Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineer

Biography

Elsa Cordova has over 20 years of experience working on multiple projects in a chemistry environment. Elsa performs work on a broad range of research topics including glass dissolution chemistry, batch sorption/sorption loading and kinetics, biological geochemistry, and soil characterization in support of multiple projects. Other non-project activities include space management, activity lead, and new staff mentoring.

Elsa also interacts directly with students all year long. She loves working with young people and takes pleasure in providing guidance and hands-on learning in a lab setting.

Research Interest

  • Aqueous geochemistry
  • Experimental dissolution kinetics
  • Groundwater remediation
  • Dissolution testing (static (PCT), single pass flow through testing (SPFT)
  • Microbiological remediation methods

Education

  • B.S. Environmental Science, Heritage College, 1995
  • Graduate study in Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, 1996
  • Graduate study in Environmental Chemistry, Washington State University, 1997

Publications

2024

  • Asmussen R.M., A.M. Westesen, C. Alvarez, R.A. Peterson, E. Cordova, H.M. Cho, and S.D. Branch, et al. 2024. "The Simultaneous Removal of Technetium and Iodine from Hanford Tank Waste." Chemical Engineering Journal 490, no. _:Art. No. 151449. PNNL-SA-189635. doi:10.1016/j.cej.2024.151449
  • Reiser J., E. Cordova, J.J. Neeway, S.K. Cooley, B. Parruzot, A.A. Kruger, and J.D. Vienna. 2024. "Durability Testing of Actual Hanford Waste Glasses and their Non-Radioactive Simulant Glasses." MRS Advances 9, no. 7:409-414. PNNL-SA-192744. doi:10.1557/s43580-024-00774-8

2023

  • Asmussen R.M., A.M. Westesen, E. Cordova, A. Fujii Yamagata, P.P. Schonewill, A.C. Moore, and A. Bourchy, et al. 2023. "Iodine Removal from Carbonate-Containing Alkaline Liquids using Strong Base Resins, Hybrid Resins, and Silver Precipitation." Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research 62, no. 7:3271-3281. PNNL-SA-178096. doi:10.1021/acs.iecr.2c03527
  • Reiser J., J.J. Neeway, B. Parruzot, E. Cordova, S.K. Cooley, and J.D. Vienna. 2023. Product Consistency Test and Vapor Hydration Test Comparisons of a Radioactive Hanford Waste Glass with its Non-Radioactive Simulant Glass. PNNL-34123. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Product Consistency Test and Vapor Hydration Test Comparisons of a Radioactive Hanford Waste Glass with its Non-Radioactive Simulant Glass
  • Saslow S.A., E. Cordova, N.M. Escobedo Avalos, O. Qafoku, M.E. Bowden, C.T. Resch, and N. Lahiri, et al. 2023. "Accumulation mechanisms for contaminants on weak-base hybrid ion exchange resins." Journal of Hazardous Materials 459. PNNL-SA-167020. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132165
  • Saslow S.A., T.G. Levitskaia, E. Cordova, N.M. Avalos, D. Boglaienko, Y. Fang, and X. Song, et al. 2023. "Part I: Predicting Performance of Purolite A532E Resins for Remediation of Comingled Contaminants in Groundwater." Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 11, no. 3:Art. No. 109618. PNNL-SA-178092. doi:10.1016/j.jece.2023.109618
  • Saslow S.A., T.G. Levitskaia, E. Cordova, N.M. Avalos, D. Boglaienko, Y. Fang, and X. Song, et al. 2023. "Part II: Predicting Performance of DOWEX 21K Resin for Remediation of Comingled Contaminants in Groundwater." Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 11, no. 3:Art. No. 109620. PNNL-SA-178093. doi:10.1016/j.jece.2023.109620

2020

  • Cordova E., and E.C. Golovich. 2020. FY20 Radionuclide Migration Project Status. PNNL-30756. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. FY20 Radionuclide Migration Project Status
  • Cordova E., V.A. Garayburu-Caruso, C.I. Pearce, K.J. Cantrell, J.W. Morad, E.C. Gillispie, and B.J. Riley, et al. 2020. "Hybrid Sorbents for 129I Capture from Contaminated Groundwater." ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 12, no. 23:26113-26126. PNNL-SA-147889. doi:10.1021/acsami.0c01527
  • Pearce C.I., E. Cordova, W.L. Garcia, S.A. Saslow, K.J. Cantrell, J.W. Morad, and O. Qafoku, et al. 2020. "Evaluation of materials for iodine and technetium immobilization through sorption and redox-driven processes." Science of the Total Environment 716. PNNL-SA-138462. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136167

2019

  • Cordova E., and E.C. Golovich. 2019. FY19 Radionuclide Migration Tests. PNNL-29445. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. FY19 Radionuclide Migration Tests

2017

  • Lee B.D., M.H. Lee, M.A. Carlson, J.B. Geiger, D.L. Saunders, K.M. Bral, and E. Cordova, et al. 2017. "Characterization and Well Remediation Strategies for Improved Long-term Pump and Treat System Injection Well Performance - 17272." In Proceedings of the 43rd Annual Waste Management Conference (WM2017): Education & Opportunity in Waste Management, March 5-9, 2017, Phoenix, Arizona, 3, 1890-1904. Tempe, Arizona:Waste Management Symposia, Inc. PNNL-SA-122916.

2013

  • Hayes J.C., T.W. Bowyer, E.A. Cordova, R.R. Kirkham, A.C. Misner, K.B. Olsen, and V.T. Woods, et al. 2013. "Underground Sources of Radioactive Noble Gas." Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 296, no. 2:869-876. PNNL-SA-89975. doi:10.1007/s10967-012-2214-z

2012

  • Neeway J.J., N. Qafoku, B.D. Williams, M.M. Valenta, E.A. Cordova, S.C. Strandquist, and D.C. Dage, et al. 2012. "Single Pass Flow-Through (SPFT) Test Results of Fluidized Bed Steam Reforming (FBSR) Waste Forms used for LAW Immobilization." In Waste Management Symposium (WM 2012): Improving the Future in Waste Management, February 26 - March 1, 2012, Phoenix, Arizona, Paper No. 12252. Tucson, Arizona:Waste Management Symposia, Inc. PNNL-SA-84289.

2011

  • Foote M.W., J. Bickford, D.M. Wellman, S.V. Mattigod, E.A. Cordova, and D.P. Jansik. 2011. "Scale-up Testing-Foam as A Remedial Amendment Carrier - 11029." In WM2011: Global Achievements and Challenges in Waste Management, February 27 - March 3, 2011, Phoenix, Arizona. Tucson, Arizona:WM Symposia, Inc. PNNL-SA-77146.

2010

  • Pierce E.M., L.R. Reed, W.J. Shaw, B.P. McGrail, J.P. Icenhower, C.F. Windisch, and E.A. Cordova, et al. 2010. "Experimental Determination of the Effect of the Ratio of B/Al on Glass Dissolution along the Nepheline (NaAlSiO4) - Malinkoite (NaBSiO4) Join." Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 74. PNNL-SA-61097. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2009.09.006

2009

  • Wellman D.M., B.K. McNamara, D.H. Bacon, E.A. Cordova, R.M. Ermi, and L.M. Top. 2009. "Dissolution Kinetics of Meta-Torbernite under Circum-neutral to Alkaline Conditions." Environmental Chemistry 6, no. 6:551-560. PNNL-SA-65825.
  • Wellman D.M., C.C. Bovaird, K.E. Parker, E.A. Cordova, A.M. Davis, S.V. Mattigod, and L. Powers, et al. 2009. "Cementitious Wasteforms for Immobilization of Low-Activity Radioactive Wastes." In MRS Symposium Proceedings Series: 2009 MRS Spring Meeting - Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXXIII, May 24-29, 2009, St Petersburg, Russia, edited by BE Burakov and AS Aloy, 1193, Paper No. 349. Warrendale, Pennsylvania:Materials Research Society. PNNL-SA-66511. doi:10.1557/PROC-1193-349
  • Wellman D.M., C.C. Bovaird, K.E. Parker, S.V. Mattigod, L.N. Clayton, L. Powers, and M.I. Wood, et al. 2009. "Cementitious Wasteforms for Immobilization of Low-Activity Radioactive Wastes." In Concrete Materials: Properties, Performance and Applications, edited by JT Sentowski. 283-326. Hauppage, New York:Nova Science Publishers. PNNL-SA-68446.

2008

  • Icenhower J.P., B.P. McGrail, W.J. Shaw, E.M. Pierce, P. Nachimuthu, D.K. Shuh, and E.A. Rodriguez, et al. 2008. "Experimentally determined dissolution kinetics of Na-rich borosilicate glass at far from equilibrium conditions: Implications for Transition State Theory." Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 72, no. 12:2767-2788. PNNL-SA-56660. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2008.02.026
  • Pierce E.M., E.A. Rodriguez, L.J. Calligan, W.J. Shaw, and B.P. McGrail. 2008. "An Experimental Study of the Dissolution Rates of Simulated Aluminoborosilicate Waste Glasses as a Function of pH and Temperature under Dilute Conditions." Applied Geochemistry 23, no. 9:2559-2573. PNNL-SA-51589. doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2008.05.006
  • Pierce E.M., E.L. Richards, A.M. Davis, L.R. Reed, and E.A. Cordova. 2008. "Aluminoborosilicate Waste Glass Dissolution under Alkaline Conditions at 40°C: Implications for a Chemical Affinity-Based Rate Equation." Environmental Chemistry 5, no. 1:73-85. PNNL-SA-55565. doi:10.1071/EN07058

2007

  • Lodge A.M., E.M. Pierce, D.M. Wellman, and E.A. Cordova. 2007. "Effect of pH on the dissolution kinetics of zero-valent iron in the presence of EDDHA and EDTA." In Preprints of extended abstracts presented at the 233rd ACS National Meeting, American Chemical Society, Division of Environmental Chemistry, edited by G. Coimbatore, 47, 101-109. Washington, D.C., District Of Columbia:American Chemical Spciety, Division of Environmental Chemistry. PNNL-SA-57100.
  • Pierce E.M., D.M. Wellman, A.M. Lodge, and E.A. Rodriguez. 2007. "Experimental Determination of the Dissolution Kinetics of Zero-Valent Iron in the Presence of Organic Complexants." Environmental Chemistry 4, no. 4:260-270. PNNL-SA-51341. doi:10.1071/EN07004

2006

  • Icenhower J.P., D.M. Strachan, B.P. McGrail, R.D. Scheele, E.A. Rodriguez, J.L. Steele, and V.L. LeGore. 2006. "Dissolution kinetics of pyrochlore ceramics for the disposition of plutonium." The American Mineralogist 91, no. 1:39-53. PNNL-SA-47458.

2004

  • Icenhower J.P., A. Luttge, B.P. McGrail, M.S. Beig, R.S. Arvidson, E.A. Cordova, and J.L. Steele, et al. 2004. "Results of Vertical Scanning Interferometry (VSI) of Dissolved Borosilicate Glass: Evidence for Variable Surface Features and Global Surface Retreat." In Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXVI, edited by Robert J. Finch and Daniel B. Bullen. 119-126. Warrendale, Pennsylvania:Materials Research Society. PNNL-SA-39335.
  • Pierce E.M., B.P. McGrail, J.P. Icenhower, E.A. Cordova, J.L. Steele, and S.R. Baum. 2004. "Kinetic Rate Law Parameter Measurements on a Borosilicate Waste Glass: Effect of Temperature, pH, and Solution Composition on Alkali Ion Exchange." In American Chemical Society Division of Environmental Chemistry. Preprints of extended abstracts presented at the 228th ACS National Meeting, Philadelphia, PA August 22-26, 2004, 44, 1151-1158. Washington, District Of Columbia:American Chemical Society. PNNL-SA-41693.

2003

  • Icenhower J.P., A. Luttge, B.P. McGrail, M.S. Beig, R.S. Arvidson, E.A. Cordova, and J.L. Steele, et al. 2003. "Results of Vertical Scanning Interferometry (VSI) of Dissolved Borosilicate Glass: Evidence for Variable Surface Features and Global Surface Retreat." In Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Mangement XXVI: symposium held December 2-5, 2002, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings, edited by Robert J. Finch; Daniel B. Bullen, 757, 119-126. Warrendale, Pennsylvania:Materials Research Society. PNNL-SA-43471.
  • Icenhower J.P., W.J. Weber, N.J. Hess, S. Thevuthasan, B.D. Begg, B.P. McGrail, and E.A. Cordova, et al. 2003. "Experimental Determination of Dissolution Kinetics of Zr-Substituted Gd-Ti Pyrochlore Ceramics: Influence of Chemistry on Corrosion Resistance." In Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXVI, Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings, edited by RJ Finch and DB Bullen, 757, 227-234, paper no. II6.1. Warrendale, Pennsylvania:Materials Research Society. PNNL-SA-38707.

2002

  • Icenhower J.P., B.P. McGrail, D.M. Strachan, R.D. Scheele, V.L. Legore, E.A. Cordova, and J.L. Steele, et al. 2002. "Experimental Determination of the Dissolution Kinetics of Plutonium- and Uranium-Bearing Ceramics at 90 degrees C." In Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXV, Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings, edited by B.P. McGrail and G.A. Cragnolino, 713, 433-440 paper no. JJ11.38. Warrendale, Pennsylvania:Materials Research Society. PNNL-SA-31781.
  • Icenhower J.P., B.P. McGrail, W.J. Weber, B.D. Begg, N.J. Hess, E.A. Cordova, and J.L. Steele, et al. 2002. "Dissolution of A2Ti2O7 (A = Y3?, Gd3?, or Lu3?) Pyrochlore by Experiment at pH = 2, T = 90 C: Evidence for Solubility Control Using a Linear Free Energy Model." In Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXV, Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings, edited by BP McGrail and GA Cragnolino, 713, 397-403 paper no. JJ6.2. Warrendale, Pennsylvania:Materials Research Society. PNNL-SA-36247.
  • McGrail B.P., J.P. Icenhower, and E.A. Cordova. 2002. "Origins of Discrepancies Between Kinetic Rate Law Theory and Experiments in the Na2O-B2O3-SiO2 System." In Scientific basis for nuclear waste management XXV: Symposium held November 26-29, 2001, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, edited by McGrail, B.P. and Cragnolino, G. A., 713, 537-546. Warrendale, Pennsylvania:Materials Research Society. PNNL-SA-37364.

2000

  • Icenhower J.P., B.P. McGrail, H.T. Schaef, and E.A. Cordova. 2000. "Dissolution Kinetics of Titanium Pyrochlore Ceramics at 90?C by Single-Pass Flow-Through Experiments." In Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXIII, edited by R.W. Smith and D.W. Shoesmith, 23, 373-378. Warrendale, Pennsylvania:Materials Research Society. PNNL-SA-31804.