Projects
Characterization of Systems
Top: Borehole geologic soil samples.
Bottom: Soil samples.
General conceptual model of Hanford Site subsurface. Click for larger version.
PNNL researchers are working on the Characterization of Systems (COS) Project to provide the following:
- Development and configuration management of conceptual models and key parameter data sets for Hanford Site assessments
- Support to the Hanford Site-Wide Assessment Project.
The data and knowledge developed, consolidated and managed by PNNL researchers will form the foundation for defensible environmental assessments that influence decisions regarding Hanford Site operations, waste management and waste site remediation.
Work scope includes supporting the development of defensible remediation decisions by providing consistent and defensible technical information and data for site-specific and site-wide assessments. PNNL researchers are working to develop consistency and defensibility in conceptual models, technical information and data for predicting environmental impacts and influencing remediation decisions.
This work is being conducted in parallel with the Groundwater Remediation Program’s (GRP) Remediation Decision Support Task (formerly called the COS Task) managed by Fluor Hanford, Inc. The COS Project is also closely linked with the following projects:
- Groundwater Remediation and Closure Assessment Projects (managed by PNNL)
- Hanford Site-Wide Assessment Project
- Groundwater Performance Assessment Project
- Remediation and Closure Science Project.
The COS Project is also associated with other GRP-related projects including the Technical Integration Project, the 200 Area Assessment Project, U-Plant Regional Closure and 100-B/C Area Regional Closure. COS Project results will help identify opportunities for filling data gaps and resolving cross-cutting technical issues in these associated projects.
COS Project results will support the development and configuration management of conceptual models and key parameter data sets for the Hanford Site. Results will also be used to provide direct support to environmental assessments that influence cleanup decisions associated with the Fluor Hanford, Inc. baseline.
PNNL researchers will develop conceptual model tools, data packages and technical baseline datasets to report COS Project analysis results and conclusions.