The Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL) was founded in 1951 by Dr. Eugene P. Odum of the University of Georgia, who began ecological baseline studies on the Savannah River Site (SRS) with financial support from the Atomic Energy Commission. Throughout its 56-year history history, SREL has been operated by The University of Georgia.

SREL’s mission, as defined in its Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is to provide an independent evaluation of the ecological effects of SRS operations through a program of ecological research, education, and outreach. This program involves basic and applied environmental research, with emphasis upon expanding the understanding of ecological processes and principles, and upon evaluating the impacts of industrial and land use activities on the environment.

SREL highlights:

• SREL provides independent scientific evaluation of SRS operations.
• SREL has published more than 3,000 articles in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. (go to SREL's reprint list)
• SREL research has resulted in significant cost savings to U.S. taxpayers and a better environment for citizens and wildlife in the region surrounding the SRS.
• Based on SREL research, The National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences stated: "Ecological risks are better characterized at the Savannah River Site than at any other DOE installation, due in part to the designation of the site as a National Environmental Research Park and the presence of the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory."
• SREL Environmental Outreach programs touch the lives of thousands of CSRA school children each year and provide educational materials to teachers and students in the CSRA and around the world.
• SREL provides research opportunities for graduate, undergraduate, and high school students from across the country, training the next generation of environmental leaders.
• Undergraduate students from more than 275 colleges and universities have co-authored more than 150 peer-reviewed research publications based upon their research at SREL. More than 200 of these students have gone on to pursue careers in science.
• More than 325 dissertations and theses have been produced by SREL graduate students. Since 1985 SREL graduate students have won over 200 awards from regional, national, and international competitions at numerous professional societies and foundations.
• SREL researchers are internationally recognized through studies that include the effects of radiation and chemical releases, remediation of contaminated environments, and wetlands and animal ecology.
• SREL faculty, staff, and students contribute in countless ways to their communities, providing ecological expertise and willing hands for local and regional projects.

Without the Savannah River Ecology Lab…how will the public know?

• 45 metric tons of uranium have been spilled into Tim’s Branch, which feeds into the Savannah River. SREL environmental chemists have monitored this contamination, and are devising methods to immobilize it in place, while minimizing ecological damage. Without SREL, how will the public know?
• Past accidental releases of radioactive cesium and strontium have contaminated several reservoirs, basins, and streams on the SRS. SREL radioecologists have independently determined food-web pathways for these radioisotopes, and examined the risks to wildlife and humans. Without SREL, how will the public know?
• SREL operates a unique Low Dose Rate Irradiation Facility that allows scientists to study the effects of very low levels of radiation on organisms exposed throughout their lives. No other such facility exists in the world. Without SREL, who will conduct studies on the long-term effects of low level radiation?
• The extensive floodplain forests along the Savannah River have been impacted by dams upstream. SREL wetland scientists have documented the ongoing effects of altered hydrology on long-term forest health. Without SREL, how will the public know?
• Phytoremediation uses plants to clean up environmental contaminants, both industrial organics and toxic metals. Researchers at SREL and USC are pioneers in developing this technology. Without SREL infrastructure, there will be no place to do vital greenhouse studies and field trials, or to analyze the results of studies. Without SREL, then where?
• Groundwater analyses indicate that tritium plumes on the SRS continue to encroach on Fourmile Branch, a tributary to the Savannah River. SREL researchers provide independent assessments of the effectiveness of tritium phytoremediation efforts. Without SREL, who will continue these independent studies?
• Amphibian decline is a concern worldwide. SREL herpetologists have monitored wetland amphibian communities for 30 years, and are recognized as having the best data in the world to help understand population trends and develop effective conservation plans. Without SREL, how will the public know?
• Biofuels are plant materials used to provide energy, in the form of biomass, bioethanol, or biodiesel. Researchers at SREL are working to determine how to best address multiple biofuel needs with the same crops. Without SREL facilities and funding, then where?
• Numerous threatened, endangered, and sensitive plant species occur in Coastal Plain sandhills, and are imperiled by land management activities. SREL botanists monitor these populations, and research best-management practices to reduce impacts to plant populations. If not SREL, then who?
• Most of the 310 square miles of the SRS provides buffer for site operations and habitat for wildlife. Wildlife can move into and out of the SRS, transporting contaminants. SRS operations affect resident and migratory wildlife within and near the SRS. Without SREL, who will determine if these effects are significant and how will the public know?
• Public awareness of scientific information is essential to ensure that informed environmental health and management decisions are made. SREL educators reach thousands of children and adults each year, with programs about regional ecology and SREL research results. Without SREL education efforts, how will the public know?
• What environmental consequences will result from the SRS acquiring new missions related to plutonium reprocessing? How will the public know?