Abstract |
The primary objective of the geotechnical field measurement element was to more completely and accurately map the geotechnical properties of the near-surface sediments across the PV Shelf and Upper Slope, specifically within the region that will later be modeled for predictions of erosion and transport of ambient sediments and cap material; this task has typically been referred to as the Geotechnical Measurement Program. Past broad-scale surveying and fine-scale sampling efforts on the PV Shelf have helped to characterize the extent of the contaminated sediment layers and also the general physical characteristics of the seafloor throughout this area (Continental Shelf Research 2002). For the 2004 measurement program, the goal was to more completely assess the potential erodibility of the nearsurface sediment layer across the Shelf by providing a detailed analysis of the fine-scale differences and spatial variability in near-surface sediment properties (e.g., resistivity, grain-size, etc.). Specifically, the primary intent of the Geotechnical Measurement Program was to address the following questions set forth in the IWP: (1) What is the small-scale variability in the erodibility (and other geotechnical properties) of the near-surface sediments across the PV Shelf. (2) How well can existing rapid sampling techniques be used to measure or predict the erodibility of the near-surface sediments. (3) What is the extent of the seasonal differences in the geotechnical properties of the near-surface sediments (if a second field study is conducted in the alternate season). |