APPLICATION OF SURFACE GEOPHYSICS AT CONTAMINATED SITES
DEPARTMENT OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROLCALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYAPPLICATION OF SURFACE GEOPHYSICS ATCONTAMINATED SITESGuidance Manual for Groundwater InvestigationsJuly 1995Revised June 2012Edmund G. Brown, Jr.GovernorState of CaliforniaThe California Environmental ProtectionAgency:Matt RodriguezDepartment of Toxic Substances ControlState Water Resources Control BoardIntegrated Waste Management BoardAir Resources BoardDepartment of Pesticide RegulationOffice of Environmental Health HazardAssessmentSecretaryCalifornia Environmental Protection AgencyDeborah RaphaelDirectorDepartment of Toxic Substances Control
FOREWARDThe California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) is charged with theresponsibility of protecting the state's environment. Within Cal/EPA, the Department ofToxic Substances Control (DTSC) has the responsibility of managing the State'shazardous waste program to protect public health and the environment. The State WaterResources Control Board and the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards(RWQCBs), also part of Cal/EPA, have the responsibility for coordination and control ofwater quality, including the protection of the beneficial uses of the waters of the state.Therefore, RWQCBs work closely with DTSC in protecting the environment.The DTSC is issuing this guidance on the application for surface geophysics forimmediate use in investigations and cleanups at contaminated sites. This documentsupersedes previous DTSC issued guidance dated July 1995, Application of SurfaceGeophysics at Hazardous Substance Release Sites, and is one in a series of DTSCguidance documents pertaining to the characterization and cleanup of contaminatedsites.This document was prepared by staff in the Geological Services Unit (GSU) withinDTSC. The GSU provides geologic assistance, training and guidance to DTSC andoutside stakeholders. This document has been prepared to provide guidelines for thecharacterization and remediation of contaminated sites. It should be used in conjunctionwith the companion reference for groundwater characterization activities:Guidelines for Planning and Implementing Groundwater Characterization ofContaminated Sites (DTSC, 2012).Please note that within this document, the more commonly used terms, hazardouswaste site and toxic waste site, are used synonymously with the term hazardoussubstance release site. However, it should be noted that any unauthorized release of asubstance, hazardous or not, that degrades or threatens to degrade water quality mayrequire corrective action to protect its beneficial use.Comments and suggestions for improvement of this revised guidance, Application ofSurface Geophysics at Contaminated Sites, should be submitted to:Steve Sterling, PGP, PG, CEG, CHGGeological Services UnitDepartment of Toxic Substances Control8800 Cal Center DriveSacramento, California 95826stephen.sterling@dtsc.ca.govi
ACKNOWLEDGMENTSThis document was developed by the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC)under the direction of Ms. Deborah O. Raphael, Director, and Mr. Stewart Black,Director of the Brownfields and Environmental Restoration Program. Without theirsupport, completion of this guidance would not have been possible.The preparation of this guidance was achieved through the efforts of many individuals.The following people had primary responsibility for writing:Stephen Sterling, PGP, CHG, CEGMichael Finch, PGGerard Aarons, PG, CHGLora Jameson, PGSenior Engineering GeologistSenior Engineering GeologistEngineering GeologistEngineering GeologistThis revised guidance relies heavily on the work of the authors of the original guidancedocument. The contributions of Bill Owen and Steve Belluomini continue to beappreciated.This guidance has benefited greatly through input received from several sources,including: DTSC’s Geological Services Branch; Internal reviewers of draft versions of the guidance; and Staff of the California Regional Quality Control Board.In particular, the authors wish to thank the following individuals for their thoughtfultechnical support throughout the revision of this guidance: Theo Johnson, EileenHughes, Dot Lofstrom, and Karen Baker. The authors would also like to thank thefollowing individuals from the California Regional Quality Control Board, Central ValleyRegion for their contributions: Marie McCrink, John Anderson, and Barry Pulver.Funding for this guidance document was provided by a USEPA CERCLA Section128(a) State Implementation Support Grant.ii
TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGEFOREWARD iACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . iiABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS . vi1.0INTRODUCTION . 11.1Purpose . 11.2Application . 11.3Limitations. 12.0RECOMMENDED PRACTICES AND SPECIFICATIONS . 32.1Personnel Qualifications . 32.2Quality Control Parameters. 32.2.1Feasibility Assessment and Method Selection . 32.2.2Data Processing . 52.2.3Measurement Locating . 52.2.4Correlation with Geology . 52.2.5Reconnaissance Studies . 52.2.6Calibration and Field Checks . 62.2.7Documentation . 62.3Electromagnetics (EM). 72.3.1Fundamentals. 72.3.2Instrumentation . 72.3.3Data Collection . 72.3.4Quality Assurance/Quality Control . 82.3.5Interpretation . 82.3.6Presentation of Findings/Conclusions . 82.3.7Advantages . 92.3.8Limitations . 92.4Very Low Frequency (VLF) Electromagnetics . 92.4.1Fundamentals. 92.4.2Instrumentation . 102.4.3Data Collection . 102.4.4Quality Assurance/Quality Control . 102.4.5Interpretation . 102.4.6Presentation of Findings/Conclusions . 102.4.7Advantages . 112.4.8Limitations . 112.5Electrical Resistivity . 112.5.1Fundamentals. 112.5.2Instrumentation . 112.5.3Data Collection . 122.5.4Quality Assurance/Quality Control . 122.5.5Interpretation . 12iii
2.62.72.82.92.102.5.6Presentation of Findings/Conclusions . 132.5.7Advantages . 132.5.8Limitations . 13Magnetometry . 132.6.1Fundamentals. 132.6.2Instrumentation . 142.6.3Data Collection . 152.6.4Quality Assurance/Quality Control . 152.6.5Interpretation . 162.6.6Presentation of Findings/Conclusions . 162.6.7Advantages . 172.6.8Limitations . 17Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) . 172.7.1Fundamentals. 172.7.2Instrumentation . 182.7.3Data Collection . 182.7.4Quality Assurance/Quality Control . 182.7.5Interpretation . 192.7.6Presentation of Findings/Conclusions . 192.7.7Advantages . 192.7.8Limitations . 19Gravimetry . 202.8.1Fundamentals. 202.8.2Instrumentation . 212.8.3Data Collection . 212.8.4Quality Assurance/Quality Control . 212.8.5Interpretation . 222.8.6Presentation of Findings/Conclusions . 222.8.7Advantages . 222.8.8Limitations . 22Seismic Reflection . 232.9.1Fundamentals. 232.9.2Instrumentation . 232.9.3Data Collection . 232.9.4Quality Assurance/Quality Control . 242.9.5Interpretation . 242.9.6Presentation of Findings/Conclusions . 252.9.7Advantages . 252.9.8Limitations . 25Seismic Refraction . 252.10.1 Fundamentals. 252.10.2 Instrumentation . 262.10.3 Data Collection . 262.10.4 Quality Assurance/Quality Control . 262.10.5 Interpretation . 262.10.6 Presentation of Findings/Conclusions . 27iv
2.112.10.7 Advantages . 272.10.8 Limitations . 27Other Surface Geophysical Methods . 282.11.1 Induced Polarization (IP) . 282.11.2 Spontaneous Potential (SP) . 283.0SUMMARY OF GUIDELINES. 294.0REFERENCES . 32TABLESTable 1PAGECommon Surface Geophysics Techniques for ContaminatedSites . 4v
ABBREVIATIONS AND RWQCBSPTDEMTEMUSEPAUXOVLFASTM International (formerly known as American Society of Testing andMaterials)below ground surfaceCalifornia Environmental Protection AgencyDepartment of Toxic Substances Controlelectromagneticfrequency-domain electromagneticground penetrating radarglobal positioning systemGeological Services Unitinduced polarizationkiloHertzquality assurance/quality controlRegional Water Quality Control Boardspontaneous potentialtime-domain electromagnetictransient electromagneticUnited States Environmental Protection Agencyunexploded ordnancevery low frequencyvi
1.01.1INTRODUCTIONPurposeThis document has been written to provide guidelines for the application of surfacegeophysical techniques in the characterization of contaminated sites. This manual aidsin the selection of surface geophysical methods, provides recommended qualityassurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures, and presents a standardizedapproach to the presentation of the resulting data. This document discusses thefollowing surface geophysical methods: electromagnetics (EM), very-low frequency(VLF) electromagnetics, electrical resistivity, magnetometry, ground penetrating radar,gravimetry, seismic reflection, and seismic refraction. Induced polarization (IP) andspontaneous potential (SP) geophysical methods are briefly discussed as lessfrequently used techniques at contaminated sites.The DTSC intends for these guidelines to incorporate relevant technical publicationsand documents. These guidelines will be updated as new techniques become availableand existing methods refined to meet the state of the science.This guidance manual was developed in conjunction with other investigative documentsas outlined in Guidelines for Planning and Implementing Groundwater Characterizationof Contaminated Sites (DTSC, 2012).1.2ApplicationSurface geophysical surveys provide critical information on subsurface features and canbe applied in all stages of hazardous waste investigations. When applied early in sitecharacterization, surface geophysics provides valuable information that usually leads tosignificant cost savings for site investigation and remediation. Surface geophysicalsurveys reveal areas of disturbed soil, evidence of waste disposal, location of wastecontainers (i.e. drums), ordnance related items, and other cultural features.Additionally, surface geophysics can be used to locate monitoring wells, correlategeologic stratigraphy, and in some cases locate underground contaminant plumes.Cultural features such as underground utilities can be avoided during well installation orsoil removal actions. Also, leaky water pipes, sewer or waste lines can be located withsurface geophysics aiding in determining contaminant migration pathways.1.3LimitationsThe recommendations presented identify the minimal criteria necessary to obtain qualitydata that assures reasonable and independently verifiable interpretations, while somesites may require investigative efforts above and beyond the scope of this document.The qualified professionals performing site investigations and their clients remainresponsible for meeting pertinent regulatory requirements and observing propertechnical judgment.1
This document broadly discusses surface geophysical methods and instruments thatcan be used in contaminated site investigations. The guidance does not provide specificoperating procedures for geophysical surveys or for interpreting their results, and doesnot present every geophysical method and instrument available. The qualifiedprofessional in charge remains responsible for deciding specific geophysical methods,procedures, and interpreting results. Departures from the workplan that were necessaryduring the course of the investigation should be identified by the geophysicist.The guidelines presented herein are applicable to the use of surface geophysics todefine natural conditions and man-made features that may contain hazardous waste orinfluence the movement of contaminants.This document does not supersede existing statutes and regulations. Federal, state andlocal regulations, statutes, and ordinances should be identified when required by law,and site characterization activities should be performed in accordance with the moststringent of these requirements where applicable, relevant and appropriate.2
2.02.1RECOMMENDED PRACTICES AND SPECIFICATIONSPersonnel QualificationsConducting surface geophysical surveys and interpreting results requires specializededucation and training in geology, geophysics, and physics. Understanding eachmethod’s theory, procedures for the proper collection of data, and interpretationtechniques, as well as knowledge of the site geology is necessary for successfulcompletion of a survey. Personnel planning field surveys or interpreting geophysicaldata should possess adequate certification of such training. Specialized geophysicaleducation is not required for field crews conducting geophysical surveys; however,these personnel should be under the supervision of a professional geophysicist whoshould ensure field crews are adequately trained and qualified.The Geologist and Geophysicist Act defines the scope of practice and qualifications forconducting geophysical surveys in California. Section 7835.1 of the Act which states,"All geophysical plans, specifications, reports or documents shall be prepared by aprofessional geophysicist . . . professional geologist . . . or by a subordinate employeeunder his or her direction." In addition, the professional accepts responsibility for thecontents by affixing his or her signature or seal. However, possession of a license as aProfessional Geologist in California does not, in and of itself, qualify a person to practicegeophysics. Therefore, the following criteria should be considered for defining qualifiedgeophysical personnel: a Professional Geophysicist for the State of California, or aProfessional Geologist for California who is also a qualified geophysicist, defined inSection 7807.1 of the Geologist and Geophysicist Act, as a person who meets requirededucation and experience qualifications
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