Citation:

Werkema, D. Geophysics for LUST Sites. 26th National Tanks Conference & Exposition (NTC), Louisville, KY, September 11 - 13, 2018.

Impact/Purpose:

Leaking underground storage tanks (LUSTs) are a widespread environmental problem threatening groundwater resources, soil ecosystems, human health, and broader environmental exposures. Geophysical methods are used to locate tanks, piping, map contaminant plumes, and monitor remediaiton.

Description:

Non-invasive or minimally invasive near surface geophysics can yield three-dimensional maps of subsurface physical properties and aid high resolution site characterization. This presentation will demonstrate the application of geophysical methods for various site objectives such as conceptual site model development, finding USTs and underground utilities, mapping contaminant plumes, and monitoring active or passive remediation. Several field case studies will be examined within diverse geologic settings to highlight how geophysical methods can be a component of the site investigator's tools for characterization and monitoring. The determination to use geophysics will be demonstrated with pre-modeling or forward modeling of the geophysical response. Such pre-survey predictions are powerful tools that are used to predict the geophysical response and determine field acquisition parameters or if the predicted response will meet project objectives. These forward models as well as other geophysical references and tools will be demonstrated via EPA's new Environmental Geophysics web presence.

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