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Argonne's environmental research division has a new tool for identifying contaminants and cleaning up contaminated sites -- a cone penetrometer, all-track vehicle.
Argonne's new cone penetrometer is only the second vehicle of its kind in the United States and the only one in this country dedicated to environmental research. In Europe, vehicles like this are mainly used for engineering and construction projects.
"We're pushing the boundaries of using it for this type of work," said researcher Jackie Burton (ER). "It's allowing us access to places we couldn't go before. It takes the whole environmental investigation to the next stage."
The vehicle will be used in the field to gather sub-surface soil and water samples as part of the Argonne-developed QuickSite® method of expedited site characterization for contaminated sites.
QuickSite® integrates a number of scientific disciplines and uses analytical techniques that can identify the best sampling locations with a minimum of soil disturbance and monitoring wells.
Instead of drilling holes, which brings potentially contaminated subsoil to the surface, the truck pushes a pointed, instrumented probe into the ground with a hydraulic ram. The results are analyzed, interpreted and integrated on site by a full team of scientists using a continually changing work plan.
A big advantage of the new vehicle is its weight -- a relatively light 26 tons compared to the 40-ton truck that researchers used before. Another advantage is that instead of wheels it has tank-like tracks. These characteristics allow the vehicle to maneuver in areas where the terrain is soft and mushy without sinking into the ground or causing damage. They also enable the vehicle to reach steep terrain.
This is an important capability since much of the lab's work with QuickSite® is done in Kansas and Nebraska in areas such as yards and farm fields, which are not hard, compact, flat sites, according to Burton.
"It allows us to go between rows of corn that are up to about three feet high," said Burton. "Because the vehicle's weight is distributed over the broad area of the tracks instead of the smaller area where wheels would touch the ground, the vehicle does no damage to these softer areas."
The vehicle will also allow researchers to continue their work during mild winters when the ground does not achieve a good hard freeze. "We've been slowed down by the warm winters," said Burton. "It really limits our work."
Burton and her colleagues also are preparing to do reclamation work in wetland areas. The new vehicle will be an important tool for collecting soil and water samples without disturbing the habitat.
Besides the advantages in reaching a location, the new vehicle also has advantages in obtaining samples. An advanced drilling system can penetrate types of ground the previous system couldn't.
Also, the data acquisition system is universal so it gives researchers the freedom to bring on any type of equipment they want to use.
ER researchers put the vehicle to use for the first time earlier this month to look at subsurface water contamination in Milford, Neb., in an area of steep terrain that slopes down to the Big Blue River.
In fact, Burton and her colleagues have been waiting for the new penetrometer to proceed with this project because the area to be studied is almost on a floodplain. "We couldn't have completed this study without this vehicle," said Burton. "It's a neat piece of equipment to have."
The vehicle was built by A.P. van den Berg, Inc. in Heerenveen, The Netherlands, at a cost of nearly $400,000. The primary sponsor for the QuickSite® program is the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
-- Donna Jones Pelkie
A national shortage of flu vaccine has changed the procedures for dispensing the vaccine at Argonne-West.
Argonne-West has an initial supply of 100 doses for individuals considered to be at high risk: those with chronic heart or lung problems, over the age of 65 or who require medical follow-up because of chronic diseases such as diabetes, kidney dysfunction, anemia or suppression of the immune system. Those with an allergic sensitivity to eggs, chicken feathers or chicken dander should not be vaccinated.
Flu shots for high-risk individuals will be given Monday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Employees should be prepared to wait in the Dispensary for 15 minutes after the immunization in case of an allergic reaction. Common side effects that may occur after immunization are tenderness or redness at the injection site or mild fever.
Additional vaccine is expected to arrive at Argonne-West in mid-November.
Argonne's Integrated Safety Management system has been approved by the U.S. Department of Energy's Chicago Operations Office after an intensive review found that appropriate safety measures are in place at the laboratory.
A DOE-led verification team conducted an intensive review of Argonne's Integrated Safety Management (ISM) program in February, part of a DOE effort to verify ISM programs at all the national laboratories. Team members included employees of other DOE offices and contractors.
Argonne was required to demonstrate that it uses sound processes and policies to integrate safety into the work its employees perform. Presentations included discussions of process descriptions for performing work, and how divisions obtain assistance from support organizations.
Members of the team also visited many areas of the laboratory and interviewed employees -- both supervisors and workers -- about work practices. They reviewed records, manuals and position descriptions, and observed scheduled activities like weekly planning meetings, safety training and safety meetings.
"Although the verification process is over, we can never really be `done' with Integrated Safety Management," said Adam Cohen (EQO), director of Environment Safety and Health/Quality Assurance Oversight. "It's a continuing process."
A Halloween party will be held in Argonne-East's Building 213 Cafeteria Thursday, Oct. 26, from 4:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
A costume contest will be held, and anyone wearing a costume will receive an additional ticket for a door prize. There will be music, and food for purchase.
The party is sponsored by the Argonne Club and Sodexho Marriott.
More than 300 employees attended the Adult/Elder Fair held in the Argonne-East Building 213 Cafeteria Sept. 27.
Sixteen organizations provided information on services available to the elderly, ranging from protective services like the Illinois Secretary of State's Elder Programs to assisted living facilities like Brighton Gardens.
Fifty-seven percent of those who completed a survey at the fair indicated that they currently provide care to an adult over the age of 50. Another 26 percent said they anticipate caring for an adult over age 50 within the next five years. Of the caregivers, 34 were female and 25 were male.
Human Resources is planning another Adult/Elder Fair for 2001.
An Adult/Elder Care Web site has been established to help employees find information about the needs of the elderly and to provide links to organizations and vendors providing services to the elderly. Visit the Employee Benefits web page, and follow the links for "HR Departments," then "Employee Benefits," then "Adult/Elder Care."
The laboratory's retirement vendors will send representatives to Argonne-East during November to meet individually with employees and answer questions about plans and assets.
To schedule an appointment, call the number listed.
Prudential -- Wednesdays, Nov. 1, 8, 15 and 22.
Call Cheryl at (847) 619-3519.
Fidelity -- Tuesdays, Nov. 7 and 14. Call the
appointment desk at (800) 642-7131.
TIAA-CREF -- Thursday, Nov. 16, and Friday, Nov.
17. Call (800) 842-2005.
Recipes are still needed for a fundraiser cookbook planned by Argonne's chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).
Employees, their families and friends can contribute favorite recipes, especially those of international tastes.
Send recipes to Pat Frankovich (EQO), Building 212, or Diane Hawk (BIO), in Building 202, or to argonneiaap@yahoo.com.
Proceeds from the sale of the cookbook will go to the chapter's scholarship fund.
Daylight-saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 29.
Clocks should be set back one hour.
Bryon D. Austin, (ED), retired Aug. 4 with 32 years of service.
Virginia K. Bailey, (IPD), retired Aug. 11 with 15 years of service.
William Few Booty, (RPS), retired Aug. 7 with 26 years of service.
Luedia Brooks, (PFS), retired Aug. 25 with 27 years of service.
Allan P. Campbell, (DIS), retired Aug. 31 with 14 years of service.
Edwin Crosbie, (ASD), retired July 28 with 47 years of service.
Ronald J. DiMelfi, (RE), retired June 14 with 19 years of service.
Donald S. Gemmell, (PHY), retired July 31 with 37 years of service.
Anthony J. Gorski, (ASD), retired June 1 with 37 years of service.
Richard Hart, (ER), retired June 30 with 35 years of service.
Donald O. Johnson, (ES), retired Aug. 4 with 19 years of service.
Ronald Korczak, (PFS-MAT), retired June 30 with 17 years of service.
Leo J. Morrissey, (CMT), retired July 31 with 40 years of service.
Walter Svec, (CHM), retired Aug. 31 with 38 years of service.
Mary F. Warren, (IPD), retired Aug. 31 with 20 years of service.
Doris Wilson, (OCF), retired June 5 with 22 years of service.
Electronics and Computing Technologies will offer a variety of computer software training classes at Argonne-East in November.
Full class descriptions and schedules are available online. For more information about enrollment procedures, contact Diane Cavazos (ECT) at ext. 2-7153 .
Unless otherwise specified, classes will be held in Building 221, Room A142 and are limited to 10 participants.
Intermediate Word 2000 (ECT374) -- Monday, Nov. 6, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30
p.m. Cost: $195.
Intermediate Excel 2000 (ECT375) -- Tuesday, Nov. 7, 8:30 a.m.- 4:30
p.m. Cost: $195.
Intermediate Access Version 2000 (ECT376) -- Wednesday, Nov. 8, 8:30
a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $195. Class size limited to eight.
Advanced PowerPoint 2000 (ECT382) -- Friday, Nov. 10, 1:30 p.m. - 4:30
p.m. Cost: $135.
Beginning Unix (ECT564) -- First session: Tuesday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m.
- noon. Second Session: Thursday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m. -
noon. Cost: $245.
