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NERL Branch Descriptions

Atmospheric Modeling Division (AMD)

AMD is also known as Atmospheric Sciences Modeling Division (ASMD) by the NOAA organization.

The Air-Surface Processes Modeling Branch (APMB)

Performs process-based modeling research for the Division's atmospheric pollutant models, with a focus on three research themes: (1) emissions modeling, (2) deposition onto sensitive ecosystems, and (3) linkage of air quality with human exposure. APMB's emissions modeling effort (with a special emphasis on natural sources such as wind-blown fugitive dust, wildfires, and biogenic emissions) helps ensure that meteorologically-influenced emissions are properly considered in air quality models. APMB's deposition research analyzes state-of-the-art trace gas flux measurements to develop tools for assessing nutrient loadings and ecosystem vulnerability. APMB's urban-scale modeling program is focused on building "hot-spot" air toxic analysis algorithms, and on developing methods for linking air quality and exposure models.

The Model Evaluation and Applications Branch (MEARB)

Develops and applies advanced methods to evaluate the performance of atmospheric models and their ability to reproduce observed air quality. The Division's Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system and its meteorological and emission inputs are the primary focal points for these evaluation efforts. MEARB develops model evaluation guidance for both regulatory and research applications, and provides critical feedback about model performance for future development of the CMAQ model. MEARB applies the Division's models to important environmental and public health issues involving air quality. Climate and air quality interactions are being assessed as a synthesis product for the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). Working directly with air quality managers, the effectiveness of retrospective and prospective emission control programs is assessed as part of the "accountability" effort. MEARB is also working with health scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and several State agencies to better characterize ambient air quality for environmental public health tracking.

The Atmospheric Model Development Branch (AMDB)

Develops, tests, and refines analytical, statistical, and numerical models used to describe and assess relationships between air pollutant source emissions and resultant air quality, deposition, and pollutant exposures to humans and ecosystems. The models are applicable to spatial scales ranging from local/urban and mesoscale to regional scale, even linking with global models. AMDB is a key advocate in the meteorological modeling community for air quality applications. AMDB adapts and extends meteorological models to couple effectively with chemical-transport models to create comprehensive air quality modeling systems, including the capability for two-way communication and feedback between the models. AMDB conducts studies to describe the atmospheric processes affecting the transport, diffusion, creation, transformation, and removal of pollutants in and from the atmosphere using theoretical approaches as well as from analyses of monitoring and field and laboratory study data. AMDB works with staff from HEASD to convert these and other study results into models for simulating the relevant physical and chemical processes and for characterizing pollutant transport and fate in the atmosphere. AMDB conducts model exercises to assess the sensitivity and uncertainty associated with model input databases and applications results. AMDB's modeling research is designed to produce tools to serve the nation's need for science-based air quality decision-support systems.

The Air Quality Forecasting Research Branch (AQFRB)

Fosters collaborations between NOAA and EPA in developing, applying, and evaluating comprehensive models for operational use for providing short term air quality forecast guidance. Through the continuous application of the linked meteorological and chemistry-transport models and analysis of its predictions, AQFRB develops diagnostic information on model performance to guide further development and enhancement of physical and chemical process representations in the models. AQFRB also works on extending the utility of the daily air quality forecast model data being produced by NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) as part of the NOAA-EPA collaboration in air quality forecasting, to EPA mission-oriented activities. These include developing and maintaining a long-term database of air quality modeling results (ozone and PM2.5), performing periodic analysis and assessments using the data, analyzing air quality climatology, and making the air quality database available and accessible to States, Regions, RPO's and others to use as input data for regional/local scale air quality modeling for policy/regulatory purposes.

Ecological Exposure Research Division (EERD)

Ecosystems Research Branch (ERB)

The Ecosystems Research Branch develops new, and improves existing tools for monitoring, assessing and restoring the Nation's surface waters. These tools include sampling and analytical methods that help integrate ecological information into indicators of ecosystem integrity. The goal of this research is to support the Office of Water's goals under the Clean Water Act, and to improve the Agency's ability to report on the status of and trends in environmental conditions and their impacts on the nation's natural resources. These methods and indicators will be applied at multiple spatial and temporal scales. They will be evaluated for their statistical properties and their ability to detect specific stressors, mixtures, landscape and riparian measures of watershed disturbance, and as early indicators of restoration and recovery. While the emphasis of the research is on the development and evaluation of indicators for freshwater ecosystems, the strength of the research lies in the diversity of talents, experience and specializations of ERB staff which allows ERB to address a range of research needs in response to Agency priorities.

Molecular Ecology Research Branch (MERB)

The Molecular Ecology Branch develops improved methods for assessing the current condition and future vulnerabilities of biological resources through integration of molecular population genetic data into national, regional and watershed-scale environmental assessments. The research focuses on the development and evaluation of methods for delineating resource populations and for assessing impacts of landscape, chemical and biological changes on the long-term sustain-ability of these populations. Our work provides the EPA and other resource agencies with the tools needed to assess a large range of environmental concerns, including the status and trends in the Nation's aquatic ecosystems, ecological risks associated with agricultural biotechnology, detection and monitoring of invasive species and enduring ecological responses of global climate change.

Molecular Indicators Research Branch (MIRB)

The Molecular Indicators Research Branch (MIRB) develops molecular, toxicological, biochemical and chemical methods that indicate adverse exposures of wildlife to contaminants, endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and other stressors. A critical focus of the branch includes the development of a bioinformatics program that will allow effective analysis of genomic and proteomic data relevant to the identification and validation of novel molecular exposure indicators. Genomic data includes a broad variety of gene-centric information such as sequences, functions, inherited variations, homologies, interactions, expression patterns, and responses to environmental stimuli. Molecular indicator research will concentrate on the development of molecular tools to assess environmentally relevant adverse exposures at the molecular (biochemical, cellular, tissue, protein organ systems) to the population (indigenous populations and whole organism laboratory toxicity assessments) levels. Chemical indicators involve development and application of methods for measuring concentrations of EDCs and other contaminants in biological materials, sediments and water. In addition to development of novel chemical methods our mission also includes analytical support to the Division, ORD, Regions and States. Research focuses not only on the development of innovative indicators using laboratory methods, but also on the evaluation of these methods in the field in order to establish reference levels and to investigate uncertainties with their application. Our goal is to transfer these molecular and chemical ecoindicators to the Program Offices, Regions, States and Tribes once they have been field-validated, so that they can be used to assess the condition and vulnerability of the Nation's ecosystems.

Ecosystems Research Division (ERD)

Ecosystems Assessment Branch (EAB)

The Ecosystems Assessment Branch conducts research to develop and support multidisciplinary tools. This research is on ecosystem functions and viability. This research clarifies some of the stressors to ecosystems and identifies drivers that alter the state of the ecosystem. EAB's strong modeling component has produced and continues to produce models that are used in exposure and ecosystems assessment. EAB models are used for assessment of pesticide exposure and subsequent registration of a pesticide for distribution, exposure to chemicals in aquatic ecosystems, bioaccumulation of toxics through the food web, and web based decision support tools for watershed health assessment. EAB's research involves process simulation modeling, field and laboratory research, and technical support.

Processes & Modeling Branch (PMB)

The Process and Modeling Branch conducts research to understand and quantify pollutant fate (transport and transformation) processes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and within organisms, and incorporated corresponding algorithms in state-of-the-art models to predict, with known certainty, exposure of humans and ecosystems to pollutant stressors. We investigate abiotic, microbiological, enzymatic and metabolic transformation processes and develop corresponding quantitative descriptions for important pollutants such as pesticides, PBTs (persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals), toxic metals, and nutrients. This research includes the use of advanced analytical tools and modern molecular biology techniques to study uptake, transport and metabolic processes within plants and animals that lead to exposure at sites of biological interaction; quantitative descriptors of such processes are incorporated into predictive toxicology models. Our ultimate goal is to develop process-based models that characterize the behavior of stressors that affect water quality, biota and human health, and which can be applied across all organisms, environmental media and conditions, and across chemical types and mixtures. PMB process descriptions and exposure models have immediate application potential for pesticide and toxic pollutant regulation, human and ecological risk assessment, and waste site restoration technologies.

Regulatory Support Branch (RSB)

The Regulatory Support Branch conducts process, modeling and field research to assess the exposure risks of humans and ecosystems to natural and man-made stressors. This research provides data, modeling tools and technical support to EPA Program and Regional Offices, state and local governments, and other customers to achieve Agency goals in the protection of human health and the environment.

RSB contributes research to the Agency mission in the areas of drinking water, oil spills, leaking underground storage tanks, brownfield re-development, beach modeling, contaminated sediments and integrated multi-media modeling for ecological and human health.

Environmental Sciences Division (ESD)

Characterization and Monitoring Branch (CMB)

The Characterization and Monitoring Branch (CMB) consists of a diversified group of scientists and support personnel. CMB supports the EPA's mission by providing research, development, and the expertise across a wide range of disciplines focusing on technologies (equipment and techniques) that contribute to cost-effective environmental data acquisition and interpretation required to address environmental issues. These efforts focus on the measurement and evaluation of contamination in various media, with current emphasis on soils, sediments, and ground water.

In addition to the basic and applied research programs described above, CMB, under the Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) program, actively seeks out new technologies to evaluate their performance under the most realistic conditions possible with the goal of providing a non-biased assessment of each technology's capability. CMB also provides Superfund support to EPA's Remedial Project Managers (RPMs) and on-Scene Coordinators (OSCs) through the Superfund Technical Support Center (TSC) for Monitoring and Site Characterization. The diversity of expertise available through the TSC allows CMB to work with the RPMs and OSCs throughout a site characterization event from planning and design through analysis and data interpretation.

Environmental Chemistry Branch (ECB)

The Environmental Chemistry Branch (ECB) provides chemical answers to environmental exposure and risk problems. These scientists develop and apply new analytical tools to improve monitoring for a variety of media (water, soils, sediments, biological tissue) and analytes (organics, organometallics, inorganics) by making improvements to sample preparation, sample cleanup and analyte identification, speciation and quantification. ECB scientists evaluate, develop and apply a variety of analytical tools. These include high resolution mass spectrometry, ion trap mass spectrometry, quadrupole mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, vacuum distillation, liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, atomic emission detection, gel permeation chromatography, direct mercury analyzer, pre-enrichment for trace analysis and chemical modeling. ECB scientists are "environmental forensic scientists" who use their skills in the areas of volatile organics-using vacuum distillation, organometallic speciation, low-level mercury, pesticide and pharmaceutical detection to name a few areas of specialty.

Landscape Characterization Branch (LCB)

The Landscape Characterization Branch (LCB) goal is to develop approaches for ecological assessment at regional and national scales and to improve the prediction of ecological indicators at varying scales of interest to enable informed ecological risk reduction and remediation. Toward that end, LCB conducts research on the spatial characteristics of landscapes, including the distribution of resources stressors, and biophysical processes, and how those characteristics change over time. LCB employees are located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The LCB has scientists with diverse backgrounds in ecology, computer sciences (Geographic Information Systems), biology, hydrology, and remote sensing.

Landscape Ecology Branch (LEB)

The Landscape Ecology Branch (LEB) consists of scientists located in Las Vegas, Nevada, the U.S. Geological Survey's National Headquarters in Reston, Virginia, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and Annapolis, Maryland. The Las Vegas, Reston and Research Triangle Park facilities have "state-of-the-art" computer labs. Landscape ecology provides the theoretical framework for analyzing spatial patterns relative to ecological condition and risk. However, studies relating pattern to ecological conditions are limited, and these studies generally cover limited geographic areas. Therefore, one of the important goals of LEB is to quantify the relationships between landscape pattern (measured as spatial metrics), including human activities, and ecological resources at community, watershed, regional and continental scales. LEB has scientists with diverse backgrounds in ecology, computer sciences (Geographic Information Systems), biology, hydrology, and remote sensing.

Human Exposure & Atmospheric Sciences Division (HEASD)

Environmental Characterization & Apportionment Branch (ECAB)

The Environmental Characterization and Apportionment Branch (ECAB) develops and improves receptor models (software modules), and uses those models to perform source apportionment of air pollutants. This research explores, not only in the ambient atmosphere, but also particular micro-environments of human exposure relevance.

The Branch engages in limited field studies for the collection of gaseous and particulate air samples intended for receptor modeling use. The Branch supports laboratory analyses (organic and inorganic) of these samples resulting from additional NERL-related sampling activities, to quantify chemical species of known or potential value as input data for performing receptor modeling calculations. Current pollutants of source apportionment interest include biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter of 2.5 micrometers (PM 2.5), and gaseous speciated (elemental and reactive-gas-phase) mercury.

The Branch characterizes emissions from, and exposures to, mobile sources, and conducts research on a variety of engine types, fuel formulations, and their operating parameters. These studies are conducted in both laboratory and field settings in order to characterize the environmental impact of this large-source category of air pollution.

Exposure & Dose Research Branch (EDRB)

The Exposure and Dose Research Branch (EDRB), located in Las Vegas, conducts research to define, quantify, and reduce the uncertainty associated with the exposure and risk assessment process. EDRB develops improved methods to accurately measure exposure and dose. EDRB explores the formation of multimedia, multipathway, and multiroute models to predict exposure and dose, and the design and implementation of measurement studies to increase EPA's knowledge and understanding of exposure.

This is accomplished through: Exposure Assessment Research; development of models describing and predicting Dose resulting from exposure; developing computer platforms, such as TEM (Total Exposure Model); ERDEM (Exposure-Related Dose-Estimating Model); developing enhanced Mathematical and Computational Modeling Methods; design of Exposure Field Studies; Survey Design Support; analysis of data from field studies (HEDS) and the development and application of new and innovative Field-Applicable Exposure Monitoring Technologies, such as immunoassays and biosensors.

Exposure Measurements & Analysis Branch (EMAB)

The Exposure Measurements and Analysis Branch (EMAB) conducts measurement research addressing multiple pathways and routes of exposure to environmental contaminants. This research includes the characterization of chemical, physical and biological substances. The measurement research is conducted by teamwork with other HEASD branches. The measurement research supports source-to-dose modeling efforts, especially providing the data needed to evaluate models. The research is also collaborative with methods development, adaptation, and application research, including the development of chemical analytical methods, field techniques and enhancement of current technologies to address measurement needs.

The products of the Branch's research are used by the Laboratory and the Agency to set priorities, and to design, conduct, model and interpret research on human exposure. The research includes measurements of concentrations of contaminants in environmental media, micro-environments (including indoors), susceptible and sensitive subpopulations, and personal exposures.

EMAB develops statistically-based sampling and analytical plans and surveys for field studies, designs and conducts these field studies to ascertain human exposures and to test new and modified field methods. The results from laboratory and field research are an important part of the Laboratory's overall exposure research program.

Exposure Modeling Research Branch (EMRB)

The Exposure Modeling Research Branch (EMRB) conducts research to develop technical information and quantitative tools to predict the nature and magnitude of human exposures to environmental contaminants. Modeling tools include physical process/mechanistic and stochastic models. These models provide quantification of relationships between emissions from sources, concentrations in different environmental media, and human and physical factors that influence exposures of individuals through different pathways and contacts occurring in various micro-environments.

A Stochastic Human Exposure and Dose Simulation (SHEDS) modeling system is being developed for analyzing multimedia multipathway exposures of both the general and sensitive subpopulations, such as children and the elderly. Research conducted in the Branch involves development, refinement and evaluation of probabilistic models that predict the range and distribution of aggregate and cumulative exposures and doses for the populations studied. The Branch characterizes the uncertainty associated with the estimates derived from these models.

Scientists in this Branch team up with scientists doing research in the Exposure and Dose Research Branch. In particular, the Exposure-Related Dose Evaluation Model (ERDEM) developed by that Branch is being coupled with the SHEDS model. SHEDS, ERDEM and other exposure and dose models are housed in the Human Exposure Source-to-Dose Modeling (HES2D) framework. Critical inputs to these models, such as the Consolidated Human Activity Database (CHAD) or the Human Exposure Database System (HEDS) are being linked to this modeling system. Exposure modeling research is also integrated across the entire Division, and the Agency, in order to provide technical guidance for future methods development and field measurement studies that will reduce significant data gaps and modeling uncertainties in the areas of human exposure and dose and health risk assessments.

Methods Development & Application Branch (MDAB)

The Methods Development and Application Branch (MDAB) modifies, improves, evaluates, and validates methods and instrumentation for measuring human and ecosystems exposures, and provides data input for human exposure models. The research focus is to develop and apply exposure methods which will be used by EPA's measurement programs to elucidate source-to-dose pathways and to help define the important and critical routes of exposure.

The Branch plans and conducts research and development to advance state-of-the-art sampling technologies, analytical methodologies, and analytical instrumentation for the investigation and characterization of human and ecological exposures to environmental stressors. The Branch designs and field tests screening instruments. The Branch plans and conducts field studies specifically designed to elucidate human and eco-exposure concerns.

The MDAB develops indicators (including biomarkers) of human and ecosystem exposure to environmental stressors and evaluates the suitability and quality of human and ecosystems exposure methods. The Branch scientists transfer methodologies and survey design to the scientific community. These scientists coordinate technology transfer activities including Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA), patents, and licensing agreement negotiations under the Federal Technology Transfer Act.

Process Modeling Research Branch (PMRB)

The Process Modeling Research Branch (PMRB) conducts laboratory, field, and computational studies designed to identify and characterize the transport, transformation and fate of atmospheric gaseous and aerosol pollutants. Branch research is performed in the areas of atmospheric chemistry and atmospheric physics.

The PMRB conducts research on pollutant precursors and their role in the production and decay of pollutants, including particulates, photochemical oxidants such as ozone, and air toxics. The Branch performs controlled laboratory and ambient field experimental studies to characterize pollutant concentrations, chemical reaction products, transitory reaction intermediates, heterogenous phase distributions of organic and inorganic compounds, aerosol dynamics, and fluid physics.

The PMRB performs computational studies to predict physical and chemical properties of important pollutant species and to analyze the characteristics of complex chemical mechanisms. The Branch uses these resources to develop chemical and physical mechanisms for regulatory and research air quality models, which are used to provide spatial and temporal predictions of pollutant concentrations.

Microbiological and Chemical Exposure Assessment Research (MCEARD)

Biohazard Assessment Research Branch (BARB)

The Biohazard Assessment Research Branch (BARB) conceives, plans organizes, and conducts research that is designed to identify measure and characterize microbial pathogens that are transmitted through water, soil, and air. Measurement of the bioquality of these environmental media includes as its goals: the establishment of the procedures by which levels of pathogen exposure can be monitored, the performance of such methods to determine the associated risks that are entailed by exposure, and the long-term trends of disease-causing pollutants that are emerging in different environments. The primary emphasis within this mission is the development and evaluation of practical and economical technology that will permit rapid, sensitive, and specific biohazard assessment of the environment with emphasis on risk to human health. Determining the occurrence, distribution, transport, and fate of human pathogenic microbes through the implementation and propagation of analytical procedures permits the Branch to establish data bases that can link environmental exposure of populations to microbial diseases. The mission of the Branch includes the following functions:

Chemical Exposure Research Branch (CERB)

The Chemical Exposure Research Branch (CERB) conducts research which is designed to reduce uncertainty in risk assessment by providing analytical methods to measure human exposure and provide data on human exposure. This research is conducted through a combination of intramural and complementary extramural programs. The Branch develops, improves, and validates sensitive instrumental based analytical methodologies for measuring inorganic and volatile, semi-volatile and non-volatile organic pollutants in aqueous and solid matrices to support exposure assessment and regulatory programs. State-of-the-art instrumentation is adapted, modified, and applied to chemical exposure determination and indicator assessment. This leads to the development of reliable analytical methods which accurately identify and precisely measure chemical pollutants and their metabolites. Through this process, hazardous chemicals of emerging significance and interest can be identified. The work of this branch includes interpretation and guidance concerning analytical methods to support a wide array of Agency programs. The Chemical Exposure Research Branch is the center of expertise for the development of dietary exposure methods, models, and monitoring procedures to better understand and quantify human exposure from pollutants in foods and beverages, including drinking water. These efforts complement those of the NERL multimedia human exposure research program. Research is conducted to identify, evaluate, and reduce exposures from the ingestion of foods and water caused by bioaccumulation of contaminants and interactions with other environmental media. This work includes adaptation of existing analytical methods to support special exposure monitoring programs, and the determination of organic and inorganic pollutants in water and food matrices through coordination of extramural programs and through the use of Branch staff for small-scale studies. The Branch documents procedures and research results as standardized methods and in peer-reviewed publications.

Microbial Exposure Research Branch (MERB)

The Microbial Exposure Research Branch (MERB) conducts research to identify and characterize emerging opportunistic pathogens in bioaerosols and in aquatic environments. The Branch identifies, purifies, and characterizes microbial toxins, allergens, and other microbial products, such as VOCs, and develops methods to measure exposures to these substances in indoor air, drinking water, and recreational water. The Branch develops cultural and molecular methods (gene probes) to detect and measure hazardous microorganisms in environmental matrices. Other methods developed by the Branch include molecular methods (DNA fingerprinting) to compare environmental organisms with human isolates and serological methods to measure exposures to microorganisms and their products. The serological methods utilize antibodies from sera, urine, or saliva as biomarkers of exposure. The Branch also carries out field studies to monitor human exposures to hazardous microbes and their products. These field studies combine environmental monitoring techniques with serological methods to simultaneously measure both exposures and human responses.

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