Research Interests

Contaminant fate, transport and remediation; contaminated land and water; organic contaminants; non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs); source zone characterisation; emerging contaminants; biochar

Qualifications

BS in Chemical Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University (USA) 1997
MS in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Rutgers University (USA) 2000
PhD in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Rutgers University (USA) 2004
Visiting student in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Vanderbilt University (2000-2004)

Employment History

Lecturer in Civil Engineering at the University of Strathclyde (2009-present)
Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh (2005-2009)
Research Associate at Vanderbilt University (2004-2005)
Research Assistant at Vanderbilt University (2000-2004)
Research Assistant at Rutgers University (1997-2000)

Existing Projects

In situ smouldering for soil remediation - collaborative research projects with J.L. Torero (University of Edinburgh), J.I. Gerhard (University of Western Ontario), P. Pironi (University of Western Ontario) and G. Rein (University of Edinburgh) and commercial activity with SiREM

Suitability of PAS100 accredited composts as filtration media for hazardous organic vapours from high temperature processes - collaborative project with J.L. Torero (University of Edinburgh) and T. Aspray (Environmental Reclamation Services Ltd). Funded by the Waste and Resources Action Programme.

Is "Grow Your Own" Sustainable Urban Food Production? - collaborative project with Rebecca Wade (University of Abertay Dundee), Tim George (Scottish Crop Research Institute) and Lisa Lee (University of Edinburgh). Funded by Scottish Crucible.

Student Projects

Stephanie Zihms, PhD Candidate. Characterisation of pre- and post-remediation soils.

Dominic Young, MRes Candidate. Risk assessment of air emissions from in situ smouldering.

Chiara Mazzoni, Undergraduate Intern. Persistence of Ammonia and Nitrate in the River Kelvin, Glasgow. Funded by Interns@Strathclyde

James Irvine, Undergraduate Intern. Rehabilitation of Soils after Aggressive Remediation. Funded by Interns@Strathclyde

Past Projects

Evaluation of Soil Vapor Extraction Performance for Trichloroethylene (TCE) Remediation in Layered Heterogeneous Soils (PhD thesis) with Professor David S. Kosson (Rutgers University/Vanderbilt University/Savannah River Site)

Performance Evaluation of Thermally-Enhanced Soil Vapor Extraction in Layered Materials with Professor David S. Kosson (Vanderbilt University)

Preliminary Risk-Based Alternatives Evaluation for Calcined High-Level Waste Disposition at the Idaho National Laboratory with Professor David S. Kosson (Vanderbilt University)

Peer Reviewed Publications

C. Switzer, P. Pironi, J.I. Gerhard, G. Rein and J.L. Torero. Self-Sustaining Smouldering Combustion: A Novel Remediation Process for Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids in Porous Media, Environmental Science & Technology 43(15) 5871–5877, 2009.

P. Pironi, C. Switzer, G. Rein, J.I. Gerhard and J.L. Torero. Small-Scale Forward Smouldering Experiments for Remediation of Coal Tar in Inert Media. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 32nd International Symposium on Combustion, Montreal, Canada, 3-8 August 2008.

C. Switzer and D.S. Kosson. Soil Vapor Extraction Performance in Layered Vadose Zone Materials, Vadose Zone Journal 6(2) 397-405, 2007.

C. Switzer and D.S. Kosson. Evaluation of Air Permeability in Layered Heterogeneous Unsaturated Materials, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 90(3-4) 125-145, 2007.

J.I. Gerhard, C. Switzer, P. Pironi, G. Rein, J.L. Torero. In Situ Smouldering Combustion: A Novel Remediation Concept for NAPL Source Zones. Eos Transactions of the American Geophysical Union 87(52), Fall Meeting Supplement, Abstract H24A-01 (invited), 2006.

C. Switzer, T. Slagle, D. Hunter and D.S. Kosson. Use of Rebound Testing for Evaluation of Soil Vapor Extraction Performance at the Savannah River Site, Groundwater Monitoring and Remediation, 24(4):106-118, 2004.

Conference Proceedings

C. Switzer, P. Pironi, G. Rein, J.L. Torero and J.I. Gerhard, Experimental Studies of Self-Sustaining Thermal Aquifer Remediation (STAR) for Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (NAPL) Sources. In Proceedings from ConSoil 2008, Milano, Italy, 3-6 June 2008.

C. Switzer and D.S. Kosson. Effectiveness Monitoring of Soil Vapor Extraction with Rebound Testing and Formation of a Pathway to Closure. Proceedings from the Waste Management Symposium, Tucson, AZ, February 29-March 4, 2004.

C. Switzer, D.S. Kosson and J. Rossabi . Soil Vapor Extraction Remediation of Trichloroethylene Contamination at the Savannah River Site's C-Area Burning Rubble Pit. In: Wyatt, D.E. and M.K. Harris (Eds.) Carolina Geological Society 2000 Field Trip Guidebook. Aiken, South Carolina, Westinghouse Savannah River Company. WSRC-MS-2000-00606: p. J-1-J-9, 2000.

Patent Pending

J. Gerhard, J. Torero, P. Pironi, C. Switzer and G. Rein. Method and Apparatus for Remediating Contaminated Land, International PCT Application PCT/GB2006/004591.