Kirk O'Reilly, Ph.D., J.D.

Dr. O’Reilly has more than 20 years of experience investigating the interaction between environmental and biological chemistry, and spent 15 years as an in-house consultant for a major oil company. He is a recognized expert in bioremediation, environmental chemistry, and innovative remedial technologies, and played a significant role in developing the oil industry’s technical response to managing MTBE in the environment. Dr. O’Reilly has provided litigation support in toxic tort suits, and managed projects focused on the remediation of soils, sediments, and groundwater, as well as on improving industrial wastewater treatment. Specific contaminants studied include crude oil, refined products, chlorinated solvents, wood treatment compounds, pesticides, and fertilizers. He developed innovative methods for monitoring the transformation and assessing the risk of petroleum. He has also conducted toxicity identification evaluations on refinery effluents. Experienced working within the constraints of the RCRA and NPDES programs, Dr. O’Reilly promotes the use of strategic site assessments to reduce costs while improving quality. He has participated in collaborative research projects with regulators at the federal, state, and local levels, and taught technical courses sponsored by regulatory agencies, universities, and industrial trade groups. Dr. O’Reilly was admitted to the Washington State Bar in 2007.

Chunn Lindsay J, O’Reilly K, Kaetzel R, Roberts M. Limitations of toxicogenomic studies to assess toxic exposures and injury from benzene. ABA Toxic Torts and Environmental Newsletter, Fall 2009.

O’Reilly K. Science, policy, and politics: The impact of the Information Quality Act on risk-based regulatory activity at the EPA. Buffalo Environmental Law Journal 2007; 14:249–288.

Johnson EL, Smith CA, O’Reilly KT, Hyman MR. Induction of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE)-oxidizing activity in Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5 by MTBE during cell growth on diverse substrates. Appl Environ Microbiol 2004; 70:1023-1030.

Smith CA, O’Reilly KT, Hyman MR. Cometabolism of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and gaseous n-alkanes by Pseudomonas mendocina KR-1 grown on C5-C8 n-alkanes. Appl Environ Microbiol 2003; 69:7385-7394.

Smith C, O’Reilly K, Hyman M. Characterization of the initial reactions during the cometabolic oxidation of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) by propane-grown Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5. Appl Environ Microbiol 2003; 69:796-804.
Ruiz-Aguilar GM, O’Reilly K, Alvarez PJ. A comparison of benzene and toluene plume lengths for sites contaminated with regular vs. ethanol-amended gasoline. Ground Water Monit Remed 2003; 23:48-53.

O’Reilly K, Moir M, Taylor C, Smith C, Hyman M. Hydrolysis of tert-butyl methyl ether (MTBE) in dilute aqueous acids. Environ Sci Technol 2001; 35:3954-3961.

Schroth M, Istok J, Conner G, Hyman M, Haggerty R O’Reilly K Spatial variability in in-situ aerobic respiration and denitrification rates in a petroleum contaminated aquifer. Ground Water 1998; 36(6):924-937.

Donaldson J, Istok J, O’Reilly K Dissolved gas transport in the presence of a trapped gas phase: Experimental evaluation of a two-dimensional kinetic model. Ground Water 1998; 36(1):133-142.

Istok J, Humphrey J, Schroth M, Hyman M, O’Reilly K Single well, “push-pull” tests for in-situ determination of microbial metabolic activity. Ground Water 1997; 35(4):619-631.

Donaldson J, Istok J, Humphrey M, O’Reilly K, Hawelka C, Mohr D. Development and laboratory testing of a kinetic model for dissolved oxygen partitioning and transport in porous media in the presence of trapped gas. Ground Water 1997; 35(2):270-279.

Fry V, Istok J, O’Reilly K. Effect of trapped gas on dissolved oxygen transport—Implications for in situ bioremediation. Ground Water 1996; 34(2):200-210.

Fry V, Istok J, Sempini L, O’Reilly K, Buscheck T. Retardation of dissolved oxygen due to a trapped gas phase in a porous media. Ground Water 1995; 33(3):391-399.

O’Reilly K, Crawford R. Degradation of pentachlorophenol by polyurethane-immobilized Flavobacterium cells. Appl Environ Microbiol 1989; 55:2113-2118.

O’Reilly K, Crawford R. Kinetics of p-Cresol degradation by an immobilized-Pseudomonas sp. Appl Environ Microbiol 1989; 55:866-870.

O’Reilly K, Kadakia R, Korus R, Crawford R. Utilization of immobilized bacteria to degrade aromatic compounds common to wood treatment wastewater. Water Sci Technol 1988; 29:95-100.

Rueter R, O’Reilly K, Petersen R. Indirect aluminum toxicity to the green alga Scenedesmus through increased cupric ion activity. Environ Sci Technol 1987; 21(5):435-438.

Book Chapters

O’Reilly K, Magaw R. Hydrocarbon transport from oil and soil to groundwater. pp. 132-141. In: Risk-Based Decision-Making for Assessing Petroleum Impacts at Exploration and Production Sites. U.S. Department of Energy, 2001.

Spence L, O’Reilly K, Magaw R, and Rixey W. Predicting the fate and transport of hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater. pp. 89-110. In: Risk-Based Decision-Making for Assessing Petroleum Impacts at Exploration and Production Sites. U.S. Department of Energy, 2001.

Buscheck T, O’Reilly K, Hickman G. Intrinsic anaerobic biotransformation of chlorinated solvents at a manufacturing plant. pp. 528-535. In: Natural Attenuation of Fuels and Chlorinated Solvents. Wiedermeier, Rafai, Newell, and Wilson (eds), John Wiley and Sons, 1999.

McFarland B, O’Reilly K. Environmental impacts and toxicological characteristics of calcium magnesium acetate. pp. 193-228. In: Deicing Chemicals and the Environment. D’Itri F (ed), Lewis Publishers, Chelsea, MI, 1992.

Crawford R, O’Reilly K, Tao H. Microorganism stabilization for in situ degradation of toxic chemicals. pp. 203-212. In: Advances in Applied Biotechnology Series Vol. 4. Kamley D, Chakrabarty A, Omenn G (eds), Gulf Publishing Co., Houston, TX, 1990.

Crawford R, O’Reilly K. Bacterial degradation of chlorophenols. pp. 113-144. In: Reviews in Environmental Toxicology. Hodgson E (ed), Toxicology Communications, Raleigh, NC, 1990.

Selected Conference Proceedings

O’Reilly K, Kolhatkar R, Buscheck T. Guidance on the remediation of ethanol fuel releases: A conceptual model approach. NGWA Organic Chemicals in Ground Water: Prevention, Detection, and Remediation Conference Proceedings, National Ground Water Association, 2009.

O’Reilly K, Malono C. A method for predicting whether oily soil is a risk to groundwater: A case study using soil and groundwater samples from oil production sites in Ecuador. Proceedings, VIII Congreso Lainoamerica Ricano De Hidrolgia, 2006.

Camp H, Kulakow P, Smart R, O’Reilly K. Application of chemical tools to evaluate phytoremediation of weathered hydrocarbons. Proceedings, 25th Artic and Marine Oil Spill Technical Seminar, Environment Canada, 2002.

O’Reilly K, Moir M, Taylor C, Hyman M. Hydrolysis of MTBE: Implications for anaerobic and abiotic natural attenuation. pp. 83-90. In: Biodegradation of MTBE, Alcohol and Ethers. Battelle Press, 2001.

Buscheck T, O’Reilly K, Koschal G, O’Reagan G. Ethanol in groundwater at a northwest terminal. pp. 203-210. In: Biodegradation of MTBE, Alcohol and Ethers. Battelle Press, 2001.

Hyman M, O’Reilly K Physiological and enzymatic features of MTBE degrading bacteria. pp. 7-12. In: In Situ Bioremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Other Organic Compounds. Battelle Press, 1999.

Nelson S, O’Reilly K, Barbonio M, Vogt G. Laboratory and field testing of engineered denitirification. pp. 91-96. In: Bioremediation of Metals and Inorganic Compounds. Battelle Press, 1999.

O’Reilly K, Duda P, Smart D. Bioslurry treatment of sediment from a refinery’s wastewater treatment system. Proceedings, 4th International Symposium: In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation, Battelle Press, 5:145-150, 1997.

O’Reilly K, Simpkin T, Sobzack K, Moreno T. Efficacy and economics of composting of aged materials at a refinery. Proceedings, 4th International Symposium: In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation, Battelle Press, 2:73-78, 1997.

Buscheck T, O’Reilly K, Hickman G. Intrinsic anaerobic biodegradation of chlorinated solvents at a manufacturing plant. Proceedings, 4th International Symposium: In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation, Battelle Press, 3:149-155, 1997.

Schroth M, Istok J, Hyman M, O’Reilly K Field-scale measurements of in-situ microbial metabolic activities. Proceedings, 4th International Symposium: In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation, Battelle Press, 3:387-392, 1997.

Buscheck T, O’Reilly K, Nelson S. Evaluation of intrinsic bioremediation at field sites. Proceedings, Conference on Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Organic Chemicals in Ground Water. National Ground Water Association, pp. 367-382, 1993.

Presentations

O’Reilly K. Guidance on the remediation of ethanol fuel releases: A conceptual model approach. NGWA Organic Chemicals in Ground Water: Prevention, Detection, and Remediation Conference, Costa Mesa, CA November 2, 2009.

O’Reilly K. Technical approaches for apportioning liability at sediment sites. CERCLA and MTCA Advanced Sediment Conference, Seattle, WA, May 11, 2009.

O’Reilly K. Technical approaches for apportioning liability and allocating environmental costs. Du Page County Bar Association Environmental Bar Section, Wheaton, IL, May 14, 2009.

O’Reilly K. Cost recovery after Burlington Northern: The Use of chemical fingerprints. 2009 Illinois Environmental Law Conference, Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago, IL, May 15, 2009.

O’Reilly K, Pietari J, Thorsen W, Hoelen T. Using decision support tools to evaluate TPH field test kits. 19th Annual AEHS West Coast Conference on Soils, Sediments, and Water, San Diego, CA, March 11, 2009.

O’Reilly K, Boehm PD, Johns MW. Technical approaches for apportioning liability and allocating environmental costs. Exponent Webinar Series, December 10, 2008.

O’Reilly K, Boehm PD, Johns MW. Technical approaches for apportioning liability and allocating environmental costs. The ABA Environmental, Energy, and Resources Law Summit, 16th Fall Meeting, Phoenix, AZ, September 18, 2008.

O’Reilly K, Thorsen WA, Pietari J. Strategic site assessment: Tools for managing data uncertainty. Remediation Technology Transfer Workshop, San Luis Obispo, CA, September 17, 2008.

Murphy B, O’Reilly K. Reconstructing doses and exposures using environmental forensic methods. 37th Conference on Environmental Law, ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, Keystone, CO, March 13, 2008.

• Senior Environmental Specialist, Chevron Energy Technology Company, 1989-2007

Led the Western States Petroleum Association’s effort to negotiate NPDES discharge limits for groundwater remediation systems in California.

Managed an R&D program focused on responding to the impacts of MTBE and other oxygenates in groundwater. In addition to in-house research, collaborated with USEPA, American Petroleum Institute, and university scientists. Projects ranged from bench to full-scale implementation.

Designed and operated sediment bioslurry, oily sludge composting, in-situ groundwater, and soil phytoremediation treatment systems.

Performed environmental forensic analysis of contaminated soils resulting in significant cost saving to clients.

Developed environmental forensic methods for assessing the biodegradation and leaching potential of petroleum-contaminated soils.

Acted as non-testifying expert in affected-site litigation.

Served as environmental section lead under an incident command system during oil spills.

Managed produced-water treatment systems and NPDES compliance on offshore oil rigs.

Collaborated with USEPA Region 9 and Washington State regulators to propose risk-based limits for TPH.

Provided training to regulators and consultants on a number of environmental science and engineering topics through agency-sponsored workshops, professional conferences, and university extension programs.

Developed and patented a process for extracting trace toxicants from industrial wastewater.

Developed and patented a targeted, environmentally sensitive biocide for preserving specialized petrochemical feed stocks.

Developed an innovative approach for using fertilizer-manufacturing waste as a biochemical oxidant for sediment remediation.

Worked with the Department of Energy to retrain Russian biological warfare scientists to engage in environmental research.

Conducted an evaluation of the impact of the Information Quality Act on risk-based regulatory activity of the USEPA.