Savannah River Ecology Laboratory

Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
Name	Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
Established	1951
Research field	Ecology, Environmental science, Radiobiology
Director	Dr. Olin E. Rhodes Jr.
Parent organization	University of Georgia
Location	Aiken, South Carolina
Website	srel.uga.edu

Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. The Savannah River Ecology Laboratory is a premier research facility focused on environmental studies and ecological monitoring, operating on the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Founded in 1951 by Eugene Odum, a pioneer of ecosystem ecology, it is managed by the University of Georgia and conducts long-term research on the impacts of industrial activity, particularly nuclear production, on natural systems. Its work spans radioecology, conservation biology, and wetland restoration, providing critical data for environmental management and policy.

History

The laboratory was established in 1951 through an agreement between the Atomic Energy Commission and the University of Georgia, with Eugene Odum appointed as its first director. Its creation was driven by the need to understand the environmental consequences of the Savannah River Site, a key facility for producing plutonium and tritium during the Cold War. Early research, foundational to the field of radioecology, examined the movement of radionuclides through ecosystems, influencing national policies on environmental monitoring. Under subsequent leadership, including directors like J. Whitfield Gibbons, the laboratory expanded its scope to address broader issues of biodiversity and habitat conservation amidst ongoing site operations.

Research and mission

The core mission is to advance understanding of ecosystem processes and provide objective scientific data for environmental stewardship on the Savannah River Site and beyond. Major research themes include assessing the fate of contaminants, studying the ecology of threatened species like the gopher tortoise and red-cockaded woodpecker, and restoring degraded habitats such as Carolina bays. Scientists investigate topics from biogeochemistry and evolutionary ecology to wildlife toxicology, often publishing in journals like *Ecology* and Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. This research supports the Department of Energy's environmental compliance and informs conservation strategies for agencies like the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Facilities and location

The laboratory is headquartered on the 310-square-mile Savannah River Site, a federal reservation near Aiken, South Carolina, bordering the Savannah River and the state of Georgia. Its facilities include specialized laboratories for analytical chemistry, radiochemistry, and molecular ecology, as well as greenhouses and animal care units. Researchers have access to diverse onsite habitats, from pine forests and hardwood bottomlands to cypress swamps and decommissioned nuclear reactor areas, which serve as living laboratories. Field stations and long-term study plots across the site enable continuous environmental monitoring and experimental research.

Key scientific contributions

Pioneering studies on radionuclide bioaccumulation in food webs, particularly for cesium-137 and strontium-90, established foundational principles in radioecology. Long-term research on amphibian populations has provided critical insights into global amphibian decline and environmental stressors. The laboratory's work on reptile and avian ecology has shaped conservation practices for southeastern species. Its development of innovative bioremediation and phytoremediation techniques for contaminated soils and groundwater has been applied at Superfund sites nationwide. These contributions are documented in thousands of peer-reviewed publications and technical reports for agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency.

Educational and outreach programs

The laboratory runs extensive programs, including the National Science Foundation-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates site, which hosts students from institutions like Spelman College and University of Michigan. It offers graduate fellowships and collaborates with the University of Georgia's Odum School of Ecology for advanced degrees. Public outreach includes guided tours of the Savannah River Site, teacher workshops, and community events like the annual "Snake Day." Educational materials and citizen science initiatives engage local schools and the public with ongoing ecological research and regional environmental education.

Notable personnel

Founding director Eugene Odum, recipient of the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, established its ecological research ethos. Long-time herpetologist and director J. Whitfield Gibbons gained national recognition for his work on turtle conservation and public science communication. Distinguished researchers have included radioecologist Dr. Michael H. Smith and ecotoxicologist Dr. Christopher L. Rowe. Many alumni hold prominent positions at institutions like the Smithsonian Institution, United States Geological Survey, and major universities, extending the laboratory's scientific influence globally.

Category:Research institutes in the United States Category:Environmental research Category:University of Georgia