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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Current Developments in Prokaryotic Single Cell Whole Genome Amplification

Our approach to prokaryotic single-cell Whole Genome Amplification at the JGI continues to evolve. To increase both the quality and number of single-cell genomes produced, we explore all aspects of the process from cell sorting to sequencing. For example, we now utilize specialized reagents, acoustic liquid handling, and reduced reaction volumes eliminate non-target DNA contamination in WGA reactions. More specifically, we use a cleaner commercial WGA kit from Qiagen that employs a UV decontamination procedure initially developed at the JGI, and we use the Labcyte Echo for tip-less liquid transfer to set up 2uL reactions. Acoustic liquid handling also dramatically reduces reagent costs. In addition, we are exploring new cell lysis methods including treatment with Proteinase K, lysozyme, and other detergents, in order to complement standard alkaline lysis and allow for more efficient disruption of a wider range of cells. Incomplete lysis represents a major hurdle for WGA on some environmental samples, especially rhizosphere, peatland, and other soils. Finding effective lysis strategies that are also compatible with WGA is challenging, and we are currently assessing the impact of various strategies on genome recovery.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Data and scripts associated with “Riverine dissolved organic matter transformations increase with watershed area, water residence time, and Damköhler numbers in nested watersheds” (v2)

This data package is associated with the publication “Riverine dissolved organic matter transformations increase with watershed area, water residence time, and Damköhler numbers in nested watersheds” submitted to Biogeochemistry by Ryan et al., 2024 (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-024-01169-5). This study aims to investigate fundamental and transferable drivers of dissolved organic matter (DOM) diversity across five nested watersheds within the contiguous United States. DOM diversity was explored using ultrahigh-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS). The samples and the unprocessed FTICR-MS data used in this study are publicly available on the Environmental System Science Data Infrastructure for a Virtual Ecosystem (ESS-DIVE) data repository (see DOIs below). The data for the Willamette, Gunnison, Connecticut, and Deschutes basins were collected as part of a collaboration between the Watershed Rules of Life (WROL) project and Worldwide Hydrobiogeochemistry Observation Network for Dynamic River Systems (WHONDRS). The data for the Yakima River basin (YRB) was collected by the PNNL River Corridor SFA. The raw, unprocessed FTICR-MS data with additional (meta)data can be found at doi:10.15485/1895159 for WROL samples and doi:10.15485/1898912 for YRB samples. This data package contains the processed data used in the associated manuscript. This package also contains ancillary geospatial, hydrological, and geochemical information that supports the interpretation of the FTICR-MS data within Ryan et al., 2024. This data package is associated with the GitHub repository found at https://github.com/WHONDRS-Hub/rcsfa-RC4-WROL-YRB_DOM_Diversity. This data package was originally published August 2024. It was updated January 2025 (modified files). See the change history in the readme more details. At the directory level, the data package is comprised of three folders: (1) data, (2) output, and (3) src; and five additional files including the data dictionary (file ending in "_dd.csv”) and file-level metadata (file ending in “_flmd.csv”). The “src” folder contains the scripts used to process the FTICR data, conduct the analyses, and produce the manuscript figures. The inputs for these scripts are in the “data” folder and the returned outputs in the “output” folder. Inputs include temporal and spatial metadata associated with the sampling efforts, processed FTICR data, and total and normalized putative biochemical transformations per sample. Outputs include cleaned and combined data presented as tables, descriptive statistics, and plots. The file-level metadata file lists all files contained in this data package and descriptions for each. The data dictionary describes the units and definitions for each tabular data column or row header.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Status of SRNL radiological field lysimeter experiment-Year 1

The Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) Radiological Field Lysimeter Experiment is a one-of-a-kind field facility designed to study radionuclide geochemical processes at a larger spatial scale (from grams to tens of kilograms sediment) and temporal scale (from months to 10 years) than is readily afforded through laboratory studies. The lysimeter facility is intended to capture the natural heterogeneity of moisture and temperature regimes in the vadose zone, the unsaturated subsurface region between the surface soil and the underlying aquifer. The 48 lysimeter columns, which contain various radionuclides (and stable iodine), were opened to rainfall infiltration on July 5, 2012. The objective of this report is to provide a status of the lysimeter facility operations and to compile data collected during FY13, including leachate volume, rainfall, and soil moisture and temperature in situ probe data. Radiological leachate data are not presented in this document but will be the subject of a separate document.1 Leachate samples were collected quarterly and shipped to Clemson University for radiological analyses. Rainfall, leachate volume, moisture and temperature probe data were collected continuously. During operations of the facility this year, there were four safety or technical concerns that required additional maintenance: 1) radioactivity was detected in one of the overflow bottles (captured water collected from the secondary containment that does not come in contact with the radiological source material); 2) rainwater accumulated within the sample-bottle storage sheds; 3) overflow containers collected more liquid than anticipated; and 4) significant spider infestation occurred in the sample-bottle storage sheds. To address the first three concerns, each of the lysimeter columns was re-plumbed to improve and to minimize the number of joint unions. To address the fourth concern regarding spiders, new sample-bottle water sheds were purchased and a pest control program was established. During this retrofit, the lysimeters were temporarily capped (covered to preclude additional water from entering lysimeter columns) for about two months (except the four Tc-cementitious containing lysimeters, which remain capped). At a later date, data summarized in this report will be combined with the leachate radionuclide concentration data that are presently being analyzed. Together, these data can be numerically modeled to provide bench-marking information, to test hypotheses regarding hydrogeochemical conceptual models, and to estimate effective transport parameters under field conditions.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Subsidence Measurements at the Teller 27 Field Site, Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 2021

In September 2021, differential GPS (dGPS) points were collected in areas of visual subsidence in the Teller watershed near mile marker 27 of the Bob Blodgett Nome-Teller Memorial Highway on the Seward Peninsula of Alaska. This study aimed to understand how structural permafrost loss is affecting meter-scale ground elevation. As ice thaws, heaving and slumping of the landscape creates new microtopographical features on the landscape that may alter surface hydrology and soil moisture and thus plant community composition and biogeochemical cycling. The Teller 27 field site is underlain with discontinuous permafrost, so the landscape features a variety of permafrost features. We collected ground elevations from eight subsidence areas in two forms: 1) Transects were sampled laterally through areas of ground subsidence to capture the high edges and low spots where the earth slumped. 2) The circumference of the subsidence area was sampled in order to measure the ground area affected by subsidence. These data were collected with an Emlid Reach RS2 dGPS and a base station. This dataset includes one *.csv of dGPS locations of the eight subsidence locations and one *.kml of measurement locations.The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiments: Arctic (NGEE Arctic) was a 15-year research effort (2012-2027) to reduce uncertainty in Earth System Models by developing a predictive understanding of carbon-rich Arctic ecosystems and feedbacks to climate. NGEE Arctic was supported by the Department of Energy’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research.The NGEE Arctic project had two field research sites: 1) located within the Arctic polygonal tundra coastal region on the Barrow Environmental Observatory (BEO) and the North Slope near Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska and 2) multiple areas on the discontinuous permafrost region of the Seward Peninsula north of Nome, Alaska.Through observations, experiments, and synthesis with existing datasets, NGEE Arctic provided an enhanced knowledge base for multi-scale modeling and contributed to improved process representation at global pan-Arctic scales within the Department of Energy’s Earth system Model (the Energy Exascale Earth System Model, or E3SM), and specifically within the E3SM Land Model component (ELM).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Targeted quantification of functional enzyme dynamics in environmental samples for microbially mediated biogeochemical processes: Targeted quantification of functional enzyme dynamics

Microbially mediated biogeochemical processes are catalyzed by enzymes that control the transformation of carbon, nitrogen, and other elements in environment. The dynamic linkage between enzymes and biogeochemical species transformation has, however, rarely been investigated because of the lack of analytical approaches to efficiently and reliably quantify enzymes and their dynamics in soils and sediments. Herein, we developed a signature peptide-based technique for sensitively quantifying dissimilatory and assimilatory enzymes using nitrate-reducing enzymes in a hyporheic zone sediment as an example. Moreover, the measured changes in enzyme concentration were found to correlate with the nitrate reduction rate in a way different from that inferred from biogeochemical models based on biomass or functional genes as surrogates for functional enzymes. This phenomenon has important implications for understanding and modeling the dynamics of microbial community functions and biogeochemical processes in environments. Our results also demonstrate the importance of enzyme quantification for the identification and interrogation of those biogeochemical processes with low metabolite concentrations as a result of faster enzyme-catalyzed consumption of metabolites than their production. The dynamic enzyme behaviors provide a basis for the development of enzyme-based models to describe the relationship between the microbial community and biogeochemical processes.

Li, Minjing↗
DOE OSTI2025

Litter production and foliar nutrient resorption in fast- and slow-growing tree species in the Central Amazon

Litterfall is crucial for forest maintenance, serving as a primary mechanism for nutrient return to the nutrient-poor soils of tropical forests. Foliar nutrient resorption likewise represents an important nutrient-conservation mechanism. Yet, little is known about how these processes vary between fast- and slow-growing species in post-logging areas of the Amazon forest. Here, the objective of this study was to quantify litterfall production and the resorption of foliar nutrients in fast-growing and slow-growing tree species of the Central Amazon, in a forest that was experimentally logged in 1987. The study was conducted from May 2022 to April 2023. Litterfall was collected biweekly using four collectors that were systematically distributed beneath the canopy of each monitored tree, totaling 72 collectors. Three fast-growing and three slow-growing species were selected, each with three replicates, totaling 18 monitored individuals. Species-specific samples of fresh (green) and senesced (litter) leaves were collected and analyzed for their nutrient content and resorption efficiency. Fast-growing species had a monthly leaf litter deposition of 13.53 ± 1.6 g m −2 month −1 , compared to 2.59 ± 0.4 g m −2 month −1 for slow-growing species. The average annual litter production across both functional types was 8.6 ± 2.6 Mg ha −1 year −1 . Nutrient inputs through litterfall were higher in fast-growing species for all elements, particularly nitrogen (N), with 21.92 ± 4.9 kg ha −1 year −1 . Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) exhibited the highest foliar resorption. P resorption efficiency was 68.3 % in fast-growing species and 57.8 % in slow-growing species. For K, efficiencies were 59.0 % and 41.7 %, respectively. These results highlight the substantial role that fast-growing species play in restoring forest productivity in managed Amazon forests, both through higher litter deposition and nutrient fluxes, and through nutrient conserving-mechanisms such as foliar nutrient resorption.

Amazon forest↗
DOE OSTI2024

The influence of exploration activities of a potential lithium mine to the environment in Western Serbia

The proposed exploitation of the Jadar Valley lithium/borate deposit in Serbia, by the Rio Tinto Corporation, indicates that it would become large-scale processing of boron- and lithium-containing ore. It would be one of the world’s very first lithium mines in populated and agricultural area. The company claims that the envisioned mining will be in accordance with environmental protection requirements. The Jadar Valley deposits have been claimed to cover 90% of Europe’s current lithium needs. Yet, local opposition to the mining has arisen due to potential devastating impacts on groundwater, soil, water usage, biodiversity loss, and waste accumulation. Research drilling by the mining company has already produced environmental damage, with mine water containing high levels of boron leaking from exploratory wells and causing crops to dry out. Furthermore, our investigations reveal substantially elevated downstream concentrations of boron, arsenic, and lithium in nearby rivers as compared to upstream regions. Additionally, here we show that soil samples exhibit repeated breaches of remediation limit values with environmental consequences on both surface and underground waters. With the opening of the mine, problems will be multiplied by the tailings pond, mine wastewater, noise, air pollution, and light pollution, endangering the lives of numerous local communities and destroying their freshwater sources, agricultural land, livestock, and assets.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Radio-Ecological Situation in the Area of the Priargun Production Mining and Chemical Association - 13522

'The Priargun Production Mining and Chemical Association' (hereinafter referred to as PPMCA) is a diversified mining company which, in addition to underground mining of uranium ore, carries out refining of such ores in hydrometallurgical process to produce natural uranium oxide. The PPMCA facilities are sources of radiation and chemical contamination of the environment in the areas of their location. In order to establish the strategy and develop criteria for the site remediation, independent radiation hygienic monitoring is being carried out over some years. In particular, this monitoring includes determination of concentration of the main dose-forming nuclides in the environmental media. The subjects of research include: soil, grass and local foodstuff (milk and potato), as well as media of open ponds (water, bottom sediments, water vegetation). We also measured the radon activity concentration inside surface workshops and auxiliaries. We determined the specific activity of the following natural radionuclides: U-238, Th-232, K-40, Ra-226. The researches performed showed that in soil, vegetation, groundwater and local foods sampled in the vicinity of the uranium mines, there is a significant excess of {sup 226}Ra and {sup 232}Th content compared to areas outside the zone of influence of uranium mining. The ecological and hygienic situation is as follows: - at health protection zone (HPZ) gamma dose rate outdoors varies within 0.11 to 5.4 μSv/h (The mean value in the reference (background) settlement (Soktui-Molozan village) is 0.14 μSv/h); - gamma dose rate in workshops within HPZ varies over the range 0.14 - 4.3 μSv/h. - the specific activity of natural radionuclides in soil at HPZ reaches 12800 Bq/kg and 510 Bq/kg for Ra-226 and Th-232, respectively. - beyond HPZ the elevated values for {sup 226}Ra have been registered near Lantsovo Lake - 430 Bq/kg; - the radon activity concentration in workshops within HPZ varies over the range 22 - 10800 Bq/m{sup 3}. The seasonal dependence of radon activity concentration is observed in the air of workshops (radon levels are lower in winter in comparison with spring-summer period). - in drinking water, intervention levels by gross alpha activity and by some radionuclides, in particular by Rn-222, are in excess. Annual effective dose of internal exposure due to ingestion of such water will be 0.14-0.28 mSv. (authors)

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2017

OpenMSI Arrayed Analysis Toolkit: Analyzing Spatially Defined Samples Using Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has primarily been applied in localizing biomolecules within biological matrices. Although well-suited, the application of MSI for comparing thousands of spatially defined spotted samples has been limited. One reason for this is a lack of suitable and accessible data processing tools for the analysis of large arrayed MSI sample sets. In this paper, the OpenMSI Arrayed Analysis Toolkit (OMAAT) is a software package that addresses the challenges of analyzing spatially defined samples in MSI data sets. OMAAT is written in Python and is integrated with OpenMSI (http://openmsi.nersc.gov), a platform for storing, sharing, and analyzing MSI data. By using a web-based python notebook (Jupyter), OMAAT is accessible to anyone without programming experience yet allows experienced users to leverage all features. OMAAT was evaluated by analyzing an MSI data set of a high-throughput glycoside hydrolase activity screen comprising 384 samples arrayed onto a NIMS surface at a 450 μm spacing, decreasing analysis time >100-fold while maintaining robust spot-finding. The utility of OMAAT was demonstrated for screening metabolic activities of different sized soil particles, including hydrolysis of sugars, revealing a pattern of size dependent activities. Finally, these results introduce OMAAT as an effective toolkit for analyzing spatially defined samples in MSI. OMAAT runs on all major operating systems, and the source code can be obtained from the following GitHub repository: https://github.com/biorack/omaat.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2018

Fabrication of Biodegradable Superabsorbent Using RSM Design for Controlled Release of KNO{sub 3}

Present study envisaged the sequential experimental design approach for the development of biodegradable Gelatin-Tapoica/polyacrylamide superabsorbent. Percentage water uptake efficacy of candidate sample was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) design under microwave irradiation. Different process variables such as potassium persulphate and ammonium persulphate (KPS:APS) ratio, pH, reaction time concentration of acrylamide and N,N-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA) were investigated as a function of percentage swelling using sequential experimental design. Maximum liquid efficacy of 1550% was obtained at KPS:APS = 1.0:0.5; acrylamide = 7.67 × 10{sup −1} mol L{sup −1}; MBA = 1.76 × 10{sup −2} mol L{sup −1}; pH 10 and time = 110 s. The 3D crosslinked network formed was characterized using Fourier Transformation Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) techniques and thermal stability was ensured by Thermal gravimetric Analysis/Differential Thermal Analysis/Differential Thermal Gravimetric (TGA/DTA/DTG) studies. Superabsorbent synthesized could increase the moisture content in different type of soils and was found to enhance the water-holding capability of the soil upto 60 days in clayey, 40 days in sandy and 51 days in mixture of two soils under controlled conditions. Further, candidate polymer was investigated for the in-vitro controlled release of the KNO{sub 3} with diffusion exponent ‘n’ was found to be 0.4326 indicating Fickian type diffusion. Also, initial diffusion coefficient (D{sub I} = 3.49 × 10{sup −5} m{sup 2} h{sup −1}) was found to be greater than the lateral diffusion coefficient (D{sub L} = 3.76 × 10{sup −6} m{sup 2} h{sup −1}) indicated rapid release of KNO{sub 3} during initial hours with slow release afterwards. The ecofriendly nature of the synthesized polymer was also tested by conducting biodegradation studies and it was found to degrade upto 94% and 88.1% within 70 days with degradation rate of 1.34 and 1.26% per day using composting method and vermicomposting method respectively. So, the synthesized candidate polymer was found to be boon for agriculture-horticulture sector with wide applicability.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Data for Wilson and Megonigal (2025), "Nitrate reduction across soils transitioning from coastal forest to wetland are hotspots for denitrification"

Sea level rise drives spatial migration of coastal ecosystems and can lead to the accelerated replacement of coastal forests with tidal wetlands. Soil biogeochemical cycles in steady-state upland and wetland ecosystems are well studied, but pathways and rates in rapidly changing ecosystems are largely unconstrained. Wilson and Megonigal (2025) performed a one-time sampling and a subsequent incubation experiment, and characterized the reduction of reactive nitrogen (N) via denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia. Sampling was done at four sites where coastal deciduous forest is undergoing ecosystem state change and becoming wetland throughout the Chesapeake Bay, USA. The COMPASS-FME project (http://compass.pnnl.gov) established the sites sampled in this study in 2022–2023.This dataset consists of:* Isotope-labeled incubation results comparing nitrate reduction rates across transects spanning upland, transition, and wetland; and* Ancillary porewater chemistry data.All files in this dataset are plain text, comma-separated value (CSV), and no special software is required to read them.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Thaw Depth, Oxyanion Concentrations, and Soil Moisture from Elevated Microtopographic Polygonal Features, Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska, 2016 and 2017

Data include results from elevated macrotopographic features soil pore-water oxyanion concentrations, soil moisture, and for samples collected from the Barrow Environmental Observatory and the broader Barrow Peninsula near Utqiagvik, Alaska during September 2016 and July 2017. Samples were collected from the top 20 cm of elevated polygonal tundra microtopograpic features including high-centered polygon centers, flat-centered polygon centers, low-centered polygon rims, the outer edges of drain-thaw lake basins (DTLB), and high centered polygons that underwent accelerated drying due to anthropogenic disturbance (ACC-HCP). This dataset contains two *.csv data files and one *.pdf user guide and is used in Arendt, et.al.The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiments: Arctic (NGEE Arctic), was a research effort to reduce uncertainty in Earth System Models by developing a predictive understanding of carbon-rich Arctic ecosystems and feedbacks to climate. NGEE Arctic was supported by the Department of Energy's Office of Biological and Environmental Research. The NGEE Arctic project had two field research sites: 1) located within the Arctic polygonal tundra coastal region on the Barrow Environmental Observatory (BEO) and the North Slope near Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska and 2) multiple areas on the discontinuous permafrost region of the Seward Peninsula north of Nome, Alaska. Through observations, experiments, and synthesis with existing datasets, NGEE Arctic provided an enhanced knowledge base for multi-scale modeling and contributed to improved process representation at global pan-Arctic scales within the Department of Energy's Earth system Model (the Energy Exascale Earth System Model, or E3SM), and specifically within the E3SM Land Model component (ELM).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Specific conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, water temperature and alkalinity in-situ data; Slate River floodplain, Crested Butte, CO; March 2021-October 2021

This data package includes a time-series of field measurements from March to October 2021 in groundwater and surface water from the Slate River floodplain in Crested Butte, CO, a focus field site for the SLAC Floodplain Hydro-Biogeochemistry SFA. The data was generated as part of the work targeting the overarching research question for the SLAC SFA: How do ubiquitous subsurface interfaces mediate molecular-scale biogeochemical processes and groundwater quality in floodplains and watersheds? The data package includes 5 data files, one for each measured variable: specific conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, water temperature and alkalinity. All measurements were recorded in the field immediately after water sampling. Groundwater samples were extracted from a network of installed rhizons (Rhizosphere Research Products, part no. 19.60.21F, 0.6 micrometer mesh size) and piezometer wells within the floodplain. In addition to the data files, there is a terminology file explaining the terms used, a file level metadata file, and a sensor file with metadata about the sensors used.All files are in csv format.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

In-situ electrochemical and water quality data; Slate River and East River floodplains, Crested Butte, CO; May 2022-September 2022

This data package includes a time-series of field measurements from May to September 2022 in groundwater and surface water from the Slate River and East River floodplains in Crested Butte, CO, a focus field site for the SLAC Floodplain Hydro-Biogeochemistry SFA. The data was generated as part of the work targeting the overarching research question for the SLAC SFA: How do ubiquitous subsurface interfaces mediate molecular-scale biogeochemical processes and groundwater quality in floodplains and watersheds? The data package includes 5 data files, one for each measured variable: specific conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, water temperature and alkalinity. All measurements were recorded in the field immediately after water sampling. Groundwater samples were extracted from a network of installed rhizons (Rhizosphere Research Products, part no. 19.60.21F, 0.6 micrometer mesh size) and piezometer wells within the floodplain. In addition to the data files, there is a terminology file explaining the terms used, a file level metadata file, and a sensor file with metadata about the sensors used.All files are in csv format.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Transport and humification of dissolved organic matter within a semi-arid floodplain

Here, in order to understand the transport and humification processes of dissolved organic matter (DOM) within sediments of a semi-arid floodplain at Rifle, Colorado, fluorescence excitation–emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy, humification index (HIX) and specific UV absorbance (SUVA) at 254 nm were applied for characterizing depth and seasonal variations of DOM composition. Results revealed that late spring snowmelt leached relatively fresh DOM from plant residue and soil organic matter down into the deeper vadose zone (VZ). More humified DOM is preferentially adsorbed by upper VZ sediments, while non- or less-humified DOM was transported into the deeper VZ. Interestingly, DOM at all depths undergoes rapid biological humification process evidenced by the products of microbial by-product-like (i.e., tyrosine-like and tryptophan-like) matter in late spring and early summer, particularly in the deeper VZ, resulting in more humified DOM (e.g., fulvic-acid-like and humic-acid-like substances) at the end of year. This indicates that DOM transport is dominated by spring snowmelt, and DOM humification is controlled by microbial degradation, with seasonal variations. It is expected that these relatively simple spectroscopic measurements (e.g., EEM spectroscopy, HIX and SUVA) applied to depth- and temporally-distributed pore-water samples can provide useful insights into transport and humification of DOM in other subsurface environments as well.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Overcoming Vicinity Property and Ground Water Challenges at the FUSRAP Middlesex Sampling Plant Project - 17529

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is addressing the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) Middlesex Sampling Plant Site (MSP) in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The MSP has been an active FUSRAP site since the early 1980's and was listed on the National Priority List (NPL) in 1999. Two challenges that the project team are currently addressing are Ground Water (GW) movement through fractured bedrock and Vicinity Properties (VP) assessments. USACE and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) signed a Record of Decision (ROD) for soils remedial action in 2005 and USACE completed the soils remediation at MSP in 2008, however, VPs were not a part of the soils ROD. Additionally, the State of New Jersey recently identified a potential contaminated VP of the site. VPs are any property in the vicinity of a CERCLA 'facility.' The contaminated VPs of the MSP were addressed prior to the adoption of the CERCLA process to address FUSRAP sites. Since the 1980's many changes to potential Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements have occurred. As such USACE has begun reassessing the previously addressed VPs for inclusion under the soils ROD as part of the CERCLA process. USACE does expect to have to revisit and potentially remediate up to 12 VPs. This paper will discuss the approach, some challenges, and lessons learned in adequately addressing VPs both from a field work and a post ROD regulatory perspective. USACE is currently in the Feasibility Study phase of the CERCLA process for GW. The project team has encountered and overcome significant challenges with regard to contaminant plume bounding and groundwater movement through the secondary porosity of dipping bedding plane partings and fractured bedrock of the Passaic Aquifer beneath the site. This paper will discuss the challenges, the approaches used, and lessons learned while delineating these contaminants. This paper's discussions are useful for anyone addressing an environmental site with soils contamination on VPs or with delineating contaminants in fractured bedrock. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗