The Integrative Studies science element is intended to foster the development of multidisciplinary research teams working towards achieving the primary goals of the NABIR program. Subsurface environmental research spans several scientific disciplines including geochemistry, biology, hydrology, environmental engineering, and computational modeling, among others. The Integrative Studies element promotes collaboration among varied scientific disciplines both within the laboratory and in the field by requiring experimental plans that clearly integrate two or more of the major Science Elements within the NABIR program. The cross-cutting nature of this element is in recognition of the fact that long term solutions to environmental problems related to metals and radionuclides will require an integrated, multidisciplinary understanding of processes occurring within the contaminated subsurface.