Spatial analysis of hazardous waste data using geostatistics

Thesis/Dissertation · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:5325536

Zirschky, J H

The objective of this investigation was to determine if geostatistics could be a useful tool for evaluating hazardous waste sites. Three sites contaminated by dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)) were investigated. The first site evaluated was a creek into which TCDD-contaminated soil had eroded. The second site was a town in which TCDD-contaminated wastes had been sprayed onto the streets. Finally, the third site was a highway of which the shoulders were contaminated by dust deposition from a nearby hazardous waste site. The distribution of TCDD at the first and third sites were investigated using kriging, an optimal estimation technique. By using kriging, the areas of both sites requiring cleanup were successfully identified. At the second site, the town, satisfactory results were not obtained. The distribution of contamination in this town is believed to be very heterogeneous; thus, reasonable estimates could not be obtained. Additional sampling was therefore recommended at this site. Based upon this research, geostatistics appears to be a very useful tool for evaluating a hazardous waste site if the distribution of contaminants at the site is homogeneous, or can be divided into homogeneous areas.

• Research Organization: Clemson Univ., SC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5325536
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
58 GEOSCIENCES
DIOXIN
DETECTION
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
WASTE DISPOSAL
DATA ANALYSIS
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
510200* - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety
580200 - Geophysics- (-1989)