A non-intrusive screening methodology for environmental hazard assessment at waste disposal sites for water resources protection
- Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States). Dept. of Biological Systems Engineering
The environmental and health risks posed by unregulated waste disposal sites are potential concerns of Pacific Rim regions and island ares because of the need to protect aquifers and other valuable water resources. A non-intrusive screening methodology to determine site characteristics including possible soil and/or groundwater contamination, areal extent of waste, etc. is being developed and tested at waste disposal sites in Nebraska. This type of methodology would be beneficial to Pacific Rim regions in investigating and/or locating unknown or poorly documented contamination areas for hazard assessment and groundwater protection. Traditional assessment methods are generally expensive, time consuming, and potentially exacerbate the problem. Ideally, a quick and inexpensive assessment method to reliably characterize these sites is desired. Electromagnetic (EM) conductivity surveying and soil-vapor sampling techniques, combined with innovative three-dimensional geostatistical methods are used to map the data to develop a site characterization of the subsurface and to aid in tracking any contaminant plumes. The EM data is analyzed to determine/estimate the extent and volume of waste and/or leachate. Soil-vapor data are analyzed to estimate a site`s volatile organic compound (VOC) emission rate to the atmosphere. The combined information could then be incorporated as one part of an overall hazard assessment system.
- OSTI ID:
- 398269
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950666-; ISBN 1-882132-33-5; TRN: IM9649%%477
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: American Water Resources Association (AWRA) annual summer symposium on water resources and environmental hazards: emphasis on hydrologic and cultural insight in the Pacific Rim, Honolulu, HI (United States), 25-28 Jun 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Water resources and environmental hazards: Emphasis on hydrologic and cultural insight in the Pacific Rim. Proceedings of the AWRA annual summer symposium; Herrmann, R.; Back, W.; Sidle, R.C.; Johnson, A.V. [eds.]; PB: 508 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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