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- Using Plants to Sustain Military Ranges
- Sonar Key to Detecting Underwater UXO
- Monitoring and Mapping Coral Reefs
- EPA-Approved Protocol for Range Characterization
- Robotic Laser Coating Removal System
- MetalMapper
- Understanding cis-DCE and VC Biodegradation
- Eliminating Cr from Medium Caliber Gun Barrels
- Predicting Responses to Landscape Changes
- Applying Statistics and Modeling to UXO Discrimination
- Composites with Low HAP Compounds
- Perchlorate-Free Flares Undergo Qualification Testing
- Recovering Energy from Landfill Gas
- Modeling Underwater UXO Mobility in Reef Environments
- Understanding the Behavioral Ecology of Cetaceans
- Forecasting the Effects of Stressors on At-Risk Species
- Advanced Signal Processing for UXO Discrimination
- Reducing Emissions for Jet Engines of the Future
- Assessing Vapor Intrusion at Chlorinated Solvent Sites
- Passive Sampling of Contaminated Sediments
- Leveraging Advanced Sensor Data to Clean Up UXO
- Source Zone Architecture Key to DNAPL Remediation
- Biopolymers Maintain Training Berms, Prevent Contamination
- Rare-Earth Corrosion Protection Mechanisms
- Cold Spray Technology for Aircraft Component Repair
- Ecological Research Supports Training at Camp Lejeune
- Loss of Permafrost – Impact on DoD Lands in Alaska
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- ASETSDefense Workshop on Sustainable Surface Engineering
- Forward Operating Bases: Water and Waste Management
- Evaluating Matrix Diffusion Effects on Groundwater
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- Erosion Resistant Coating Improves Engine Efficiency
- Optimizing Boiler Efficiency Through Combustion Control
- Climate Change Adaptation: Enhanced Decision Making
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- Workshop on Sustainable Surface Engineering Advances
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- Munitions Classification in the Hands of Production Firms
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- Success Classifying Munitions in Wooded Areas
- Evaluating Technology Performance at DNAPL Sites
- ‘Flyer’ Improves OB/OD Air Emissions Measurement
- Identifying Research Needs for Underwater Munitions
- Success Classifying Small Munitions at Camp Butner
- Managing Military Lands in the Southwest
- Partnering to Advance Munitions Classification
- ‘Flyer’ Improves OB/OD Air Emissions Measurement - Preview
- Sonar Identifies Underwater Munitions in Gulf Study
- Protective Coating Improves Jet Engine Fuel Efficiency
- Assessing Pacific Island Watershed Health
- New Insights Into Tracking Contaminants in Bedrock
- ClimaStat Technology Improves HVAC Efficiency
- Innovative Plating Process for Beryllium Alternatives
Assessing Vapor Intrusion at Chlorinated Solvent Sites

New knowledge and methods will lead to more accurate and cost-effective assessment of the groundwater-to-indoor air pathway, the driver for many DoD cleanup actions.
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Dr. Paul Johnson, Arizona State University
Integrated Field-Scale, Lab-Scale, and Modeling Studies for Improving the Ability to Assess the Groundwater to Indoor Air Pathway at Chlorinated Solvent-Impacted Groundwater Sites
Military installations and surrounding communities across the nation are affected by groundwater contaminated with chlorinated solvents. In recent years, concerns have grown over the migration of contaminated vapors from these groundwater plumes into people’s homes. Vapor intrusion is now often the risk driver for many actions at cleanup sites across the Department of Defense.
The risk from vapor intrusion is a complex process that can be influenced by many variables. Accurately predicting exposure is critical to protect human health and make wise use of resources.
Dr. Paul Johnson and colleagues have successfully linked laboratory-scale research and modeling studies with an integrated field-scale assessment in a real home next to Hill Air Force Base to understand and deal with the impacts of real-world issues such as:
- the high temporal and spatial variability that makes assessments so complex
- the uncertain relationship between groundwater concentrations and indoor air
- the impacts of home construction and variable soil gas concentrations
- the large number of other sources of indoor chemicals
This research has generated the knowledge and methods needed to more accurately and cost-effectively assess the groundwater-to-indoor air pathway. This work will improve DoD’s ability to protect the health of families living on base and neighbors in the surrounding communities, while saving resources so that they can be effectively used at chlorinated solvent sites across the nation.
For this work, Dr. Johnson received a Project-of-the-Year award at the annual Partners in Environmental Technology Technical Symposium & Workshop held November 29 –December 1, 2011, in Washington, D.C.
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