Mission
The Environmental Processes Branch is assigned the mission of investigating the physical, chemical, biological, and ecological processes that are critical to the assessment, modeling, management, and remediation of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Studies are conducted in bench, mesocosm and field-scale experiments. Studies include determination and assessment of biogeochemical cycling and fate of environmentally significant elements and compounds (including contaminants, explosives, and UXO compounds), and their relation to the biological resources of the ecosystem. Studies also include the assessment of limnological, aquatic plant, and water quality processes affecting reservoir, lake, river, wetland and estuarine water quality, the effects of plant control methods and associated chemicals on aquatic plants and plant communities, the effects of environmental conditions on native and nonindigenous plant communities, and the development of models for the assessment of water quality and aquatic resources.
Functions
- Conducts biogeochemical studies of elements and contaminants in soil and sediments to determine physical and chemical processes affecting element and compound fate and transport.
- Conducts studies to determine the fate and transport of explosives and UXO compounds in terrestrial and aquatic environments.
- Develops tests and models to understand contaminant loss pathways and to predict contaminant mobilization from dredged material.
- Conducts aquatic plant physiological studies to determine chemical control pathways, effects, and efficacy.
- Conducts studies to delineate factors and processes influencing the maintenance and restoration of natural plant communities and the management of nonindigenous plants.
- Conducts research on limnological and water quality processes (including physical, chemical, and biological) in reservoirs, lakes, rivers, wetlands, and estuaries.
- Develops methods for water quality and aquatic vegetation management and restoration.
- Conducts studies of processes linking watersheds and water resources, and their resulting effects on water quality.
- Develops models of interactions among geochemistry, water quality, and aquatic plants.
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ERDC Point of Contact
Questions about the Environmental Processes Branch?
Contact: Kristy Luckett
Email: Kristy.J.Luckett@usace.army.mil
Phone: 601-634-4198