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Details of Award

NERC Reference : NE/C515698/1

eMinerals: Applications of GRID enabled science to understand the Environment from the molecular level.

Grant Award

Principal Investigator:
Professor MT Dove, University of Cambridge, Earth Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Mrs K Kleese van Dam, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Fundamental&Computational Sci Directorat
Co-Investigator:
Professor W Emmerich, University College London, Computer Science
Co-Investigator:
Professor JP Brodholt, University College London, Earth Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Dr NH De Leeuw, Birkbeck College, Biological Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Professor V Alexandrov, STFC - Laboratories, The Hartree Centre
Co-Investigator:
Professor E Artacho, University of Cambridge, Physics
Co-Investigator:
Professor P Murray-Rust, University of Cambridge, Chemistry
Co-Investigator:
Dr RJ Allan, STFC - Laboratories, Scientific Computing Department
Co-Investigator:
Professor W Smith, STFC - Laboratories, Scientific Computing Department
Co-Investigator:
Professor A Finkelstein, The Alan Turing Institute, UNLISTED
Co-Investigator:
Professor D Price, University College London, Office of Vice Provost Research
Co-Investigator:
Dr K Wright, University College London, Earth Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Professor S Parker, University of Bath, Chemistry
Co-Investigator:
Professor R Catlow, University College London, Chemistry
Science Area:
Earth
Overall Classification:
Earth
ENRIs:
Pollution and Waste
Environmental Risks and Hazards
Science Topics:
Earth Surface Processes
Pollution
Properties Of Earth Materials
Abstract:
Dealing with containment of waste and the problem of contaminated land and water resources pose a major challenge to the governments and people of both the developed and the developing world. Strategies to remediate contaminated sites or to protect aquifers require robust models of water catchment, sediment transport, and of ground water flow. Such models need to be able to quantity the rate of water flow and the rate of movement of the polluting contaminant (be it a toxic metal, an organic compound, etc.). However, the thermodynamic data bases used in reactive flow models are far from complete or perfect, and significant features are based on assumed adsorption mechanisms and ill-constrained mineral-fluid equilibria. We propose, therefore, to establish a collaborative research programme based on atomistic simulation methods to study the way pollutants attach to mineral surfaces and natural organic matter, how they dissolve into water, and how they are carried around the environment. The goal of the study is to tackle many different types of surfaces, interfaces and solutions, and many different pollutants, in order to provide comprehensive data sets and to allowed detailed comparisons to be made. We will also be using a range of simulation methods, each with complementary strengths. This is an ambitious study, and requires the development of a high-level computing and data management infrastructure. We will build on developments coming through the current eMinerals project which allow calculations to be spread across share computing resources, and handle data through web interfaces. This work will link closely with experimental studies carried out in the laboratories of the project partners and their other collaborators. These include field-based studies that identify major pollutants in different settings, and laboratory studies of surfaces and fluid flow that can provide information from the atomic level up to macroscopic length scales. The final goal is to provide complete and accurate data that can be used to provide inputs for modelling of pollutants over larger length scales.
Period of Award:
1 Feb 2006 - 30 Sep 2009
Value:
£803,369 Lead Split Award
Authorised funds only
NERC Reference:
NE/C515698/1
Grant Stage:
Completed
Scheme:
Directed Pre FEC
Grant Status:
Closed
Programme:
E-Science

This grant award has a total value of £803,369  

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FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)

Total - StaffTotal - T&STotal - Other CostsTotal - EquipmentTotal - Indirect Costs
£519,346£16,441£18,684£10,000£238,898

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