49. TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUBSURFACE CHARACTERIZATION AND MONITORING
New measurement and monitoring tools for interrogating biological, chemical,
and physical processes in subsurface environments are important elements of
Department of Energy (DOE) research efforts to support the assessment of
remediation performance and DOE site stewardship. The purpose of these research
efforts is to determine the fate and transport of contaminants generated from
past weapons production activities, assess and control processes to remediate
contaminants, and provide for the long-term monitoring of sites. A description
of the nature and extent of contamination at the principal DOE sites is
available at
http://www.nap.edu/books/0309065496/html/index.html/.
Grant applications submitted to this topic must describe why and how the
proposed in situ fieldable technologies will substantially improve the
state-of-the-art, include bench and/or field tests to demonstrate the
technology, and clearly state the projected dates for likely operational
deployment. New or advanced technologies, which can be demonstrated to operate
under field conditions with mixed/multiple contaminants and can be deployed in
2-3 years, will receive selection priority. Claims of commercial potential for
proposed technologies must be supported by endorsements from relevant industrial
sectors, market analyses, or the identification of commercial spin-offs. Grant
applications that propose incremental improvements to existing technologies are
not of interest and will be declined.
For some of the following subtopics, collaboration with government laboratories
or universities, either during or after the SBIR/STTR project, may speed the
development and field evaluation of the measurement or monitoring technology.
In addition, some of these organizations operate user facilities that may be of
value to proposed projects. These facilities include:
· The Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory (EMSL) at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, (http://www.emsl.pnl.gov), is a national scientific user facility with state-of-the-art instrumentation in environmental spectroscopy, high field magnetic resonance, high performance mass spectroscopy, high resolution electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and high performance computing.
Grant applications must describe, in the technical approach or work plan, the purpose and specific benefits of any proposed teaming arrangements. Grant applications are sought only in the following subtopics:
a. Mapping and Monitoring Hydrogeologic Processes in the Shallow Subsurface—Grant
applications are sought to develop high-resolution geophysical methods to: (1)
characterize hydrogeologic properties that control the transport and dispersion
of contaminants in the subsurface, or (2) monitor dynamic processes such as
fluid flow, contaminant transport and geochemical and microbial activity in the
subsurface. While geophysical characterization methods are improving and
yielding higher-resolution data, they are still not routinely used to describe
flow and transport processes or to guide remediation activities. Therefore,
grant applications also are sought to develop integrated approaches where
geophysical data are combined with core analyses, well logs hydrogeologic and
geochemical information to better constrain and evaluate flow and transport
models. The development of improved methods for the long-term monitoring (one
year, ten year, and one hundred year time frames) of contaminated sites using
integrated geophysical sensor networks is also of interest.
Questions - contact David Lesmes (david.lesmes@science.doe.gov)
b. Real-Time, In Situ Biogeochemistry Measurements in Subsurface
Sediments, Biofilms, or Groundwater—There is a need for sensitive, accurate,
and real-time monitoring of changes in the composition of the microbial
community and its metabolic potential, along with the monitoring of
biogeochemical processes in contaminated subsurface environments, including
sediments, biofilms, or ground water (hereafter referred to as the subsurface).
To achieve this monitoring, highly sensitive in situ devices will be
needed for use in the subsurface, particularly if they allow for low-cost field
deployment in remote locations and an enhanced ability to monitor processes at
finer levels of resolution. Therefore, grant applications are sought to develop
innovative sensors and systems to detect biogeochemical processes that control
the chemical speciation or transport of metals and radionuclides in the
subsurface. For this subtopic, the following radionuclides and metals are of
interest: americium, cesium, chromium, cobalt, mercury, plutonium, strontium,
technetium, and uranium. Grant applications that address other contaminants
will be declined. In addition, the microbes and metabolic processes of interest
are limited to those that may be involved in controlling the subsurface fate,
transport, and remediation of these elements. Grant applications must provide:
(1) evidence of the relationship between the microbes and the contaminants; (2)
convincing documentation (experimental data, calculations, etc.) to show that
the sensing method is both highly sensitive (i.e., low detection limit),
precise, and highly selective to the target microbe, microbial association, or
analyte (i.e., free of anticipated physical/chemical/biological interferences).
Approaches that leave significant doubt regarding sensor functionality in
realistic multi-component samples will be excluded from consideration.
Grant applications also are sought for integrated sensing and
controller/signal processing systems for autonomous or unattended applications
of the above measurement needs. The integrated system should include all of the
components necessary for a complete sensor package (such as micro-machined
pumps, valves, and micro-sensors) for field applications in the subsurface.
Approaches of interest include: (1) fiber optic, solid-state, chemical, or
silicon micro-machined sensors; and (2) biosensors (devices employing biological
molecules or systems in the sensing elements) that can be used in the field –
the biosensor systems may incorporate, but are not limited to, whole cell
biosensors (i.e., chemiluminescent or bioluminescent systems), enzyme or
immunology-linked detection systems (e.g., enzyme-linked immunosensors
incorporating colorimetric or fluorescent portable detectors), lipid
characterization systems, or DNA/RNA probe technology with amplification and
hybridization. Substantial progress has been made in fiber optics and chemical
sensing technology in the last decade; therefore, grant applications that
propose minor adaptations of readily available materials/hardware, and/or can
not demonstrate substantial improvements over the current state-of-the-art, are
not of interest and will be declined.
Questions - contact David Lesmes (david.lesmes@science.doe.gov)
c. Improved Separation Technologies for Proteome Analyses of Subsurface Microbial Communities—Improved separation technology is needed to analyze the proteome of microbial communities in contaminated subsurface environments. The complexity of the proteome of these communities currently overwhelms the separation capabilities of commercial separation technologies. Therefore, grant applications are sought to exploit advances in capillary liquid chromatography (LC) separations, in order to improve the separation capacity and effectiveness. Approaches of interest include, but are not limited to, the use of: packing materials with reduced particle size, higher pressure (>10,000 psi) LC pumps, multiport valves that operate effectively at higher pressures (>10,000 psi), and more effective flow monitors for low flows (<200 nl/min). The ultimate goal is to provide greater peak capacity per unit time for the separation. Grant applications should include a discussion of how the proposed approach would eventually be integrated into a system to achieve improved separation.
Questions - contact David Lesmes
(david.lesmes@science.doe.gov)
References:
1. Dandridge, A. and Cogdell, G. B., “Fiber Optic Sensors - Performance, Reliability, Smallness,” Sea Technology, 35(5): 31, May 1994. (ISSN: 0093-3651)
2. Egorov, O. B., et al., “Radionuclide Sensors Based on Chemically Selective Scintillating Microspheres: Renewable Column Sensor for Analysis of 99Tc in Water,” Analytical Chemistry, 71(23): 5420-5429, December 1, 1999. (ISSN: 0003-2700)
3. “Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research,” Field Studies at Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Sites Website, 2003. (URL: http://www.pnl.gov/nabir-umtra/index.stm)
4. National Research Council, “Seeing into the Earth: Noninvasive Characterization of the Shallow Subsurface for Environment and Engineering Application,” [U.S. DOE Environmental Management Science Program], National Academy Press, 2000. (Full text available at: http://books.nap.edu/openbook/0309063590/html/index.html)
5. National Research Council, “A Strategic Vision for Department of Energy Environmental Quality of Research and Development,” National Academy Press, 2001. (Full text available at: http://lab.nap.edu/nap-cgi/discover.cgi?term=strategic%20vision&restric=NAP)
6. National Research Council, “Science and Technology for Environmental Cleanup at Hanford,” National Academy Press, 2001. (Full text available at: http://books.nap.edu/openbook/0309075963/html/index.html)
7. Riley, R. G., et al., “Chemical Contaminants on DOE Lands and Selection of Contaminant Mixtures for Subsurface Science Research,” U.S. Department of Energy, 1992. (Report No. DOE/ER- 0547T) (NTIS Order No. DE92014826)*
8. Rivera H., et al., “A Microsensor to Measure Nanomolar Concentrations of Nitric Oxide,” Sensors, 11(2): 72-73, 1994. (ISSN: 0746-9462)
9. “Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research Program Plan,” Washington, DC: U.S. DOE Office of Biological and Environmental Research, 1995. (Report No. DOE/ER -0659T) (NTIS Order No. DE96000157) (Full text available at: http://www.osti.gov/dublincore/gpo/servlets/purl/109499-kE8l99/webviewable/109499.pdf)*
10. “Linking Legacies: Connecting the Cold War Nuclear Weapons Production Processes to Their Environmental Consequences,” U.S. DOE Office of Environmental Management, 1997. (Report No. DOE/EM-0319) (Full text available at: http://legacystory.apps.em.doe.gov/index.asp. Click on preferred option in table at center of page.)
11. U.S. DOE Environmental Management Science Program, “Research Needs in Subsurface Science,” National Academy Press, 2000. (ISBN: 0309066468) (Full text available at: http://books.nap.edu/openbook/0309066468/html/index.html)
12. Oak Ridge Technology Needs Database Website, U.S. DOE Office of Environmental Management, 1998 (URL: http://www.em.doe.gov/techneed/) (Provides information services to communicate DOE's technology needs in the areas of characterization, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous and radioactive waste)
13. “A Report to Congress on Long-Term Stewardship,” Washington, DC: U.S. DOE Office of Environmental Management, 2001. (Full text available at: http://lts.apps.em.doe.gov/center/stewlink2.asp)
14. Nevada Test Site Technology Needs Website, U.S. Department of Energy. (URL: http://www.nv.doe.gov/nts/default.htm)
15. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Legacy Management Website. (URL: http://www.gjo.doe.gov/)
16. CLU-IN: Hazardous Waste Clean-Up Information Website, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Technology Innovation Office. (URL: http://www.clu-in.org/)
* Abstract and ordering information available from National Technical Information Service (NTIS). Telephone: 1-800-553-6847. Website: http://www.ntis.gov/ (Search by order no. Please note: Items that are unavailable via the Website might be obtained by phoning NTIS.)
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