Savannah River Site NERP

Savannah River NERP

Bottomland Hardwood Restoration of Thermally Disturbed Forests

Goal
To stabilize contaminated sediments

by accelerating succession of riparian zones along streams previously disturbed by thermal effluents. Field plantings identified the most appropriate species and economical methods of reforestation.

Significant Findings
Use bareroot seedlings (at least 45 cm tall) of species having the greatest flood tolerance and provide protection from herbivores.

Goal
Restoration of the corridor and delta of Pen Branch was based upon the research conducted in Fourmile Branch, defining species composition and planting techniques suitable for the different environmental zones.

Monitoring
The fates of tree plantings, fish, macroinvertebrates, and small mammals are being monitored as this ecosystem is restored. A framework for restoration assessment is being developed.

Groundwater Remediation Technologies

Goal: To improve understanding of biochemical processes controlling contaminant migration in order to reduce risks and develop cost effective remediation strategies.

Selective Colloid mobilization improves conventional pump and treat technology for in situ aquifer remediation by altering injection well chemistry to mobilize and extract contaminant bearing colloids from the groundwater matrix.

Genotoxicolgy

Goals: Long term exposure to environmental toxicants can affect individual organisms by altering biological processes such as metabolism. "Biomarkers" will allow researchers to monitor contaminant effects which may be subtle, chronic, or the result of multiple pollutants and to detect long-term trends in natural populations.

Demonstrations of synergistic actions of mixed waste (cesium and mercury) in largemouth bass from SRS cooling reservoirs.

Research is assessing the bioaccumulation and potential impacts of sediment mercury in the genetics, growth, reproduction, and metabolism in fish.

Variable DNA content in largemouth bass from SRS cooling reservoirs, as demonstrated by Flow Cytometry

Methods:

•	Development of "biomarkers", including: flow cytometry, the DNA content of cells; alkaline unwinding, number of DNA strand breaks; induction of p53, a tumor suppresser protein; examination of DNA sequences and micro satellites; detection of stress proteins; alterations in DNA repair efficiency; indications of DNA adducts; detection of changes in enzymes or other cell components associated with metabolism or reproduction.
•	Studies of potential genetic impacts from exposure to contaminants on the SRS.
•	Incorporation of laboratory exposures to suspected genotoxic agents and comparison with highly contaminated environments such as Chernobyl.
•	Identification of agents causing alterations detected by various biomarkers and assessing consequences of these changes to organisms and populations.


	Studies examining effects of high radiation dosage on DNA in natural populations