Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2007ND148B

An Investigation into Subsurface Sampling and Characterization Efficiency Using a High Resolution GIS Based Earth System

Institute: North Dakota
Year Established: 2007 Start Date: 2007-03-01 End Date: 2008-02-29
Total Federal Funds: $2,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $4,000

Principal Investigators: Bernhardt Saini-Eidukat

Project Summary: Several contaminant spills have taken place in North Dakota in the recent past. Though significant amount of data has been collected, one of the needs identified to better manage remediation is 3-D characterization of the sites. Most investigators of contaminated sites currently use traditional sampling methods, such as hollow stem and auger coring, hand held photo-ionization detectors (PID), and laboratory analysis, to determine the source and extent of subsurface contaminant source terms. These methods are very time consuming. However, Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) screening methods can greatly reduce the time constraints of site characterization. Investigators can now create 3-D models in situ and in real time. The objectives of the research are to model site using real world data and modern geostatistical theory in 3-D and provide an optimized method to characterize a contaminated site by simulation. Computer simulations can be done for a wide variety of contaminant types and distribution conditions to optimize the type of approach needed for classes of sites. An eventual goal will be to implement statistical algorithmic methods that create an optimum sampling grid for logging locations, given preliminary input parameters such as site dimensions, previous studies, and soil gas concentrations. This research has the potential of significant gains in the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of delineating many NAPL contaminant sites and plumes that remain uncharacterized.