Environmental geophysics at Beach Point, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland

Technical Report · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10178890· OSTI ID:10178890

McGinnis, L D; Daudt, C R; Thompson, M D; Miller, S F ^[1]; Mandell, W A ^[2]; Wrobel, J ^[3]

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1. Argonne National Lab., IL (United States). Reclamation Engineering and Geosciences Section
2. Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., Washington, DC (United States)
3. Dept. of Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (United States)

Geophysical studies at Beach Point Peninsula, in the Edgewood area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, provide diagnostic signatures of the hydrogeologic framework and possible contaminant pathways. These studies permit construction of the most reasonable scenario linking dense, nonaqueous-phase liquid contaminants introduced at the surface with their pathway through the surficial aquifer. Subsurface geology and contaminant presence were identified by drilling, outcrop mapping, and groundwater sampling and analyses. Suspected sources of near-surface contaminants were defined by magnetic and conductivity measurements. Negative conductivity anomalies may be associated with unlined trenches. Positive magnetic and conductivity anomalies outline suspected tanks and pipes. The anomalies of greatest concern are those spatially associated with a concrete slab that formerly supported a mobile clothing impregnating plant. Resistivity and conductivity profiling and depth soundings were used to identify an electrical anomaly extending through the surficial aquifer to the basal pleistocene unconformity, which was mapped by using seismic reflection methods. The anomaly may be representative of a contaminant plume connected to surficial sources. Major activities in the area included liquid rocket fuel tests, rocket fuel fire suppression tests, pyrotechnic material and smoke generator tests, and the use of solvents at a mobile clothing impregnating plant.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (United States). Energy Systems Div.
• Sponsoring Organization: Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 10178890
• Report Number(s): ANL/ESD--23; ON: DE94018173
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540250
ELECTROMAGNETIC SURVEYS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GEOLOGY
HYDROLOGY
LAND RECLAMATION
MAGNETIC SURVEYS
MARYLAND
PLANNING
POLLUTANTS
RESISTIVITY SURVEYS
ROCKET ENGINES
SEISMIC SURVEYS
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
SITE RESOURCE AND USE STUDIES
TEST FACILITIES
TESTING