Integrating geology, geophysics, and geochemistry to characterize metal transport in deep groundwater in a mineralized mountain watershed | USGS FA 17 0111

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Integrating geology, geophysics, and geochemistry to characterize metal transport in deep groundwater in a mineralized mountain watershed."

Which federal agency is offering this funding?

The funding is issued by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of the Interior.

What type of funding opportunity is this?

This is a discretionary research grant opportunity announced as a Notice of Intent to award a cooperative agreement.

What does a "Notice of Intent to award" mean in this case?

It means the agency is signaling an expected award decision rather than conducting a fully open, competitive solicitation. The notice indicates the award is targeted and the recipient is already identified.

How is a cooperative agreement different from a standard grant?

A cooperative agreement anticipates substantial involvement by the federal agency during the project. Based on the notice, USGS scientists and staff may actively collaborate with the recipient on elements such as refining project design, field or laboratory methods, data management, interpretation, and dissemination of results, rather than only providing funding and receiving periodic reports.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is USGS FA 17 0111.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number is 15.808, which corresponds to USGS research and related scientific support activities.

What activity category does this opportunity fall under?

It falls under the "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" activity category.

What is the scientific focus of the project?

The project focuses on understanding how metals move through deep groundwater systems in a mineralized mountain watershed, and how those deep pathways can influence water quality in connected environments such as springs, streams, and shallow aquifers.

What is meant by a "mineralized mountain watershed" in the context of this project?

The notice describes mineralized mountain watersheds as areas that often contain naturally occurring metal-bearing rocks and, in some cases, legacy mining impacts. These settings can be important for understanding metal sources and movement through groundwater.

Why is deep groundwater important for metal transport?

According to the opportunity description, deep groundwater can serve as an important transport pathway for dissolved metals and metal-bearing fluids. This can influence water quality in springs, streams, and connected shallow aquifers.

What disciplines are being integrated and why?

The project integrates geology, geophysics, and geochemistry to build a more complete and defensible picture of subsurface conditions and processes controlling metal mobilization and transport. The notice explains that combining these disciplines helps reduce uncertainty in conceptual site models and connects physical flow paths with observed chemical signatures.

What does geology contribute to the project?

Geology provides the structural and lithologic framework, such as rock types, faults, fractures, and alteration zones.

What does geophysics contribute to the project?

Geophysics helps characterize subsurface architecture and fluid pathways where direct sampling is limited.

What does geochemistry contribute to the project?

Geochemistry provides evidence of sources, reactions, and transport behavior through water chemistry and related tracers.

Who is eligible to receive this award?

Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education.

Is this a competitive opportunity open to multiple applicants?

No. The announcement is a Notice of Intent to award and specifies an intended recipient, indicating this is a targeted action rather than a broad open competition.

Who is the intended recipient named in the notice?

The notice specifies the Colorado School of Mines as the intended recipient.

How many awards does USGS expect to make under this notice?

The listing indicates Expected Awards: 1, meaning a single award is anticipated.

What is the maximum funding amount available (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $136,351.

When was the posting created?

The posting was created on March 22, 2017.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was April 5, 2017.

What does the short posting window suggest about the nature of the opportunity?

The notice describes the short window as typical of notices of intent or targeted funding actions, consistent with the fact that the intended recipient is identified.

What kinds of outcomes is the project expected to support?

The expected outcome is improved scientific understanding and characterization of where metals originate, how they move through deep subsurface pathways, and what conditions control their release, persistence, or attenuation. The notice also states that results can inform broader watershed assessments and water-quality science in mineralized terrains.

How might USGS be involved during the project?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, the notice indicates USGS may be substantially involved, potentially collaborating on project design refinement, field and laboratory methods, data management, interpretation of results, and dissemination.

Does the notice describe specific field sites, sampling plans, or methods?

No. The information provided describes the overall scientific approach and rationale (integration of geology, geophysics, and geochemistry) but does not list specific field sites, sampling plans, or detailed methods.

Does the notice specify whether mining impacts are required to be present in the watershed?

No. The notice states that mineralized mountain watersheds often have naturally occurring metal-bearing rocks and, in some cases, legacy mining impacts. It does not state that legacy mining impacts are required.