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Site Characterization Surveys


With the recent brownfields legislation, accurate and rapid site characterization is an important factor in the site assessment process. An important aspect of site characterization is investigation of the subsurface soil, rock, and groundwater.

Several non-destructive field surveys can provide subsurface information that can assist with site characterization without digging, probing, or drilling. These non-destructive subsurface investigation surveys can rapidly delineate variations in the subsurface conditions that may influence migration of contaminants on the site.


The first type of non-destructive field survey usually conducted in site characterization at brownfields sites is an electromagnetic conductivity (EM) or terrain conductivity survey. This survey can be conducted very quickly and a map showing high or low conductivity areas (possible contamination) and areas of buried metal are quickly determined. The pictures and map below show how an EM survey is conducted and the results that are obtained.

EM-31 survey EM-61 surveyEM-34 survey

EM-31 Survey, EM-61 Survey, and EM-34 Survey

 

EM survey results (Click to enlarge)Extent of inorganic plumeExtent of plume

For more information about the non-destructive survey method of electromagnetic conductivity Click Here


The second non-destructive field survey typically conducted for site characterization at brownfields and other sites and facilities is a ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey. A GPR survey can be conducted over the entire area of site characterization or only in those areas where a previous EM survey showed anomalous conditions. The GPR survey shows cross sectional information in pictorial form. The pictures and image below show how a GPR survey is conducted and the results that can be obtained.

Hand-towed GPR surveyVehicle-towed GPR survey on grass

Hand-towed GPR survey and truck-towed surveys

3 buried tanks, located by GeoModel, Inc. in field Convergent sand layers

Burial trench

(Click on GPR images to enlarge)

For more information about the non-destructive survey method of ground penetrating radar Click Here


Another method for site characterization study may be required or desirable. A ground resistivity survey can be conducted to produce geoelectric sections at station locations, a generalized resistivity contour map, or a very detailed image of the subsurface to substantial depths even in clayey soils. The picture and image below show the resistivity equipment and the results that can be obtained.

Resistivity equipment

Sinkholes located with resistivity

For more information about the geophysical survey method of surface resistivity Click Here


GeoModel, Inc. conducts surveys in every state.

Contact us to check the availability of a crew in your state.

Click on your state below:

Map of the United States

Alaska Hawaii Washington Oregon California Nevada Idaho Arizona Utah New Mexico Colorado Wyoming Montana Texas Oklahoma Kansas Nebraska South Dakota North Dakota Louisiana Arkansas Missouri Iowa Minnesota Mississippi Illinois Wisconsin Michigan Alabama Tennessee Kentucky Indiana Ohio West Virginia Florida Georgia South Carolina North Carolina Virginia Maryland Delaware New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Connecticut Rhode Island Massachusetts Vermont New Hampshire Maine
Click hereClick here for worldwide surveysWorldwide Surveys

e-mail: e-mail geomodel@geomodel.com


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