Alternative Investigation Techniques for Ground Water Contamination Sites: Soil Gas Testing and Spinner-Logging/Depth Sampling -A Case Study-

Abstract

Communities throughout the world are now feeling the effects of poor hazardous waste handling practices as these wastes migrate into private and municipal drinking water wells. As additional contaminated areas are discovered and costs for determining the extent of such contamination continue to grow, it has become imperative to find the most cost-effective method for investigating these sites. Two field procedures, soil gas testing and spinner logging/depth sampling, are being tested in the United States and are proving to decrease the time and costs of such investigations. Soil gas testing is applicable to any hazardous waste investigation where volatile organic compounds are of concern. Spinner logging/depth sampling is applicable for any type of contamination and is used to determine the relative flow of water and contaminants at various depths within a well.