GER-9554506 Tom The goal of our proposed training program is to produce scientists with unique and timely skills for making significant contributions to the nation's environmental problems. We believe an interdisciplinary PhD training program in environmental physics which combines a foundation in soil and environmental sciences with recently developed experimental and mathematical techniques of physics can fulfill this goal. The proposed program will include specialized training in: 1) the application of nonlinear optical and other surface physics techniques to understand microscopic processes at the soil/water, air/water and oil/water interfaces; 2) the use of molecular dynamics, percolation theory and other mathematical techniques to model water flow, contaminant reaction, and transport in soil and ground water systems.
