| water environment
international |
ROSS TALBOT NICKSON, M.Sc.
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Contact information
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Address: Torwood House, Port Elphinstone, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland,
UK, AB51 3UE.
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Tel: + 44 (0) 1467 621484
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Email: rnickson@bicn.com
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EDUCATION
1997, M.Sc. Hydrogeology and Groundwater
Resources, University College London. Hydrogeological training
including groundwater flow theory, analysis of pumping test results, groundwater
geochemistry, applications of geophysics, contamination and solute transport,
geotechnics and groundwater modelling. Software used includes Flowpath, Modflow,
S-test and P-test.
Independent M.Sc. Research Project - "Arsenic in Groundwater, Central
Bangladesh." Mark 70%. An intensive five-month study of the
arsenic problem in Bangladesh was conducted in conjunction with Dhaka University
and Mott MacDonald. This lead to a thorough knowledge of the geology and
hydrogeology of Bangladesh and involved close contact with government
departments and non-governmental organisations. Water and sediment samples were
collected and associated wellhead measurements taken. The samples were analysed
in the UCL laboratory using atomic absorption spectrometry and other state of
the art techniques. Important findings of this study included: discovery of the
previously unrecognised mechanism by which arsenic enters groundwater,
delineation of the affected area and formulation of potential solutions.
1996, B.Sc. (Hons) Geology and
Geography, University of Glasgow. Grade 2:1. Specialisations
- sedimentology, fluvial and coastal geomorphology, hydrogeology, petroleum
geology. Final year thesis - mapping and interpretation of "The Geology of
S.E. Cowal, Scotland." Additional studies - Archaeology (1st Year).
LANGUAGES
Spoken : English, French, Bengali
Written : English, French
HISTORY OF EMPLOYMENT AND ASSIGNMENTS
| April 2000- Present |
Consultant for Water and Environmental
Sanitation Section, UNICEF, Bangladesh. Currently undertaking a
nine-month consultancy with the WES section of UNICEF Bangladesh. Responsible
for drawing together lessons learnt from the arsenic mitigation activities
undertaken in 5 sub-districts, evaluating the strategy followed and designing
a strategy for future mitigation activities in 20 sub-districts. Assisted in
preparation of several funding proposals, one of which resulted in $2.5
million for the program. Organised a workshop entitled "Deeper aquifers
of Bangladesh - a review meeting attended by over 30 international and
national experts. Providing technical advice to UNICEF staff, government
counterparts and NGO partners, and representing UNICEF in various forums and
technical discussions.
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| Aug 1999- Mar 2000 |
Visiting Research Associate, at Bangladesh
Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC), Bangladesh. Mainly concerned
with a project entitled 'Action Research into Community Based Arsenic
Mitigation.' Responsible for providing technical advice on the arsenic
problem, supervision and co-ordination of field testing for arsenic and
implementation and assessment of alternative safe water options including:
pond sand filters for surface water; rain water harvesting systems; home based
candle filters for groundwater and dug wells. Frequent liaison with donor
agency and field level staff required.
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| Oct 1997–May 1999 |
Hydrogeologist for Dong
Ah Consortium on the Great Man Made River Project, Libya. The well
drilling department was responsible for drilling, casing, development and
testing of 500 deep water wells in the Northern Sahara desert. Twelve rotary
drilling rigs and six service rigs (development and testing) were operating
over two well fields. Responsibilities included supervision of service rigs,
geophysical units and site laboratory, preparation of completion reports and
liaison with client, consultant and subcontractor. More specifically:·
- Airlift development, sterilisation and overpumping with submersible
pump.
- Step and constant discharge pumping tests and analysis.
- Wireline logging with Robertson Geologging Pro-logger including 3 and 4
arm calipers, natural gamma, normal resistance, spontaneous potential,
dual neutron, gamma density, CBL, temperature/conductivity, borehole
geometry, flowmeter and CCTV.
- On-site chemical and biological water analysis using HACH and App-Chem
equipment.
- Lithological descriptions to ASTM D 2488.
- Training of Libyan geologists in practical hydrogeology.
- Use of CTL II data logging equipment and Magellan GPS for navigation.
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| Jul–Sep
1996
Dec–Jan
1995-6
Jul–Sep
1995 |
Student Engineer at Babtie Geotechnical,
Glasgow. Mainly concerned with a large scale de-watering scheme.
Responsible for writing specification for the design implementation i.e.
siting of wells and piezometers, well construction details, pumping test
requirements, schedule of works and bill of quantities. Site supervision of
well installation, pumping tests and a CCTV survey. Often called upon to liase
with the client and various contractors on site and in the office. Involved in
a variety of other projects including:
- Feasibility study for a golf course water supply - analysis of available
geological data.
- Strengthening of a harbour wall - fluid flow calculations and flownet
construction.
- Preparation of a geotechnical constraints map - desk study with site
walkover survey and supervision and logging of trial pitting operation.
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PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Fellow of the Geological Society of London
PUBLICATIONS
Nickson R. et al. (2000) Combating a deadly menace - Early experiences
with a community-based arsenic mitigation project in Bangladesh, BRAC Research
Monograph Series No. 16, Dhaka.
Nickson R. et al. (2000) Mechanism of Arsenic Poisoning of
Groundwater, Bangladesh and West Bengal, Applied Geochemistry Vol. 15, No. 4, pp
403-413.
Nickson R. et al. (1998) Arsenic
poisoning of Bangladesh groundwater, Nature 395, pp 338.
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