Date of Award

4-1989

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Geological and Environmental Sciences

First Advisor

Dr. Gerry Clarkson

Second Advisor

Dr. Alan Kehew

Third Advisor

Dr. Richard Passero

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Many geophysical methods are increasingly being applied in investigations of contaminated sites. Among the most popular ones are resistivity and seismic refraction techniques.

In this study seismic refraction utilizing a twelve channel digital seismograph and hammer impact source provided records that have given important information about the subsurface layers. Along the same traverses, the Schlumberger resistivity method was applied at selected points. An AC digital resistivity system with a separate uncoupled transmitter (50 watts) and receiver was applied to obtain these measurements.

Geoelectrical cross-sections provided information about the variation in thickness of important layers within the glacial drift aquifer system. Geophysical data were compared with contour maps in order to acquire a better understanding of the plume geometry, groundwater flow direction, and surface of the till layer.

The study demonstrated the detectability of groundwater contaminants, saturated and unsaturated zones, a buried till layer and the bedrock surface with the above methods. The weathered zone and clay and sand lenses within the till were also detected.

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