Integrated sensor network provides near real-time temporal and spatial measurements for capturing in situ parameters to characterize fate and transport of solutes in hydrobiogeochemical systems

In order to protect environmental resources and foster sustainable growth, environmental monitoring and modeling are needed to track the subsurface fate and transport of myriad constituents and contaminants, particularly in landscapes experiencing multiple stressors (e.g., land use, weather patterns, and global change). Towards this end, DOE has developed reactive transport models to predict local and regional natural chemical fluxes in complex subsurface systems. These models require in situ measurements of subsurface properties and processes with near real-time recording for capturing hydrobiogeochemical parameters. Likewise, environmental/earth scientists often employ in situ sensors to decipher the coupled interactions that occur within the heterogeneous subsurface. There is a need for integrated environmental quality sensing solutions with in situ sensors that provide micro to large scale temporal and spatial distribution of soil and water properties along with web-based platforms that automate the collection, archiving, analysis, and visualization of high fidelity data. Develop and demonstrate an integrated environmental quality sensing system at the Reynolds Homestead Forest Resources Research Center in Critz, VA. A 9 node network demonstration of real-time sensor monitoring of soils, the rhizosphere, sediments, the vadose-zone and ground waters will provide high fidelity measurements. The structure and functioning of a hillslope over a 3 month period will supply inputs to reactive transport models for hydrobiogeochemical processes as a proof of concept. Primary tasks for the integrated environmental quality sensing system include. Collecting temporal and spatial sensor measurements with in situ sensors that capture physicochemical parameters in complex subsurface systems to support DOE reactive transport models. Integrate off-the-shelf serial digital interface, SDI-12 sensors and analog sensors from multiple vendors to collect automatic, autonomous, and persistent measurements at high spatial and temporal resolutions. Demonstrate the benefits of the solution to provide a complete end-to-end solution. Validate the user interface to provide simple deployment and flexible operation of fielded solution. Parameterize and simulate solute transport with two environmental models using collected data. Innovative Wireless Technologies and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University will develop an integrated environmental quality sensing system for real-time temporal and spatial subsurface sensor measurements to capture in situ physiochemical parameters required to characterize the fate and transport of solutes to determine environmental impact on land and water resources. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: The proposed research will provide subsurface system measurement data to DOE and environmental researchers to decipher the coupled interactions between water, soil, biota, and chemicals that occur within the subsurface to reveal patterns, trends, and associations relating to man-made as well as natural interactions. This will advance understanding of complex subsurface systems which will validate reactive transport models for hydrobiogeochemical processes to simulate the coupled interaction and predict local and regional natural chemical fluxes and lead to new methods to support cleanup of legacy waste sites as well as understanding the effects of various subsurface activities including carbon sequestration, hydraulic fracturing, mining, water supply management, land degradation, and climate change.