FY 2011 STATEMENT OF NEED 

Environmental Restoration (ER) Program Area

The overall objective of this Statement of Need (SON) was to develop an improved understanding of the near- and long-term impacts to groundwater quality after implementation of common in situ remediation approaches. In addition, development of methods to predict and/or monitor such impacts adjust remediation strategies to minimize negative effects while achieving remedial goals is of interest. Common treatment approaches result in removal of chemical contamination of concern, but may produce an aquifer that is degraded in term of other important groundwater quality parameters. Proposals may address one or more of the following objectives:

  • Improve our understanding of the impacts to groundwater quality due to implementation of common remediation approaches such as enhanced anaerobic remediation, thermal treatment, or in situ chemical oxidation.
  • Develop methods and/or tools that will predict the near-term impacts of remediation efforts on groundwater quality and allow for the assessment of strategies to minimize negative effects while achieving remedial goals.
  • Develop methods and/or tools to predict the long-term impacts to groundwater quality from remediation efforts and the potential for aquifer recovery.

The projects listed below were selected to address the objectives of this SON. Additional information on individual projects can be found by clicking the project title.


    • Lead Investigator: Dr. Kurt Pennell, Tufts University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

    • Lead Investigator: Dr. Philip Jardine, University of Tennessee, Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science Department

    • Lead Investigator: Dr. Robert Borden, North Carolina State University, Department of Construction and Environmental Engineering

    • Lead Investigator: Dr. Kevin Gardner, University of New Hampshire, Civil Engineering

Research should lead to improved understanding of the impact of remediation efforts on groundwater quality will improve our ability to manage contaminated groundwater sites. Once secondary groundwater quality impacts are better understood, more cost-effective management and treatment approaches can be implemented, substantially reducing the life cycle costs for managing these plumes, while reducing or eliminating negative impacts to groundwater quality