SITE CHARACTERIZATION

GTE 652 (SUSTAINABILITY IN GEO-ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING) – GROUP 1

 Group 1
MEMBERS:

DEAN CARLO LAMBINO

CLARICE CUCIO
DANIEL LAMBINO
DHANES CORPUZ
EVARESTO MALONES
Geo-Environmental Site Characterization
CONTENTS

1 Introduction (General Concept)

2 Importance of Site Characterization

3 Objectives of Site Characterization

“The key is not effort, but

finding the right thing to
achieve.”
Investigation Components, Methods
4 and Application
- Richard Koch
Understanding Site
Characterization
 Definition of
Site Characterization
Three-dimensional engineering
geologic description of the
surface and subsurface of the
location intended for
construction of engineered
works, for habitation, commerce,
resource development,
mitigation of natural hazards or
conduct of groundwater
protection, waste management
or environmental remediation.
Purpose
A site characterization is
conducted where a
hazardous substance has
been released, and there is
potential for the
contamination to reach
people or adversely affect
the natural ecology.
IMPORTANCE

Site characterization provide information about the

presence and distribution of target contaminants in
relation to the background environment, thereby
facilitating cost-effective and efficient remediation.
Objectives of Site Characterization

1. Identify Sources and Release

Mechanisms

2. Evaluate Potential Contaminants

Concern

3. Characterize Physical Setting

4. Characterized Impacts on Groundwater

Soil and Aquifer .
 SITE CHARACTERIZATION TASK:
Identify Sources and Release Mech.
Locate Potential Sources of Contamination, Review Spill Events

1 and Historical Releases , Evaluate Potential for Ongoing Release,

Potential Offsite Sources.

Evaluate Potential Contaminants

Study the contaminants and its potential adverse effects on
2 people's health, environment, ecology, soil and other mediums

Characterize Physical Setting

Soil Boring and Well Installation, Geology Characterization,,
3 Aquifer Characterization.

Characterized Impacts
Characterized and evaluate the Impacts in order to come up with
4 a recommended remediation.
Investigation Components,
Methods and Application
Site Contamination
Scenarios
 Site Contamination Scenarios
Contaminated sites for which remediation schemes are usually
designed and implemented vary with respect to configuration,
contaminant releasing unit, site hydrology, contaminant source relative
to ground elevation, hydrogeological and geotechnical characteristics of
the host media, chemical characteristics, and concentration of
contaminants.
 Site Contamination Scenarios
Most common site-specific sources of contaminants:
• Solid waste management units
• Land treatment units
• Surface impoundments
• Waste piles
• Incinerators and other industrial installations
• Tanks and other containers
Site Contamination Scenarios
Site Contamination Scenarios
Site Contamination Scenarios
CONTAMINATION RELEASE MECHANISM: DUSTING

Dusting is the removal of fine soil particles

by mechanial action. Usually, human
activities and wind are the agents of dusting.
CONTAMINATION RELEASE MECHANISM: DUSTING

Both organic and inorganic contaminants may be present

in dust, especially if it is generated from contaminated media such as
those illustrated in Figures B, C, and E.
 CHARACTERIZATON
TECHNIQUES

DANIELLE CHRISTOPHER A. LAMBINO

MSCE-GTE
 CHARACTERIZATON
TECHNIQUES

1.) Ground-Penetrating Radar Method

2.) Electromagnetic Resistivity Method

3.) Direct-Current Resistivity Method

4.) Seismic Methods

5.) Electrochemical and Electrooptical Sensing Methods

 Ground-Penetrating radar (GPR) uses electromagnetic
waves to penetrate the ground and define differences in
material properties, pore-water content and quality, soil
texture, and soil density

 Upon contact with materials of different properties, a

fraction of the wave energy is
reflected back to the antenna located on the ground,
where it is reflected
at contacts between beds of dissimilar properties.

 Provides continuous visual profile of shallow subsurface,

objects, structure and lithology.
 ADVANTAGES
 Great Areal Coverage
 High vertical resolution in suitable terrain
 Visual picture of data

VS

DISADVANTAGES

 Limited of depth of penetration

(a meter or less in wet, clayey soils; up to 25m in dry, sandy soils)

 Accessibility limited due to bulkiness of equipment and nature of

survey

 Limited use in wet weather

 In DC resistivity measurements, voltage is applied across a pair of
electrode that are embedded in the soil

 Directly, this causes an electric current to flow through the soil.

A pair of receiving electrodes is used to record the
incoming voltage (from the soil)

 This method is based on the principle that the distribution

of electrical potential in the ground around a
current-carrying electrode depends on
the electrical resistivities and distribution of the
surrounding soils and rocks.

 Both are based on contrasts in the electrical conductivity or resistivity of

geomedia with
different textures, moisture contents, and contamination levels.
 ADVANTAGES

 Rapid areal coverage

 High depth of penetration possible (400 – 800
ft)
 High mobility
 Results can be approximated in the field

VS

DISADVANTAGES

 Susceptibility to natural and artificial electrical interference

 Limited use in wet weather
 Limited utility in urban areas
 ELECTROMAGNETIC RESISTIVITY

 Except for the means by which an electric current is generated,

the direct-current (DC) resistivity method is
similar to the electromagnetic resistivity method

 It is not necessary to have electrodes embedded in the ground

to transmit and receive current. Electromagnetic phenomena
are generated in the media investigated.

 This method is an effective means of defining contaminated zones

beneath covered areas such as structural foundation and
paved areas, because there is no requirement for the use of direct
contact electrodes.
 Seismic method determines lithological change in subsurface.
This method depend upon velocities of acoustical energy
in earth materials.

 Accordingly, they involve the generation of a short pulse of

seismic energy and the permanent recording of the arrival of
seismic pulse at distant locations, with time intervals after
the pulse instant determined to millisecond accuracy.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

 Relatively easy accessibility VS  Susceptibility to noise from urban development

 High depth of penetration  Operation restricted during wet weather.
dependent on source of
vibration
 Rapid areal coverage
 Geophones are placed to detect incoming refracted waves

 Information from Geophones is processed

using the circuit shown
Electrochemical and Electrooptical Sensing Method

• Electrochemical and
electrooptical sensing
systems are the most
recently developed
approaches to detecting
contaminants in the
subsurface.
• The fluid of concern must
travel to sensing points
before detection can occur.
The closer the spacing
among the sensor, the
smaller is the probability
that the target fluid will
short circuit the sensors.
GEOSTATISTICAL
APPLICATIONS
 Geomedia are characterized by
variabilities at various scales.

GEOSTATISTICAL The ground is opaque.

GEOSTATISTICA
APPLICATIONS
L APPLICATIONS
Require interpolation of data through
contouring of concentrations

Uncertainties can be minimized.

SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF MONITORING POINTS

GEOSTATISTICAL PARAMETERS:

1) Sampling Pattern – geometric configuration of monitoring points in 3D space.

2) Sampling Density – number of sampling points per unit space.

SAMPLING
SAMPLINGPATERNS
PATTERNS

(Adapted with modifications from U.S. EPA, 1991; Gilbert, 1987)

APPLICATION OF GEOSTATISTICS TO SOIL & GROUNDWATER SAMPLES
CONTAMINATED BY PETROLEUM PRODUCTS – A CASE STUDY

Contaminated Zone Contouring

Using Measured Data

Geostatistical technique used:

Kriging

Pb in water Pb in soil
 END OF PRESENTATION
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Thank you!