San Francisco Branch 
BY JIM S. ULRICK 

Our speaker in March was Jack Peabody of Regenesis Bioremediation Products. Mr. Peabody presented the theory and application of Regenesis' patented oxygen release compound (ORC). Oxygen is often the limiting factor in aerobic bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons. ORC is a crystalline form of magnesium peroxide that has a slow, linear release of molecular oxygen when hydrated. ORC "socks" in wells can form an "oxygen barrier" across a hydrocarbon contamination plume. This application may be particularly appropriate on sites where liability at the property line is a concern. 

Our early May meeting was an afternoon workshop followed by dinner and an evening lecture. The workshop and dinner were both presented by Dr. Jay Lehr of Environmental Education Enterprises, Inc. Dr. Lehr was Executive Director of the National Ground Water Association for 25 years. 

For the workshop, Dr. Lehr reviewed the application of phytoremediation. Phytoremediation is the use of plants to remove contaminants from soil and water. While this technique has been used for over 25 years in the wastewater treatment field, its value in removing contaminants in the environment has only been recognized in the last three years. Phytoremediation can be a fast and effective method for removing metals and radio-isotopes from relatively shallow soils (within the plant rooting zone) and from water (using aquatic plants). 

There are three ways in which plants are used. The first is called phytoextraction, where the plants take up metals from the soil into the plant structure which is then harvested and incinerated. Then the metal-bearing ash is reclaimed. Rhizofiltration uses plant roots to absorb, concentrate, and precipitate toxic metals from contaminated water. Phytostabilization uses plants to decrease the bioavailability of toxic metals in soils by inhibiting soil erosion. 

Dr. Lehr's evening presentation titled "The State of the Environment and the Environmental Professional in 1997" was summarized in the previous issue of HydroVisions. 

For our late May meeting, John Fio of Hydrologic Consultants gave a thought provoking presentation entitled "Groundwater Flow and Volumetric Water Budget for the Menlo Park Area." Mr. Fio defined the "big picture" for hydrogeologic conditions of the southern San Francisco Bay and peninsula area. It was particularly interesting to note that the aquifers underlying the southern San Francisco peninsula appear to be continuous beneath the bay to the eastern shoreline. The following publication is available for more information on this subject: Fio, John L. and Leighton, David A., 1995, Geohydrologic Framework, Historical Development of the Ground-Water System, and General Hydrologic and Water-Quality Conditions in 1990, South San Francisco Bay and Peninsula Area, California. U.S.G.S. Open-File Report 94-357. 

In early July, Jim Chaconas of Chaconas Engineering spoke on biopile remediation. Biopile remediation uses indigenous microorganisms in above-ground soil piles and is a common method of treating petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soils. A demonstration project funded by the U.S. Navy investigated the effects of various techniques to stimulate biodegradation. 

At the end of July, Dr. Tanya Atwater from UC Santa Barbara gave a presentation on recent findings in plate tectonics. The revolutionary theory that began as a "working hypothesis" in the late 1960s has continued to evolve and to provide increasingly detailed explanations of the underlying mechanisms for the regional geology throughout the world. Dr. Atwater's talk was illustrated by computer-generated "morphing" animations of plate movement which had everyone in the room "oohing" and "aahing!" For example, a particularly dramatic sequence was the near-100-degree clockwise rotation of the Transverse Range Province of central California. This mountain range started out parallel to the northwest-southeast coastline of the state. After the Pacific Ocean spreading ridge collided with California the Transverse Range Province became caught in a right lateral shear between two blocks of crust and rotated clockwise to its present east-west orientation. 

Dr. Atwater is deeply involved in undergraduate education and is working to revitalize teaching techniques and to modernize science curricula. She also works with the media, museums, and in elementary school teaching workshops. Her computer animations will be used to inspire and increase understanding of the earth sciences. Dr. Atwater was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in April of this year. 

Check the GRA Internet home page for upcoming San Francisco Bay Branch meetings. 

Sacramento Branch 
BY TIM PARKER 

Please check the GRA Internet home page for upcoming Sacramento events. 

So. California Branch 
BY JIM CARTER 

Please check the GRA Internet home page for upcoming Southern California events. 

Central Coast Branch 
BY TIM THOMPSON 

Vacancies are available for the position of President and Secretary. If interested, please contact Vice President Tim Thompson at (805) 565-0996. Please check the GRA Internet home page for upcoming Central Coast events.