduction in streambed sediments: Effects of flow and biogeochemical kinetics.” Water Resour. Res. 43:43-52.