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 field survey usually conducted in site characterization 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 Survey, and EM-34 Survey
GeoModel, Inc. uses the new EM-61-MK2 which is twice as accurate as the standard EM-61.
(Click to enlarge)
Extent of plume
The second field survey typically conducted for site characterization 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 survey and truck-towed surveys
(Click on GPR images to enlarge)
GeoModel, Inc. conducts surveys in every state.
Contact us to check the availability of a crew in your state.
Click on your state below:
Click here for worldwide surveys
Go to Ground Penetrating Radar page
