Most of our experts in the physical sciences are professors at universities such as UCLA and UC San Diego.  Their expertise includes:

Chemistry (Inorganic & Physical)
Physical chemistry describes the scientific analysis of the properties of chemical systems.  Inorganic chemistry concerns compounds not containing hydrocarbon groups (that is, compounds not associated with living things).

Translation: As distinct from (although closely related to) organic chemistry and its focus on living or once-living things, physical and inorganic chemistry deal with the chemistry of everything else.

Inorganic chemistry, in particular, covers a broad range of subjects, among them: crystallography; chemical bonding; acid-base reactions; ceramics; and subdivisions of electrochemistry such as electrolysis, battery science, corrosion, and semiconduction. 

On a practical level, ASA's physical and inorganic chemists consult on a range of issues: toxic chemicals (natural and manmade); contamination; safety standards in handling of chemicals; and chemical analysis of non-organic substances.

Earthquakes / Seismology
Not commonly known is that seismology -- and seismometry, which involves the instrumental aspects and measurement tools of seismology -- is the primary method of petroleum exploration used by petroleum engineers.  

These tools and the mathematical formulas created in 1935 by Charles Richter known as the Richter Scale permit seismologists to study plate tectonics, earth movement, and earthquakes.  A critical application of seismology is in relation to structural engineering and construction codes.

Geochemistry
A common subdiscipline, environmental geochemistry, concerns geologic processes that interact with materials in the earth's crust, with applications in water quality and in understanding contaminant elements.  Petroleum geochemistry is concerned with the origin of petroleum, its chemical composition, and uses in petroleum engineering.

Forensic investigations involving geochemists often study the nature of a specific environmental contamination, its movement within a study area, and sources of contamination.

Geology & Geophysics
The study of the earth has divergent applications for purposes of forensic consulting.  Some geophysicists study plate tectonics, useful to structural engineers.  Exploration geophysicists locate oil, gas, and minerals of help to petroleum engineers.  Environmental geologists investigate: environmental hazards, growth faults, hillside slumping, and soil subsidence; soil contamination from industrial leaks; groundwater contamination and its impact on drinking water; risk assessment in human exposure to contaminants; and cost-benefit analyses of remedial approaches to clean-up.

Hydrology
The science of water.  Hydrologists are especially concerned with water quality as it is affected by sediment, biota (flora and fauna), chemicals, and contaminants such as arsenic. 

Meteorology / Weather
Our experts usually focus on the subdiscipline of mesoscale meteorology.  Mesoscale meteorology concerns midsize weather systems with dimensions of around 50 miles to a few hundred miles, as opposed to large (synoptic-scale) or small (storm-scale) systems like individual thunderstorms.

Why?  These experts must often determine rainfall, snowfall, or wind strength in a region during a given period of time in connection with accidents or collapsed structures.

Physics
This discipline is frequently employed to ascertain impact forces during accident reconstruction investigations.

Pollution
Common areas of inquiry include marine pollution, ground contamination requiring Environmental Protection Agency Superfund cleanup, and pollution controls on factories.

Wood Science & Technology
ASA's wood specialists research the issues that arise with forest products, including wood decay, wood preservation, and fungal rot.  They often work in conjunction with construction experts to investigate problems with wood-framed structures.

Be sure to visit our engineering page for more information on experts in related fields.

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