Field investigations are a crucial
component of the ERSP. In order to support DOE’s cleanup mission and long-term
stewardship responsibilities new insights into the behavior of contaminants
derived at smaller scales or in the laboratory ultimately require validation
in natural materials and at the field scale. This is an important part of assessing
the accuracy of conceptual and/or computational models of subsurface contaminant
transport and for determining the relative importance of various biogeochemical
mechanisms postulated to affect contaminant transport and/or transformation.
In situ field investigations also provide an opportunity to test measurement
and monitoring tools developed to describe subsurface processes and the functioning
of microbial communities. Field research is an inherently multi-disciplinary
endeavor encompassing elements of geology, hydrology, geochemistry, geophysics,
microbiology, environmental engineering, and/or computer science. Elements of
molecular biology and genome-enabled techniques are also increasingly applied
to environmental studies. Of particular concern for ERSP-funded field projects
is the development of integrative, multidisciplinary investigations of key biogeochemical
processes affecting the subsurface transport of DOE relevant contaminants. Research
teams are encouraged to be multi-disciplinary in scope and to incorporate a
contaminant transport modeling component and an innovative monitoring and/or
measurement component as integral parts of the project. Each of the field
projects listed below has a component of outreach support for ERSD (now CESD) funded investigators. This
may include access to samples of environmental media or limited, short-term
site access. Please contact the Lead Scientist for the site of interest
to obtain information regarding sample availability, sampling schedules or limited
site access.
Integrated Field-Scale Subsurface Research Challenges (IFCs)
In FY 2007 ERSP made three large awards for multidisciplinary field
scale research at three different field sites. For two of these field
sites (Oak Ridge, Tennessee and Old Rifle, Colorado) the awards represent
a new format for directed research that continues ongoing subsurface
science at these sites. The third award provides a framework for a more
focused, integrated research effort at the Hanford 300 Area (Washington
State). These sites are an important component of ERSP-funded research
enabling the testing of laboratory-derived hypotheses under natural
conditions at the field scale. Information about these three projects
can found in the links below.
Other Field-Scale Projects
- Chromium
Bioremediation test site at Hanford
The objectives of this project are to perform field investigations to assess the potential for immobilizing and detoxifying chromium contaminated soils and groundwater using bioremediation at Site 100H at Hanford.
