Addressing complex water-energy resource challenges
Scientists in the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory address the intricate and interconnected challenges surrounding water and energy resources. These scientific challenges include the need to understand and predict environmental responses to energy production, develop scientifically sound technologies that can enhance energy security and minimize environmental impacts, and provide society and stakeholders the information and tools necessary to inform policy and decision-making.
The team’s research explores these crucial scientific issues by providing in-depth knowledge, innovative technical solutions, and predictive capabilities that significantly advance understanding of ecological and environmental responses associated with various forms of energy production, including hydropower, fossil fuels, biofuels, and nuclear energy. The group also strives make accurate, actionable information and technical resources accessible to policymakers, stakeholders, and society at large.
Scientists tackle complex challenges at the intersection of water, energy, and the environment, aiming to predict environmental impacts, develop new technologies, and provide essential data to inform policy and decision-making for a secure, resilient future. Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy
One of the group’s primary objectives is to thoroughly understand and predict how different energy production strategies impact ecological systems. Researchers investigate complex interactions between energy generation processes and environmental health, assessing how these interactions affect biodiversity, water quality, and ecosystem services. The goal is to generate comprehensive insights that can inform environmental management practices and policy development, thereby promoting energy production while minimizing environmental disruption.
With the aim of enhancing national energy security, the group actively develops scientifically robust technologies designed to mitigate ecological impacts. These innovations are created through rigorous scientific methods, incorporating interdisciplinary approaches that span ecology, hydrology, biology, and environmental engineering. The practical tools and technologies developed are geared towards boosting energy production while improving resource management, ecological restoration, and environmental preservation.
Central to the group's research capabilities are specialized resources such as the 8,000 square foot Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, which facilitates controlled and precise experimental research in simulated aquatic environments. Additionally, researchers employ long-term ecological evaluations at various field sites, generating invaluable datasets that inform predictive ecological modeling. The creation and maintenance of comprehensive national geospatial databases and advanced ecological modeling tools further enhance the group's ability to address water-energy resource challenges at local, regional, and national scales, supporting a balanced approach to energy development and environmental conservation.
Aquatic Ecology - Current Research and History
Aquatic Ecology Lab
The Aquatic Ecology Laboratory is uniquely designed to study the impacts of different energy production strategies on aquatic ecosystems.
Aquatic Ecology Research: Biodiversity and ecosystem health
ORNL researchers study the effects of energy use on waterways and develop solutions to limit water pollution. This segment gives an overview about the methods scientists use to assess biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Aquatic Ecology Research: 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.
Aquatic Ecology Research: 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.
Aquatic Ecology Research: 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.
A history of research and discovery (Part 1)
For almost 75 years, scientists at ORNL's Aquatic Ecology Laboratory have been at the forefront of environmental research and discovery, including leading some of the longest-running studies of small streams in the world.
Contact
Senior Scientist and Group Leader- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health