Detection of contaminant plumes by borehole geophysical logging

Journal Article · · Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6592.1993.tb00427.x· OSTI ID:6284971

Mack, T J

Two borehole geophysical methods-electromagnetic induction and natural gamma radiation logs-were used to vertically delineate landfill leachate plumes in a glacial aquifer. Geophysical logs of monitoring wells near two landfills in a glacial aquifer in west-central Vermont show that borehole geophysical methods can aid in interpretation of geologic logs and placement of monitoring well screens to sample landfill leachate plumes. Zones of high electrical conductance were delineated from the electromagnetic log in wells near two landfills. Some of these zones were found to correlate with silt and clay units on the basis of drilling and gamma logs. Monitoring wells were screened specifically in zones of high electrical conductivity that did not correlate to a silt or clay unit. Zones of high electrical conductivity that did not correlate to a silt or clay unit were caused by the presence of ground water with a high specific conductance, generally from 1,000 to 2,370 [mu]S/cm (microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius). Ambient ground water in the study area has a specific conductance of approximately 200 to 400 [mu]S/cm. Landfill leachate plumes were found to be approximately 5 to 20 feet thick and to be near the water table surface.

• OSTI ID: 6284971
• Journal Information: Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation; (United States), Journal Name: Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation; (United States) Vol. 13:1; ISSN XZ212O
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AQUIFERS
CONTAMINATION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISPERSIONS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LEACHATES
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
MIXTURES
MONITORING
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLUMES
POLLUTION
SANITARY LANDFILLS
SOLUTIONS
USA
VERMONT
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WATER
WATER POLLUTION