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Characterization of a hydrocarbon contaminated site using in-situ methods

University of British Columbia

Conventional drilling and soil sampling together with well installation and water sampling are currently the most common methods used to assess site contamination. The time and expense associated with this approach often limit the scope of the investigation and the extent to which the stratigraphy and contaminant plume may be delineated. As such, there has been increasing interest in developing/refining technologies and methodologies that would provide quick, reliable and cost effective site screening. The piezocone penetration (CPTU) test and the resistivity CPTU (RCPTU) test utilize a direct push technology and provide rapid, high resolution delineation of stratigraphy and determination of in-situ hydrogeological regime. Both geotechnical and hydrogeological parameters are readily obtained from the testing. Equilibrium pore pressures can be obtained by conducting pore pressure dissipations at select depths enabling determination of existing hydraulic gradients and hydraulic conductivity values. Calibration of bulk resistivity measurements to discrete depth water sampling and appropriate analyses enable identification of discrete lenses and/or zones of elevated concentrations of contaminants. This technology was used to characterize a hydrocarbon contaminated industrial site located in the Lower Mainland, B.C. The project demonstrated how the RCPTU in conjunction with discrete depth water sampling can be used and interpreted to provide a geo-environmental characterization of a contaminated site, with respect to stratigraphy, geotechnical and hydrogeological parameters of interest and contaminant location and distribution within the subsurface. Results obtained from the RCPTU program were compared to those obtained from a more conventional investigation. Practical applications and limitations of penetration technology as applied to this hydrocarbon contaminated site are also presented and discussed. Recommendations for further areas of research with respect to tool and method usage are listed. Key words: resistivity, piezocone, in-situ testing, ground water, hydrocarbon, site characterization, geo-environmental

Thesis/Dissertation

application/pdf

2009-01-15

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/3686

Civil Engineering

University of British Columbia

UBCV

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