Henry Wise, P.G., CPG, and a Remedial Services Specialist for SWS Environmental Services, suggests that you might not have known that geologists are often used during emergency responses, site investigations, and remediation of soil and groundwater.
When contamination is found in a waterway or sewer for example, the source is not always known. Geologists are experts in determining contamination migration pathways so that their source can be discovered quickly, stopped, and the plume contained.
Some of the tools at their disposal include LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) and PID (Photoionization Detector) meters, drilling rigs, push-probes, and hand augers.
LEL and PID meters are used to trace vapors in sewers back to their source. They can also be used in conjunction with various soil sampling methods to trace contaminants back to their source.
Once the source is found and contained or eliminated, a site investigation is conducted to determine the extent of the contaminant plume and if any receptors (sewers, buildings, waterways, drinking water wells, etc.) have been impacted. This is usually done by installing monitoring wells.
The monitoring wells help to determine if the groundwater has been impacted and the groundwater flow direction. Knowing this information will help to determine the best method for remediation.
There are many forms of remediation available. Digging and hauling can be used if only soil is affected.
If the groundwater is impacted the remediation becomes more involved. Monitoring wells will need to be installed to determine the extent of the contamination and may be used for extracting phase-separated hydrocarbons, vapors, and contaminated groundwater to the surface for treatment and/or disposal.
The monitoring wells will also be used to monitor the remediation activities.
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