Karen L. Foley

The Attenuation of Retroreflective Signatures on Surface Soils

Abstract Soil parameters such as water potential, temperature, organic matter ( om ), and particle size distribution influence biological activity and collectively define the state of soils, yet these properties are typically described through time-intensive, ground-based sampling efforts. To improve our understanding of soils through stand-off sensing techniques, Light Detection and Ranging was used to monitor the signature of retroreflective beads embedded in polymeric agents on four soils. Our goal was to generate probability density functions (PDFs) for stochastic predictions of the persistence of this signature through time. Our findings showed that the PDFs of the reflected signal between target and background soils became nearly indistinguishable after five months and that OM, nitrogen content, cation exchange capacity, and pH related to signature decline. This approach, while developed using polymer-bound retroreflectors, will serve as a framework where a signature-emitter is left in or on soil and differentially influenced by terrain, weather, and soil processes.

Dynamic representation of terrestrial soil predictions of organisms’ response to the environment

The Dynamic Representation of Terrestrial Soil Predictions of Organisms’ Response to the Environment (DRTSPORE) platform was created to characterize soil activities in barren, vegetated, and complex environments, predict biological-impacted processes in soil, and generalize the framework to solve a range of Army-relevant problems. Key biological processes include soil stabilization, emerging power sensors, brown out abatement, pathogen emergence, and contaminant and threat degradation. These capabilities are a new essential aid to national security, as they currently do not exist. The primary objective of this research effort, DRTSPORE, was to develop an environmental intelligence tool that adds a biochemical layer to current high resolution remotely sensed terrain and sophisticated weather model products. The mathematical models developed serve as libraries added to the existing graphic user interface. The improved environmental intelligence platform will provide Commanders a tactical decision aid to make better informed decisions about mobility, the placement and construction of a forward operating base, the placement of sensors, and the avoidance of areas where there is a potential for exposure to mobilized toxic materials in the soil. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents. DESTROY THIS REPORT WHEN NO LONGER NEEDED. DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE ORIGINATOR. ERDC/CRREL TR-18-15 iii

Comprehensive approach for monitoring and remediating petroleum-derived contaminants in the Arctic : case study of the former NARL site near Utqiaġvik, Alaska (formerly Barrow)

The Arctic region of Alaska has a history of petroleum contamination from repetitive fuel spills and the overuse of petrochemicals. Notably, the presence of the former Naval Arctic Research Laboratory (NARL) outside the city of Utqiaġvik, Alaska (formerly known as Barrow), resulted in the contamination of local soils and groundwater with petroleum-derived hydrocarbons. Since the NARL closure in 1987, the U.S. Navy (primarily) has implemented many environmental investigations, remediation, monitoring, and containment strategies. However, the soil and subsurface soil unique to the Arctic complicates traditional remediation techniques as a result of the harsh environment and underdeveloped infrastructure of the remote site. Bioremediation and stimulating the existing microbial community represent attractive methods of decontamination because they are nontoxic and relatively easy to implement. The results from this study offer a comprehensive approach for characterizing petroleum-derived contamination specific to Arctic regions by coupling nondestructive geophysical tools with in situ hydro-biogeochemical methods. The overall goals of this project were to investigate the surface and subsurface soil properties at the former NARL site for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, monitor the distribution of hydrocarbons, characterize petroleum-derived hydrocarbons, and test various bioand phytoremediation scenarios both in the laboratory and as a field study. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents. DESTROY THIS REPORT WHEN NO LONGER NEEDED. DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE ORIGINATOR. ERDC/CRREL TR-18-18 iii

Baseline Assessment of Petroleum Contamination and Soil Properties at Contaminated Sites in Utqiagvik, Alaska

Abstract : Elevated contamination levels persisted for decades at the former Naval Arctic Research Station at two sites in particular, the Airstrip and Powerhouse sites. Because of the challenging environmental conditions at these sites, physical and chemical remediation technologies have not been effective at reducing petroleum contamination levels. Therefore, the continued presence of the contamination warranted a deeper investigation of petroleum chemistry, soil attributes, and biological activity at these sites. Petroleum chemistry analysis revealed the heterogeneous contamination at each site, with higher levels observed at the upgradient sites, which were situated further from the nearby freshwater Imikpuk Lake. Additionally, soil biological data tests showed an active microbial community, including high bacterial numbers in these soils. The results from this baseline study indicate that stimulating biodegradation processes in petroleum-contaminated soils is a promising technology for bioremediation.

Spectral Assessment of Soil Properties: Standoff Quantification of Soil Organic Matter Content in Surface Mineral Soils and Alaskan Peat

Abstract : Characterization of soil properties typically requires time-intensive, ground-based sampling. Therefore, technologies that allow for rapid assessment of particular attributes would be greatly beneficial. One example is Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, which uses an infrared spectrum to qualitatively identify a variety of compounds in solid, liquid, or gaseous samples. This study investigated the infrared reflectance signatures of peat and mineral soil samples with varying amounts of organic matter and coupled FTIR spectroscopy with a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) to more accurately identify and quantify soil organic matter (SOM). Clear differences were observed between the soil and peat FTIR spectral profiles. When compared to traditional analysis by loss on ignition, the coupled TGA-FTIR method resulted in an underestimation of the percent SOM for peat samples and an overestimation of the percent SOM in mineral soil samples. These results may have been influenced by low sample mass and moisture present in the sample. In total, our project results show that FTIR measurements provide a rapid yet qualitative means of assessing sample organic matter versus mineral content, but the TGA-FTIR measurement capability needs more refinement before it can be used for qualitative SOM measurements.

Removal of Exogenous Materials from the Outer Portion of Frozen Cores to Investigate the Ancient Biological Communities Harbored Inside

The cryosphere offers access to preserved organisms that persisted under past environmental conditions. In fact, these frozen materials could reflect conditions over vast time periods and investigation of biological materials harbored inside could provide insight of ancient environments. To appropriately analyze these ecosystems and extract meaningful biological information from frozen soils and ice, proper collection and processing of the frozen samples is necessary. This is especially critical for microbial and DNA analyses since the communities present may be so uniquely different from modern ones. Here, a protocol is presented to successfully collect and decontaminate frozen cores. Both the absence of the colonies used to dope the outer surface and exogenous DNA suggest that we successfully decontaminated the frozen cores and that the microorganisms detected were from the material, rather than contamination from drilling or processing the cores.

Benefits of Root-Microbial Processes for Treating Recalcitrant Organics: Field Studies in Korea

Options for treating organics-contaminated soils at U.S. overseas installations can be limited by cost, lack of supporting infrastructure, and availability of labor. Rhizosphere enhanced remediation can be an option for these sites. We conducted two replicated field demonstrations in the Republic of Korea. Factors evaluated were fertilizer and plants, each at two levels, in a factorial experiment. Vegetation was annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and fertilizer was 12-9-9, both were locally available. Spatial heterogeneity of initial TPH concentrations varied widely. After one season, using GCFID-measured TPH concentrations or using hopane-normalized TPH depletions to mental conditions. In this study, the purification-capability characteristics of a potted plant and its soil were examined using an experimental chamber of 300 liters. The plant was installed in the chamber and formaldehyde as a pollutant was injected into it. The characteristics were measured using a tin oxide gas sensor. The sensor is on the market and is widely used as a gas-leak detector. Its resistivity becomes lower as the concentration of atmospheric reducing gas becomes higher, and the output, which is the voltage of both ends of a load resistance, increases. The experiments were carried out using this chamber, which was placed in a room. The room was controlled by an air conditioner. Therefore, experimental conditioning parameters, for example climate and sunshine, could be kept at a constant. Golden pothos was adopted as the subject. Purification capability (Pa) was derived using the peak value and the fullwidth at half maximum of the sensor output characteristic. As for the results, it became obvious that Pa became larger when porous soil, for example ceramics and Japanese charcoal, were used in the pot. It is thought that the types of microorganisms inhabiting the soil influence the characteristics. And there was a tendency that Pa decreased when the plant was exposed intermittently to atmospheric formaldehyde. Pa also changes by the room temperature. It had a maximum value at about 22°C and increased slightly when the light intensity became higher. It is thought that the conditions of the soil and plant are very important to remove an atmospheric pollutant, especially in an indoor environment.