Ciro Viscotti joined ArchTam 20 years ago as a graduate chemical engineer. Since then, he has developed his expertise in environmental engineering, remediation process and treatment technologies design, gaining wide-ranging experience for tackling various types of contaminants.  

He is also involved in national networks such as the Surf Italy working group within Assoreca, to promote implementation of sustainable remediation of contaminated sites and provides ESG consultancy services related to the sustainable use of water in industrial sites. Over the past few years, Ciro has been working towards environmental management and remediation of one of the most complex PFAS contaminated sites in Italy. 

What inspired you to join the industry? 

I have a background in process engineering. My curiosity about the technologies of chemical and physical transformation of matter and the ambition to design something useful for the community drove me to study engineering.  

Since my university days, I have always been intrigued by the idea of combining the engineering approach with the goals of environmental protection, sustainable management of resources and improved social outcomes.  

I therefore decided to pursue a course of study in chemical engineering with a particular focus on the aspects of industrial safety and environmental protection.  

When I joined URS in 2004, I found a dynamic and motivating environment, and the opportunity to work with an excellent technical team. I started my career as project engineer within the Environment business line, providing technical services for the conceptual, front-end engineering and final design stages of remediation systems and treatment plants. As project engineer before and as technical lead after, I had the opportunity to provide remediation services to many national and international clients and engage with leading experts and centres of excellence within the company and among key clients like Exxon, Shell and others.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?  

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work on many interesting projects. One of my recent favourites is the remediation of a former manufacturing site in Northern Italy, which produced waterproofing agents for over 50 years and contributed to the PFAS contamination of a vast portion of the aquifer, with 700 square kilometres estimated to be compromised and 350,000 citizens potentially affected by health and drinking water supply issues. This is one of the most challenging projects I have undertaken in recent times: a mixture of recalcitrant compounds, included per-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and benzotrifluorides (BTF) have been found affecting a subsoil characterized by complex geology (alluvial deposits, marly levels and calcarenitic substrates) and seasonal variability of hydrogeological conditions. 

My working group has been providing design services aimed to optimize hydraulic containment and wastewater treatment plant performance and managing the construction of physical confinement consisting of a 580-meter sheet piles wall in order to prevent clean water from entering the site, as part of the emergency measures plan for the protection of groundwater.  

Moreover, we are carrying out bench scale tests to assess the potential of innovative treatments such as advanced oxidation processes and our DE-FLUORO PFAS destruction technology. This project has given us the opportunity to collaborate with our global network of experts across Europe, the U.S. and Australia, to provide viable solutions to our client.   

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community. 

We have recently issued the final design for the reclamation of a historical industrial plant located within the urban area of the city of Brescia, Italy.  

The industrial development after World War II led the factory to expand to its current 110,000 square meters built area. Today, entirely disused, it remains in close connection with the urban area. The industrial activity in the city — dating back to the early 1900s and mainly related to the production of caustic soda and chlorine derivatives — has heavily contaminated the soil and groundwater with inorganics, polychlorinated biphenyls and pesticides. The transport of the pollutants in groundwater and through the irrigation ditches has also caused the pollution to spread outside the industrial site.  

For the past six years, I have been working on developing an integrated strategy for decommissioning and implementing remedial actions and permanent safety measures in accordance with the site redevelopment plan and the clean-up goals set by Italy’s Environmental Ministry and the local government. In a few years’ time, we aim to return part of this territory to the public for recreational use as identified by the municipal urban planning. 

Share a piece of career advice. 

Be open and curious! You can learn every day by working together with your colleagues, managers and technical experts. We have such a wide range of skills and capabilities at ArchTam, that makes each project unique and interesting!  

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Before moving to Germany, Andrew Rolfe was a project manager working in our Sydney office for 15 years, working on major site remediation projects including management of the remediation planning works at the Barangaroo development project in Sydney, which involved the remediation of the former Millers Point gasworks site.   

In 2020, Andrew moved to Germany. He recently used his remediation experience to conduct a PFAS groundwater treatment trial at a German military site to assess the highest-performing and most cost-effective remediation solution to mitigate the offsite migration of PFAS impacted groundwater.  Based on these studies, we subsequently prepare the remedial design for the groundwater remediation project – one of the first such projects in Germany. The groundwater extraction and treatment works will start later this year.   

The project also included a soil stabilization trial which assessed different adsorbents (including biochar) to stabilize PFAS-impacted soils. Because biochar is a waste by-product, it is a sustainable product and generates carbon credits. Andrew continues to work with the German biochar manufacturer to trial other types of biochar.

What inspired you to join the industry?

I studied geology in New Zealand and enjoyed field trips investigating the geological processes which formed the different landscapes. This background led me to enjoy the process of researching the history behind a site’s land use, collecting data to make good remediation decisions and planning the specific requirements of a remediation project. This involves creative thinking. We always try to find the most sustainable approach which sometimes can also be the most cost-effective solution. An example of this is the potential use of biochar for soil stabilisation works because it is a waste by-product and generates carbon credits (i.e. therefore making it cheaper than other carbon-based adsorbents). 

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

The Barangaroo development project stands out as my favourite project I’ve worked on. The transformation of neglected land into a vibrant part of Sydney, complete with new parklands, waterfront promenades and ferry terminals, has enhanced connectivity through this part of the city. 

One of the main project challenges was related to the close proximity of the former gasworks site to Sydney Harbour. This required detailed groundwater investigations to confirm to the local authorities that the proposed remediation works would appropriately protect the environment (i.e. the Harbour). 

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community. 

I’ve leveraged my remediation expertise to support a significant major global client in a high priority project in Germany (as discussed above). Our client was under pressure from the local authorities and community to take remediation action to mitigate the offsite migration of PFAS impacted groundwater.  The start of their PFAS groundwater remediation works later this year will directly improve water quality in the local river which flows through the nearby town. 

Share a piece of career advice. 

ArchTam has global expertise across a wide range of environmental remediation technologies — make good use of it! For example, the Australia team offers world-class solutions in tackling the challenges that PFAS presents in the environment and is at the forefront of developing remediation technologies. I have drawn on this global network to help provide sustainable solutions for remediation projects. Think and act globally! 

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