Welcome to the
Aquatic Ecology Laboratory
Aquatic Ecology Laboratory
The Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (AEL) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is specifically designed to investigate the environmental impacts associated with various energy production methods on aquatic ecosystems. Originally built in 1972 to examine how cooling water discharges from nuclear power plants affect aquatic life, the AEL has continually evolved alongside the Department of Energy (DOE)’s expanding mission to address current and emerging experimental needs.
Today, the laboratory serves as a dynamic platform at the forefront of aquatic ecological research, enabling scientists to explore and evaluate the ecological implications of various energy production strategies, including hydropower, bioenergy, nuclear power, and coal-based energy production. The research team develops new tools and technologies to enable abundant energy generation while reducing ecological impacts.
Scientists working in the AEL focus on critical aspects of aquatic ecology, such as biodiversity, ecosystem function, hydrology, and the cycling of nutrients and contaminants. Through their work, researchers assess the broader implications of energy production activities on Earth systems, providing essential insights into environmental and resource management.
The 8,000-square-foot laboratory supports scientists as they develop and scale innovative technologies—from the lab bench to artificial streams to large-scale field implementation. The facility houses eight 22-m artificial stream beds, which allow researchers to simulate river environments and precisely control experimental conditions. Using water sourced from nearby creeks, scientists investigate nutrient dynamics, contaminant transport, food web interactions, and ecosystem function. This controlled approach helps researchers test and refine strategies for mitigating the ecological impacts before implementing them in the field. To that end, the AEL is an official testing facility for hydropower, marine energy, and remediation technology development networks.
Environmental Toxicology Laboratory
The Environmental Toxicology Laboratory is fully equipped to conduct both compliance-based and experimental toxicity assessments. Scientists quantify the impacts of various toxicants on freshwater, marine, and terrestrial organisms, generating critical data to inform ecological management practices.
Bioindicator Laboratory
The Bioindicator Laboratory assesses biodiversity, productivity, and organism health using microscopy, imaging, spectroscopy, flow cytometry, radio-telemetry, environmental DNA (eDNA), and respirometry. Researchers specialize in fisheries studies, analyzing age and growth through fish scales, otoliths, and epigenetics to monitor biodiversity from genes to ecosystems.
Biodegradability Laboratory
The Biodegradability Laboratory specializes in high-resolution, real-time measurements of key gases — including carbon dioxide, oxygen, methane, and hydrogen sulfide — that can provide critical insights into biogeochemical cycles of dissolved gases during incubation experiments. These measurements help researchers improve models of how different gases move within an ecosystem and evaluate how chemical compounds break down in freshwater, marine, and sediment environments.
The data informs understanding of biogeochemical processes and supports the safe introduction of new chemicals by identifying potential environmental impacts. Studies in this lab directly support the DOE’s mission to advance our predictive understanding of ecosystem processes and inform risk assessments.
Analytical Chemistry Laboratories
The Analytical Chemistry Laboratories focus on detailed chemical analysis of water and biological samples. These labs specialize in quantifying nutrients, mercury, methylmercury, and radiological isotopes. State-of-the-art instrumentation such as automated spectrophotometers supports accurate measurement of critical water chemistry parameters.
These advanced capabilities encourage collaboration between material scientists, sensor scientists, imaging, computation and advanced manufacturing experts, and industry partners to develop new, cross-cutting tools and approaches to accelerate aquatic ecology research. These collaborations have allowed scientists to:
- Develop an imaging system that uses artificial intelligence algorithms to automate the identification of aquatic organisms, such as macroinvertebrates and larval fish.
- Design and test novel methods for direct analysis of water quality in the field, including development of an aquatic drone equipped with water quality sensors to map water quality in streams and rivers at a high spatial resolution.
- Work towards a predictive ecotoxicological framework to connect molecular and individual-level impacts of chemicals, specifically focusing on PFAS as a case study for the Department of Defense’s Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program
- Invent novel lubricants for hydropower and marine energy facilities that are more effective and minimize environmental impact
- Develop and test novel methods and engineer robotic technology for environmental DNA (eDNA) and RNA (eRNA) surveys to determine aquatic species’ presence and abundance for improved hydropower and marine energy environmental impact assessments
- Develop remote sensing methods to map algal growth in small, forested streams to better understand contaminant dynamics and inform remediation decisions
Aquatic Ecology Research
Contaminant Effects on Ecosystems
Contaminant Effects on Ecosystems
ORNL researchers study the effects of energy use on waterways and develop solutions to limit water pollution. This segment discusses how scientists assess contaminant effects on ecosystems.
Environmental DNA
Environmental DNA
ORNL researchers study the effects of energy use on waterways and develop solutions to limit water pollution. Environmental DNA is among the tools scientists use to assess biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Ecosystem Assessment Using Drones
Ecosystem Assessment Using Drones
ORNL researchers study the effects of energy use on waterways and develop solutions to limit water pollution. This segment demonstrates how scientists use drones to assess biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Contact
Section Head - Biodiversity & Sustainable Systems