ALTEMIS Project Sensors

DOE’s liability for long-term monitoring is projected to expand for decades and cost billions of dollars. This necessitates a transition to a new paradigm of monitoring, one that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to proactively manage contaminant migration. ALTEMIS has the potential to meet, and likely exceed, current standard monitoring techniques, while significantly reducing the projected costs of long-term monitoring.

In situ sensors can be a powerful alternative to conventional groundwater sampling and laboratory analysis; particularly under the new paradigm of monitoring focused on master variables Including soil moisture, pH, water table, temperature, and electrical conductivity. Although in situ sensors will not eliminate groundwater sampling as EPA and other government regulations specify a minimum number of wells, this strategy can be used to reduce the number of wells and frequency of sampling. Because master variables are often a leading indicator of changes prior to plume movement, in situ sensor deployment can be considered an early-warning system. This will lead to more proactive responses in the event such plume changes occur.