Mark O. Barnett, Ph.D., P.E.

Home | Archive | Research Group | Research | Laboratory
Our main research interests are the chemical processes controlling water quality, both in natural and engineered systems. We are particularly interested in processes occurring at the solid/water interface: precipitation, dissolution and weathering; heterogeneous oxidation and reduction; and adsorption-desorption. We are interested in the applications of these phenomena in the fields of:
  • Metal speciation and bioavailability in soil
  • Subsurface reactive-solute transport
  • Groundwater biogeochemistry
  • The treatment of metal- and radionuclide-containing soils and wastes
  • Water and industrial wastewater treatment

 
Metals and radionuclides have been introduced to the subsurface at numerous DOD and DOE sites around the country, due in part to infiltration of water into the subsurface from unlined disposal ponds and the disposal of wastes in unlined trenches.
Mercury Research Website

Pictures of Research Group Collecting Soil Samples

 
 
 
 

           

EXTERNAL FUNDING

Development of Modeling Methods and Tools for Predicting Coupled Reactive Transport Processes in Porous Media under Multiple Scales.  T. P. Clement, M. O. Barnett, N. Jones and C. Zheng. DOE Environmental Management and Science Program (EMSP), FY 06-08, $950,000.

 The Effect of Soil Properties on Decreasing Toxic Metal Bioavailability: Field Scale Validation to Support Regulatory Acceptance. A. L. Hawkins, M. O. Barnett, et al.  DOD-EPA-DOE Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP), FY 06-08, $112,600 (AU).

 Sequestration of Subsurface Elemental Mercury.  M. O. Barnett, W. P. Hamilton, W. H. Harper, and K. S. Savage.  Environmental Protection Agency STAR Program. March 1, 2005 – February 28, 2008, $324,342.

 Development and Application of an Innovative Nanotechnology for in-situ Remediation of Mercury-Contaminated Alabama Soils and Sediments.  D. Zhao and Mark O. Barnett.  USGS-Alabama Water Resources Research Institute, March 1 2005-February 29, 2006, Amount: $75,103.

 Developing a new class of ion exchangers for selective removal of arsenic and exploring an engineered approach for treatment and reuse of spent regenerant.  D. Zhao, M. O. Barnett, and T. A. Kramer. American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AwwaRF), August 1, 2004-June 15, 2005, $148,074.

 A Novel Ion Exchange Process for Selective Removal of As(V) and Enhanced Stability of Process Residuals.  D. Zhao and M. O. Barnett. NSF-EPA Partnership for Environmental Research New Technology for the Environment (NTE) Program, FY 04-05, $99,452.

 Decreasing Toxic Metal Bioavailability with Novel Soil Amendment Strategies. P. M. Jardine, M. O. Barnett, and S. E. Fendorf.  DOD-EPA-DOE Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP), FY 03–05, $361,000 (AU).

 In-situ Destruction of PCBs, PCE, and TCE in Alabama Soils and Groundwater using a New Nanoscale Sorptive Catalyst. D. Zhao, C. R. Lange and M. O. Barnett.  United States Geological Survey (USGS)-Alabama Water Resources Institute. FY 03. $24,951.

 Quantifying the Bioavailability of Toxic Metals in Soils.  M. O. Barnett and P. M. Jardine.  DOD-EPA-DOE Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP), FY 00–02, $880,000 (total), $329,000 (AU).

 Reductive Immobilization of U(VI) in Fe(III) Oxide-Reducing Subsurface Sediments: Analysis of Coupled Microbial-Geochemical Processes in Experimental Reactive Transport Systems.  E. E. Roden, M. O. Barnett, and C. R. Lange.  DOE Environmental Management and Science Program (EMSP), FY 01-03, $338,000 (AU).

 Retention of Copper in Sediment of Aquaculture Ponds Treated with Copper Sulfate.  C. Boyd, D. Zhao, and M. O. Barnett. Auburn University Environmental Institute, AY 02-03, $80,000.

 An Investigation into the use of Powdered Activated Alumina for the Removal of Toxic Metals from Contaminated Water. Alabama Legacy for Environmental Research Trust Awards. $80,809 ($39,581 external) for one year.  T. A. Kramer and M. O. Barnett. 

 Particle and Transport Dispersion in Atmospheric Boundary Layers. Auburn College of Engineering Research Infrastructure Program.  A. Ahmed, M. O. Barnett, and R. J. Hartfield. AY 02-03, $98,496.

 Fate and Transport of Radionuclides Beneath the Hanford Tank Farm: Unraveling Coupled Geochemical and Hydrological Processes in the Vadose Zone.  P. M. Jardine, S. E. Fendorf, C. C. Ainsworth, S. C. Brooks, I. L. Larsen, and M. O. Barnett.  DOE Environmental Management and Science Program (EMSP), FY 00-02, $1,275,000 (total).