Subsurface Science,
Abstract
Use of bacteria in subsurface remediation shows great promise. A number of technical problems the use of bacteria require further investigation. The physics and chemistry of the movement of bacteria in the heterogenous subsurface is poorly understood. A novel concept that needs further work is to use resident microorganisms and to transmit only the new genetic instructions from the surface. The United States Department of Energy (DOE) in 1985 established the Subsurface Science Program. The primary purpose of this program is to assist DOE's efforts to clean up wastes that have been disposed of underground and that have moved from surface sites into the underground. While the mining and petroleum companies have carried out extensive operations in the subsurface, the physics, chemistry, and particularly, the biology of the subsurface environment are largely unknown. In Section 2, we present our overall view of the program, its major goals, and outstanding issues. In general, this is a high-quality program, and deserves continuing and increasing support. The problem of understanding the subsurface environment in such a way as to make bioremediation a useful alternative is highly challenging. The subsurface environment is characterized by great natural physical and biological heterogeneity. This heterogeneity is discussed in Sections 2, 3, and 6. The complexity of natural heterogeneity is a theme running throughout the report. Methods to describe the heterogeneity in a useful way must be developed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 25, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA298759
Entities
People
- G. Macdonald
- H. Levine
- M. Ruderman
- O. Rothaus
- S. Treiman
Organizations
- MITRE Corporation