Matthew Covert

Microscale and spectroscopic investigations in geochemical and microbiological systems

Lead Institution

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Principal Investigator

John Zachara

Project type

Large-Scale EMSL Research

Apply experimental manipulation and field investigations to understanding the behavior of selected chemical and microbial components in natural systems. The research is targeted towards compounds…

Experimental Investigation of Strontium Mass Transfer in a Dynamic Vadose Zone - Aquifer - River System

Lead Institution

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Principal Investigator

Steven Yabusaki

Project type

Large-Scale EMSL Research

At a number of DOE sites, groundwater flowing through contaminated sediments before discharging to a river is being relied on to meet regulatory standards. This natural flushing (i.e., monitored…

Effect of NAPL Dissolution on NAPL-Water Interfacial Area

Lead Institution

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology

Principal Investigator

Martin Schroth

Project type

Exploratory Research

The release of nonaqueous-phase liquids (NAPL) into soils and aquifers is a widespread and serious environmental problem. The typically low solubilities of NAPL cause them to dissolve slowly; thus…

Determination of hydraulic conductivity and soil moisture retention relations with the EMSL Hydraulic Properties Apparatus

Lead Institution

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Principal Investigator

Michael Fayer

Project type

Exploratory Research

Knowledge of hydraulic properties, such as hydraulic conductivity and soil moisture retention, is crucial for understanding flow and contaminant transport in the subsurface. Hydraulic properties are…

Column and flow cell experiments to study influence of wetting and mass transfer properties of organic chemical mixtures in vadose zone materials.

Lead Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Principal Investigator

Albert Valocchi

Project type

Exploratory Research

The project “Influence of wetting and mass transfer properties of organic chemical mixtures in vadose zone materials on groundwater contamination by nonaqeous pahse liquids” has recently been funded…

Intermediate-scale experiments to investigate subsurface flow and transport of an apataite solution in support of Sr-90 sequestration at the Hanford 100N Area

Lead Institution

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Principal Investigator

James Szecsody

Project type

Exploratory Research

The attached proposal has recently been funded after an extensive peer review. The unique capabilities of the Subsurface Flow and Transport Experimental Laboratory in the EMSL are needed to complete…

Demonstration of the Multiple-Location Saturation-Pressure Apparatus for Multiphase Porous Media Systems

Lead Institution

Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research TNO-NITG

Principal Investigator

Cornelis Hofstee

Project type

Exploratory Research

Parameter values for saturation-pressure models are either obtained from the literature or determined experimentally. The experimental apparati used to determine data for systems involving NAPL are…

An Integrated Approach to Quantifying the Coupled Biotic and Abiotic Mechanism, Rates and Long-Term Performance of Phosphate Barriers for In Situ Immobilization of Uranium

Lead Institution

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Principal Investigator

Dawn Wellman

Project type

Large-Scale EMSL Research

Operations related to nuclear energy and weapons production have resulted in numerous areas, worldwide, exhibiting surface and subsurface uranium contamination of geologic media. Within the United…

Desiccation of Porous Media to Limit Contaminant Migration

Lead Institution

Auburn University

Principal Investigator

Jacob Dane

Project type

Large-Scale EMSL Research

The primary attribute of soil desiccation is the removal of excess moisture from the subsurface, thereby reducing potential downward migration of water and contaminant solutes within the vadose zone…

Determining the Effects of Organic Chemical Mixtures and Wastewater on DNAPL Migration

Lead Institution

Sandia National Laboratory

Principal Investigator

Hongkyu Yoon

Project type

Large-Scale EMSL Research

DNAPL spill and water discharge scenarios at the ground surface may significantly impact DNAPL migration, entrapment, and subsequent effects on groundwater quality. A notable example is the Hanford…

Wettability and mass transfer effects on flow and transport of mixed DNAPL in Hanford Site sediments

Lead Institution

University of Texas at Austin

Principal Investigator

Charles Werth

Project type

Large-Scale EMSL Research

Approximately 750,000 kg of DNAPL containing carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was discharged to the vadose zone at the Hanford site. Assuming equilibrium partitioning among phases, an estimated 64%…

Experimental Investigation of Sr-90 Subsurface Contamination Sequestration in Hanford 100N Area Sediments by Surface Infiltration of an Apatite Solution

Lead Institution

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Principal Investigator

James Szecsody

Project type

Large-Scale EMSL Research

Strontium-90 (Sr-90) discharge from past-practice liquid waste disposal sites in the Hanford 100N area have resulted in Sr-90 release to groundwater, Columbia River, and biota on the Columbia River…

Subsurface Reductive Elimination of Trichloroethylene using Zero-Valent Iron Emplaced by Polymer Solutions

Lead Institution

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Principal Investigator

Michael Truex

Project type

Large-Scale EMSL Research

Zero-valent iron (ZVI) has been used for in situ remediation of inorganic compounds and chlorinated solvents through engineered permeable reactive barriers and injectable ZVI particles. A key aspect…

Coprecipitation of Aluminum Hydroxides and Calcium Carbonates during Denitrification: A Stabilization Strategy for Oxidized Metals and Radionuclides

Lead Institution

Oregon State University

Principal Investigator

Jonathan Istok

Project type

Large-Scale EMSL Research

Research conducted at the Field Research Center (FRC) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and at the Old Rifle site has demonstrated that it is possible to stimulate indigenous microbial activity and…

Development of a Microfluidics Flow and Transport Laboratory

Lead Institution

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Principal Investigator

Mart Oostrom

Project type

Large-Scale EMSL Research

The Environmental Spectroscopy and Biogeochemistry (ESB) Facility, in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana, proposes to develop a microfluidics capability to investigate…

EMSL Science Overview

Matthew Covert

Projects

Microscale and spectroscopic investigations in geochemical and microbiological systems

Experimental Investigation of Strontium Mass Transfer in a Dynamic Vadose Zone - Aquifer - River System

Effect of NAPL Dissolution on NAPL-Water Interfacial Area

Determination of hydraulic conductivity and soil moisture retention relations with the EMSL Hydraulic Properties Apparatus

Column and flow cell experiments to study influence of wetting and mass transfer properties of organic chemical mixtures in vadose zone materials.

Intermediate-scale experiments to investigate subsurface flow and transport of an apataite solution in support of Sr-90 sequestration at the Hanford 100N Area

Demonstration of the Multiple-Location Saturation-Pressure Apparatus for Multiphase Porous Media Systems

An Integrated Approach to Quantifying the Coupled Biotic and Abiotic Mechanism, Rates and Long-Term Performance of Phosphate Barriers for In Situ Immobilization of Uranium

Desiccation of Porous Media to Limit Contaminant Migration

Determining the Effects of Organic Chemical Mixtures and Wastewater on DNAPL Migration

Wettability and mass transfer effects on flow and transport of mixed DNAPL in Hanford Site sediments

Experimental Investigation of Sr-90 Subsurface Contamination Sequestration in Hanford 100N Area Sediments by Surface Infiltration of an Apatite Solution

Subsurface Reductive Elimination of Trichloroethylene using Zero-Valent Iron Emplaced by Polymer Solutions

Coprecipitation of Aluminum Hydroxides and Calcium Carbonates during Denitrification: A Stabilization Strategy for Oxidized Metals and Radionuclides

Development of a Microfluidics Flow and Transport Laboratory