The 2001 research portfolio for the Environmental Systems Research Program is divided into two categories--subsurface science, and waste management Science.  The program sponsors both problem-driven and fundamental research. Project summaries are provided below and researcher contact information is included.

Subsurface Science research projects address the need to improve subsurface contaminant models by expanding our understanding of biology, chemistry, physics, hydrology, and geology.  Subsurface science projects also focus on development of new data acquisition, processing, and interpretation methodologies to support remediation and long-term stewardship decision making.  Significant resources are being applied to enhancing INEEL's computing infrastructure and capabilities for modeling contaminants in the subsurface, and developing working models of contaminated facilities.  

• Meso-scale Investigations of Vadose Zone Carbon Cycles
• "Next Generation" Predictive Models of Vadose Zone Flow and Transport
  
• Investigation of Interfacial Chemistry of Microorganisms
  
• Spatial and Temporal Characterization of the Vadose Zone
  
• Geomicrobiology of Subsurface Environments
  
• Interfacial Processes Controlling Fate and Mobility of Actinides, Fission Products and Other Contaminants
  
• Upscaling, Averaging, and Modeling of Coupled Subsurface Processes
  
• Refining our Understanding of INEEL Groundwater Flow
  
• Exploring the Complexity of How Contaminants Move Through the Ground
  
• Engineering Root-Soil Systems for Use In Bioremediation
  
• Studying How Root-Soil Systems Take Up Heavy Metals
  
• Controlling and Destroying Aquifer Contaminants in Place
  
• Integrating Cross-Discipline Data to Image the Subsurface
  
• Water Flow through INEEL Subsurface Samples
  
• Advanced Geophysical Characterization to Enhance Earth Science Capabilities at the INEEL to Support Remediation and Stewardship
  
• Advancing INEEL Computing in Support of the DOE EM Mission
  
• Analyzing Subsurface Samples with Nondestructive Techniques
  
• Enhancing Environmental Chemical Data Gathering and Analysis in the Field
  
• Exploring the Genetic Potential of Microbes to Detect Hazardous Metals for Cleanup and Stewardship
  
• Harnessing Microbial Enzymes to Detect Hazardous Metals for Cleanup and Stewardship
  
• Robots to Measure Hazardous Materials and Contaminated Sites
  
• Measuring Groundwater Aquifer Water Levels More Accurately
  
• Identifying Microbe Chemical Signatures More Easily and Quickly for Remediation
  
• Refining Baseline Tracer Levels for Groundwater Modeling
  

The Waste Management Science portion of the program focuses on novel processes for treating and handling waste and decontaminating and decommissioning facilities more safely and cost-effectively. 

• Nondestructive Assay (NDA)
  
• Nuclear Structure Research
  
• Biocorrosion of Spent Nuclear Fuel
  
• Automated Planning for Decontamination and Decommissioning of Contaminated DOE Facilities
  
• Automated Waste Characterization for Decontamination and Decommissioning of Contaminated DOE Facilities
  
• Automated Waste Packaging for Decontamination and Decommissioning of Contaminated DOE Facilities
  
• Understanding the Movement of Mercury in the Environment Surrounding the INEEL
  
• Controlling Hazardous Environmental Chemicals by Developing Membranes for Chemical Separations and Barriers
  
• Removing Water and Hydrogen from Spent Nuclear Fuel
  
• Advanced Environmental Separations Science for Remediation