THE GEOSCIENCES RESEARCH PROGRAM IN THE

OFFICE OF BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES

The Geosciences Research Program is directed by the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Energy Research (OER) through its Office of Basic Energy Sciences (OBES). Activities in the Geosciences Research Program are directed toward building the long-term fundamental knowledge base necessary to provide for energy technologies of the future. Future energy technologies and their individual roles in satisfying the nations energy needs cannot be easily predicted. It is clear, however, that these future energy technologies will involve consumption of energy and mineral resources and generation of technological wastes. The earth is a source for energy and mineral resources, and is also the host for wastes generated by technological enterprise. Viable energy technologies for the future must contribute to a national energy enterprise that is efficient, economical, and environmentally sound. The Geosciences Research Program emphasizes research leading to fundamental knowledge of the processes that transport, modify, concentrate, and emplace (1) the energy and mineral resources of the earth and (2) the energy byproducts of man.

The Geosciences Research Program is divided into five broad categories:

Geophysics and Earth Dynamics.

Geochemistry.

Energy Resource Recognition, Evaluation, and Utilization.

Hydrogeology.

Solar-Terrestrial Interactions.

The following outline of current research in these categories is intended to be illustrative The program evolves with time and progress in these and related fields. Individual research projects supported by this program at DOE laboratories, national laboratories, academic institutions, research centers, and other federal agencies typically have components in more than one of the categories or subcategories listed. Also, it is common for research activities to involve a high level of collaboration between investigators and different institutions.

1. GEOPHYSICS AND EARTH DYNAMICS

A. Large-Scale Earth Dynamics. Research on the physics of lithospheric dynamics such as plate motion, mountain building, basin development, and regional scale uplift/subsidence and its concomitant effects.

B. Evolution of Geologic Structures. Research on the physical controls and physical effects of the dynamic evolution of geologic structures (e.g., folds, faults, basins, volcanoes) on a local or regional scale.

C. Properties of Earth Materials. Research on physical properties of rocks and minerals determined in the laboratory or in the field (in situ), by direct or indirect techniques, and applicable on the spatial and temporal scales of geologic processes.

D. Rock Mechanics, Fracture, and Fluid Flow. Research on the response of rock and rock units to induced stress and the role of fluid flow as a cause and/or effect.

E. Underground Imaging. Research to characterize the layering, mineralogy, lithology, geometry, fracture density, porosity, fluid content, and composition of the lithosphere using geophysical methods.

2. GEOCHEMISTRY

A. Thermochemical Properties of Geologic Materials. Research on the thermodynamic and chemical properties of geologic materials and their kinetic/dynamic interactions.

B. Rock-Fluid Interactions. Research on the chemical and mechanical consequences of rock-fluid interactions and the mass and energy transport controls of such interactions.

C. Organic Geochemistry. Research on naturally occurring carbonaceous and biologically derived substances of geologic and energy importance.

D. Geochemical Transport. Research (both experimental and theoretical) on the geochemical separation, transport, and concentration of materials in the earths crust induced by the spatial and temporal dynamics of lithospheric processes leading to a predictive capability.

3. ENERGY RESOURCE RECOGNITION, EVALUATION, AND UTILIZATION

A. Resource Definition and Utilization. Research to develop new and advanced bases for the physicochemical dynamics needed for improved energy and energy-related resource exploration, definition, and use.

B. Reservoir Dynamics and Modeling. Research on the physiochemical dynamics of geothermal and hydrocarbon reservoirs in their natural and perturbed (by production, injection, or reinjection) states.

C. Properties and Dynamics of Magma. Research on the origin, migration, emplacement, and crystallization of natural silicate liquids and their heat energy.

D. Continental Scientific Drilling. Research on the scientific objectives of the OBES Geosciences Research Program using advanced technologies in shallow, intermediate, and deep drilling for earth observation facilities. Scientific research and advanced drilling technologies development are coordinated by an Interagency Coordinating Group (DOE, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Science Foundation) under the aegis of the Interagency Accord on Continental Scientific Drilling.

4. HYDROGEOLOGY

A. Fluid Transport Dynamics and Modeling. Research on the chemical transport and energy/mechanical consequences of fluid interactions and transport, leading to a predictive capability.

B. Thermochemical Properties of Energy Materials. Research on the thermodynamic and chemical properties of materials and their kinetic/dynamic interactions in fluidrock systems.

C. Perturbations of Fluid Flow. Research on the physicochemical dynamics and chemical transport of fluid-rock systems in response to mechanical and energy perturbations, leading to a predictive capability.

5. SOLAR-TERRESTRIAL INTERACTIONS

A. Magnetospheric Physics. Research on the fundamental interactions of the solar wind with the terrestrial magnetic field and the earth's magnetosphere as a model magnetohydrodynamic generator and associated plasma physics research.

B. Upper Atmosphere Chemistry and Physics. Research on thermal, compositional, and electrical phenomena in the upper atmosphere and the interactions induced by solar radiation.

C. Solar Radiation and Solar Physics. Research on the structure and dynamics of the sun and the characteristic interactions of solar radiation with the earth, including the effects of solar radiation on the climate.