ATOKA Bioremediation Project

Staff Writer • April 20, 2016

ATOKA provided conventional remediation and in-situ bioremediation services for a confidential client in Bentonville, Arkansas during 2014 - 2015. The primary contaminant was tetrachloroethylene (PCE), a solvent used in dry cleaning fluids. The contaminant was found from the ground surface to the water table at approximately 27 feet below ground surface. ATOKA provided all site characterization services, remediation design and remediation oversight. Actual remediation was subcontracted under the supervision of ATOKA. Conventional remediation included the excavation of contaminated soils to approximately 15 feet below ground surface. The remaining depth to bedrock, including the perched groundwater aquifer was treated in-situ using a commercial mixture of bioremediation and oxidizing agents.

This bioremediation project utilized injected microbial organisms that accelerated the natural breakdown of PCE to ethene, a simple hydrocarbon with low toxicity that biodegrades quickly in the presence of oxygen and sunlight and is unlikely to adversely affect terrestrial life (DOW, 2014). The chemical breakdown occurs by the transformation of the PCE molecule to trichloroethylene (TCE), then to dichloroethylene (DCE), then to Vinyl Chloride (VC), and finally to ethene.

The chemical concentrations of the breakdown process were monitored on a weekly basis and then monitoring was reduced to a monthly basis. The core area of concern had PCE concentrations reduced by more than 90 percent within only a few weeks. Each of the breakdown chemicals expected was identified and graphed to assure that the remediation process was taking place as expected. This particular method of remediation is highly effective, and commonly used, for chlorinated solvents, such as PCE, select toxic metals, nitrated explosives, perchlorate and nitrate.

Dow, 2014. Product Safety Assessment Ethylene Form No. 233-00280-MM-0714X, The Dow Chemical Company, revised July 1, 2014.

Meet the New Member of the ATOKA Team

By Master Account • January 5, 2017
Mr. Burroughs is a Project Manager in the ATOKA office in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He is both a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) and a licensed General Contractor (GC). He has both engineering and construction experience in commercial and residential building, site development, storm water management and drainage. Aaron has 30+ years of experience with roughly 15 years in construction and 15 years in engineering. Mr. Burroughs’ civil engineering and structural design experience included steel, steel reinforced concrete, site layout, land development, storm water management, solid waste facility design and permitting, and regulatory compliance. He has utility design and distribution experience in water, wastewater, gas, power and communications. Aaron has public and private work experience in road, bridge, and culvert design

Dr. Jerry Overton Receives 2016 OSU A&S Distinguished Alumni Award 

By Staff Writer • June 14, 2016
Dr. Jerry Overton, one of ATOKA Inc.'s founding partners, was honored by the Oklahoma State University College of Arts & Sciences (A&S) with a 2016 A&S Distinguished Alumni Award. He was nominated by the Geography Department. A&S says Dr. Overton was chosen because his "life and achievements have demonstrated a record of distinguished service in [his] community, and extraordinary achievement in a particular discipline, organization, or cause." Dr. Overton started ATOKA, Inc. in 1994, and along with Joe Henry and Cliff McBryde, combined companies into ATOKA, Inc. in 1996. This unique combination resulted in experience and expertise for just about any basic civil/environmental engineering or environmental project. ATOKA currently provides services from offices in Hot Springs and Little Rock with a satellite office in El Dorado, Arkansas. A banquet set to honor Dr. Overton and the other 2016 nominees is set for September 9 at the OSU Stillwater campus.

Meet the New Member of the Atoka Team

By Staff Writer • March 2, 2016
Stacey Leichliter is the Office Manager and Project Hydrogeologist in the ATOKA offices in El Dorado, Arkansas. She has a BS in Geology / Geophysics and an MS in Geology. Ms. Leichliter has more than eight years of professional experience. She has provided Project Management and Marketing for the firms she has represented. Ms. Leichliter will provide Office Management, Marketing and Environmental services for the El Dorado, Arkansas offices. If you are looking for environmental engineering consulting services in Hot Springs, Little Rock, El Dorado, or all of Arkansas, call Atoka today at 501-712-5159.

Identifying Risks for Asbestos

By Staff Writer • December 1, 2015
Atoka, Inc. can help with the survey, testing, and management of Asbestos. When asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), begin to crumble, they can be a major health hazard. We can quickly identify and document any ACMs in your property and plan for any necessary abatement. ACMs are often hard to identify, but our certified inspectors can provide proper assistance. Contact Atoka, Inc. today so we can provide you with the healthiest and most economical choices for your next project.

Atoka, Inc - Learn About Our Arkansas-Based Firm

By Social Media • November 10, 2015
ATOKA, Inc. is an Arkansas-based, full service engineering and environmental consulting firm providing a wide range of services to private industry and government agencies. ATOKA is also the name of a major geological formation found within the central United States (photo to right). At ATOKA, our goal is to meet the needs and desires of every client in the most efficient and effective way possible. Our experienced engineers, scientists, and specialists take the guesswork out of environmental compliance and provide the highest quality design and permitting services available. The name ATOKA was adopted from the Native American heritage shared by the owners. The name is derived from the Choctaw language and means “fair playing field” in the game of stickball. The name portrays the company’s objectives of conducting work professionally with honesty and integrity. ATOKA, Inc. was incorporated in 1994, and expanded in 1996, through the combining of companies owned by Joe Henry, Cliff McBryde, and Jerry Overton. This unique combination created a company with experience and expertise in just about any basic engineering or environmental project you could imagine. ATOKA currently provides services from offices in Hot Springs and Little Rock with a satellite office in El Dorado, Arkansas. Our corporate headquarters is in Hot Springs and our Analytical Laboratory is located in the Little Rock office.