High-Resolution Site Characterization (HRSC)Techniques:

High-ResolutionHydrogeologic Characterization

Eric W. Garcia, PG, CEG, CHGPresident/Principal Hydrogeologist

Sacramento, CaliforniaGlobal Reach

Geologists with HRSC Tools

ASC Service Offerings

• MIP - Membrane Interface Probe

• HPT - Hydraulic Profiling Tool

• OIP – Optical image Profiler

• UVOST® - Ultra-Violet Optical Screening Tool

• CPT - Cone Penetration Testing

• PST - Pneumatic Slug Testing

• 3-Dimensional (3D) Modeling & GIS Integration

• New Technology Evaluation

• What is HRSC?

• DP HRSC Technology Overview• OIP – Optical Image Profiler

• HPT – Hydraulic Profiling Tool

• Typical Applications

High-Resolution Hydrogeologic CharacterizationPresentation Overview

High-Resolution SiteCharacterization (HRSC)

• Enhanced Site Details (Scale Appropriate)

• Reduce Uncertainty (Better CSM’s)

• Best Management Practice (BMP)

• Applicable to all Sites

• Data Density– DQO (Data Quality Objective)

High-Resolution Site Characterization (HRSC)

Data Density Example30 Borings, 10 Wells, 10 Years

120 Soil & 400 GW Samples = 520 Data Points

10 DP Locations to 50 Feet (3 Days)10 Locations x 20 Samples/Foot x 7 Channels =

>70,000 Data Points

High-Resolution Site Characterization (HRSC)

HRSC Effectiveness

• Better Quality of Analytical Data (Selection)

• Better Definition of Analytical Data (Data Density)

• Reduction in Iterative Events (Project Time)

• No IDW’s

• Hydraulic Profiling Tool (HPT)

• UVIF (OIP/LIF/UVOST®/ROST, FFD)

• Membrane Interface Probe (MIP)

• Cone Penetration Testing (CPT)

High-Resolution Site Characterization (HRSC)Direct Push Technologies

Direct-PushHRSC Technology Overview

Optical Image Profiler (OIP)

NEW Technology!

UVIF Technology for Hi-ResolutionReal-Time Hydrocarbon Detection

OIP Technology Overview

Purpose:• UV induced fluorescence of NAPL

hydrocarbons in soil.

Method:• High intensity UV light directed at the

soil • Hydrocarbons present fluoresce.• An Image of the soil is captured.• Analyzed for fluorescence.

Visible light images may also be obtained.

Light Source

Camera

EC Dipole

OpticalWindow

OIP Description

OIP Image

Cross Section of Logs at crude oil spill site.

Fluorescence Elec. Cond.

Fluorescence Image of Fuel Globules in Soil

OIP Visible Images

Visible Image, Sand Matrix.

Hydraulic Profiling Tool (HPT)

Hydraulic Profiling Tool (HPT)Key Features

• Fast, Continuous, Real-time Profiling– Hydrostratigraphic/Hydrogeologic Characteristics

– Formation Hydraulic Properties

– Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

• High Resolution – 0.05 ft (1.5 cm)

• Digital Output

Hydraulic Profiling Tool (HPT)

Primary Data Collected• Electrical Conductivity (EC)

• HPT Pressure

• HPT Flow Rate

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

Soil EC (Fresh Water)

Low EC = Coarse-Grained SoilHigh EC = Fine-Grained Soils

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

HPT Principals of Operation

Electrical Conductivity (EC) “fresh water formations”• Increase EC = Increasing Fine Content• Decrease EC = Coarser Grained

HPT Pressure (all formations)• Increasing P = Decreasing Permeability• Decreasing P = Increasing Permeability

HPT Principals of Operation

Relationships BetweenEC, Pressure, & Flow

Coarse-Grained Soils• Low EC• High Flow• Low Pressure

Fine-Grained Soils• High EC• Low Flow• High Pressure

HPT Principals of Operation

Low EC, High Pressure, Low Flow• Caliche• Silty/Clayey Gravels

High EC, Low Pressure, High Flow• Saline• High TDS Waters

HPT Principals of OperationExceptions to the Rules

TYPICAL APPLICATIONSHYDRAULIC PROFILING TOOL (HPT)

HPT Applications

Hydrogeologic Characterization• High-Resolution Hydrostratigraphic Modeling

• Piezometric Head – Confined & Unconfined

Conditions

• Estimation of Hydraulic Conductivity (K)

• Infiltration/Permeability Studies

HPT Applications

CSM & Remedial Design/Implementation• Migratory Pathway Delineation

• Target Lithology/Zone Identification & Delineation

• Well Placement & Construction

• Remedial Injection Calculations - ROI

• Remedial Action QA/QC

HPT Applications

• Estimation of Hydraulic Conductivity (K)

• Migratory Pathway Delineation

• Target Lithology/Zone Identification & Delineation

• Remedial Action QA/QC

• Well Placement & Construction

• Infiltration/Permeability Studies

Estimation ofHydraulic Conductivity (K)

Estimating Hydraulic Conductivity (K)

Empirical ModelK = f(Q/PF)

*Model Limits ~0.1 to 75 ft/day

HPT Data needs to be corrected for:• Atmospheric Pressure• Column Height

PHPT = PATM + PH + PF

Estimating Hydraulic Conductivity (K)Correcting for Hydrostatic Pressure

Hydrostatic Pressure

2.31 ft = 1 psi0.433 psi/ft

Migratory Pathway Delineation

EXAMPLE FORMER UST SITE

Paleo-Channel

Target Lithology/Zone Identification & Delineation

Target Lithology/Zone Identification & DelineationRemedial Hydraulic Fracturing QA/QC

Remedial Injection QA/QC

A’A

Remedial Injection QA/QC

Well Placement & Construction

Well Placement& Construction

Zone B

Zone A

Infiltration/Permeability StudiesGroundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP)

Infiltration/Permeability StudiesInfiltration/Percolation Testing

Infiltration/Permeability StudiesHPT Investigation

Resources

ResourcesHPT SOP: Geoprobe Technical Bulletin MK3137Geoprobe Direct Imaging - http://www.geoprobe.com

HPT Standard Guide (ASTM D8037-16)“Standard Guide for Direct Push Hydraulic Logging for Profile Variations of Permeability in Soils”

Accelerated Site Characterization [ASC] (ASTM E1912)“Standard Guide for ASC for Confirmed or Suspected Petroleum Releases”

Expedited Site Characterization [ESC] (ASTM D6235)“Standard Practice for ESC of Vadose Zone and Ground Water Contamination at Hazardous

Waste Contaminated Sites”

US EPA ESA (EPA-510-B-97-001)“Expedited Site Assessment Tools for Underground Storage Tank Sites”

Resources

US EPA HRSC https://clu-in.org/characterization/technologies/hrsc/

US EPA Clu-In https://clu-in.org/characterization/

US EPA TRIAD http://www.triadcentral.org/

ASTM ESC http://www.astm.org/Standards/D6235.htm

ASTM ASC http://www.astm.org/Standards/E1912.htm

Brownfields https://brownfieldstsc.org/roadmap/contByInvTech.cfm

Questions?Thank You!

Eric W. Garcia, PG, CEG, CHG

President/Principal Hydrogeologist

11275 Sunrise Gold Circle, Suite RRancho Cordova, California

(925) 756-1210 Officeericgarcia@ASC-Technologies.com