Specialties
Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy; Geology-Focused Conceptual Site Models to Optimize Groundwater Remediation; Groundwater Basin Characterization for Sustainable Groundwater Management; Carbon Sequestration
Practice Areas
Contaminated Site Assessment and Cleanup; Environmental Management; Water and Natural Resources; Water Management; Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering; Waste Management
Education
PhD, Geology, Stanford University, 2004; BS, Geology, Purdue University, 1997
Client Service
A sequence stratigraphy specialist, Mike offers decades of experience supporting clients in many industries with oil and gas exploration and production, groundwater investigation and remediation, and energy transition assessments, including subsurface carbon dioxide and hydrogen storage. On behalf of clients, he integrates diverse datasets to assess subsurface conditions and communicate opportunities and risks to stakeholders.
As a thought leader in the groundwater industry, Mike has written peer-reviewed publications on conceptual site models for groundwater systems and has authored regulatory guidance documents on this topic. In addition, he has developed base-wide conceptual site models for traditional and emerging contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), at over fifty Air Force bases and for numerous private-industry clients. This work often entails leading multidisciplinary teams to provide holistic assessments of aquifers. His teams apply advanced stratigraphic analysis using existing site data to address contaminants like PFAS and coal combustion residuals (CCR), evaluate groundwater remedy performance, and devise long-term management strategies based on the hydrogeologic framework of each site.
In addition to groundwater restoration projects, Mike has conducted studies to assess potential carbon capture, utilization, and storage projects and has supported the permitting of Class VI sequestration wells. He also offers recent significant energy transition experience in feasibility assessments for subsurface hydrogen storage in geologic formations.
Contact Mike at Michael.Shultz@geosyntec.com.
