Thinking ahead: Science-based NAPL remediation with Parisa Jourabchi

Navigating remediation decisions confidently at complex contaminated sites takes creative solutions and approaches. For Parisa Jourabchi, PhD, PEng, the answer lies at the intersection of science, data and practical decision-making. Throughout her career, she has focused on helping organizations better understand environmental challenges beneath the surface, translating complex technical information into remediation strategies that are effective, sustainable and grounded in science. 

Now joining GHD as Technical Director, Petroleum Releases & NAPL Remediation, Parisa brings a multidisciplinary perspective shaped by experience in academia, consulting, applied research and entrepreneurship. Her work has centered on understanding how contaminants behave in the subsurface and how advanced assessment methods, modeling and emerging technologies can help advance site assessment and remediation, support the development of guidance and standards and make informed long-term decisions.

Petroleum releases and NAPL-impacted sites remain a significant environmental challenge across many sectors. While such sites can present long-term liabilities, continued efforts to remove NAPL can become increasingly resource-intensive without a proportionate reduction in risk. 

For organizations managing contaminated sites, understanding the difference is critical. Effective remediation begins with developing a strong conceptual understanding of site conditions, contaminant behaviour and the factors influencing risk. These insights help project teams evaluate remedial options, identify data gaps and make informed decisions throughout a site's lifecycle. 

Parisa is particularly interested in how advances in assessment methods are improving our ability to quantify natural attenuation processes and evaluate their role within remediation programs. For clients, this can lead to remediation strategies that are more closely aligned with site conditions, project objectives and long-term environmental outcomes. 

"Strong technical understanding helps determine what information is needed for decision-making and how to develop strategies that are effective, practical and sustainable."

Across industrial, energy, government and regulatory sectors, organizations often face similar challenges when managing contaminated sites. Parisa believes advanced assessment strategies can help organizations focus investigations on the information that matters most while making better use of existing data. Rather than collecting data for its own sake, her approach emphasizes integrating multiple lines of evidence to answer key questions and support targeted decision-making. She also emphasizes the value of taking a lifecycle perspective from the outset. By defining success metrics and decision points early, project teams can develop remediation strategies that remain adaptable as site conditions and project needs evolve. 

"The most effective solutions often come from bringing together different perspectives and disciplines to address the challenges from multiple angles."

As environmental expectations continue to evolve, organizations are increasingly seeking remediation solutions that integrate technical performance with sustainability goals. 

For Parisa, sustainable remediation begins with a holistic understanding of the site and the full remediation lifecycle. This means considering not only how effectively contaminants are managed but also broader factors such as energy use, emissions, resource consumption, waste generation and worker safety. 

Depending on the complexity of a site and the available options, this may involve applying best management practices or conducting more detailed sustainability evaluations. Regardless of the approach, transparency remains a central principle. 

"A transparent scientific foundation helps build confidence in the decisions being made and supports responsible resource use with long-term community benefits in mind."

Looking ahead, Parisa believes the future of remediation will be shaped by advances in monitoring technologies, integrated modeling and more effective use of environmental data. However, she emphasizes that technology alone is not enough. The ability to interpret information, communicate findings clearly and make informed decisions remains essential. 

"It's important to have transparent and standardized ways of communicating science and grounding remediation decisions in sound technical understanding." 

As Technical Director, Petroleum Releases & NAPL Remediation, Parisa brings a thoughtful and multidisciplinary perspective to environmental management. Grounded in science-based decision making, open to innovation and focused on translating knowledge into action, she sees significant opportunities to advance environmental outcomes while supporting long-term benefits for clients, communities and future generations. 

As she joins GHD, Parisa sees significant potential in leveraging existing environmental data and emerging digital technologies to support more informed decision-making and enhanced solutions for GHD’s clients.  

"I'm excited about the opportunity to work with and learn from people with different technical backgrounds and experiences while contributing what I've learned throughout my own career." 

As she continues to build connections across GHD, Parisa looks forward to contributing to technical innovation, knowledge sharing and practical solutions that help clients address increasingly complex environmental challenges.