Associate Professor
Geomicrobiology, Organic Geochemistry, Contaminant Hydrogeology
Office: 411 Davis Hall
Phone: (815) 753-7937
Fax: (815) 753-1945
E-mail: lenczewski@niu.edu
1997-2001 Ph.D; Geological Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Advisor: Dr. Larry D. McKay
Dissertation: Biodegradation of Trichloroethylene in Fractured Shale and Saprolite
1991-1993 Master of Science; Soil, Water and Environmental Science, University of Arizona
Advisor: Dr. Charles P. Gerba
Thesis: Comparative Transport of Bacteriophage and Microspheres in an Aquifer under Forced-Gradient Conditions
1987-1991 Bachelor of Science, Microbiology, minor in Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson
Environmental Microbiology and Contaminant Hydrogeology
The central theme is the fate and transport of organic contaminants in fine-grain materials. The approach to this problem is interdisciplinary in nature, involving studies in hydrogeology, microbiology, and geochemistry. Environmental microbiology and geomicrobiology are exciting research area in geology. Much of the current research is done utilizing molecular techniques and culturing techniques used by microbiologists to investigate the community structure shifts that occur during natural attenuation of organic compounds and the influence of microorganisms on geological processes. Contaminant hydrogeology focuses on transport of organic contaminants such as MTBE, BTEX and chlorinated solvents. Investigations vary from micro- to macro-scale in locations from northern Illinois to Mexico.
Jones, L., L. Rigg, M. Lenczewski, S. Sutton, M. Newville, and M. Frank. Resubmitted. Analysis of nickel concentrations in tree cores taken from Araucaria laubenfelsii growing along an environmental gradient from maquis to rainforest in the ultramafic soils on Mont Do, New Caledonia. Pacific Science.
Lenczewski, M., L. Rigg, N. Enright, J. Tanguy, and H. Kelly. In Press for April 2009. Microbial Communities Associated with Shrubland and Rainforest in Ultramafic Soils, Mont Do, New Caledonia. Austral Ecology.
Lenczewski, M. R. Leal-Baustista, L. Rigg, H. Kelly, and C. Stiles. 2007. Spatial distribution of benzene and microorganisms after a simulated gasoline spill in loess. Conference Proceeding for the International Association of Hydrogeologist Congress.
Lenczewski, M.. R. Leal-Baustista and S. Kroll. 2007. Influence of Ethanol and MTBE on the Biodegradation and Transport of Benzene in Loess. Environmental Geosciences. v. 14; no. 3; p. 137-148.
Lenczewski, M., L. McKay, A. Pitner, and S. Driese. 2006. Pure Phase Transport and Dissolution of TCE in Sedimentary Rock Saprolite. Ground Water. 44:406-414
Leal-Baustista, R. and M. Lenczewski. 2006. Sorption of MTBE and benzene in fine-grained materials from northern Illinois and the Chalco Basin, Mexico. Environmental Geosciences. 13:31-41.
Lenczewski, M., L. McKay, and A. Layton. 2004. Anaerobic biodegradation of TCE in undisturbed columns of fractured saprolite. Ground Water. 42:534-541.
Lenczewski, M., P. Jardine, L. McKay, and A. Layton. 2003. Natural Attenuation of Trichloroethylene in Fractured Shale Bedrock. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. 64: 151-168.
McKay, L., J. Fredericia, M. Lenczewski, J. Morthorst, and K. E. S. Klint. 1999. Spatial Variability of Contaminant Transport in a Fractured Till, Avedore Denmark. Nordic Hydrology. 30:333-360.
Bales, R., S. Li, T.C.J. Yeh, M. E. Lenczewski, and C. P. Gerba. 1997. Bacteriophage and Microsphere Transport in Saturated Porous Media: Forced-Gradient Experiment at Borden, Ontario. Water Resources Research. 33: 639-648.
Hinsby, K., L. D. McKay, P. Jorgensen, M. Lenczewski, and C. Gerba. 1996. Fracture Aperture Values and Contaminant Migration in a Column of Clay Till. Ground Water. 34:1065-1075.