EMSL is leading the effort to develop a national network of environmental sampling and sensing sites to produce comprehensive molecular-level information on the composition and structure of soil, water, and resident microbial communities required to advance the span and accuracy of multiscale models of Earth systems.

Through the Molecular Observation Network (MONet), EMSL will collaborate with a broad range of partners managing an expanding network of selected natural, urban, and managed watershed, coastal, continental, and atmospheric sites, both experimental and observational. 

To establish MONet for the Biological and Environmental Research user community, research will focus on seven areas. Research focused under current development include:

• Establishing the supporting field and experimental networks,
• Advancing methods for model–data exchange and multiscale modeling,
• Automating organic matter and soil analysis,
• Developing the next generation of rhizosphere sensors and other field sensors for plants, microbes, nutrients, biomarkers, and aerosols.

The data and models generated through MONet will improve prediction of ecosystem function and response to disturbances, supporting the long-term U.S. Department of Energy goal of scientifically informed decision-making regarding the nation’s energy and environmental security and sustainability. 

For more information please visit: https://www.emsl.pnnl.gov/monet

Data Management & Sharing

All data and software from this project will be made publicly available and conform to community-recognized standard formats.  

Data Reuse Policy

This data reuse policy applies to the all project content provided herein and is based on the guiding principles summarized by the Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science (SC) and the Office of Biological and Environmental Research program (BER), in efforts to promote a more efficient and effective use of government funding and scientific data resources (including all elements of the digital data generation lifecycle design, capture, and analysis intended for sustainable sharing and preservation). Digital research data best practice resources provided serve as a central effort in protecting research data integrity and facilitating the validation of scientific results for advancing science. All cases of data reuse and citation should adhere to guidance provided by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. 

DOE Funding Acknowledgments

Recommendation guidelines provided by the DOE Office of Science can be accessed at the SC Funding Opportunities & Acknowledgements homepage. For additional information regarding user capability data release, visit the SC Digital Data Management Resources at User Facilities for more information.

• EMSL Funding Acknowledgment: Scientists who publish results of research using EMSL resources and capabilities are required to include an acknowledgment of EMSL Policies in any publications.