# Collaborative Research: Modeling reactive, density-driven groundwater flow to improve contaminant remediation

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Georgia Tech Research Corporation (GA) · $339,522

## Abstract

Groundwater contamination poses a serious threat to public health, ecosystems, and water security. Cleaning up contaminated aquifers often requires injecting chemical solutions underground to degrade pollutants. However, the efficiency of these treatments is limited by difficulties in mixing the treatment chemicals with the contaminants in complex groundwater aquifer systems. This research will investigate a novel way for improving mixing by leveraging natural fluid movement induced by density variations. The goal is to develop more efficient, cost-effective, and ecologically friendly methods for remediating polluted groundwater. In addition to advancing scientific understanding, the project will provide graduate and postdoctoral training at two institutions, encourage collaboration between modeling and experimental research teams, and create new open-source groundwater modeling tools that can be used by academic researchers and environmental professionals. Outreach initiatives include incorporating research findings into curriculum, organizing summer student exchanges across universities, and collaborating with an industry partner to transfer innovative remediation technologies into practice.

The technical goal of this project is to create and verify new ways for delivering dense, reactive treatment fluids into contaminated aquifers in a way that facilitates spontaneous mixing via hydrodynamic instabilities. The dense fluids will be fed through surface infiltration galler

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2449661
- **Awardee organization:** Georgia Tech Research Corporation (GA)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** EMW9FC8J3HN4
- **PI:** Jian Luo
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** —
- **Estimated total:** $339,522
- **Funds obligated:** $339,522
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2449661

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2449661, Collaborative Research: Modeling reactive, density-driven groundwater flow to improve contaminant remediation. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2449661. Licensed CC0.

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