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The Geosciences Research organization is improving our understanding of chemical, biological, and geophysical processes in the subsurface, and how these processes affect water and contaminant transport.

Researchers are designing better remediation approaches, improving vadose zone and groundwater monitoring technologies, and advancing modeling capabilities to provide more realistic environmental risk assessments. Emphasis is on highly cross-disciplinary, field-oriented, DOE mission-relevant research resulting in science and technology advances and peer-reviewed publication. The department operates a seismic network to monitor seismic activity on the INL site and throughout the Eastern Snake River Plain. The department also maintains several field research locations, as well as a mobile laboratory, and oversees a growing DOE complex-wide vadose zone monitoring network, including a developing vadose zone research park. Additionally, INL has established a Geocentrifuge Research Laboratory in Idaho Falls.

INL has established the Subsurface Science Research and is investing heavily in fundamental research to expand the understanding of geologic subsurface processes and strengthen the science basis for environmental decision making. In response to this initiative, the Geosciences Research organization is recruiting additional staff in a broad range of disciplines. Please see the employment opportunities page for more information.

Geology and Geophysics — Researchers are analyzing regional tectonic, volcanic, and sediment accumulation processes in the INL region to better understand the geologic--seismic and volcanic--hazards, to provide conceptual understanding of subsurface hydrologic processes, and to develop better remedial strategies for subsurface contaminants. Researchers are also using geophysical techniques to measure and monitor subsurface processes, developing new or improved geophysical tools, and correlating (or calibrating) geophysical signals to subsurface contaminants. The calibration of geophysical signals is integrated with studies of hydrological, geochemical, and biological processes in several controlled meso-scale experiments including a 27 cubic meter soil tank under development. Research and operational field-scale geophysics employ automated, remotely controlled geophysical monitoring tools at INL and within the U.S. This includes the INL permanent seismic network that monitors earthquake activity throughout southeastern Idaho. Recently field-scale activities have expanded to include remotely controlled resistivity systems to monitor fluid and contaminant movement. One of these systems with 800 electrodes is currently being installed at an EPA superfund site at the Giltedge Mine in South Dakota. This system will allow monitoring of fluid movement within the site that consists of an acid generating rock pile covered by a plastic membrane.

Contact: Suzette Payne, 208-526-4293, Send E-mail

Biogeochemical Processes — Research teams are studying the coupled geochemical and biological processes occurring in subsurface environments. The mobility of contaminants in groundwater depends on the chemical state of the system and on the presence of reactive minerals. The soil zone carbon cycle is central to this understanding as it links soil moisture, microbial activity, soil water pH buffering, and retardation of contaminants. Studies are underway to define constitutive and thermodynamic relationships among soil moisture, carbon dioxide, and contaminant transport. This improved understanding provides a higher level of confidence in predictions of the long-term fate of contaminants in the subsurface and supports technically sound remediation decisions. Such research advances the DOE᾿s long-term environmental stewardship mission.

Contact: Larry Hull, 208-526-1922, Send E-mail

Geocentrifuge Investigations — The INL has established the Geocentrifuge Research Laboratory encompassing a 2-meter geocentrifuge user facility in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Research conducted at this laboratory will enable more accurate modeling of a wide range of complex porous media and advance our understanding of subsurface contaminant transport. INL and visiting researchers will use this laboratory to study fluid flow through samples made from soils, rock and other materials, and for traditional structural material testing. Using the 2-meter geocentrifuge to simulate an accelerated passage of time for a sample material, researchers can study in a few days or weeks the effects of tens of years of gravity-induced fluid movement. Test samples can include intact blocks and cores of geologic materials and fabricated models with idealized 2- and 3-dimensional physical and chemical heterogeneities.

Contact: Earl Mattson, 208-526-4084, Send E-mail

Vadose Zone and Aquifer Monitoring and Characterization — Researchers are developing integrated instrument systems to characterize and monitor subsurface environments to better understand flow and transport in deep vadose and phreatic zones. Staff are developing new instruments to measure the spatial and temporal distribution of physical and chemical parameters. Continuous subsurface monitoring systems are being deployed throughout the United States in cooperation with other research institutions and universities. Laboratory and field experimental studies are focused on measuring spatial and temporal distribution of chemical and soil physical parameters, evaluating subsurface microbial activities in unsaturated soil, integrating geophysical methodologies with soil physical measurements, and examining infiltration through high contrast media. These advancements will lead to better quantitative prediction of contaminant transport through vadose zone and aquifer materials.

Contact: Earl Mattson, 208-526-4084, Send E-mail