Dr. John Pichtel teaches courses in solid and hazardous waste management, site remediation technologies, and environmental assessment.  He advises the department's Environmental Protection option.  His research addresses the management of hazardous wastes and the remediation of sites contaminated with hydrocarbons, heavy metals and other hazardous materials.  Dr. Pichtel also studies reclamation of mined lands and other severely disturbed environments.
Current position:

Professor, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Ball State University.

• Conduct research in site remediation and hazardous waste management
• Teach courses in environmental engineering, environmental chemistry, hazardous waste management

Education:

• 1984-1987 Ph.D. Environmental Science/Agronomy from the Ohio State                       University, Columbus, OH.
• 1981-1983 M.S. Soil Chemistry/Agronomy from the Ohio State University,                   Columbus, OH.
• 1975-1980 B.S. magna cum laude.  Natural Resource Management from                    Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.

Professional Experience:

• 1997-       Professor. Department of Natural Resources and Environmental                     Management, Ball State University, Muncie, IN.
• 1992-1995 Chairperson. Department of Natural Resources and                    Environmental  Management, Ball State University, Muncie, IN.
• 1987-1997 Assistant Professor, Associate Professor. Department of Natural                    Resources, Ball State University, Muncie, IN.
• 1981-1987 Research Associate. Department of Agronomy. The Ohio State                    University, Columbus, OH.
• 1980         Engineering Assistant. Water and Power Resources Service.                    U.S. Department of the Interior, Billings, MT.

Visiting Scientist:

• 2005        University College Cork (Ireland), Department of Civil                    Engineering       
• 1999-2003 Tampere University of Technology (Finland), Institute of 
                     Biotechnology and Environmental Engineering 
• 1996        University of Stirling (Scotland), Department of Environmental                    Science

Professional Certifications:

• Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, Institute of Hazardous Materials
  Management, 1997- present  
• Certified Professional Soil Specialist, American Society of Agronomy, 1988-2003
• Certified in Underground Storage Tank Closure, Indiana Department of 
  Environmental Management, 1997-present
• Certified Asbestos Inspector, Indiana Department of Environmental
  Management, 1993-95
• Certified Lead Inspector, Environmental Management Institute, 1993-95
• Certified Environmental Inspector, Environmental Assessment Association,
  1993-95
          

  Honors:

• Docent in Site Remediation, Tampere University of Technology, Finland,
  1999-present 
• Fulbright Scholar, 1999-00
• Energy Research Fellow, Ball State University, 1996-97, 1989-90, 2001-02
• University Fellowship, The Ohio State University, 1981-83
• George H. Cook Scholar, Rutgers University, 1979-81
• Listed in American Men and Women of Science
• Listed in International Who's Who of Professionals

Courses Taught:

Ball State University

• NREM 101 - Environment and Society, 1987-present
• NREM 221 - Soil Resources, 2000-present
• NREM 322 - Soil Fertility, 1987-1992
• NREM 350 - Hazardous Waste Site Operations and Emergency Response                      (40-hour OSHA course), 1996, 2001. 
• NREM 387 - Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, 1987-present
• NREM 481 - Environmental Engineering/Site Remediation Technologies,                       1987-present
• NREM 488 - Environmental Monitoring and Chemistry, 1996-present
• NREM 608 - Research Methodologies in Environmental Science, 1987-1992
• NREM 609 - Graduate Seminar, 2004

Tampere University of Technology (Finland)

• General Microbiology, Fall 1999
• Phytoremediation of Contaminated Environments, Fall 1999

     
Research Theses Supervised:

2004 Flory, Q. Phytoremediation of lead-contaminated soil by selected green plants

2004 Kutna, O. Cost-benefit analysis of the ‘Blue Bag' recycling program, Muncie,                            Indiana

2004 Sledz, L. GIS analysis of environmentally sensitive areas in Delaware County,                             Indiana

2003 Khmyl, A. Phytoremediation of soils affected by polychlorinated biphenyls

2002 Dominguez, E. Decomposition of petroleum hydrocarbons in the rhizosphere

2000 Williams, M. Phytoremediation of soils contaminated by petroleum aromatic                            compounds

2000 Bricker, T. Lead uptake by crops using chelating agents: Effects of repeated                             croppings

2000 Vine, B. Soil Pb extraction as affected by Pb mineralogical and chemical forms

1998 Steele, M. Comparison of extractants for metal recovery from a
                           contaminated Superfund soil

1997 Liberti, M. Immobilization of heavy metals in contaminated soils using                             fixative reagents

1997 Curtis, T. Biofiltration for organic vapor removal from occupational                           environments

1995 Gierke, T. Venting for a hydrocarbon-contaminated aquifer in Northern                           Indiana

1991 Wilkins, J. A study of Delaware County, Indiana public opinion on waste                           management issues

1990 Jacinthe, P. Adsorption of the nitrification inhibitors Nitrapyrin and                           Dicyandiamide by soil humic substances

1990 Woods, E. Heavy metal migration in petroleum‑treated soils

1990 Straub, C. Microbial degradation of synthetic polymers as affected by                           disposal environment

1990 Hayes, J. PCB (Arochlor 1242) mobility in soil as affected by various solvents

Membership in Professional and Honorary Societies:

• American Registry of Certified Professionals in Agronomy, Crops and Soils, 1988-present
• American Society of Agronomy, 1980-present
• Indiana Academy of Science, 1987-present
• Union of Concerned Scientists, 2000-present
• National Registry of Environmental Professionals, 1993-present
• Environmental Assessment Association, 1993-1995
• Sigma Xi Scientific Society, 1986-1995
• American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation, 1983‑1990
• Gamma Sigma Delta Agricultural Honorary, 1983‑1987
• Delaware County Emergency Planning Group, 2003-present

Additional Training and Experience:

• Incident Command System and NIMS
• Soil chemical, biochemical and microbiological analysis
• Hazardous and solid waste chemical analysis
• Certified in Hazardous Waste Site Operations, and Confined Space Entry
• Atomic absorption and flame emission spectroscopy
• Infrared spectroscopy, spectrofluorometry and UV-visible spectroscopy
• Ion chromatography, HPLC and gas chromatography
• Environmental site assessments (phase I and phase II)
• Experience with SPSSx, SAS, DOS and Windows software
• Field experience in United Kingdom, Poland, Finland and Latin America
• Intermediate fluency in Spanish; rudimentary knowledge of Polish and Finnish

           
Community Involvement:

• Volunteer, Delta Little League, Muncie, IN
• Volunteer, Muncie Mission, Muncie, IN

List of Publications

Book:

Pichtel, J. 2005. Waste Management Principles: Municipal, Hazardous, Special Wastes. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

Pichtel, J. 2000. Fundamentals of Site Remediation for Metal- and Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils.  Government Institutes, Inc., Rockville, MD.

Book Co-Editor:

Ahmad, I., S. Hayat, and J. Pichtel. 2005. Heavy Metal Contamination of Soils: Problems and Remedies. Science Publishers, Enfield, NH.

Refereed Publications:

Palmroth, M.R.T., P.E. Koskinen, J. Pichtel, K. Vaajasaari, A. Joutti, J.A. Puhakka, and T.A. Tuhkanen. 2006. Field-scale assessment of phytoremediation of soil contaminated with weathered hydrocarbons and heavy metals. Journal of Soils and Sediments. 6(3):128-136.

Palmroth, M.R., U. Munster, J. Pichtel, and J.A. Puhakka. 2004.  Metabolic responses of microbiota to diesel fuel addition in vegetated soil. Biodegradation 00:1–11.  In press.

Dominguez-Rosado, E., and J. Pichtel. 2004. Transformation of fulvic substances in the rhizosphere during phytoremediation of used motor oil. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A. A39, No.9.

Dominguez-Rosado, E., J. Pichtel, and M. Coughlin. 2004. Phytoremediation of soil contaminated with used motor oil: I. Laboratory and growth chamber studies. Environmental Engineering Science. 21:157-168.

Dominguez-Rosado, E., and J. Pichtel. 2004. Phytoremediation of soil contaminated with used motor oil: II. Greenhouse studies. Environmental Engineering Science. 21:169-180.

Dominguez-Rosado, E., and J. Pichtel. 2003. Chemical characterization of fresh, used and weathered motor oil via GC/MS, NMR and FTIR techniques. Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science. 112(2): 109-116.

Palmroth, M.R.T., J. Pichtel, and J.A. Puhakka. 2002. Phytoremediation of subarctic soil contaminated with diesel fuel. Bioresource Technology. 84:221-228. 

Dominguez-Rosado, E., J. J. Liggat, C. E. Snape, and J. Pichtel. 2002.  Thermal degradation of urethane modified polyisocyanurate foams based on aliphatic and aromatic polyester polyol.  Polymer Degradation and Stability. 78:1-5. 

Bricker, T.J., J. Pichtel, H.J. Brown, and M. Simmons. 2001. Phytoextraction of Pb and Cd from a Superfund soil: Effects of amendments and croppings.  Journal of Environmental Science and Health. A36: 1597-1610.

Pichtel, J., and P. Liskanen. 2001. Degradation of diesel fuel in rhizosphere soil. Environmental Engineering Science. 18: 147-159.

Pichtel, J., B. Vine, P. Kuula-Väisänen and P. Niskanen. 2001. Lead extraction from soils as affected by Pb chemical and mineral forms. Environmental Engineering Science. 18: 91-98.

Pichtel, J., K. Kuroiwa, and H.T. Sawyerr. 2000. Distribution of Pb, Cd and Ba in soils and plants of two contaminated sites.  Environmental Pollution. 110:171-178.

Liberti, M., and J. Pichtel. 1998. Spatial distribution of trace metals in Delaware County, Indiana, surface soils. Proceedings of the Indiana Academyof Science. 106:237-250.

Steele, M.C., and J. Pichtel. 1998. Ex-situ remediation of a metal-contaminated Superfund soil using selective extractants.  Journal of Environmental Engineering. 124:639-645.

Pichtel, J., and C.A. Salt. 1998. Vegetative growth and trace metal accumulation on metalliferous wastes.  Journal of Environmental Quality. 27:618-624.

Pichtel, J., A. Covey, and K. Lucskay. 1997. Removal of lead and chromium from contaminated soil: Column studies. Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science.  106:95-104.

PichtelJ., H.T. Sawyerr, and K. Czarnowska. 1997. Spatial and temporal distribution of heavy metals in Warsaw, Poland, Soils.  Environmental Pollution. 98:169-174.

Pichtel, J., and T. M. Pichtel. 1997. Comparison of solvents for ex-situ removal of Cr and Pb from contaminated soil. Environmental Engineering Science. 14:97-103.

Pichtel, J., and M. Anderson. 1997.  Trace metal bioavailability in municipal solid waste and sewage sludge composts. BioresourceTechnology. 60:223-229.

Pichtel, J., T.L. Gierke, and D.A. Scheidler. 1995. Determination of cyanide in soils and wastes by ion chromatography. Proceedings of the Indiana Academyof Science. 104:241-247.

Pichtel, J., W.A. Dick, and P. Sutton. 1994. Comparison of amendments and management practices for long-term reclamation of abandoned mine lands. Journal of Environmental Quality. 23:766-772.

Pichtel, J., and D.A. Scheidler. 1992. Microbial activity in soil-hydrocarbon mixtures amended with chromium. Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science. 101:75-82.

Jacinthe, P.A., and J. Pichtel. 1992. Interaction of nitrapyrin and dicyandiamide with soil humic substances. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 56:465-470.

Pichtel, J. and W.A. Dick. 1991. Sulfur, iron and solid phase transformations during the biological oxidation of pyritic mine spoil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 23:101-107.

Pichtel, J., and W.A. Dick. 1991. Influence of biological inhibitors on the oxidation of pyritic mine spoil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 23:109-116.

Pichtel, J. 1990. Microbial respiration in fly ash/sewage sludge‑amended soils. Environmental Pollution, Series A 63:225‑237.

Pichtel, J., W.A. Dick, and E.L. McCoy. 1989. Binding of Fe from pyritic mine spoil by water‑ soluble organic materials. Soil Science. 148:140‑148.

Pichtel, J., W.A. Dick, and R.M. Hanna. 1988. Reclamation of a marcasite spoil by the addition of limestone. Bulletin of the New Jersey Academyof Science. 33:7‑12.

Pichtel, J., E.O. McLean, W.A. Dick, and H. Esmaeilzadeh. 1986. Refinement of Quicktest methodology for improved potassium fertilizer recommendations. Agronomy Journal. 78:772‑774.

Non-refereed Publications:

Pichtel, J. 1991. Assessment of air quality and ash residues from combustion of refuse-derived fuel. Council of Great LakesGovernors, Chicago, IL.

Invited Publications:

Pichtel, J. 2002. Love Canal. In G. Frankland (ed.). International Encyclopedia of Environmental Politics. Routledge, London.  p. 311.

Pichtel, J. 2002. Three Mile Island. In G. Frankland (ed.). International Encyclopedia of Environmental Politics. Routledge, London.  p. 451.

Pichtel, J. 2002. The Atomic Energy Commission/Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In G. Frankland (ed.). International Encyclopedia of Environmental Politics. Routledge, London.  pp. 29-30.

Pichtel, J. 2001. Dokuchaev, V.V.  In MagillOnScience. Salem Press, Inc. Pasadena, CA.

Pichtel, J. 2000. Refuse-Derived Fuels. In C.W. Allin (ed.) Encyclopedia of Environmental Issues, Vol. 3.  Salem Press, Inc. Pasadena, CA.

Pichtel, J. 2000. Superfund. In C.W. Allin (ed.) Encyclopedia of Environmental Issues, Vol. 3.  Salem Press, Inc. Pasadena, CA.

Book Reviews:

Pichtel, J. 2003. Handbook of Chemical and Environmental Engineering Calculations by Joseph P. Reynolds, John S. Jeris, and Louis Theodore. Journal of Environmental Quality.

Pichtel, J. 2003. Mine Water: Hydrology, Pollution, Remediation by Paul L. Younger, Steven A. Banwart, and Robert S. Hedin. Journal of Environmental Quality.

Pichtel, J. 2001. An Introduction to the Management and Regulation of Hazardous Waste by Emmett B. Moore. Journal of Environmental Quality. 30:1481-1482.

Pichtel, J. 2001. Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds. Edited by G. B. Wickramanayake and A. R. Gavaskar. Journal of Environmental Quality. 30:1855-1856.

Software Development:

Pichtel, J., and B. Nasseh. 1992. CHEMSPILL, A Site Remediation Expert System.  Ball State University.