The primary mission of the Center for Environmental Molecular Science (CEMS) - a collaboration of leading research scientists at Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory, with additional members at Penn State University and Temple University - is to identify the molecular basis for the chemical reactivity and fate of important environmental contaminants near the Earth's surface. CEMS also promotes outreach and education, including the training of future scientists. With funding from the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, and Stony Brook University, the Center for Environmental Molecular Science brings together researchers, educators, and students to provide a better understanding of the environmental consequences of society's energy- and pollution-intensive activities and to contribute to development of novel strategies for solving some of these environmental problems.

CEMS multidisciplinary research collaborations extend worldwide and bring together critical scientific expertise in the fields of chemistry, geochemistry, microbiology, biogeochemistry, physics, and materials science. New collaborations are always welcomed. Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory- both situated in eastern Long Island- provide ready access to unique experimental facilities, including the National Synchrotron Light Source. Located in a densely populated region of the country, CEMS plays a vital educational role for local and broader communities through a wide range of outreach programs.

A legacy of human habitation of the Earth, unique to the last 100 years, has been the widespread release of a great variety of contaminants. The presence of contaminants threatens the quality of many vital resources, thereby creating potential health risks and economic burdens for society. The mobility, toxicity, and bioavailability of contaminants depend on their chemical form and the nature of their interactions with materials present in the near-surface environment, including natural waters, mineral and organic matter in soils and sediments, and biota. Reactions such as oxidation/reduction, sorption, coprecipitation, and microbial transformation can alter the mobility and bioavailability of contaminant species. These complex processes operate at an atomistic or molecular scale and are not understood well enough to permit accurate assessment of risks and to identify cost-effective clean-up strategies. An equally important challenge involves the design of engineered waste forms suitable for the trapping and long-term disposal of certain contaminants, such as radionuclides. The field of environmental molecular science encompasses all of these complex environmental processes and relies on multidisciplinary studies to identify solutions.

The National Science Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, has established a small number of Environmental Molecular Science Institutes whose goals are to examine the molecular basis for environmentally-relevant processes, both natural and engineered. The Center for Environmental Molecular Science (CEMS) at Stony Brook and Brookhaven was established in 2002. CEMS researchers specifically focus on two major topics: chemical behavior of contaminant species, especially the nature of reactants, products, and mechanisms of fundamental processes, and secondly, the design and function of engineered waste forms that provide effective sequestration and long-term storage of selected contaminants.

Scientists from the Center for Environmental Molecular Science participate in a wide variety of research projects involving chemical, biological and physical behaviors in natural and engineered systems. Selected research program areas include:

• Sorption mechanisms of toxic metals and radionuclides
• Microbial transformation of actinides
• Mineral surface reactivity and the role of minority sites
• Ion exchange in meso- and nano-porous silicates and molecular sieves
• Phytoremediation of contaminants
• Computational methods for site binding models
• Surface oxidation and passivation mechanisms
• Materials design for anion sequestration
• Development of novel methods for the characterization of sorbents
• Trophic transfer of contaminants

Extensive research facilities and instrumentation are available within CEMS. Access to most facilities can be arranged for outside researchers interested in collaboration with CEMS personnel. Selected instrumental capabilities include:

• NMR spectroscopy
• X-ray diffraction
• FT-IR, Raman, UV-Vis spectroscopies
• Ion and gas chromatographies
• Complete particle characterization
• Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry
• Actinide handling lab
• ICP, DCP, AA analytical labs
• Radio-isotope lab
• Electron microscopy
• Computational chemistry
• Photochemistry

CEMS researchers are actively involved in research and beamline development at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. CEMS provides support for several beamlines engaged in environmental molecular science research, and makes support facilities available to interested users. Specific capabilities at NSLS relevant to environmental molecular science users include X-ray absorption spectroscopy, scanning-transmission X-ray microscopy, micro-beam X-ray fluorescence, and FT-IR microscopy. CEMS partnership with environmental scientists from Brookhaven National Laboratory allows access to additional facilities and offers opportunities for extensive collaboration.

Graduate students play an important role in CEMS research activities. Full-year stipends are available for graduate students interested in working with CEMS faculty and scientists. Admissions for graduate studies are made directly to the Stony Brook University Departments with CEMS participants (Chemistry, Geosciences, Physics, Marine Sciences, and Materials Science). Graduate degrees are given in these fields of study. CEMS graduate students benefit from having interactions in multiple disciplines and many have co-advisors from two fields of study or with CEMS research scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Graduate studies programs are also available at Penn State University and Temple University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the CEMS office or the graduate program directors of the Stony Brook University departments listed above.

Research experience during undergraduate studies provides students with unique opportunities to evaluate a science career path and to identify exciting areas of study. The Center for Environmental Molecular Science offers several opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in original research in environmental fields.

• Summer Research Program in Environmental Molecular Science at Stony Brook. Through competitive application, selected undergraduate students from across the country participate in a 10-week program at Stony Brook University. Students work directly with faculty mentors on individual projects relating to problems in environmental molecular science. Students are provided with a stipend, campus housing, and limited transportation costs. Additional information and application materials are available at: www.cems.stonybrook.edu/.
  
• Other Research. During the academic year, undergraduate students have the opportunity to participate in research projects with CEMS faculty and staff. These include ongoing research programs, semester-long projects, and projects focused on educational activities. Opportunities exist for undergraduate students wishing to apply experience in computer programming and graphical presentations relating to outreach and education programs. Interested undergraduates should inquire directly with the CEMS office or with associated faculty and staff.
  

CEMS participates in several education and research programs for high school students. Projects are designed to serve select, motivated students, including students from under-represented student populations. Learn more about these programs from the CEMS Education Specialist. CEMS scientists and staff members are actively involved in education and outreach programs. Focused at teachers, students, and the community, these programs offer opportunities to explore environmental issues and to participate in "hands-on" research projects.