Emergy Analysis is a formal methodology to equate economic worth of man-made structures, public services and assets to the services and assets provided by the environment. The economic value of natural resources is typically underestimated by classic economic analyses, which makes it difficult to justify the expenditures of large sums of monies for natural resource restoration projects for a perceived small return on investment. A full accounting of ecosystem services and the variable value of these services based on geographic position within the ecosystem construct must be identified if a true accounting of landscape value is to be determined. This accounting of economic values across a wide variety of resources, both man-made and natural, is achievable using the formal process of Emergy Analysis (Odum, 1996, 1998, 2000). Emergy accounting is particularly well suited for “public works” projects involving environmental restoration, and comparison of land use types.

Emergy (spelled with an “m”) is defined as a measure of the available energy required, directly and indirectly, to make a product or service. The quality of anything is measured by the emergy per unit and thus the real wealth of both man-made and environmental resources is measured directly. It is a way of calculating the value of both natural and man-made items on an equal basis and indicates their true contribution to the human economy. Emergy per unit of money measures real wealth buying power and is used to calculate emdollars, the economic equivalent used to compare ecosystem services.

TEA professionals have used Emergy Analysis in Florida and Alabama, and are well equipped to apply this technology to your particular situation. Please contact Dr. Don Blancher at 251-219-4161 or dblancher@teainconline.com for more information on the benefits of Emergy Analysis.

Dr. Ben Vivas is the newest addition to the TEA team of professionals.  Dr. Vivas holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering Sciences – Ecological Systems, and an M.A. in Latin American Studies – Tropical Conservation and Development, both from the University of Florida. Dr. Vivas’ background includes experience in consulting as well as academic instruction. His capabilities include GIS modeling and data management (ArcView/ArcGIS, MFWorks), EMERGY Analysis, ecoregional planning, Minitab Statistical Software, and PC-ORD (multivariate analyses). 

Dr. Vivas will be a great asset to the TEA Mobile, Alabama office, primarily working with regional planning, LDI, wetlands and EMERGY analysis.

TEA can provide high quality subsurface groundwater and soil contaminant delineation services utilizing proprietary non-invasive techniques.  These remote sensing technologies have been utilized to delineate subsurface dissolved plumes, NAPLs, and pipeline leaks.  TEA works closely with their clients to understand the problems associated with each site and then designs the subsurface delineation using a layered technology approach.  Imagine having an image of the subsurface contaminant distribution at your site prior to remedial design!  These technologies can provide critical site information for designing in-situ remedial approaches. 

For further information on ways to implement these technologies within your given situation, please contact Dr. Greg Booth at 225-767-3880 or gbooth@teainconline.com. 

TEA is pleased to announce the hiring of Ms. Sravani Janga as an Environmental Scientist. Ms. Janga brings a diverse background and valuable experience to TEA.  She holds an M.S. in Environmental Toxicology from the University of South Alabama and a B.T. in Chemical Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University.

Ms. Janga’s¬†primary consulting areas include environmental toxicology, GIS, database management, coastal and ecological services, and remediation¬†services.¬† Ms. Janga¬†will be working out of our Mobile, Alabama office.¬†