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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.

Private: 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

Chun Chang Places Second in Annual Berkeley Lab Pitch Competition

January 18, 2023

Commercializing Berkeley Lab inventions is an important part of the Lab’s mission, and one that requires strong communication skills. For example, Lab inventors need to be able to pitch their ideas to external partners and potential funders.  The annual Berkeley Lab Pitch Competition occurred on October 27, 2022 and is a part of an entrepreneurship…

EESA Scientists Collaborate With Universities to bring Environmental Science Research Opportunities and Training to Students Underrepresented in STEM

January 13, 2023

  EESA researchers are collaborators in three of the 41 projects awarded in December by DOE through its Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) initiative.  RENEW aims to build foundations for research at institutions that have been historically underrepresented in the Office of Science (SC) research portfolio. The initiative provides opportunities for undergraduate and…

Berkeley Lab Hosts Successful CouFrac 2022 Conference

November 29, 2022

The 3rd International Conference on Coupled Processes in Fractured Geological Media: Observation, Modeling, and Application (CouFrac 2022) took place at Berkeley Lab and online everywhere else on November 14-16. Berkeley Lab Research Scientist Mengsu Hu led the conference along with Berkeley Lab Senior Scientists Carl Steefel and Jonny Rutqvist to explore the exciting new advances…

Cracking the Secrets to Earthquake Safety, One Shake Simulation at a Time

This article first appeared at https://newscenter.lbl.gov/. A new experimental capability, designed to replicate realistic earthquakes in the laboratory, paired with the world’s fastest supercomputers, will help lead to resilient buildings and infrastructure across the U.S. To make sure our buildings and infrastructure are earthquake-safe, we must understand how seismic activity affects different structures. Miniature models…

Christophe Tournassat Honored by Clay Minerals Society

November 14, 2022

Christophe Tournassat, currently an EESA visiting faculty scientist in the Energy Geosciences Division, has been named by the Clay Minerals Society to receive the Marion L. and Christie M. Jackson Mid-Career Clay Scientist Award for his contributions to the clay mineralogy field. He will receive the award during the 60th anniversary of the Clay Mineral…

EESA Geophysicists Explore Landslide Hazard Using Novel Remote-Sensing Approach

October 17, 2022

Torrential rains in Venezuela early last week provoked a devastating landslide, adding to the deluge of stunning climatic events of the past month. With locations around the globe receiving larger amounts of intense rainfall over shorter periods of time under climate change, bigger, costlier landslides that directly impact infrastructure have become more frequent–and urbanization exacerbates…

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