United States
Environ
Agency
f/EPA
Office of Solid Wasfe and
Emergency Response
(5102G)
EPA/542-F-00-015
August 20(10
cluin.org
Innovations In Site
Characterization:
Geophysical Investigation at
Hazardous Waste Sites
The case studies in this compendium (EPA-542-R-00-003) describe a number of geophysical
technologies and methods that were used to characterize 11 sites with significantly different geological
settings and types of subsurface contamination. The geological settings ranged from relatively
homogeneous stratigraphy to the highly heterogeneous mix of sand and clay layers. The types of
contamination that were characterized fell primarily into three broad groups: chlorinated solvents,
petroleum-related compounds, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
The geophysical investigations were undertaken for purposes which varied from the more traditional
characterization of site stratigraphy to directly monitoring contaminants in soil and ground water. In each
investigation, the geophysical technologies performed as expected, and the results were used by site
managers to support a variety of site decisions, ranging from remedy selection and design to optimizing
the performance of existing remedies. In five studies, the geophysical technology was able to directly
detect contaminants, greatly aiding the delineation of contamination at those sites. In the remaining
investigations, the results described critical geological structures that influenced the migration of
contaminants.
Although no difficulties were reported for five of the investigations, those reported in the other
investigations reflect the limitations of some of the technologies and help illustrate lessons learned.
Ground penetrating radar surveys found that dense clays and silts limited the depth to which
measurements could be taken. Standing water and ambient noises, such as airports and railroads,
posed difficulties for the collection of seismic data, in some cases. The electrical conductivity probe used
at one site was damaged when large cobbles or boulders were encountered.
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United Slates
Enwonmenlal Protection Agency
National Sen/ice Center for
Environmental Publicafions
P.O. Box 42419
Oncimali, OH 45242
Offia'al Business
PenaftyforPrivate Use $300
EPA/542-F-00-015
Innovations in Site Characterization:
Geophysical Investigation at
Hazardous Waste Sites
BULK RATE
Postage and Fees Paid
EPA
Permit No. G-35
Several of the technologies discussed in this report have been used successfully in investigations of
nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs). As described in case studies, Electromagnetics, including Ground
Penetrating Radar (GPR), was used at two creosote site and was able to detect discernable differences
in the electrical conductivity of NAPL-saturated soils. Another case study described a seismic reflection
survey that was used to identify deep paleochannels in the bedrock face in which DNAPLs had pooled
and through which DNAPLs were migrating.
11 Case Studies in this Compendium:
New Mexico State Highway and Transportation
(NMSHTD) Underground Storage Tank
Marshalltown Former Manufactured Gas Plant
Baker Woods Creosoting
Kansas Underground Storage Tank
Ciba-Geigy Hamblet and Hayes
Kelly Air Force Base, Zone 4
Wurtsmith Air Force Base
Crystal Oil Refinery
New Hampshire Plating
Tinker Air Force Base
Trail Road Landfill
Natural Gamma Logging
Electrical Conductivity
Ground Penetrating Radar,
Electromagnetometry
Electrical Conductivity
Ground Penetrating Radar
Vertical Seismic Profiling
Ground Penetrating Radar,
Electromagnetic Induction,
Magnetometry
Ground Penetrating Radar, Electrical
Resistivity
Electromagnetic Induction Logging
Seismic Reflection
Natural Gamma, Magnetometry,
Electrical Conductivity, Temperature
To obtain this document (EPA-542-F-00-003), contact the National Service Center for Environmental
Publications (NSCEP), PO Box 42419, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242-2419; telephone (800) 490-9198 or (513)
489-8190 (voice) or (513) 489-8695 (facsimile), or download from the Web address: http://cluin.org/
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