Oak Ridge Integrated Field Research Challenge Project: Multi-scale Investigations on the Rates and Mechanisms of Targeted Immobilization and Natural Attenuation of Metal, Radionuclide and Co-Contaminants in the Subsurface
Abstract
In 2007 the DOE Environmental Remediation Sciences Division awarded ORNL with an Integrated Field Challenge project. The project encompasses an integrated multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional research program that seeks to provide an improved scientific understanding and predictive capability of subsurface contaminant fate and transport at scales ranging from the molecular to the watershed. The influence of coupled hydrological, geochemical, and microbiological processes on contaminant migration are being quantified along numerous distinct flow pathways and within transition zones, particularly processes associated with natural attenuation of contaminant nitrate by denitrification and of U/Tc by natural immobilization on soil/rock. These investigations are a unique blend of macroscopic geophysical, isotopic, and hydrogeochemical monitoring observations at the watershed scale, coupled with smaller scale laboratory studies and high-resolution surface interrogation technologies. Pilot-scale manipulations are also being conducted which include in situ bioreduction, adjustment of soil-groundwater pH, organophosphate amendments, and slow release electron donors to enhance U/Tc bio-immobilization. These investigations are being integrated with multi-scale numerical studies to provide an accurate predictive capability for long-term site performance and to determine if targeted manipulations are required. Technology transfer to future remediation efforts is a major endeavor of this project.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2008
- Bibcode:
- 2008AGUFM.H51K..01J
- Keywords:
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- 1805 Computational hydrology;
- 1829 Groundwater hydrology;
- 1832 Groundwater transport;
- 1839 Hydrologic scaling;
- 1879 Watershed