Dr. Soderberg’s expertise covers isotope hydrology, environmental geochemistry, ecohydrology, and human impacts on ecosystems. His experience, including five years in sub-Saharan Africa, has involved project development, field and laboratory chemistry, analysis of satellite imagery, geochemical modeling, and management of large datasets. Through the combination of rapid in situ measurements of water isotopes and eddy covariance flux technology, Dr. Soderberg has helped advance the understanding of evapotranspiration dynamics in semi-arid lands. He has also utilized multiple stable and radiogenic isotope tracers to determine the impacts of atmospheric inputs on ecosystem functioning.

With SSP&A, Dr. Soderberg has had extensive experience with environmental forensics, allocation of remedial costs, site characterization, and the evaluation of remedial alternatives. These projects have involved the characterization and remediation of groundwater, surface water, soil, and sediments. Some of the chemical constituents that Dr. Soderberg has evaluated (e.g., for source identification, background determination, fate and transport) include perchlorate, pharmaceuticals, radionuclides, per/polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and dioxins/furans.

EDUCATION
  • PhD, Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, 2010
  • MSc, Environmental Geochemistry, University of Cape Town, 2003
  • BSE, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, 2000
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
  • Isotope Hydrology
  • Biogeochemistry
  • Ecohydrology
  • Field Instrumentation
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Environmental Forensics
AWARDS AND HONORS
  • Top Downloaded Paper, Ecohydrology: 2018-2019
  • AGU Citation for Excellence in Reviewing, JGR-Biogeosciences: 2018
  • Buckner W. Clay Fellowship, University of Virginia, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences: 2009
  • G.A. Harris Fellowship, Decagon Devices, Inc.: 2009
  • Michael Garstang Award for Interdisciplinary Research in Atmospheric Sciences, University of Virginia, Department of Environmental Sciences: 2008
  • Huskey Research Symposium Award, University of Virginia: 2008
  • Fulbright Scholarship, Desert Research Foundation of Namibia: 2006
APPOINTMENTS AND COMMITTEES
  • 2013–2023: Reviewer for Journal of Hydrology
  • 2023: Reviewer for Agricultural and Forest Meteorology Journal
  • 2022: Proposal Reviewer for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, STAR Program
  • 2015–2022: Reviewer for Journal of Geophysical Research – Biogeosciences
  • 2021: Reviewer for Scientific Data Journal
  • 2013–2021: Reviewer for Geoderma
  • 2012–2020: Reviewer for Ecohydrology
  • 2018: External PhD Committee Member, Department of Earth Sciences, IUPUI
  • 2017–2018: Reviewer for Journal of Geophysical Research – Atmospheres
  • 2015: Reviewer for Hydrological Processes
  • 2013: Proposal Reviewer for the National Science Foundation, Hydrologic Sciences
  • 2011: Reviewer for Geophysical Research Letters
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
  • International Association of Geochemistry (IAG)
  • National Ground Water Association (NGWA)
  • American Geophysical Union (AGU)
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS
Managed Aquifer Recharge Geochemical Evaluations in Basalts2024-10-09T18:55:20+00:00
Columbia River Gorge

Managed Aquifer Recharge Geochemical Evaluations in Basalts

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Agricultural Aquifer Storage and Recovery Geochemical Modeling2024-10-09T18:26:12+00:00
Scenic tomato field in California's Central Valley

Agricultural Aquifer Storage and Recovery Geochemical Modeling

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Coronet Industries Alternative Site2024-10-30T17:08:50+00:00
Coronet Industries Site – Main Plant and Pond 1S

Coronet Industries Alternative Site

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State of Minnesota vs. 3M Company2024-10-09T19:01:07+00:00
Minnesota vs. 3M scenic

State of Minnesota vs. 3M Company

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PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS (*Peer-Reviewed Journal)

  • *Carey, G.R., Anderson, R.H., Van Geel, P., McGregor, R., Soderberg, K., Danko, A., Hakimabadi, S.G., Pham, A.L.-T., Rebeiro-Tunstall, M. 2024. Alternatives analysis for in situ remediation of a large PFAS plume and source area. Remediation Journal: v. 34, no. 1, e21772. doi: 10.1002/rem.21772

  • *Zahn, E., E. Bou-Zeid, S. Good, G.G. Katul, C.K. Thomas, K. Ghannam, J.A. Smith, M. Chamecki, N.L. Dias, J.D. Fuentes, J.G. Alfieri, H. Kwon, K. Caylor, Z. Gao, K. Soderberg, N.E. Bambach, L.E. Hipps, J.H. Prueger and W.P. Kustas, 2022. Direct Partitioning of Eddy-Covariance Water Vapor and Carbon Dioxide Fluxes into Ground and Plant Components. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology: v. 315: 108790. doi: 10.1016/j.agrformet.2021.108790

  • *Henschel, J. R., T. D. Wassenaar, A. Kanandjembo, M. K. Louw, G. Neef, T. Shuuya, and K. Soderberg, 2019. Roots point to water sources of Welwitschia mirabilis in a hyperarid desert. Ecohydrology. e2039, vol 12, no. 1. doi: 10.1002/eco.2039

  • *Li, S., N.E. Levin, K. Soderberg, K.J. Dennis, and K.K. Caylor, 2017. Triple Oxygen Isotope Composition of Leaf Water in Mpala, central Kenya. Earth and Planetary Science Letters: 468, 38-50. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2017.02.015

  • *Chambers, L.G., et al., 2016. Developing the Scientific Framework for Urban Geochemistry. Applied Geochemistry, v. 67, pp. 1-20. doi: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2016.01.005

  • Soderberg, K., D.P. McCarthy and R.J-C. Hennet, 2015. Volatilization of Polychlorinated Biphenyls: Implication for their Distribution, Forensics and Toxicity in Urban Environments. Presentation at the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, November 1-4, 2015, Baltimore, MD.

  • Hennet, R.J-C. and K. Soderberg, 2015. Pharmaceutical Fingerprinting as a Dating Tool for Recent Sediments. Contaminated Sediments: Environmental Chemistry, Ecotoxicology and Engineering. Ascona, Switzerland, March 8-13, 2015.

  • *Soderberg, K., J. Henschel, R.J. Swap, and S.A. Macko, 2014. Sulphur Isotopes in the Central Namib Desert Ecosystem. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, v. 69, no.3, pp. 217-223. doi: 10.1080/0035919X.2014.976778

  • *Good, S.P., K. Soderberg, K. Guan, E.G. King, T. Scanlon, and K.K. Caylor, 2014. δ2H Isotopic Flux Partitioning of Evapotranspiration over a Grass Field Following a Water Pulse and Subsequent Dry Down. Water Resources Research, v. 50, no. 2, pp. 1410-1432. doi: 10.1002/2013WR014333

  • Soderberg, K., and R. J-C. Hennet, 2014. Using Raw Chromatographic Data for PCB Source Allocation. Presentation at the IAGC Urban Geochemistry Working Group Meeting, August 5-6, 2014, Columbus, OH.

  • Dennis, K.J., K.K. Caylor, K. Soderberg, S. Li, N. Levin, T. Cerling, and M. Bende, 2014. Reconstructing Terrestrial Environments Using Oxygen Isotopes in Biogenic Apatite: A Modern Case Study from Mpala and Tsavo, Kenya. Presentation at the Goldschmidt Conference, Sacramento, CA.

  • Soderberg, K. and R.J-C. Hennet. 2014. Detection of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment: History of use as a Forensic Tool. in Goldstein, W. ed., Pharmaceutical Accumulation the Environment: Prevention, Control, Health Effects and Economic Impact. CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL. 262 pp.

  • Mihm, K., K. Soderberg, M. Nelson, S. Britt, 2014. Passive Grab Sampling for Dissolved Methane at Depth with the Sealed in-situ Snap Sampler Device. Presentation at the National Ground Water Association, Groundwater Summit, Denver, CO.

  • *Soderberg, K., Good, S P., L. Wang, M. O’Connor, K. Ryan, and K K. Caylor, 2013. Using Atmospheric Trajectories to Model the Isotopic Composition of Rainfall in Central Kenya. Ecosphere, v. 4, art. 33. doi: 10.1890/ES12-00160.1

  • *Wang, L., S. Niu, S.P. Good, K. Soderberg, X. Zhou, J. Xia, R.A. Sherry, Y. Luo, K K. Caylor, and M.F. McCabe, 2013. The Effect of Warming on Grassland Evapotranspiration Partitioning Using Laser-based Isotope Monitoring Techniques. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 111, pp. 28-38. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2012.12.047

  • Soderberg, K., C. Gerlein, P.C. Kemeney, and K.K. Caylor, 2013. Isotopic Equilibrium Between Precipitation and Water Vapor: Evidence from Continental Rains in Central Kenya. Presentation at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting, Abstract GC13A-1057.

  • Li, S., N. Levin, K. Soderberg, K.J. Dennis, and K.K. Caylor, 2013. The Triple Oxygen Isotope Composition of Leaf Waters in Mpala, Central Kenya. Presentation at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting, Abstract PP23C-1976.

  • Gerlein, C., K. Soderberg, P.C. Kemeney, and K.K. Caylor, 2013. Rain-Vapor Isotopic Equilibrium in Central Kenya. Presentation at the First International Workshop on Advances in Observations, Models and Measurement Techniques of Atmospheric Water Vapor Isotopes. October 17, 2013. CNRS, France.

  • Good, S., M. O’Connor, K. Soderberg, L. Wang, and K. Caylor, 2013. Analysis of the Distribution of the Isotopic Composition of Evapotranspiration Flux in a Semi-arid Savanna. Presentation at the EGU General Assembly, Vienna, Austria. Abstract EGU2013-9991.

  • *Soderberg, K., S.P. Good, L. Wang, and K.K. Caylor, 2012. Stable Isotopes of Water Vapor in the Vadose Zone: A Review of Measurement and Modeling Techniques. Vadose Zone Journal, v. 11, no. 3. doi: 10.2136/vzj2011.0165

  • *Good, S.P., K. Soderberg, L. Wang, and K.K. Caylor, 2012. Uncertainties in the Assessment of the Isotopic Composition of Surface Fluxes: A Direct Comparison of Techniques Using Laser-based Water Vapor Isotope Analyzers. Journal of Geophysical Research – Atmospheres. v. 117, D15301. doi: 10.1029/2011JD017168

  • *Eckardt, F., K. Soderberg, L.J. Coop, A. Muller, K.J. Vickery, R.D. Grandin, C. Jack, T.S. Kapalanga, and J. Henschel, 2012. The Nature of Moisture at Gobabeb in the Central Namib Desert. Journal of Arid Environments. doi: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2012.01.011

  • Soderberg, K., J.M. Gitonga, and K.K. Caylor, 2012. Establishing a Water Isotope Framework for Investigating Ecosystem Functioning and Agricultural Water Use in Central Kenya. Presentation at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting, Abstract H34B-04.

  • Evans, T., M. Cox, P. McCord, K.K. Caylor, C. Washington-Ottombre, K. Soderberg, and S. Sadri, 2012. Water Governance, Agricultural Development and Community-level Resilience to Climate Change. Presentation at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting, Abstract H14F-02.

  • Soderberg, K., S.P. Good, L. Wang, and K.K. Caylor, 2012. Soil Water Vapor Isotopes as a Tool for Understanding Ecohydrological Processes. Presentation at the 22nd V. M. Goldschmidt Conference, Montreal, Canada

  • Soderberg, K., S.P. Good, M. O’Connor, E.G. King, and K.K. Caylor, 2012. Evapotranspiration Partitioning in a Semi-arid African Savanna Using Stable Isotopes of Water Vapor. Geophysical Research Abstracts, EGU2012.

  • Caylor, K.K., S.P. Good, K. Soderberg, and E. King, 2011. Isotope Based Landscape-scale Transpiration Measurements. Presentation at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting, Abstract B23E-07.

  • Good, S.P., K. Soderberg, L. Wang, and K.K. Caylor, 2011, Uncertainty in Measurements of dET. Presentation at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting, Abstract B24B-02.

  • Soderberg, K., J. Henschel, and S.A. Macko, 2011. Using Stable Isotopes to Understand Survival Strategies of the Living Fossil, Welwitschia Mirabilis. Presentation at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting, Abstract V13A-2579.

  • Good, S.P., K. Soderberg, L. Wang, K. Ryan, M. O’Connor and K.K. Caylor, 2011. Air Mass Trajectory Influence on East African Rainfall Isotopic Composition. Presentation at Isoscapes 2011, Purdue University, Indiana.

  • Good, S.P., K. Soderberg, L. Wang, and K.K. Caylor, 2011. A Direct Comparison of Stable Isotope Evapotranspiration Flux Measurement Techniques with Closed Path Water Vapor Isotope Analysers. Presentation at the 9th International Symposium on Applied Isotope Geochemistry, Tarragona, Spain.

  • Soderberg, K., S.P. Good, L. Wang, and K.K. Caylor, 2011. Soil Water Vapor Isotopes: Combining Continuous Field Measurements with Experimental and Modeling Approaches in a Semi-Arid Ecosystem. Presentation at the 9th International Symposium on Applied Isotope Geochemistry, Tarragona, Spain.

  • Soderberg, K., S.P. Good, L. Wang, and K.K. Caylor. 2011. Using the Stable Isotopes of Water in the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum as a Basis for Understanding Ecosystem Functioning in a Semi-Arid African Savanna. Presentation at the symposium: Hydrogen Isotopes as Environmental Recorders, Orleans, France.

  • Soderberg, K., L. Wang, S. Good, and K.K. Caylor, 2011. Measurement of Soil Water Vapor Isotopes for Evapotranspiration Partitioning. Geophysical Research Abstracts, v. 13, EGU2011.

  • Soderberg, K., J. Henschel, R. Swap, and S. Macko, 2011. Environmental Controls on C, N and S Cycling in Plants of the Namib Desert. Geophysical Research Abstracts, v. 13, EGU2011.

  • Good, S.P., K. Soderberg, G. Kaiyu, E.G. King, and K.K. Caylor, 2011. Savanna Grassland Transpiration Fluxes After Water Pulses Assessed Using Stable Isotope and Eddy Covariance Techniques. Presentation at the Conference on the Roles of Stable Isotopes in Water Cycle Research. Keystone, CO.

  • Caylor, K.K., L. Wang, S. Good, and K. Soderberg, 2011. Evapotranspiration Dynamics in a Semi-Arid Savanna Using Continuous Water Vapor Isotopes from the Eddy Covariance Flux Tower at Mpala Research Centre, Kenya. Presentation at the 9th Annual Savanna Science Network Meeting, Skukuza, South Africa.

  • Soderberg, K., J. Henschel, K. Billmark, R.J. Swap, and S.A. Macko, 2010. Multiple Stable Isotope Tracers of Fog Use by Namib Desert Plants. Geophysical Research Abstracts, v. 12, EGU2010.

  • Soderberg, K., 2010. The Role of Fog in the Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry of the Namib Desert. PhD Dissertation, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia.

  • Soderberg, K., R.J. Swap, and S.A. Macko, 2009. Fog-Aerosol Interactions in the Coastal Namib Desert. Eos Transactions, v. 90, no. 52, Fall Meeting Supplement. Abstract A51D-0138.

  • Macko, S.A., K. Soderberg, J. Henschel, K. Billmark, and R.J. Swap, 2009. Linking Fog Water Use by Plants in the Coastal Namib Desert to Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles along Aridity Gradients. Eos Transactions, v. 90, no. 52, Fall Meeting Supplement. Abstract B51A-0291.

  • Soderberg, K., J. Henschel, K. Billmark, and S.A. Macko, 2009. Fog as a Supplemental Water Source for Plants in the Central Namib Desert. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 41, no. 7, p. 464.

  • Soderberg, K., J. Henschel, and S.A. Macko, 2008. Aridity and Fog Deposition as Controls on C3/CAM Photosynthesis and N-cycling in Welwitschia mirabilis. Eos Transactions, v. 89, no. 53, Fall Meeting Supplement. Abstract B23C-0439.

  • Soderberg, K., J. Henschel, and S.A. Macko, 2008. Water Relations of a Welwitschia mirabilis Community Threatened by Mining in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia. Presentation at the Society for Conservation Biology 22nd Annual Meeting, Chattanooga, TN.

  • *Soderberg, K., and J. Compton, 2007. Dust as a Nutrient Source for Fynbos Ecosystems, South Africa. Ecosystems, v. 10, no. 4, pp. 550-561. doi:10.1007/s10021-007-9032-0

  • *Soderberg, K., and R.J-C. Hennet, 2007. Uncertainty and Trend Analysis—Radium in Groundwater and Drinking Water. Groundwater Monitoring and Remediation, v. 27, no. 4, pp. 122-129. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-6592.2007.00167.x

  • Soderberg, K., 2007. Fog Interactions with Surface Ecosystems of the Central Namib Desert and Potential Fog-Aerosol Feedbacks: Initial Ideas. in Benito G, Todd S, eds., Book of Abstracts: Groundwater Recharge in Ephemeral Rivers of Southern Africa: Implications for Water Management. Cape Town, South Africa. p 22.

  • Soderberg, K., R.J-C. Hennet, and C. Muffels, 2005. Uncertainty and Trend Analysis for Radium in Groundwater and Drinking Water. Presentation at the 2005 NGWA Naturally Occurring Contaminants Conference: Arsenic, Radium, Radon, and Uranium, Charleston, SC. pp.30-44.

  • Soderberg, K., 2003. Geochemistry of the Fynbos Ecosystem in a Table Mountain Group Sub-Catchment of the Olifants River, Western Cape, South Africa. MS Thesis. University of Cape Town, South Africa.

  • Compton, J.S., and K. Soderberg, 2003. Water Quality and Geochemistry of the Mountain Fynbos Ecosystem in the Vicinity of Citrusdal, South Africa. Eos Transactions, v. 84, no. 46, Fall Meeting Supplement. Abstract H41D-1038.

  • Soderberg, K., and J.S. Compton, 2003. Dust Deposition as a Nutrient Source for Fynbos Ecosystems, South Africa. Eos Transactions, v. 84, no. 46, Fall Meeting Supplement. Abstract B21F-0781.

  • Soderberg, K., and J.S. Compton, 2002. Chemical Interactions Between Groundwater and Surface Ecosystems: An Example from the Table Mountain Group in the Olifants River Valley. Proceedings of the Geological Society of South Africa Regional Groundwater Conference, Somerset West, South Africa.

  • Soderberg, K., 2000. Sustainable Water Resource Development in North-Central Namibia. Proceedings of the American Water Works Association Section Meeting, Atlantic City, NJ.

  • Soderberg, K., 2000. Approaches to the Study of Water Resources in North-Central Namibia. BSE Thesis: Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Princeton University, Princeton, NJ.

DEPOSITION & TESTIMONY EXPERIENCE

DEPOSITIONS

  • 2023 – New Indy Emissions Litigation. United States District Court, District of South Carolina, Rock Hill Division. Civil Action Nos. 0:21-cv-1480-SAL and 0:21-cv-1704-SAL. October 3. Washington, D.C.

  • 2017 – State of Minnesota v. 3M. 27-CV-10-28862. Expert Report filed September. Deposition October 4. Washington, D.C.

TESTIMONY

  • 2018 – Tethyan Copper Company Pty Limited (TCC) v. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan. International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Case No. 18347/VRO/AGF/ZF/AYZ. Expert Report filed July 24. London, UK.

  • 2018 – Tethyan Copper Company Pty Limited (TCC) v. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan. International Center for Investment Disputes (ICSID) Case No. ARB/12/11. Expert Report filed April 30. In-person testimony May 19. London, UK.

  • 2014 – Before the Illinois Pollution Control Board. R14-10 (Rulemaking – Water). Coal Combustion Waste (CCW) Ash Ponds and Surface Impoundments at Power Generating Facilities. Proposed New 35 Ill. Adm. Code 841. Pre-filed testimony April 9. In-person testimony May 14-15 and July 24. Chicago, IL.