MARK KRAM'S CURRENT RESEARCH:

Contaminant Detection: Dr. Kram and Dr. Arturo Keller are currently evaluating induced fluorescence techniques to rapidly identify areas contaminated with petroleum compounds and halogenated solvents. In addition, Dr. Kram is using a method he and Dr. Leroy Laverman developed to determine optimal detection parameters. Through these efforts, highly sensitive systems will be developed to rapidly detect the presence of organic contaminants, design cost-effective remediation systems, and ultimately reduce risks to human and ecological receptors.

Hydrogeologic Assessment: Dr. Kram invented a high-resolution piezocone, a penetrometer probe sensor which is capable of measuring pressure head to within 1" (US Patents 6,208,940 and 6,235,941).  This allows for highly detailed determination of head distribution, ground water flow path, and gradient.  It is also now possible to characterize aquifers as perched, unconfined, and confined with a single push.  This device will lead to superior transport models and optimized remediation designs.

Transport Modeling: Dr. Kram is working very closely with Dr. Arturo Keller to develop methods for accurately modeling contaminant fate and transport in subsurface environments. Through detailed field analytical evaluation of contaminant and soil media distribution and characteristics (e.g., organic matter, soil type, chemical partitioning characteristics, etc.), researchers hope to soon be able to make great improvements to the current conceptual models associated with contaminant fate in the environment. Ultimately, these efforts will lead towards new data interpretation approaches as well as efficient and cost-effective remediation of hazardous waste chemical releases to the environment.

GIS Sensor Network: Dr. Kram, Dr. Ed Beighley, and Mr. Sanya Sirivithayapakorn are collaborating on exciting new methods for real-time monitoring, processing, and display of environmental information using sensors coupled to customized Geographical Information Systems.  Their patented system and software (UC Case 2002-291) now makes it possible to cost-effectively conduct long-term monitoring (LTM) of contaminated sites, monitor hydraulic barriers, and establish an array of alarm systems.  As new sensors are developed, the number of applications will increase significantly.