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Faculty and Student
Teams Program
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Project Descriptions
Brookhaven
National Laboratory
Environmental Science Department
Technology Development and Applications Group
Requesting applications from science or
engineering faculty members at institutions serving students
underrepresented in science, engineering, mathematics and technology, to
work on environmental contamination problems related to vapor intrusion
into residential homes and/or atmospheric dispersion.
Project Description
There is growing concern over residential exposure to
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Recently, subsurface contamination has
been identified as a source of vapor intrusion into residential homes.
Several states have promulgated regulatory limits for VOCs in residential
homes and are actively investigating subsurface sources of VOCs.
There is debate over the extent a subsurface source contributes to
the overall home VOC concentrations. The intent of this program is to
develop methodology to determine the subsurface contribution by using
perfluorocarbon tracers (PFT) to measure the infiltration rate of a
subsurface source into residential basements/homes.
The project will run field tests at a house/building at BNL with a
conventional basement and/or crawlspace. PFT sources will be emplaced
beneath the building using Geoprobe techniques. The sources will release
small amounts of the harmless PFT which can be detected at parts per
quadrillion levels (1 in 1015). Some of the PFT will diffuse
into the house and the rate of infiltration can be measured. The air
exchange rate of the house/building will also need to be measured to fully
quantify the subsurface infiltration rate. This will be measured by
placing different PFT sources (with well known release rates) throughout
the building and basement. The differences in expected PFT concentrations
versus actual concentrations can be used to determine the air exchage rate
of the basement and house. Data will be used to validate and/or develop
models and assumptions used in current risk assessment.
Applicants Responsibilities
and Relationship to Project
Applicants will receive support under the
Department of Energy Faculty Student Team Research Program (FaST) to work
collaboratively with the project research team at BNL for up to 10 weeks
during the year starting in June of 2006, Summer and academic year visits
to BNL will be scheduled by mutual agreement between staff in the
Environmental Science department and the successful applicant. Ideally,
faculty will work at BNL on the project for 10 weeks during the summer in
the first year. Faculty will be expected to identify students from their
campus to participate in the FaST program offered by the Department of
Energy at BNL. Faculty will provide some mentorship and/or advising
support to students during the summer research activities. It is expected
that the Faculty member will become an integral part of the research team
working on this project and will support the project through the academic
year on her or his campus.
Qualifications of Ideal Candidate
| Faculty: |
Ph.D. with experience in
environmental contamination problems including dispersion modeling,
infiltration and sample collection.
Works well in a collaborative environment with students and
other researchers. Currently teaches and collaborates with students
in his/her field. Possesses
good written and verbal communication skills.
Willing to work at BNL for an extended period during the
summer. |
| Student: |
Working towards a BS in
engineering or BA in science with an emphasis on environmental
problems. Works well in collaboration with faculty, other students,
and researchers. Possesses
good written and verbal communication skills.
Willing to work at BNL for an extended period. Willing to
perform data collection in the field. |
Support
and Financial Commitments See Financial Information.
For More Information contact:
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