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Program Domain

Discovery Geosciences

Researchers in the Discovery Geoscience Program Domain work at the cutting edge of observation, measurement and simulation of fluid-rock processes through the use and development of methods that span the molecular and field scales.

Programs

SEM-Kaolinite
Program

Nanoscale Control of Geologic CO2 (NCGC)

Enhancing the performance and predictability of subsurface storage systems by understanding the molecular and nanoscale origins of CO2 trapping processes, and developing computational tools to translate to larger-scale systems.

Donald J. DePaolo djdepaolo@lbl.gov 510-486-7560

Program

Basic Energy Sciences (BES) Geochemistry

Studying the fundamental chemical controls on the structure, properties and evolution of rock-fluid systems in terrestrial and subsurface Earth settings.

Benjamin Gilbert bgilbert@lbl.gov 510-495-2748

Program

Basic Energy Sciences (BES) Geophysics

Understanding the impact of fluids injected into the subsurface is essential for a host of activities that have material benefits for society. The long-term mission of the BES Geophysics Program is to improve our ability to monitor and image in space and time where injected fluids migrate and what alterations they make to the Earth’s subsurface.

Steven R. Pride srpride@lbl.gov 510-495-2823

Program

Basic Energy Sciences (BES) Isotope

Developing and applying knowledge of stable isotope fractionation processes to provide insights into the controls on mineral precipitation and material transport in fluid phases.

Donald J. DePaolo djdepaolo@lbl.gov 510-486-7560

Background

The Earth’s subsurface is a vast realm that is immensely valuable not only for the production of energy and mineral resources, but also for the sustenance of surface ecosystems and for newer applications such as the storage of waste materials. Any activity that accesses the subsurface causes geomechanical, geochemical, and hydrological changes. These changes can drastically limit the effectiveness or longevity of a subsurface technology or resource, and cause unwanted impacts on other surface or subsurface systems. Two major challenges in subsurface science that are relevant to numerous aspects of the U.S. energy system are:

  • The effective and judicious use of subsurface systems requires better understanding of the complex processes involved in accessing and manipulating rocks and fluids under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure.
  • The safe and sustainable use of subsurface systems requires a significantly improved understanding of the basic links between subsurface systems, the biosphere and other geological resources—such as groundwater—upon which humankind relies. Our fundamental research is providing new science-based understanding of the functioning of pristine and perturbed subsurface systems.

The Discovery Geosciences Program Domain is part of EESA’s Energy Geosciences Division.

Program Domain Leads

Benjamin Gilbert
Discovery Geosciences Program Domain Lead
BES Geochemistry Program Lead
Senior Scientist

Reed Helgens
Program Operations Analyst

News & Events

EESA Research Scientist Selected for NAE 2022 U.S. Frontiers of Engineering Symposium

May 23, 2022

Mengsu Hu, an EESA research scientist, was selected to participate in the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) U.S. Frontiers of Engineering symposium in September. For more than 25 years, the NAE has identified the best and brightest early-career engineers from large and small companies, research universities, and government laboratories to discuss their leading-edge research and…

EESA Experts Participate in National Energy Storage Summit

March 29, 2022

To support the nation’s transition to renewable energy and the growing demand for battery production, there is an accelerating urgency for new ideas and innovative solutions. From March 8-9, Berkeley Lab hosted a National Energy Storage Summit to connect national and regional leaders across industries, government, and communities to encourage collaboration on tackling the challenges…

Carol Chien Makes Impact as Co-Founder of Asian Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group

February 24, 2022

As Programs Operational Analyst in the Energy Geosciences Division and co-founder of the Asian Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group (API ERG), Carol Chien’s efforts have been impactful in both EESA and Berkeley Lab’s employee community.  The API ERG is a group dedicated to help API employees reach their full potential by establishing a support system,…

Remote Autonomous Monitoring Developed at the GMF Makes the Difference in Carbon Storage Investigations

Back in November 2020 when field research worldwide had more or less grounded to a halt due to COVID related travel restrictions, one team of EESA geoscientists was able to carry through with a key field investigation–and a complicated one at that. Conducted in underground rock laboratories, their work involves activating a geological fault to…

Quantifying California’s Lithium Valley: Can It Power Our EV Revolution?

February 22, 2022

This article appeared first at newscenter.lbl.gov The Salton Sea geothermal field in California potentially holds enough lithium to meet all of America’s domestic battery needs, with even enough left over to export some of it. But how much of that lithium can be extracted in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way? And how long will the…

National Labs Support Safe Nuclear Waste Disposal by Studying Safety Material for Underground Sites

January 19, 2022

When it comes to nuclear power, the uranium at the heart of fuel rods is also this power source’s Achilles’ heel.  When power plants shut down or the fuel rods in nuclear reactors become inefficient, the high-level nuclear waste resulting from the spent fuel created from running these plants could stay radioactive for thousands of years.…

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