Soil gas survey techniques for the investigation of underground storage tanks

Abstract

The sampling and analysis of near sugace soil gas has shown great promise for the investigations of underground storage tanks. Trace to elevated concentrations of volatile organic components in soil gas samples have been used to identqy source areas near buried tanks and map the migration of releases in groundwater and in the vadose zone. Soil gas surveys are also an effective tool to position soil borings, excavations, and monitoring wells, while support equipment (drilling rigs, backhoe, etc.) is stiU on site. Two examples are presented where soil gas surveys were used to direct the investigation of underground storage tanks.

Design, manufacture and evaluation of a hydraulically installed, multi-sampling lysimeter. Final report

“…To ascertain the extent of unde_$round pollution and the potential for groundwater contamination requires monitoring in the vadose zone. Samples of the vapor phase are usually collected by a vapor probe, essentially a long tube which is installed vertically to a particular soil depth (32). Suction lysimeters are used to collect liquid samples from the vadose zone.…”

Evaluation of a hydraulically‐installed suction lysimeter to obtain representative soil water samples

“…Samples of the vapor phase are usually collected by a vapor probe, a long tube which is installed vertically to a particular depth [ 2 ] . Suction lysimeters are used to collect liquid samples from the vadose zone.…”

“…The vadose zone is characterized by the presence of solid, liquid, and vapor phases. Chemical spills' [ I ] , underground storage tank leaks [2], and improper burial of materials [3] have the potential to cause extensive vadose zone and groundwater contamination. Liquids are transported downward through the soil by percolation and gravitation forces, and upward and laterally as a result of capillary action.…”

“…To ascertain the extent of underground pollution and the potential for groundwater contamination requires monitoring in the vadose zone. Samples of the vapor phase are usually collected by a vapor probe, a long tube which is installed vertically to a particular depth [ 2 ] . Suction lysimeters are used to collect liquid samples from the vadose zone.…”