Meng Ling, Ph.D., P.E.

Education and Professional Development

Ph.D., Environmental Engineering, University of Houston
M.S., Municipal Engineering, Beijing Polytechnic University
B.S., Civil Engineering, Beijing Polytechnic University
Occupational Safety and Health Administration 40-Hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Training
40-Hour Risked Based Corrective Action Training

Registrations and Professional Affiliations

Texas Professional Environmental Engineer #98583
American Society of Civil Engineers
Association of Ground Water Scientists and Engineers
Environmental and Water Resources Institute

Summary of Professional Experience

Dr. Ling is a consulting engineer with 14 years of experience in environmental and municipal engineering. His professional expertise includes site assessment and remedial design, groundwater and non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPL) modeling, litigation support, statistical and geostatistical analysis, groundwater monitoring, wastewater engineering, visualization, and software development. Dr. Ling has authored more than 20 publications regarding groundwater modeling and monitoring, NAPL characterization and assessment, litigation support, and other technical issues. He is co-author of the Monitoring and Remediation Optimization System (MAROS) decision-support software developed for the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE). He is a frequent presenter at environmental conferences and workshops.

Representative Experience

Site Assessment and Remedial Design

Assessment of well network for monitored natural attenuation (MNA) at a California oil refinery. Conducted particle tracking simulations and utilized 3-D visual imagery to evaluate the effectiveness of each monitoring well in tracking the dissolved plume.
Remedial planning for dissolved petroleum hydrocarbons contamination at an oil refinery in California. Conducted groundwater modeling to delineate zones of hydraulic influence for the placement of pumping wells and remedial systems.
Assessment of sediment contamination at a harbor site in Florida and a lake site in Washington. Estimated contaminant distribution in the sediment and provided remedial calculation utilizing 3-D visualization techniques.
Design of carbon adsorption systems for treating petroleum hydrocarbons contaminated groundwater from residential wells near a fuel terminal in Texas.
Assessment, characterization, and remedial feasibility study of chlorinated solvents contamination at an Oklahoma chemical plant. Studied site data, identified data gaps for additional characterization, refined site conceptual model, and evaluated remedial options for the DNAPL source and dissolved plumes.
Assessment of petroleum hydrocarbons contamination at an active port facility in California. Investigated preferential pathways, tidal influence, plume stability, and soil vapor issues.
Development of site conceptual model for LNAPL contamination at an oil refinery in California. Assessed site characterization data, built a 3-D site visual imagery model, delineated LNAPL distribution in the subsurface, and identified preferential pathways.
Design of an interception/treatment system for groundwater remediation at a former Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) site in Florida. Used groundwater modeling to determine the configuration and layout of an interceptor wall and a treatment trench.
Assessment and remedial planning for various projects: LANPL contamination at three gas plants in Texas and Minnesota, DNAPL contamination at three former MGP sites in Indiana and Florida, oil-water interaction in rock fractures at a Texas oil well field, impact of coal-bed methane at a gas well site in Kentucky, soil vapor contamination at an oil refinery site in California, and chemical contamination at two industry sites in New Jersey.

Groundwater and NAPL Modeling

Development of a groundwater fate and transport model for remedial planning at a fuel terminal site in Virginia. Used MODFLOW-SURFACT to simulate the dissolution of residual LNAPL and subsequent reactive transport in vadose and saturated zones.
Development of a groundwater flow model for remedial evaluation at a Delaware refinery. Simulated the groundwater system in connection with a river to investigate the potential impact of a proposed 550-foot sheet pile wall along the river shoreline.
Review of a groundwater fate and transport model for MTBE and TBA contamination at a public well field in California. Performed a thorough check of model assumptions and parameters and estimated a reasonable initial mass for use in transport simulations.
Development of a groundwater fate and transport model to evaluate natural attenuation with source control at a dry-cleaner site in Texas. Used RT3D to simulate reductive dechlorination and conducted an uncertainty analysis to assess the reliability of model predictions.
Development of a groundwater fate and transport model to study chlorinated solvents contamination at an industrial site in South Carolina. Conducted various modeling analyses to support site assessment and remedial design.
Key contributor to the development of a regional groundwater flow model surrounding an oil refinery in California. Developed model boundary conditions, checked calibration targets, evaluated parameter sensitivity, and assisted in model calibration.
Development of a groundwater flow model for the design of an interception/treatment system at a former MGP site in Florida.
LNAPL mobility analysis and recovery calculation for a California site using various LNAPL modeling tools developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API).
Development of a numerical NAPL model to simulate fuel hydrocarbons release and the subsurface migration at a railroad site in North Dakota. Used finite-element code BIOSLURP to simulate the LNAPL migration and extent under historical site conditions.
Development of a numerical model with BIOSLURP to evaluate the feasibility of LNAPL removal via vacuum enhanced recovery at an Oklahoma gas plant. Evaluated a number of scenarios to find the optimal number and configuration of dual phase recovery wells.
Development of numerical model with BIOSLURP to evaluate the feasibility of an LNAPL recovery trench design at a Washington site.
Modeling analysis for a pipeline release in Europe to simulate the fate and transport of LNAPL and dissolved plume using finite-element codes ARMOS and BIOTRANS.
Modeling evaluation of contaminant transport, tracer test, capture zone, and aquifer characteristics for numerous projects using analytical codes such as BIOSCREEN, BIOCHLOR, SOLUTE, WHPA, TWODAN, and AQETSOLV.

Litigation Support

Technical analysis and state-of-the-art visualization service for a major litigation case in North Dakota involving fuel hydrocarbons release from a railroad site. Assessed site hydrogeology and built a 3-D visual imagery model to visualize the distribution of LNAPL in a complex geologic setting with a fluctuating water table. Conducted numerical modeling to simulate the LNAPL release and migration in the subsurface. Demonstrated that it was impossible for the LNAPL reaching a certain area of concern. The technical analyses and 3-D visualization exhibition significantly strengthened the client’s case, resulting in a verdict that saved the client tens of millions of dollars.
Technical and visualization analyses for a Missouri case regarding a limestone quarry flooded by nearby river flow. Studied quarry operation history and water breakthrough events and investigated potential causes. Developed a 3-D visual imagery model to help understand the interrelationships between quarry operation, change in hydraulic conditions, nearby sinkhole occurrences, and water breakthrough. Demonstrated that it was the deepening and dewatering of the quarry that caused the subsurface channeling and subsequent flooding. The analysis led to a settlement in favor of the client.
Technical and visualization support for a litigation case in Colorado where a river was impacted by former MGP derived coal tar DNAPL. Assessed site characterization data and developed a 3-D visual imagery model of the site. Investigated the petroleum hydrocarbons impact from a nearby service station. Evaluated the commingling of the DNAPL and the dissolved petroleum hydrocarbons plume. Conducted transport analysis to illustrate the change in DNAPL migration under the influence of dissolved petroleum hydrocarbons. This is an ongoing case pending further actions.
Technical analysis and visualization service for a number of litigation cases involving methane vapor intrusion and/or petroleum hydrocarbons contamination at oil exploration, gas plant, refinery, and service station sites.

Statistical and Geostatistical Analysis

Development of a statistical evaluation method for determining the frequency of sampling at monitoring locations and a geostatistical method for optimizing a monitoring network. Applied these methods to multiple sites to evaluate their groundwater monitoring programs.
Application of appropriate statistical analyses to a groundwater monitoring program at an airport site in Washington. Client was concerned with elevated arsenic concentrations and wanted to know if they were true exceedance. Proposed intra-well analysis using combined Shewhart CUSUM Control Chart, seasonality adjustment, and verification re-sampling. Set up the protocol for statistical analysis after the project was awarded.
Improvement on the statistical evaluation of remedial performance at a costal facility in California. Selected Sign test for site-wide comparison to address the significant percentage of non-detects in the monitoring data and replaced linear trend test with a nonparametric test.
Statistical analysis for LNAPL investigation at an oil refinery in California. Assessed the changes in LNAPL composition over time using an altered version of Mann-Kendall analysis and revealed the difference between samples from different depths with paired t-test.
Direction of the sediment mapping of polychlorinated biphenyls in a 6-mile river section in Washington. Problems emerged when two firms presented inconsistent results using different methods (kriging vs. IDW). Identified the cause of such differences, introduced Thiessen Polygon method for additional check, examined the goodness-of-fit by cross-validation, and directed GIS specialists on how to improve the mapping.
Application of geostatistical methods based on kriging uncertainty analysis to numerous soil and groundwater characterization programs to suggest locations for sampling.

Groundwater Monitoring

Development of a set of spatial and temporal methodologies for evaluating groundwater monitoring plans. The methodologies handle many aspects of monitoring evaluation (spatial redundancy reduction, network augmentation, frequency optimization, and sufficiency analysis) and allow the dynamic optimization of the monitoring program as site and contaminant conditions change over time.
Key developer of the AFCEE’s decision-support software, Monitoring and Remediation Optimization Systems (MAROS), which is available to the general environmental practitioners for formulating cost-effective and scientifically-based long-term monitoring plans.
Evaluation of groundwater monitoring programs at 6 sites across the county. These site applications were part of a joint U.S. EPA & AFCEE study for demonstrating innovative long-term monitoring optimization strategies and their applicability.
Optimization of the groundwater monitoring program at a port facility in California. Improved the monitoring program leading to decreased disruption of port operations and increased worker safety in addition to cost savings.

Wastewater Engineering

Design of a 100,000 ton/day (26.5 MGD) urban wastewater treatment plant (Urban WTP) in XinJiang Autonomic Region, China. The treatment process consists of bar screening, grit removal, activated sludge treatment by oxidation ditch, sedimentation, disinfection, and sludge digestion and dewatering. Completed hydraulic calculations for the entire process, determined dimensions of major structures, selected relevant equipments, designed plant layout, and conducted hydraulic calculation and layout of major pipelines (wastewater, sludge, recycle sludge, and storm).
Design of the aeration tank and bar screens for a 50,000 ton/day Urban WTP in northern China. Performed hydraulic calculation, determined dimensions, calculated air volume, and selected blowers and aeration equipments.
Feasibility study of an Urban WTP for DuYun, GuiZhou Province, China. Performed a water budget calculation, estimated wastewater quantity and contaminant loadings, and considered the city’s population and development blueprint. Proposed a conventional activited sludge process with a treatment capacity of 100,000 ton/day. Calculated process parameters and conducted an engineering economic analysis on the cost-benefits of the proposed project.
Key developer of the Urban WTP Process Selection Expert System for the Ministry of Construction of China. This decision-support software selects the optimal treatment process by evaluating experts’ opinions regarding capital and operation costs, land use, technical maturity, operation and maintenance difficulty, and discharge quality.

Publications and Presentations

Ling, M. and H.S. Rifai. 2007. “Modeling of Natural Attenuation with Source Control at a Chlorinated Solvents Dry-Cleaner Site.” Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation, 27(1), 108-121.

Ling, M., H.S. Rifai, and C.J. Newell. 2005. “Optimizing Groundwater Long-Term Monitoring Networks Using Delaunay Triangulation Spatial Analysis Techniques.” Environmentrics, 16(6), 635-657.

Ling, M., H.S. Rifai, J.J. Aziz, C.J. Newell, J.R. Gonzales, and J.M. Santillan. 2004. “Strategies and Decision-Support Tools for Optimizing Long-Term Groundwater Monitoring Plans – MAROS 2.0.” Bioremediation Journal, 8(3-4), 109-128.

Ling, M., H.S. Rifai, C.J. Newell, J.J. Aziz, and J.R. Gonzales. 2003. “Groundwater Monitoring Plans at Small-Scale Sites – An Innovative Spatial & Temporal Methodology.” Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 5(1), 126-134.

Aziz, J.J., M. Ling, H.S. Rifai, C.J. Newell, and J.R. Gonzales. 2003. “MAROS: a Decision Support System for Optimizing Monitoring Plans.” Ground Water, 41(3), 355-367.

Ling, M., and S.J. Hang. 1998. “Application of Fuzzy Decision Method for Process Selection of Urban WTP.” Water & Wastewater Engineering, 24(3), 6-9 (in Chinese).

Ling, M., J. Johnson, and X. Lin. 2007. “Contamination Distribution and Mass Estimate via Kriging: Pitfalls and Lessons.” Proceedings of the 2007 Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Organic Chemicals in Ground Water: Prevention, Assessment, and Remediation Conference, November 5-6, 2007, Houston, TX, 12 pages.

Ling, M., J. Johnson, and J. Twiford. 2006. “Ground Water Monitoring Program Optimization at an Active Industrial Terminal.” Proceedings of the Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Organic Chemicals in Ground Water: Prevention, Assessment, and Remediation Conference, November 6-7, 2006, Houston, TX, 15 pages.

Johnson, J., M. Lewallen, D. Sweeten, and M. Ling. 2006. “Improving LNAPL Characterization Using Petroleum Exploration Tools.” Proceedings of the Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Organic Chemicals in Ground Water: Prevention, Assessment, and Remediation Conference, November 6-7, 2006, Houston, TX, 9 pages.

Ling, M. and J. Johnson. 2005. “Improve Hydrocarbon Contamination Assessment and Conceptualization Using Visual Imagery Technology and LIF Data.” Proceedings of the 12th Annual International Petroleum Environmental Conference, November 8-11, 2005, Houston, TX, 14 pages.

Johnson, J. and M. Ling. 2005. “Evaluating the Reliability of LNAPL Thickness Measurements and the Conditions that Produce Non-Representative Values.” Proceedings of the Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Organic Chemicals in Ground Water, Prevention, Assessment, and Remediation Conference, August 17-19, 2005, Costa Mesa, CA, 44-56.

Johnson, J. and M. Ling. 2005. “Applying Visual Technology to Document Multiple Release Locations and Migration Pathways of NAPL.” Proceedings of the 2005 NGWA Ground Water and Environmental Law Conference, July 21-22, 2005, Baltimore, MD, 10 pages.

Johnson, J., M. Ling, and T. Maldonato. 2004. “Application of Computer Visual Technology to Improve Site Characterization and Remediation.” Proceedings of the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) 2004 Environmental Conference, September 27-28, 2004, San Antonio, TX, 9 pages.

Ling, M., H.S. Rifai, J.J. Aziz, C.J. Newell, and J.R. Gonzales. 2003. “Groundwater Monitoring Plans for BTEX and MTBE Plumes.” Proceedings of the 2003 Petroleum Hydrocarbons & Organic Materials in Ground Water: Prevention, Assessment, and Remediation, August 20-22, 2003, Costa Mesa, CA, 328-341.

Ling, M., J.J. Aziz, C.J. Newell, H.S. Rifai, and J.R. Gonzales. 2003. LTM: Spatial/Temporal Data Management, Analysis, and Visualization. Proceedings of the 2003 World Water and Environmental Resources Congress, June 22-26, 2003 Philadelphia, PA, 10 pages.

Ling, M., and H.S. Rifai. 2003. “Assessing Uncertainty in Groundwater Model Predictions at a Chlorinated Solvents Contaminated Site.” Groundwater Quality Modeling and Management under Uncertainty – Proceedings of the Symposium, June 23-25 Philadelphia, PA, 34-41.

Aziz, J.J., C.J. Newell, M. Ling, H.S. Rifai, and J.R. Gonzales. 2003. “Effective and Efficient LTM: Spatial/Temporal Data Analysis and Visualization.” Proceedings of the Seventh International In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium, June 2-5, Orlando, FL, 8 pages.

Ling, M., H.S. Rifai, C.J. Newell, J.J. Aziz, and J.R. Gonzales. 2002. “A Methodology for Groundwater Monitoring Plan Optimization at Small-Scale Natural Attenuation Sites.” Proceedings of the 2002 Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Organic Chemicals in Ground Water: Prevention, Assessment, and Remediation, November 6-8, Atlanta, GA, 129-143.

Aziz, J.J., C.J. Newell, M. Ling, H.S. Rifai, and J.R. Gonzales. 2002. “MAROS: Monitoring and Remediation Optimization System Decision Support Tool and Application.” Proceedings of the 2002 Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Organic Chemicals in Ground Water: Prevention, Assessment, and Remediation, November 6-8, Atlanta, GA, 283-293.

Ling, M., H.S. Rifai, J.J. Aziz, C.J. Newell, and J.R. Gonzales. 2002. “An Integrated Optimization Methodology for Designing Groundwater Monitoring Plans.” Proceedings of the Water Resources Planning & Management – First Annual Symposium on Environmental & Water Resources Systems Analysis, May 19-22, 2002, Roanoke, VA, 10 pages.

Ling, M., H.S. Rifai, J.J. Aziz, C.J. Newell, and J.R. Gonzales. 2002. “Development of An Integrated Methodology for Optimizing Groundwater Long-Term Monitoring Programs.” Proceedings of the 2002 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), March 10-13, 2002, Houston, TX, A104.

Ling, M., H.S. Rifai, J.J. Aziz, C.J. Newell, and J.R. Gonzales. 2001. “An Integrated Sampling Optimization Methodology for Groundwater Long-Term Monitoring.” Eos, Trans. AGU, 82(47), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract H12D-0318.

Rifai, H.S., M. Ling, C.J. Newell, S. Ita, and M. Faile. 2000. “Development of Decision Support Tools for Designing Long Term Monitoring Plans (LTMPs).” Groundwater 2000 Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark, 6-8 June 2000. Extended abstract (2 pages) in Groundwater Research, Rosbjerg et al. (eds), Balkema, Rotterdam .

Aziz, J.J., C.J. Newell, H.S. Rifai, M. Ling, and J.R. Gonzales. 2000. “Decision Support Software for Designing Monitoring Plans.” Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds, May 22-25, 2000, Monterey, CA, 319-326.

Johnson, J., R. Yilmaz, and M. Ling. 2006. NAPL Environments: How Hydrogeologic Conditions Influence NAPL Distribution, Mobility, and Remediation . Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Organic Chemicals in Ground Water: Prevention, Assessment, and Remediation Conference - Post Conference Workshop, November 8, 2006, Houston, TX .

Johnson, J., R. Yilmaz, M. Beard, M. Ling, and Y. Zheng. 2005. Environmental Logistics: Applying Technology to Facilitate Management of Petroleum Impacted Sites Workshop . The 12th Annual International Petroleum Environmental Conference, November 8-11, 2005, Houston, TX .

Monitoring and Remediation Optimization System (MAROS) Version 2.0 and Software Users Guide . Available at http://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/er/rpo.htm. Developed by J.J. Aziz, C.J. Newell, M. Ling, H.S. Rifai, and J.R. Gonzales for Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE).

Developing a Guidance Manual for Modeling Natural Attenuation at Field Sites, in review. Developed by H.S. Rifai, M. Ling, and others for Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE).

Monitoring and Remediation Optimization System (MAROS) Version 1.0 and Software Users Guide, available at http://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/er/rpo.htm . Developed by J.J. Aziz, C.J. Newell, M. Ling, H.S. Rifai, and J.R. Gonzales for Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE).