Patent ID: 6782321
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: G01V

Abstract:
A non-statistical method for performing site characterization, comprising the steps of:(a) obtaining a plurality of types of existing environmental data indicative of environmental conditions of a site; (b) evaluating each type of existing environmental data against predetermined criteria to determine valid types of existing environmental data, the predetermined criteria including at least one of: consistency of the environmental data from a plurality of sources, consistency of the environmental data over a period of time, a historical record of reliability of the source of the environmental data, and consistency with physical features of the site; (c) assimilating the valid types of existing environmental data to identify heterogeneity of subsurface features within the site; (d) developing a first model for the site to identify migration pathways for contaminants based on an assumption that migration of contaminants with the site will be geologic and hydrogeologic heterogeneity; (e) acquiring at least three independent sets of environmental measurements indicative of the contaminants from the identified migration pathways based on the first model; (f) evaluating the first model based on each of the independent sets of environmental measurements to verify the validity of the first model; (g) if the first model is not verified to be valid, assimilating the valid types of existing environmental data and the environmental measurements to modify the first model; (h) repeating steps (e) through (g) until the first model is verified to be valid; and (i) predicting future contamination distribution at the site based on the first model and the acquired environmental measurements.