cleaner

Vision Statement

CLEANER is envisioned to be a collaborative Engineering Analysis Network, using high performance tools and infrastructure, to transform our scientific understanding of environmental change in Human Dominated Ecosystems (HuDEs). Using a geogpraphically distributed network of sensors and experimental research, CLEANER will change forever how the environmental engineering field collects, model, and interpret information to critically analyze human- impacted environmental systems for sustainability. The primary impediment to progress in analysis of human impacts on the environment, particularly in modeling and forecasting, is the severe lack of appropriately scaled spatial and temporal data. The CLEANER observation network is designed to remove this impediment. The CLEANER approach consists of (a) groups of investigators studying HuDEs, e.g., highly urbanized regions, watersheds stressed by intensive agriculture; (b) Technical Nodes (TeN) containing specialized personnel and technology that support HuDE investigators, and (c) an Integrated Analysis Facility (IAF) that will serve as the central organizational framework for collaborative investigations. The HuDES investigators and TeNs will be connected through a broadband cyber-network of common platforms and shared protocols facilitated by the IAF. The network will enable the development of effective engineering approaches across a wide range of environments. The CLEANER program will be distinguished by the common use of an integrated assessment approach that will involve five basic steps: (1) research to development and use innovative technology to document status and trends; (2) describe the environmental, economic and social causes and consequences of those trends; (3) hone modeling tools to forecast the effectiveness of potential actions to address those consequences; (4) provide a menu of options for implementation through research and exploration; and (5) define the uncertainties in steps 1 through 4 to define continuing research needs. The uncertainty analysis will guide development of enhanced observation, experimentation, and modeling to better inform the adaptive management process. In addition, CLEANER will transform the way that environmental engineering education is conducted allowing students direct access to cutting- edge technical developments (through TeNs) and study of human impacts on the environment (through HuDES)..