The Atmospheric Technologies Group (ATG) at SRNL puts Science to WorkTM through a comprehensive program of applied atmospheric research, technology development, and operational support for the U.S. Department of Energy ‘s Savannah River Site and other Federal agencies involved in national and energy security. Our general focus encompasses emergency response, international nuclear nonproliferation, climate change, and renewable energy.
Specific areas of current interest are:
As part of our ongoing support of nuclear-related activities at the Savannah River Site, ATG conducts a comprehensive meteorological monitoring program that includes a local network of 10 meteorological towers with extensive databases. These data are linked to a suite of environmental transport models for predicting the potential hazards of routine or unplanned contaminant releases to workers or the public.
Additional assets managed by ATG include a tall tower facility near the Savannah River Site equipped for meteorological and trace gas measurements at multiple levels up to 329 meters, the 30-m ‘Aiken Site’ Ameriflux tower equipped for measurements of carbon and water vapor flux within a forested canopy, and a vertically pointing lidar (ceilometer) for detecting clouds and aerosols in the atmospheric boundary layer. Instrumentation that can be deployed for intensive short term data collection includes SODAR, tethered and free release sondes, a portable in-situ meteorological station, and a variety of specialized radiometers. The result is a unique and extensive observational resource to support research requiring thorough characterization of the atmospheric boundary layer over a large forested landscape.
ATG also maintains a fully operational weather forecast center equipped with a feed of national and international meteorological data through NOAAPort and related web-based feeds. These data enable ATG to develop weather forecasts for Site operations, wildfire suppression activities, and a variety of SRNL field activities world-wide. Our unique integration of research, technology development, and ‘hands-on’ operational experience enables ATG to truly ‘put science to workTM’ at SRNL