U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Open-File Report 2011–1081

Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of the Army Environmental and Natural 

Resources Management Office of the U. S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon

Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination 

at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, 

Georgia, 2009–2010
Cover. Photograph: Manmade earthen mound at Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia.
Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil 

Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank 

Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

By Andral W. Caldwell, W. Fred Falls, Wladmir B. Guimaraes, W. Hagan Ratliff, 

John B. Wellborn, and James E. Landmeyer

Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of the Army Environmental 

and Natural Resources Management Office of the U.S. Army Signal Center 

and Fort Gordon

Open-File Report 2011–1081

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Marcia K. McNutt, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2011

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reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report.

Suggested citation:

Caldwell, A.W., Falls, W.F., Guimaraes, W.B., Ratliff, W.H., Wellborn, J.B., and Landmeyer, J.E., 2011, Assessment of 

soil-gas and soil contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010: U.S. Gelogical 

Survey Open-File Report 2011–1081, 40 p.
iii

Contents

Abstract ..........................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................1

Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................3

Description of the Study Area ............................................................................................................3

Methods...........................................................................................................................................................3

Passive Hyporheic Zone and Floodplain Survey .............................................................................3

Passive Soil-Gas Survey......................................................................................................................4

Soil Samples ..........................................................................................................................................6

Results

Passive Hyporheic Zone and Floodplain Survey .............................................................................7

Passive Soil-Gas Survey......................................................................................................................7

Soil Samples ........................................................................................................................................12

Summary........................................................................................................................................................12

References Cited..........................................................................................................................................12

Figures

1. Map showing generalized location of Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort 

Gordon, Georgia............................................................................................................................2

2. Photographs showing soil-gas sampler (A) prior to being installed in a 

drive point, and (B) following retrieval and prior to shipping to the laboratory 

for analysis.....................................................................................................................................3

3. Map showing locations of the hyporheic zone and floodplain samplers, 

Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010 .............................................4

4. Photographs showing drivepoint sampler (A) prior to being installed, and 

(B) installed in the hyporheic zone ............................................................................................5

5. Map showing locations of soil-gas samplers and sampler identification 

numbers, Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010............................5

6. Map showing locations of soil samples, and explosives and chemical agent 

samplers, Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010..........................6

7. Photographs showing soil sample (A) extracted with stainless-steel auger, 

and (B) transferred to sample container ..................................................................................7

8–11. Maps showing—

 8. Detections of total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in the 

 hyporheic zone and floodplain samplers, Patterson Anti-Tank Range, 

 Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010 ......................................................................................8

 9. Detections of total petroleum hydrocarbon mass in soil-gas samplers, 

 Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010 ....................................9

 10. Detections of toluene mass in soil-gas samplers, Patterson Anti-Tank 

 Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010......................................................................10

 11. Detections of undecane mass in soil-gas samplers, Patterson Anti-Tank 

 Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010 ......................................................................11
iv

Tables

1. Concentration of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from 

the hyporheic zone and floodplain of Brier Creek, April 14, 2010 and July 19, 2010,

Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010 ...........................................13

2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from Patterson 

Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010..............................................................20

3. Mass of explosives and chemical agents detected in soil-gas samplers from 

the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.....................................32

4. Inorganic constituents detected in soil samples collected at the Patterson

Anti-Tank Range from land surface to 6 inches below land surface, Fort Gordon, 

Georgia, September 22, 2010 ....................................................................................................38
v

Multiply By To obtain

Length

inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter (cm)

inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm)

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

yard (yd) 0.9144 meter (m)

Conversion Factors

Inch/Pound to SI

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

Selected acronyms and abbreviations used in this report:

BTEX Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (total)

GC/MS Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

ICP-MS Inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry

mg/kg milligram per kilogram

mL milliliter

μg microgram

μg/g microgram per gram

μg/L microgram per liter

MDL Method detection level

MTBE Methyl tert-butyl ether

OMHA Old Metal Workshop Hog Farm Area

PATR Patterson Anti-Tank Range

PAH Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

PCE Perchloroethylene (also known as tetrachloroethylene)

RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

RSL Regional screening level

SCDHEC South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

SVOC Semivolatile organic compound

TCE Trichloroethylene

TPH Total petroleum hydrocarbon

USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

USGS U.S. Geological Survey

VOC Volatile organic compound

Abstract 

Soil gas and soil were assessed for contaminants at the 

Patterson Anti-Tank Range at Fort Gordon, Georgia, from 

October 2009 to September 2010. The assessment included 

identifying and delineating organic contaminants present in 

soil-gas samplers from the area estimated to be the Patterson 

Anti-Tank Range and in the hyporheic zone and floodplain 

of Brier Creek. This assessment was conducted to provide 

environmental contamination data to Fort Gordon personnel 

pursuant to requirements for the Resource Conservation and 

Recovery Act Part B Hazardous Waste Permit process.

Soil-gas samplers in the hyporheic zone and floodplain of 

Brier Creek contained total petroleum hydrocarbons, benzene, 

octane, and pentadecane concentrations above method detection levels. All soil-gas samplers within the boundary of the 

Patterson Anti-Tank Range contained total petroleum hydrocarbons above the method detection level. The highest total 

petroleum hydrocarbon mass detected was 147.09 micrograms 

in a soil-gas sampler located near the middle of the site and 

near the remnants of a manmade earthen mound and trench. 

The highest toluene mass detected was 1.04 micrograms and 

was located in the center of the Patterson Anti-Tank Range 

and coincides with a manmade earthen mound. Some soil-gas 

samplers installed detected undecane masses greater than the 

method detection level of 0.04 microgram, with the highest 

detection of soil-gas undecane mass of 58.64 micrograms 

collected along the southern boundary of the site.

Some soil-gas samplers were installed in areas of 

high-contaminant mass to assess for explosives and chemical agents. Explosives or chemical agents were not detected 

above their respective method detection levels for all soil-gas 

samplers installed. 

Inorganic concentrations in the soil samples did not 

exceed regional screening levels established by the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency. Barium concentrations, 

however, were up to nine times higher than the background 

concentrations reported in similar Coastal Plain sediments of 

South Carolina. Potassium concentrations were up to eight 

times higher than the background concentrations reported in 

similar Coastal Plain sediments of South Carolina. 

Introduction

Fort Gordon is a U.S. Department of the Army facility 

located approximately 10 miles southwest of Augusta in eastcentral Georgia (fig. 1). A cantonment (military housing) area 

is located at the northwestern boundary of Fort Gordon. The 

Patterson Anti-Tank Range (PATR) is located on a relatively 

flat, wooded area in the south-western part of Fort Gordon 

adjacent to the Brier Creek floodplain. Historically, little information is available for the PATR other than the knowledge that 

anti-tank warfare training was conducted at the site (Hagan 

Ratliff, U.S. Department of the Army, Environmental Branch, 

Fort Gordon, Georgia, oral commun. January 29, 2009). 

However, physical evidence includes the remnants of several 

elongated manmade earthen mounds and trenches used to train 

troops in anti-tank warfare.

Because of the lack of historical information, the effects 

of past activities on environmental resources at the PATR are 

currently unknown. The current assessment was conducted 

to provide environmental contamination data to Fort Gordon 

personnel to comply with the requirements of the Resource 

Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Part B Hazardous 

Waste Permit process. An initial investigation to assess 

potential environmental effects is warranted because the PATR 

is located in the outcrop area of the Cretaceous-age aquifer 

system, which is used for drinking water farther downgradient. Moreover, surface water and groundwater from the PATR 

may discharge to the adjacent floodplain and channel of Brier 

Creek and enable potential contaminants to be transported off 

of the Fort Gordon property.

Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson 

Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

By Andral W. Caldwell,1 W. Fred Falls,1 Wladmir B. Guimaraes,1 W. Hagan Ratliff,2 John B. Wellborn,3 

and James E. Landmeyer1

1

U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia, South Carolina.

2

Environmental Branch, Fort Gordon, Georgia.

3

Environmental and Natural Resources, Fort Gordon, Georgia.
2 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

N

Brier

Creek

Sandy Run Creek

Spirit Cree

So

k

uth Prong Creek

Boggy Gut Creek

Base from U.S. Geological Survey Digital Line Graph

1:100,000-scale

Patterson Anti-Tank Range

Fort Gordon

Cantonment area

EXPLANATION

COLUMBIA CO

MC DUFFIE

CO

MC DUFFIE

CO

RICHMOND CO

JEFFERSON CO

RICHMOND CO

BURKE CO

0

0

5 Miles

5 Kilometers

N

Study

area

Augusta

COASTAL PLAIN

GEORGIA

PIEDMONT

BLUE RIDGE

CUMBERLAND

PLATEAU AND

VALLEY AND RIDGE

Fall Line

88

20 520

1

78

221

223

78

Unnamed

 tributaryBranch

Marcum

Augusta

Hephzibah

Generalized Patterson Anti-Tank

Range study area

32°26’15”

32°18’45”

82°18’45” 82°11’15”

32°26’15”

Generalized Patterson Anti-Tank

Range study area

Figure 1. Generalized location of Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Brier Creek

Base from U.S. Geological Survey,

The National Map

0 50 150 250 Feet

0 25 50 Meters

Figure 1. Generalized location of Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia.
Methods 3

Purpose and Scope

From October 2009 to September 2010, the U.S. 

Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. 

Department of the Army (U.S. Army) Environmental and 

Natural Resources Management Office of the U.S. Army 

Signal Center and Fort Gordon, Georgia, assessed soil gas 

and soil for contaminants at the PATR. This assessment was 

conducted to provide environmental contamination data to 

the U.S. Army at Fort Gordon. The assessment included the 

identification and delineation of organic contaminants present 

in soil-gas samplers from the PATR and in the hyporheic zone 

and floodplain of Brier Creek. The assessment also included 

the delineation of inorganic contaminants in soil samples. 

This report presents the analytical results of the soil-gas 

and soil samples and delineates the area of contamination 

in the study area.

Description of the Study Area

Fort Gordon is a U.S. Army facility located approximately 10 miles southwest of Augusta in east-central Georgia 

(fig. 1). Fort Gordon is located in the northern part of the 

Coastal Plain Physiographic Province and south of the 

Fall Line. Surficial soil and sediments are characterized by 

unconsolidated sands, indurated sands, and semi-consolidated 

sandstones and layers of clay that include kaolinite (Gregory 

and others, 2001; Williams, 2007).

Methods

The methods used in this assessment were selected to 

provide data to determine the presence or absence of contamination of soil gas and soil at the PATR. The soil-gas method 

that was used provides results that are qualitative, and the soil 

samples provide quantitative data that can be compared to 

standards.

Passive Hyporheic Zone and Floodplain Survey

The assessment of soil-gas contamination was conducted 

using a passive soil-gas survey based on the GORE® Module, 

a commercially available passive diffusion sampler based 

on GORE-TEX® membrane technology (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1998; W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., 

2004; American Society for Testing and Materials, 2006). The 

module is an adsorbent material placed inside a shoestringshaped GORE-TEX® tube (fig. 2A) inside a 20-milliliter (mL) 

gas-tight vial (fig. 2B). The material can adsorb a wide variety 

of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including solvents 

such as perchloroethylene (PCE; also known as tetrachloroethylene); trichloroethylene (TCE); benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (collectively referred to as BTEX); methyl 

tert-butyl ether (MTBE); semivolatile organic compounds 

(SVOCs); total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs); and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as naphthalene. The 

modules were tied to a string, attached to a cork plug to prevent the entrance of surface water and ambient surface sources 

of contamination, and inserted into a shallow borehole. After 

5 to 7 days, the modules were removed from the field, placed 

in their original 20 mL gas-tight vial, and sent to the commercial laboratory (W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.) for analysis by 

gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using a modification 

of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) method 

8260/8270 to include thermal desorption of the adsorbed 

soil gas sampler. The laboratory is in compliance with Good 

Laboratory Practices and ISO Guide 25 (International Organization for Standardization, 1990). The soil-gas contaminant 

results are expressed as mass of contaminant (micrograms) 

and provide qualitative screening-level data; whereas, the 

modules placed in water provide contaminant levels expressed 

as a concentration (micrograms per liter).

Passive soil-gas results can indicate the presence of 

particular contaminants. The results however, do not reveal 

whether the detection was derived from free product, from 

residual-phase adsorbed material or vapors in the unsaturated 

zone, or from the dissolved-phase material in shallow and 

deep groundwater (unless the sampler is placed in water). In 

general, higher soil-gas mass in a sampler tends to be related to 

the presence of residual contamination or free product that is 

close to the land surface where the soil-gas sampler is located. 

Figure 2. GORE® module (A) prior to being installed in a drive

point, and (B) following retrieval and prior to shipping to

laboratory for analysis.

Figure 2. Soil-gas sampler (A) prior to being installed in a 

drive point, and (B) following retrieval and prior to shipping to 

the laboratory for analysis.
4 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

If such source material is located at greater depths, however, 

the soil-gas contaminant mass generally will be lower. A lower 

value near known sources may be caused by various attenuation processes that affect the soil-gas mass prior to detection. 

In both cases, however, the samplers help to rapidly indicate 

the presence or absence of contaminants. The passive soil-gas 

approach was approved for use at Fort Gordon by the Hazardous Waste Management Branch, Georgia Environmental 

Protection Division (William Powell, P.E., Environmental 

Engineer, Department of Defense Remediation Unit, oral 

commun., December 10, 2008).

The passive soil-gas samplers were installed in the 

hyporheic zone and floodplain sediments at the PATR on April 

14, 2010, and July 19, 2010 (fig. 3). The 13 soil-gas samplers 

were deployed inside stainless-steel drivepoints with screened 

openings that allowed the drivepoint to act as a well (fig. 4). 

The drivepoints were installed by hand no more than 1 foot 

(ft) into the hyporheic zone or floodplain sediments. The water 

in the drivepoint well exposed to the soil-gas sampler consists

of groundwater rather than surface water and, therefore, provides a way to assess the presence of groundwater contamination without conventional monitoring well installation.

Passive Soil-Gas Survey

A passive soil-gas survey was conducted at the PATR 

during July and August 2010, when 57 soil-gas samplers were 

deployed (fig. 5). The soil-gas samplers were placed in a grid 

pattern that encompased the remnants of elongated manmade 

earthen mounds and trenches that were used to train troops. 

Five additional soil-gas samplers were used as trip-blank 

samplers and were not deployed. Each sampler was placed in 

a borehole that was 0.5 inch (in.) in diameter and 15 in. long, 

and created by a stainless-steel ship-auger bit attached to a 

cordless drill. This depth is within the range recommended 

by the USEPA for soil-gas investigations (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1998). The auger was cleaned with a 

Figure 3. Locations of the hyporheic zone and floodplain samplers, Patterson Anti-Tank Range, 

Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.

EXPLANATION

Sampler location

 and identification

636967

0 50 150 250 Feet

636970

636969

636968

636967

636966

636965

636964

622913

622912

622911

622910 622909

622908

N

636970

636969

636968

636967

636966

636965

636964

622913

622912

622911

622910 622909

622908

Brier Creek

0 25 50 Meters Hyporheic zone, April 2010

 deployment

Hyporheic zone, July 2010

 deployment

Manmade earthen mound

Figure 3. Locations of the hyporheic zone and floodplain samplers, Patterson Anti-Tank Range,

Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.

Base from U.S. Geological Survey,

The National Map
Methods 5

637050

637049

637048

637047

637046

637045

637044

637043

637042

637041

637040

637039

637038

637037

637036

637035

637034

637033

637032

637031

637030

637029

637028 637027

637026

637025

637024

637023 637022

637021

637020

637019

637018

637017

637016

637013

637012

637011

637010

637009

637008

637007

637006

637005

637004

637003

637002

637001

637000

636999 636998

636997

636996

636995 636994

636993

636992

637050

637049

637048

637047

637046

637045

637044

637043

637042

637041

637040

637039

637038

637037

637036

637035

637034

637033

637032

637031

637030

637029

637028 637027

637026

637025

637024

637023 637022

637021

637020

637019

637018

637017

637016

637013

637012

637011

637010

637009

637008

637007

637006

637005

637004

637003

637002

637001

637000

636999 636998

636997

636996

636995 636994

636993

636992

Manmade earthen mound

N

Brier Creek

EXPLANATION

Soil-gas sampler location

 and identification

637040

0 50 150 250 Feet

0 25 50 Meters

Figure 5. Locations of soil-gas samplers and sampler indentification numbers, Patterson Anti-Tank Range,

Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.

Base from U.S. Geological Survey,

The National Map

A B

Figure 4. Drivepoint sampler (A) prior to being installed, and (B) installed in the hyporheic zone. Figure 4. Drivepoint sampler (A) prior to being installed, and (B) installed in the hyporheic zone.

Figure 5. Locations of soil-gas samplers and sampler identification numbers, Patterson Anti-Tank Range, 

Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.
6 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

paper towel between each drilling. Twenty-two modules were 

deployed on July 8, 2010, and removed on July 13, 2010, 

while the remaining 35 modules were deployed on August 2, 

2010, and removed on August 6, 2010. The modules then were 

placed in their original 20 mL gas-tight vial immediately upon 

retrieval from the field, and sent to the W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., laboratory for analysis.

On September 16, 2010, six soil-gas samplers were 

installed and retrieved, as previously described, and analyzed 

for organic compounds classified as explosives and chemical 

agents (fig. 6). Five of the soil-gas samplers were deployed 

in areas defined by high contaminant mass as detected in the 

initial soil-gas survey performed in July and August 2010. 

The remaining sampler was a background sampler deployed 

in an area where no contaminants were detected. Five additional samplers were used as trip blank samplers and were 

not deployed.

Soil Samples

Composite soil samples were collected using a stainlesssteel hand auger (fig. 7 A and B) on September 22, 2010, 

to a depth of 6 in. at six locations (fig. 6). The soil samples 

were analyzed for 37 inorganic constituents. Soil samples 

were analyzed by using Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass 

Spectrometry (ICP-MS; LaDonna Choate, Research Chemist, 

U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado, written commun., 

February 8, 2009). The samples were ground to powder and 

processed by a multi-acid digestion technique prior to analysis 

(Briggs and Meier, 2002). The multi-acid digestion technique 

combined with ICP-MS is suited for the analysis of metals in 

rocks, soils, and sediments (Briggs and Meier, 2002).

Soil-sample concentrations were compared to USEPA 

regional screening levels (RSLs) for industrial soils (U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, 2009) to determine the 

extent of contamination. Soil-sample metal concentrations 

1

6

4

5

3

2

EXPLANATION

Site number of soil sample location,

 and explosives and chemical agent

 sampler location

3

0 50 150 250 Feet

0 25 50 Meters

Figure 6. Locations of soil samples, and explosives and chemical agent samplers, Patterson Anti-Tank

Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.

1

6

4

5

3

2

N

Brier Creek

Manmade earthen mound

Base from U.S. Geological Survey,

The National Map

Figure 6. Locations of soil samples, and explosives and chemical agent samplers, Patterson Anti-Tank 

Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.
Results 7

also were compared to values for ambient, uncontaminated 

(background) levels for soils across the adjacent State of South 

Carolina (South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, 2002) because no similar values were available for the State of Georgia. The comparison is valid because 

the geologic features of Georgia and South Carolina are similar and the States share similar physiographic provinces.

Results

The results of the passive soil-gas survey and soil samples analyses were used to further delineate the area of contamination related to the PATR. The results indicate that past 

activities at the PATR have resulted in an environmental effect. 

Passive Hyporheic Zone and Floodplain Survey

Of the six soil-gas samplers that were installed for this 

study in the hyporheic zone and floodplain of Brier Creek 

on April 14, 2010, all had TPH concentrations greater than 

the method detection level (MDL) of 3.03 micrograms per 

liter (μg/L; fig. 8; table 1). These six soil-gas samplers were 

deployed during a period when active groundwater discharge 

was observed on the floodplain. TPH concentrations ranging 

from 138.22 to 236.32 μg/L were detected in the floodplain 

sediments of these samples. Concentrations greater than the 

MDL of 3.03 μg/L also were detected for benzene, octane, 

and pentadecane. 

 Seven additional soil-gas samplers were deployed on 

July 19, 2010 in the floodplain of Brier Creek at the PATR. 

These seven samplers were deployed during a period when 

groundwater discharge was not as prominent as previously 

observed during the April 2010 deployment. TPH concentrations were below the MDL of 1.21 μg/L and benzene, octane, 

or pentadecane concentrations were either not detected or were 

below detection levels (table 1).

The MDLs reported for the April and July 2010 analyses 

differ for each volatile organic compound. The MDLs for the 

soil-gas samplers collected in the hyporheic zone and floodplain of Brier Creek in April were higher because higher levels 

of contamination were detected. Typically, soil-gas samplers 

characterized by higher contamination lead to a higher 

reported MDL.

Passive Soil-Gas Survey

All of the 57 soil-gas samplers installed for this study 

at the PATR detected TPH mass greater than the MDL of 

0.02 microgram (μg; fig. 9; table 2). The highest detection 

of soil-gas TPH mass was 371.48 μg and was collected near 

the center of the PATR close to the remnants of a manmade 

earthen mound and trench. Detections of soil-gas TPH mass of 

92.36 and 133.80 μg were collected in two samplers located 

along the southern boundary of the PATR and near the end 

of a manmade earthen mound, respectively. Detections of 

soil-gas TPH mass between 4 and 90 μg were collected in 

numerous samplers throughout the PATR, and most of these 

were located near the manmade earthen mounds and trenches. 

Because all 57 soil-gas samplers contained detections of 

TPH mass at levels greater than the MDL, it is likely that the 

boundary of the PATR has not been fully assessed with respect 

to TPH. All five TPH trip blanks were at or below the MDL of 

0.02 μg (table 2).

Less than one-half of the soil-gas samplers installed at the 

PATR detected toluene mass greater than or equal to the MDL 

of 0.02 μg (fig. 10). The highest soil-gas toluene mass detected 

was 1.04 μg, located in the center of the PATR, which coincides with a manmade earthen mound. Another high detection 

of toluene mass in soil gas of 0.89 μg was collected along 

the northern boundary of the PATR. Toluene soil-gas masses 

between 0.02 and 0.8 μg were detected by numerous samplers 

all across the PATR, with most of these detections being 

located near the manmade earthen mounds. No detections of 

toluene were reported in the trip blanks (table 2).

Only 13 of the 57 soil-gas samplers detected undecane 

(a petroleum derived product) mass equal to or greater than 

the MDL of 0.04 μg (fig. 11; table 2). The highest detection 

of undecane soil-gas mass of 58.64 μg was collected along 

the southern boundary of the PATR. Detections of undecane 

soil-gas mass between 34.19 and 46.53 μg were collected in 

samplers located at the northernmost boundary of the PATR 

and in the center of the PATR near a manmade earthen mound. 

Undecane soil-gas mass between 0.04 and 18.24 μg was 

detected in samplers located in the center of the PATR and 

associated with the manmade earthen mounds and trenches.

Explosives or chemical agents were not detected above 

their respective MDLs for all soil-gas samplers installed 

Figure 7. Soil sample (A) extracted with stainless-steel auger, and

(B) transferred to sample container.

A

B

Figure 7. Soil sample (A) extracted with stainless-steel auger, 

and (B) transferred to sample container.
8 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

636970

636969

636968

636967

636966

636965

636964

622913

622912

622911

622910 622909

622908

Total petroleum hydrocarbons, in micrograms per liter

0 50 150 250 Feet

0 25 50 Meters

Figure 8. Detections of total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in the hyporheic zone and

floodplain samplers, Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010. Method

detection level is 3.03 micrograms per liter.

EXPLANATION

Hyporheic zone and floodplain

 sampler location and identification

636967 Below detection level

130–150

151–180

181–230

Greater than 230

636970

636969

636968

636967

636966

636965

636964

622913

622912

622911

622910 622909

622908

N Brier Creek

Manmade earthen mound

Base from U.S. Geological Survey,

The National Map

Figure 8. Detections of total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in the hyporheic zone and 

floodplain samplers, Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010. Method detection 

level is 3.03 micrograms per liter.
Results 9

637050

637049

637048 637047

637046

637045

637044

637043

637042

637041

637040

637039 637038

637037

637036

637035

637034

637033

637032

637031

637030

637029

637028 637027

637026 637025

637024

637023

637022

637021

637020

637019

637018

637017

637016

637013

637012

637011

637010

637009

637008

637007

637006

637005

637004

637003

637002

637001

637000

636999

636998

636997

636996

636995

636994

636993

636992

637050

637049

637048 637047

637046

637045

637044

637043

637042

637041

637040

637039 637038

637037

637036

637035

637034

637033

637032

637031

637030

637029

637028 637027

637026 637025

637024

637023

637022

637021

637020

637019

637018

637017

637016

637013

637012

637011

637010

637009

637008

637007

637006

637005

637004

637003

637002

637001

637000

636999

636998

636997

636996

636995

636994

636993

636992

N

Manmade earthen mound

Brier Creek

Figure 9. Detections of total petroleum hydrocarbon mass in soil-gas samplers, Patterson Anti-Tank

Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010. Method detection level is 0.02 microgram.

0 50 150 250 Feet

0 25 50 Meters

EXPLANATION

Total petroleum hydrocarbons, as soil gas, in micrograms

Soil-gas sampler location

 and identification

637040 0.05–3

4–20

21–40

41–90

Greater than 90

Base from U.S. Geological Survey,

The National Map

Figure 9. Detections of total petroleum hydrocarbon mass in soil-gas samplers, Patterson Anti-Tank 

Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010. Method detection level is 0.02 microgram.
10 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

637050

637049

637048

637047

637046

637045

637044

637043

637042

637041

637040

637039

637038

637037

637036

637035

637034

637033

637032

637031

637030

637029

637028 637027

637026

637025

637024 637023

637022

637021

637020

637019

637018

637017

637016

637013

637012

637011

637010

637009

637008

637007

637006

637005

637004

637003

637002

637001

637000

636999

636998

636997

636996

636995

636994 636993

636992

Figure 10. Detections of toluene mass in soil-gas samplers, Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon,

Georgia, 2009–2010. Method detection level is 0.02 microgram.

0 50 150 250 Feet

0 25 50 Meters

EXPLANATION

Toluene, as soil gas, in micrograms

Soil-gas sampler location

 and identification

637040 Not detected

0.02–0.10

0.11–0.8

Greater than 0.8

637050

637049

637048

637047

637046

637045

637044

637043

637042

637041

637040

637039

637038

637037

637036

637035

637034

637033

637032

637031

637030

637029

637028 637027

637026

637025

637024 637023

637022

637021

637020

637019

637018

637017

637016

637013

637012

637011

637010

637009

637008

637007

637006

637005

637004

637003

637002

637001

637000

636999

636998

636997

636996

636995

636994 636993

636992

N

Brier Creek

Manmade earthen mound

Base from U.S. Geological Survey,

The National Map

Figure 10. Detections of toluene mass in soil-gas samplers, Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, 

Georgia, 2009–2010. Method detection level is 0.02 microgram.
Results 11

637050

637049

637048 637047

637046

637045

637044

637043

637042

637041

637040

637039 637038

637037

637036

637035

637034

637033

637032

637031

637030

637029

637028

637027

637026

637025

637024

637023

637022

637021

637020

637019

637018

637017

637016

637013

637012

637011

637010

637009

637008

637007

637006

637005

637004

637003

637002

637001

637000

636999

636998

636997

636996 636995

636994

636993

636992

Figure 11. Detections of undecane mass in soil-gas samplers, Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon,

Georgia, 2009–2010. Method detection level is 0.04 microgram.

0 50 150 250 Feet

0 25 50 Meters

EXPLANATION

Undecane, as soil gas, in micrograms

Soil-gas sampler location

 and identification

637040 Not detected or below

 detection level

0.04–1

1.1–5

6–30

Greater than 30

637050

637049

637048 637047

637046

637045

637044

637043

637042

637041

637040

637039 637038

637037

637036

637035

637034

637033

637032

637031

637030

637029

637028

637027

637026

637025

637024

637023

637022

637021

637020

637019

637018

637017

637016

637013

637012

637011

637010

637009

637008

637007

637006

637005

637004

637003

637002

637001

637000

636999

636998

636997

636996 636995

636994

636993

636992

N

Brier Creek

Manmade earthen mound

Base from U.S. Geological Survey,

The National Map

Figure 11. Detections of undecane mass in soil-gas samplers, Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, 

Georgia, 2009–2010. Method detection level is 0.04 microgram.
12 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

in areas of high contaminant mass. Some explosives and 

chemical agents had masses below the MDL but were above 

the non-detection level, indicating a trace level of presence 

(fig. 6; table 3). However, the reliability of the results for 

some constituents may become suspect when their associated trip blanks report detections. This is particularly so for 

the constituent, p-Chlorophenyl methyl sulfone, when all of 

the trip blanks reported trace levels below the MDL (table 3). 

One other constituent, 2,4-Dinitrotoluene, which was detected 

below the MDL in a sampler, had one trip blank that reported 

a trace level below the MDL. No detections were reported in 

the remaining trip blanks.

For all soil-gas analyses, the presence of a contaminant 

above the MDL at a particular soil-gas sampler location 

suggests an environmental effect. Moreover, because all soilgas samplers were installed to the same depth, a higher result 

for a particular contaminant in soil-gas may indicate a closer 

proximity to a contaminant source.

Soil Samples

Inorganic concentrations in all six soil samples did not 

exceed the RSLs (table 4). Barium concentrations, however, 

were up to nine times higher than the background concentrations reported in similar Coastal Plain sediments of South 

Carolina, and potassium concentrations were up to eight 

times higher.

Summary

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the 

U.S. Department of the Army Environmental and Natural 

Resources Management Office of the U.S. Army Signal 

Center and Fort Gordon, Georgia, assessed soil gas, the 

hyporheic zone and floodplain of Brier Creek, and soil for 

contaminants at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range (PATR) at 

Fort Gordon, Georgia, from October 2009 to September 2010. 

The soil-gas samplers installed in the hyporheic zone and 

floodplain of Brier Creek on April 14, 2010, detected elevated 

concentrations above the method detection level (MDL) of 

3.03 micrograms per liter (μg/L) for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), benzene, octane, and pentadecane. However, the 

soil-gas samplers installed on July 19, 2010, in the hyporheic 

zone and floodplain indicated no detections or concentrations 

above the MDL of 1.21 μg/L for all volatile organic compounds. Of the 57 soil-gas samplers installed throughout the 

PATR boundary, all had elevated masses above the MDL of 

0.02 micrograms (μg) for TPH. The highest detection of soilgas TPH mass was 371.48 μg, which was collected near the 

center of the PATR near the remnants of a manmade earthen 

mound and trench. The highest detection of soil-gas toluene 

mass of 1.04 μg was collected in the center of the PATR and 

is associated with a manmade earthen mound. Some soil-gas 

samplers detected undecane mass greater than the MDL of 

0.04 μg with the highest soil-gas mass of 58.64 μg collected 

along the southern boundary of the PATR. Soil-gas samplers 

installed in areas of high contaminant mass had no detections 

of explosives or chemical agents above their respective MDLs.

Inorganic concentrations for the six soil samples did 

not exceed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency values 

for their regional screening levels. Barium concentrations, 

however, were up to nine times higher than the background 

concentrations reported in similar Coastal Plain sediments of 

South Carolina, and potassium concentrations were up to eight 

times higher.

References Cited

American Society for Testing and Materials, 2006, Standard 

guide for soil gas monitoring in the vadose zone: ASTM 

D5314-92, 36 p.

Briggs, P.H., and Meier, A.L., 2002, The determination of 

forty-two elements in geological materials by inductively 

coupled plasma – mass spectrometry, in Taggart, J.E., Jr., 

ed., 2002, Analytical methods for chemical analysis of 

geologic and other materials, U.S. Geological Survey: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-223-I, 14 p.

Gregory, M.B., Stamey, T.C., and Wellborn, J.B., 2001, 

Ecological characterization of streams, and fish-tissue 

analysis for mercury and lead at selected locations, Fort 

Gordon, Georgia, June 1999 to May 2000: U.S. Geological 

Survey Open-File Report 01-203, 24 p.

International Organization for Standardization, 1990, ISO 

Guide 25. General requirements for the competence of 

calibration and testing laboratories (3rd ed.): New York, 

American National Standards Institute.

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental 

Control, 2002, Environmental Surveillance and Oversight 

Program data report, 2002, accessed February 11, 2010, at 

http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/envserv/docs/esop_

datarpt_02.pdf.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1998, Innovative 

Technology Verification Report Soil Gas Sampling Technology: EPA/600/R-98/095.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2009, Regional 

screening level tables, accessed January 12, 2010, at http://

www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/risk/human/rb-concentration_

table/Generic_Tables/index.htm.

Williams, L.J., 2007, Hydrogeology and potentiometric 

surface of the Dublin and Midville aquifer systems in 

Richmond County, Georgia, January 2007: U.S. Geological 

Survey Scientific Investigations Map 2982, 1 sheet.

W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., 2004, GORETM surveys for 

site assessment & monitoring, accessed February 28, 2011, 

at http://www.gore.com/MungoBlobs/239/659/surveys_

environmental_brochure.pdf.
Table 1 13

Table 1. Concentration of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the hyporheic zone and floodplain of 

Brier Creek, April 14, 2010 and July 19, 2010, Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.

[see figure 3 for sampler locations; μg/L, micrograms per liter; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection level; TPH, total 

petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE, dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; p, para; o, ortho; 

CCl4, carbon tetrachloride; C11, C13, and C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler

number TPH (μg/L) BTEX (μg/L) Benzene (μg/L) Toluene (μg/L) Ethylbenzene (μg/L)

m-,p-Xylene 

(μg/L) o-Xylene (μg/L)

April 14, 2010

MDL= 3.03 – 3.03 3.03 3.03 4.54 3.03

622908 138.22 5.27 5.27 nd nd nd nd

622909 236.32 4.08 4.08 nd nd nd nd

622910 175.47 7.22 7.22 nd nd bdl nd

622911 143.89 3.68 3.68 nd nd nd nd

622912 211.59 4.30 4.30 nd nd nd nd

622913 235.86 4.06 4.06 nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

622914 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

622915 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

July 19, 2010

MDL= 1.21 – 1.21 1.21 1.21 1.81 1.21

636964 bdl nd nd nd nd nd nd

636965 bdl nd nd nd nd nd nd

636966 bdl nd nd nd nd nd nd

636967 bdl nd nd nd nd nd nd

636968 bdl nd nd nd nd nd nd

636969 bdl nd nd nd nd nd nd

636970 bdl nd nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

636971 bdl nd nd nd nd nd nd

636972 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd
14 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 1. Concentration of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the hyporheic zone 

and floodplain of Brier Creek, April 14, 2010 and July 19, 2010, Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 

2009–2010.—Contiued.

[see figure 3 for sampler locations; μg/L, micrograms per liter; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection level; 

TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE, dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, 

meta; p, para; o, ortho; CCl4, carbon tetrachloride; C11, C13, and C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler

number Naphthalene (μg/L) 2-Methyl-Naphthalene (μg/L)

MTBE

 (μg/L) Octane (μg/L)

April 14, 2010

MDL= 3.03 3.03 9.08 3.03

622908 nd nd nd 4.27

622909 nd nd nd nd

622910 nd nd nd 5.24

622911 nd nd nd 4.16

622912 nd nd nd bdl

622913 nd nd nd 7.60

Trip blanks

622914 nd nd nd nd

622915 nd nd nd nd

July 19, 2010

MDL= 1.21 1.21 3.62 1.21

636964 nd nd nd bdl

636965 nd nd nd nd

636966 nd nd nd nd

636967 nd nd nd nd

636968 nd nd nd bdl

636969 nd nd nd nd

636970 nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

636971 nd nd nd nd

636972 nd nd nd nd

 
Table 1 15

Table 1. Concentration of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the hyporheic zone 

and floodplain of Brier Creek, April 14, 2010 and July 19, 2010, Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 

2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 3 for sampler locations; μg/L, micrograms per liter; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection level; 

TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE, dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, 

meta; p, para; o, ortho; CCl4, carbon tetrachloride; C11, C13, and C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler

number

C11, C13, &C15

 (μg/L) Undecane (μg/L) Tridecane (μg/L) Pentadecane (μg/L)

April 14, 2010

MDL= – 6.05 3.03 3.03

622908 nd nd nd nd

622909 4.95 nd bdl 4.95

622910 nd nd nd nd

622911 nd nd nd nd

622912 nd nd nd nd

622913 nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

622914 nd nd nd nd

622915 nd nd nd nd

July 19, 2010

MDL= – 2.42 1.21 1.21

636964 nd nd nd nd

636965 nd nd nd nd

636966 nd nd nd nd

636967 nd nd nd nd

636968 nd nd nd nd

636969 nd nd nd nd

636970 nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

636971 nd nd nd nd

636972 nd nd nd nd
16 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 1. Concentration of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the hyporheic zone and floodplain of 

Brier Creek, April 14, 2010 and July 19, 2010, Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.

[see figure 3 for sampler locations; μg/L, micrograms per liter; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection level; TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; 

TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE, dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; p, para; o, ortho; CCl4, carbon 

tetrachloride; C11, C13, and C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler 

number

Trimethyl benzenes (μg/L)1,2,4-Trimethyl 

benzene (μg/L)

1,3,5-Trimethyl 

benzene (μg/L) 1,1-DCA (μg/L) Chloroform (μg/L) 1,1,1-TCA (μg/L) 1,2-DCA (μg/L)

April 14, 2010

MDL= – 3.03 4.54 3.03 3.03 4.54 3.03

622908 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

622909 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

622910 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

622911 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

622912 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

622913 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

622914 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

622915 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

July 19, 2010

MDL= – 1.21 1.81 1.21 1.21 1.81 1.21

636964 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

636965 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

636966 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

636967 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

636968 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

636969 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

636970 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

636971 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

636972 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd
Table 1 17

Table 1. Concentration of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the hyporheic zone 

and floodplain of Brier Creek, April 14, 2010 and July 19, 2010, Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 

2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 3 for sampler locations; μg/L, micrograms per liter; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection level; TPH, 

total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, 

trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE, dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; p, para; 

o, ortho; CCl4, carbon tetrachloride; C11, C13, and C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler 

number

TCE

 (μg/L) c,t-1,2-DCE (μg/L) t-1,2-DCE (μg/L) c-1,2-DCE (μg/L) PCE (μg/L)

April 14, 2010

MDL= 3.03 – 6.95 4.68 3.03

622908 nd nd nd nd nd

622909 nd nd nd nd nd

622910 nd nd nd nd nd

622911 nd nd nd nd nd

622912 nd nd nd nd nd

622913 nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

622914 nd nd nd nd nd

622915 nd nd nd nd nd

July 19, 2010

MDL= 1.21 – 2.78 1.87 1.21

636964 nd nd nd nd nd

636965 nd nd nd nd nd

636966 nd nd nd nd nd

636967 nd nd nd nd bdl

636968 nd nd nd nd nd

636969 nd nd nd nd nd

636970 nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

636971 nd nd nd nd nd

636972 nd nd nd nd nd
18 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 1. Concentration of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the hyporheic zone and floodplain of Brier 

Creek, April 14, 2010 and July 19, 2010, Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 3 for sampler locations; μg/L, micrograms per liter; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection level; TPH, total petroleum 

hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE, dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; p, para; o, ortho; CCl4

, carbon tetrachloride; C11, 

C13, and C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler 

Number 1,4-DCB (μg/L) CCl4(μg/L) 1,1,2-TCA (μg/L) Chlorobenzene(μg/L)

1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane (μg/L)1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane (μg/L)

April 14, 2010

MDL= 3.03 4.54 3.03 3.03 4.54 3.03

622908 nd nd nd nd nd nd

622909 nd nd nd nd nd nd

622910 nd nd nd nd nd nd

622911 nd nd nd nd nd nd

622912 nd nd nd nd nd nd

622913 nd nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

622914 nd nd nd nd nd nd

622915 nd nd nd nd nd nd

July 19, 2010

MDL= 1.21 1.81 1.21 1.21 1.81 1.21

636964 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636965 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636966 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636967 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636968 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636969 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636970 nd nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

636971 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636972 nd nd nd nd nd nd
Table 1 19

Table 1. Concentration of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers 

from the hyporheic zone and floodplain of Brier Creek, April 14, 2010 and July 19, 2010, 

Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 3 for sampler locations; μg/L, micrograms per liter; MDL, method detection level; nd, not 

detected; bdl, below detection level; TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, 

ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE, dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; p, para; o, ortho; CCl4

, carbon tetrachloride; C11, C13, and C15, undecane, 

tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler 

number 1,3-Dichlorobenzene (μg/L) 1,2-Dichlorobenzene (μg/L)

April 14, 2010

MDL= 3.03 3.03

622908 nd nd

622909 nd nd

622910 nd nd

622911 nd nd

622912 nd nd

622913 nd nd

Trip blanks

622914 nd nd

622915 nd nd

July 19, 2010

MDL= 1.21 1.21

636964 nd nd

636965 nd nd

636966 nd nd

636967 nd nd

636968 nd nd

636969 nd nd

636970 nd nd

Trip blanks

636971 nd nd

636972 nd nd
20 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, 

Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 5 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection level; TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE,dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; p, para; o, ortho; CCl4

, carbon tetrachloride; C11, C13, and 

C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler

number

TPH

 (μg)

BTEX

 (μg) Benzene (μg) Toluene (μg) Ethylbenzene (μg)

m-,p-Xylene 

(μg) o-Xylene (μg)

MDL= 0.02 – 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02

636992 22.24 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636993 4.68 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636994 43.92 0.03 nd 0.03 nd nd nd

636995 0.13 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636996 39.16 0.17 nd 0.17 nd nd nd

636997 1.86 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636998 0.50 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636999 5.76 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637000 0.05 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637001 15.19 0.03 nd 0.03 nd nd nd

637002 1.39 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637003 18.13 0.04 nd 0.04 nd nd nd

637004 0.24 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637005 0.74 0.04 nd 0.04 nd nd nd

637006 43.69 1.04 nd 1.04 nd nd nd

637007 1.10 0.02 nd 0.02 nd nd bdl

637008 53.55 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637009 2.53 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637010 17.20 0.52 nd 0.52 nd nd nd

637011 2.15 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637012 0.73 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637013 0.56 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637016 133.80 0.25 nd 0.25 nd nd nd

637017 34.36 0.08 nd 0.08 nd nd nd

637018 1.41 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637019 1.70 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637020 1.70 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637021 371.48 0.08 nd 0.08 nd nd nd

637022 29.07 0.04 nd 0.04 nd nd nd

637023 45.97 0.13 nd 0.13 nd nd nd

637024 0.59 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637025 4.41 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637026 2.17 0.22 bdl 0.22 nd nd nd

637027 13.51 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637028 0.76 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637029 4.06 0.10 0.03 0.07 bdl nd nd

637030 36.61 0.15 nd 0.15 nd nd nd
Table 2 21

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, 

Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 5 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection level; TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE,dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; p, para; o, ortho; CCl4

, carbon tetrachloride; C11, C13, and 

C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler

number

TPH

 (μg)

BTEX

 (μg) Benzene (μg) Toluene (μg) Ethylbenzene (μg)

m-,p-Xylene 

(μg) o-Xylene (μg)

MDL= 0.02 – 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02

637031 8.51 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637032 0.98 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637033 12.50 0.03 nd 0.03 nd nd nd

637034 41.33 0.04 nd 0.04 nd nd nd

637035 74.45 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637036 0.68 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637037 1.17 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637038 10.26 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637039 92.36 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637040 16.68 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637041 0.98 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637042 0.21 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637043 39.62 0.06 nd 0.06 nd nd nd

637044 27.21 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637045 0.33 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637046 22.79 0.89 nd 0.89 nd nd nd

637047 51.80 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637048 2.70 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637049 1.81 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637050 0.36 nd nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

637014 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637015 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637051 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637052 bdl nd nd nd nd nd nd

637053 0.02 nd nd nd nd nd nd
22 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, 

Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 5 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection level; TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE,dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; p, para; o, ortho; 

CCl4, carbon tetrachloride; C11, C13, and C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler

Number Naphthalene (μg) 2-Methyl-Naphthalene (μg)

MTBE

 (μg) Octane (μg)

MDL= 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02

636992 bdl nd nd nd

636993 nd nd nd nd

636994 0.07 nd nd nd

636995 nd nd nd nd

636996 0.14 nd nd nd

636997 nd nd nd nd

636998 nd nd nd nd

636999 nd nd nd nd

637000 nd nd nd nd

637001 bdl nd nd nd

637002 nd nd nd nd

637003 bdl nd nd nd

637004 nd nd nd nd

637005 nd nd nd nd

637006 0.03 nd nd nd

637007 nd nd nd nd

637008 nd nd nd nd

637009 nd nd nd nd

637010 bdl nd nd nd

637011 nd nd nd nd

637012 nd nd nd nd

637013 nd nd nd nd

637016 nd nd nd nd

637017 nd nd nd bdl

637018 nd nd nd nd

637019 nd nd nd nd

637020 nd nd nd nd

637021 nd nd nd nd

637022 nd nd nd nd
Table 2 23

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, 

Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 5 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection level; TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE,dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; p, para; o, ortho; 

CCl4, carbon tetrachloride; C11, C13, and C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler

Number Naphthalene (μg) 2-Methyl-Naphthalene (μg)

MTBE

 (μg) Octane (μg)

MDL= 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02

637023 nd nd nd nd

637024 nd nd nd nd

637025 nd nd nd nd

637026 nd nd nd nd

637027 nd nd nd nd

637028 nd nd nd nd

637029 nd nd nd 0.08

637030 nd nd nd nd

637031 nd nd nd nd

637032 nd nd nd nd

637033 nd nd nd nd

637034 nd nd nd nd

637035 nd nd nd nd

637036 nd nd nd nd

637037 nd nd nd nd

637038 nd nd nd nd

637039 nd nd nd nd

637040 nd nd nd nd

637041 nd nd nd nd

637042 nd nd nd nd

637043 nd nd nd nd

637044 nd nd nd nd

637045 nd nd nd nd

637046 nd nd nd nd

637047 nd nd nd nd

637048 nd nd nd nd

637049 nd nd nd nd

637050 nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

637014 nd nd nd nd

637015 nd nd nd nd

637051 nd nd nd nd

637052 nd nd nd nd

637053 nd nd nd nd
24 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from Patterson 

Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 5 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below 

detection level; TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, 

methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE,dichloroethylene; 

PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; p, para; o, ortho; CCl4, carbon tetrachloride; 

C11, C13, and C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler

number

C11, C13, &C15

 (μg) Undecane (μg) Tridecane (μg) Pentadecane (μg)

MDL= – 0.04 0.02 0.02

636992 5.75 4.95 0.49 0.30

636993 0.10 0.10 nd nd

636994 17.47 15.22 0.91 1.35

636995 nd nd nd nd

636996 0.00 nd nd bdl

636997 0.22 0.22 nd nd

636998 0.04 0.04 nd nd

636999 nd nd nd nd

637000 nd nd nd nd

637001 0.02 nd 0.02 nd

637002 nd nd nd nd

637003 nd nd nd nd

637004 0.04 0.04 nd nd

637005 nd nd nd nd

637006 1.46 1.35 0.11 nd

637007 nd nd nd nd

637008 35.75 34.19 1.56 nd

637009 0.00 bdl nd nd

637010 0.00 nd bdl nd

637011 nd nd nd nd

637012 nd nd nd nd

637013 nd nd nd nd

637016 nd nd nd nd

637017 0.00 nd bdl nd

637018 0.00 bdl nd nd

637019 nd nd nd nd

637020 nd nd nd nd

637021 nd nd nd nd

637022 nd nd nd nd

637023 19.56 18.24 1.32 nd

637024 nd nd nd nd
Table 2 25

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from Patterson 

Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 5 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below 

detection level; TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, 

methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE,dichloroethylene; 

PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; p, para; o, ortho; CCl4, carbon tetrachloride; 

C11, C13, and C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler

number

C11, C13, &C15

 (μg) Undecane (μg) Tridecane (μg) Pentadecane (μg)

MDL= – 0.04 0.02 0.02

637025 0.03 nd 0.03 nd

637026 0.00 nd nd bdl

637027 nd nd nd nd

637028 nd nd nd nd

637029 nd nd nd nd

637030 0.00 nd bdl nd

637031 nd nd nd nd

637032 nd nd nd nd

637033 nd nd nd nd

637034 nd nd nd nd

637035 47.52 46.53 1.00 nd

637036 nd nd nd nd

637037 nd nd nd nd

637038 nd nd nd nd

637039 59.35 58.64 0.71 nd

637040 nd nd nd nd

637041 nd nd nd nd

637042 nd nd nd nd

637043 0.00 nd bdl nd

637044 19.52 19.21 0.31 nd

637045 nd nd nd nd

637046 nd nd nd nd

637047 35.38 34.35 1.03 nd

637048 nd nd nd nd

637049 nd nd nd nd

637050 nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

637014 nd nd nd nd

637015 nd nd nd nd

637051 nd nd nd nd

637052 nd nd nd nd

637053 nd nd nd nd
26 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, 

Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 5 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection level; TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE,dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; p, para; o, ortho; CCl4

, carbon tetrachloride; C11, C13, and 

C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler 

number

Trimethyl benzenes (μg)1,2,4-Trimethyl 

benzene (μg)

1,3,5-Trimethyl 

benzene (μg) 1,1-DCA (μg) Chloroform (μg) 1,1,1-TCA (μg) 1,2-DCA (μg)

MDL= – 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02

636992 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

636993 nd nd nd nd 0.03 nd nd

636994 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

636995 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

636996 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

636997 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

636998 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

636999 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637000 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637001 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637002 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637003 0.00 bdl nd nd nd nd nd

637004 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637005 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637006 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637007 nd nd nd nd nd bdl nd

637008 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637009 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637010 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637011 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637012 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637013 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637016 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637017 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637018 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637019 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637020 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637021 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637022 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd
Table 2 27

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, 

Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 5 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection level; TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE,dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; p, para; o, ortho; CCl4

, carbon tetrachloride; C11, C13, and 

C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler 

number

Trimethyl benzenes (μg)1,2,4-Trimethyl 

benzene (μg)

1,3,5-Trimethyl 

benzene (μg) 1,1-DCA (μg) Chloroform (μg) 1,1,1-TCA (μg) 1,2-DCA (μg)

MDL= – 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02

637023 0.00 bdl nd nd nd nd nd

637024 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637025 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637026 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637027 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637028 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637029 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637030 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637031 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637032 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637033 nd nd nd nd 0.10 nd nd

637034 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637035 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637036 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637037 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637038 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637039 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637040 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637041 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637042 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637043 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637044 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637045 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637046 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637047 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637048 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637049 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637050 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

637014 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637015 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637051 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637052 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637053 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd
28 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from Patterson Anti-Tank 

Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 5 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection 

level; TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl 

ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE,dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; 

DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; p, para; o, ortho; CCl4, carbon tetrachloride; C11, C13, and C15, undecane, 

tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler

number

TCE

 (μg) c,t-1,2-DCE (μg) t-1,2-DCE (μg) c-1,2-DCE (μg) PCE (μg)

MDL= 0.02 – 0.04 0.03 0.02

636992 nd nd nd nd nd

636993 nd nd nd nd nd

636994 nd nd nd nd nd

636995 nd nd nd nd nd

636996 nd nd nd nd nd

636997 nd nd nd nd nd

636998 nd nd nd nd nd

636999 nd nd nd nd nd

637000 nd nd nd nd nd

637001 nd nd nd nd nd

637002 nd nd nd nd 0.02

637003 nd nd nd nd nd

637004 nd nd nd nd nd

637005 nd nd nd nd nd

637006 nd nd nd nd nd

637007 nd nd nd nd nd

637008 nd nd nd nd nd

637009 nd nd nd nd nd

637010 0.02 0.10 nd 0.10 nd

637011 nd nd nd nd nd

637012 nd nd nd nd nd

637013 nd nd nd nd nd

637016 nd nd nd nd nd

637017 nd nd nd nd nd

637018 0.34 nd nd nd nd

637019 0.09 nd nd nd nd

637020 nd nd nd nd nd

637021 nd nd nd nd nd

637022 bdl 0.11 nd 0.11 nd

637023 nd nd nd nd nd

637024 nd nd nd nd nd
Table 2 29

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from Patterson Anti-Tank 

Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 5 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection 

level; TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl 

ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE,dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; 

DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; p, para; o, ortho; CCl4, carbon tetrachloride; C11, C13, and C15, undecane, 

tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler

number

TCE

 (μg) c,t-1,2-DCE (μg) t-1,2-DCE (μg) c-1,2-DCE (μg) PCE (μg)

MDL= 0.02 – 0.04 0.03 0.02

637025 nd nd nd nd nd

637026 nd nd nd nd nd

637027 nd nd nd nd nd

637028 0.02 nd nd nd nd

637029 nd nd nd nd nd

637030 nd nd nd nd nd

637031 nd nd nd nd nd

637032 nd nd nd nd nd

637033 nd nd nd nd nd

637034 0.04 nd nd nd nd

637035 nd nd nd nd nd

637036 nd nd nd nd nd

637037 0.09 nd nd nd nd

637038 nd nd nd nd nd

637039 nd nd nd nd nd

637040 nd nd nd nd nd

637041 nd nd nd nd nd

637042 nd nd nd nd nd

637043 0.11 nd nd nd nd

637044 nd nd nd nd nd

637045 nd nd nd nd nd

637046 nd nd nd nd nd

637047 nd nd nd nd nd

637048 nd nd nd nd nd

637049 nd nd nd nd nd

637050 nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

637014 nd nd nd nd nd

637015 nd nd nd nd nd

637051 nd nd nd nd nd

637052 nd nd nd nd nd

637053 nd nd nd nd nd
30 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, 

Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 5 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection level; TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE,dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; p, para; o, ortho; CCl4

, carbon tetrachloride; C11, C13, and 

C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler 

number 1,4-DCB (μg) CCl4 (μg) 1,1,2-TCA (μg) Chlorobenzene (μg)

1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane (μg)1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane (μg)

MDL= 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02

636992 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636993 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636994 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636995 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636996 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636997 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636998 nd nd nd nd nd nd

636999 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637000 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637001 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637002 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637003 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637004 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637005 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637006 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637007 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637008 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637009 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637010 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637011 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637012 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637013 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637016 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637017 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637018 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637019 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637020 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637021 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637022 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637023 nd nd Nd nd nd nd
Table 2 31

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, 

Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 5 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection level; TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE,dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; p, para; o, ortho; CCl4

, carbon tetrachloride; C11, C13, and 

C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler 

number 1,4-DCB (μg) CCl4 (μg) 1,1,2-TCA (μg) Chlorobenzene (μg)

1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane (μg)1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane (μg)

MDL= 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02

637024 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637025 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637026 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637027 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637028 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637029 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637030 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637031 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637032 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637033 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637034 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637035 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637036 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637037 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637038 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637039 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637040 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637041 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637042 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637043 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637044 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637045 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637046 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637047 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637048 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637049 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637050 nd nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

637014 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637015 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637051 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637052 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637053 nd nd nd nd nd nd
32 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from 

Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 5 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, 

below detection level; TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and 

xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE,dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; 

p, para; o, ortho; CCl4, carbon tetrachloride; C11, C13, and C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, 

respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler 

number 1,3-Dichlorobenzene (μg) 1,2-Dichlorobenzene (μg)

MDL= 0.02 0.02

636992 nd nd

636993 nd nd

636994 nd nd

636995 nd nd

636996 nd nd

636997 nd nd

636998 nd nd

636999 nd nd

637000 nd nd

637001 nd nd

637002 nd nd

637003 nd nd

637004 nd nd

637005 nd nd

637006 nd nd

637007 nd nd

637008 nd nd

637009 nd nd

637010 nd nd

637011 nd nd

637012 nd nd

637013 nd nd

637016 nd nd

637017 nd nd

637018 nd nd

637019 nd nd

637020 nd nd

637021 nd nd

637022 nd nd

637023 nd nd
Table 2 33

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from 

Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 5 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, 

below detection level; TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons; BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and 

xylenes; MTBE, methyl tert-butyl ether; DCA, dichloroethane; TCA, trichloroethane; TCE, trichloroethylene; DCE,dichloroethylene; PCE, perchloroethylene; DCB, dichlorobenzene; c, cis; t, trans; m, meta; 

p, para; o, ortho; CCl4, carbon tetrachloride; C11, C13, and C15, undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane, 

respectively; –, not applicable]

Sampler 

number 1,3-Dichlorobenzene (μg) 1,2-Dichlorobenzene (μg)

MDL= 0.02 0.02

637024 nd nd

637025 nd nd

637026 nd nd

637027 nd nd

637028 nd nd

637029 nd nd

637030 nd nd

637031 nd nd

637032 nd nd

637033 nd nd

637034 nd nd

637035 nd nd

637036 nd nd

637037 nd nd

637038 nd nd

637039 nd nd

637040 nd nd

637041 nd nd

637042 nd nd

637043 nd nd

637044 nd nd

637045 nd nd

637046 nd nd

637047 nd nd

637048 nd nd

637049 nd nd

637050 nd nd

Trip blanks

637014 nd nd

637015 nd nd

637051 nd nd

637052 nd nd

637053 nd nd
34 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 3. Mass of explosives and chemical agents detected in soil-gas samplers from the Patterson Anti-Tank 

Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.

[see figure 6 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection level; 

p, para; –, not applicable]

Sampler

number

Site 

number

Dimethyldisulfide 

(μg)

Dimethylmethylphosphonate (μg) 1,4-Thioxane (μg)

MDL= 0.10 0.10 0.10

644241 1 nd nd nd

644242 2 nd nd nd

644243 3 nd nd nd

644244 4 nd nd nd

644245 5 nd nd nd

644246 6 nd nd nd

Trip blanks

644252 – nd nd nd

644253 – nd nd nd

644254 – nd nd nd

644255 – nd nd nd

644256 – nd nd nd
Table 3 35

Table 3. Mass of explosives and chemical agents detected in soil-gas samplers from the Patterson AntiTank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 6 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection level; 

p, para; –, not applicable]

Sample

number

Site 

number

Nitrobenzene

 (μg)

Diisopropylmethylphosphonate (μg)

1,4-Dithiane 

(μg) 2-Nitrotoluene (μg)

MDL= 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10

644241 1 nd nd nd nd

644242 2 nd nd nd nd

644243 3 nd nd nd nd

644244 4 nd nd nd nd

644245 5 nd nd nd nd

644246 6 nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

644252 – nd nd nd nd

644253 – nd nd nd nd

644254 – nd nd nd nd

644255 – nd nd nd nd

644256 – nd nd nd nd
36 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 3. Mass of explosives and chemical agents detected in soil-gas samplers from the Patterson AntiTank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 6 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection level; 

p, para; –, not applicable]

Sampler

number

Site 

number 3-Nitrotoluene (μg) 4-Nitrotoluene (μg) Thiodiglycol (μg) Benzothiazole (μg)

MDL= 0.10 0.10 0.20 0.10

644241 1 nd nd nd nd

644242 2 nd nd nd bdl

644243 3 nd nd nd bdl

644244 4 nd nd nd bdl

644245 5 nd nd nd bdl

644246 6 nd nd nd bdl

Trip blanks

644252 – nd nd nd nd

644253 – nd nd nd nd

644254 – nd nd nd nd

644255 – nd nd nd nd

644256 – nd nd nd nd
Table 3 37

Table 3. Mass of explosives and chemical agents detected in soil-gas samplers from the 

Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 6 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, 

below detection level; p, para; –, not applicable]

Sampler

number

Site

number

Chloroacetophenones (μg)p-Chlorophenylmethylsulfide (μg) 1,3-Dinitrobenzene (μg)

MDL= 0.10 0.10 0.10

644241 1 nd nd nd

644242 2 bdl bdl nd

644243 3 nd nd nd

644244 4 bdl bdl bdl

644245 5 nd nd nd

644246 6 nd nd nd

Trip blanks

644252 – nd nd nd

644253 – nd nd nd

644254 – nd nd nd

644255 – nd nd nd

644256 – nd nd nd
38 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 3. Mass of explosives and chemical agents detected in soil-gas samplers from the Patterson 

Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 6 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not detected; bdl, below detection 

level; p, para; –, not applicable]

Sampler

number

Site

number

2,6-Dinitrotoluene 

(μg)

2,4-Dinitrotoluene 

(μg) 1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene (μg)

MDL= 0.10 0.10 0.10

644241 1 nd nd nd

644242 2 nd nd nd

644243 3 nd nd nd

644244 4 nd bdl bdl

644245 5 nd nd nd

644246 6 nd nd nd

Trip blanks

644252 – nd nd nd

644253 – nd nd nd

644254 – nd nd nd

644255 – nd nd nd

644256 – nd bdl nd
Table 3 39

Table 3. Mass of explosives and chemical agents detected in soil-gas 

samplers from the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 

2009–2010.—Continued

[see figure 6 for sampler locations; μg, micrograms; MDL, method detection level; nd, not 

detected; bdl, below detection level; p, para; –, not applicable]

Sampler

number

Site 

number

p-chlorophenylmethylsulfoxide 

(μg)

p-chlorophenylmethylsulfone (μg)

2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene

(μg)

MDL= 0.10 0.10 0.10

644241 1 nd nd nd

644242 2 nd bdl nd

644243 3 nd nd nd

644244 4 bdl bdl bdl

644245 5 bdl bdl nd

644246 6 nd nd nd

Trip blanks

644252 – nd bdl nd

644253 – nd bdl nd

644254 – nd bdl nd

644255 – nd bdl nd

644256 – nd bdl nd
40 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 4. Inorganic constituents detected in soil samples collected at the Patterson Anti-Tank Range from land surface to 6 inches 

below land surface, Fort Gordon, Georgia, September 22, 2010.

[see figure 6 for site locations; USEPA RSL, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Screening Level, Industrial Soil; SCDHEC, South Carolina 

Department of Health and Environmental Control; μg/g, micrograms per gram; mg/kg, milligrams per kilogram; --, not applicable; nr, not reportable; for soil, 

1 μg/g is equivalent to 1 mg/kg, and 1 mg/kg is equivalent to 1 part per million (ppm); yellow highlight indicates value higher than SCDHEC background; *, 

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) metal; <, less than. Note: selenium and mercury were not analyzed]

Constituent Site 1

 (μg/g)

Site 2

(μg/g)

Site 3

 (μg/g)

Site 4

 (μg/g)

Site 5

 (μg/g)

Site 6

 (μg/g)

USEPA

RSL

(mg/kg)

SCDHEC

Background

(mg/kg)

Aluminum 26,400 17,700 39,200 16,600 11,200 9,400 990,000 13,528

Antimony 0.26 0.29 0.5 1.1. 6.9 0.1 410 –

Arsenic* <1 1.3 1.6 <1 <1 <1 260 6.1

Barium* 335 212 239 176 154 137 190,000 38

Beryllium 0.66 0.43 0.61 0.3 0.21 0.36 2,000 0.6

Bismuth nr nr nr nr nr nr – –

Cadmium* 0.01 0.02 <0.007 0.008 0.01 <0.007 800 1

Calcium 872 355 330 342 318 152 – 699

Cerium 68 62.8 57 32.7 29.3 37.5 – –

Cesium 1.9 1 2.1 0.98 0.66 0.76 – –

Chromium* 16.6 13.9 23.5 11.2 8.8 7.2 1,500,000 16

Cobalt 2.6 1.1 2.2 0.88 0.68 1.2 300 4

Copper 8 6.1 13.1 7.4 5 5.2 41,000 9

Gallium 7.2 5.2 10.9 4.5 3.1 2.5 – –

Iron 5,010 3,840 7,850 3,650 2,200 2,820 720,000 15,608

Lanthanium 31.2 29.9 27.9 15.6 14.9 15.9 – –

Lead* 14.4 13.7 32.3 31.8 18 5.88 800 16

Lithium 7.1 4.5 10.4 3.8 2.6 3.4 2,000 –

Magnesium 460 255 583 256 180 271 – 988

Manganese 495 150 80.1 82.7 118 188 23,000 120

Molybdenum 0.44 0.39 0.63 0.33 0.23 0.2 5,100 –

Nickel 4.1 2.4 6.6 2.6 1.9 3 47,000 6

Niobium 10 9.1 9.9 6.5 6.3 3.2 – –

Phosphorus 166 145 142 144 105 181 – –

Potassium 7,320 6,230 7,230 5,600 4,460 1,340 – 856

Rubidium 42.7 28.3 40.3 25.1 19.3 11.1 – –

Scandium 4.3 3.3 5.3 2.4 1.7 1.4 – –

Silver* <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 5,100 4

Sodium 752 583 659 595 535 120 – 194

Strontium 39.9 28.2 34.4 24.3 21.1 18.5 610,000 –

Thallium 0.29 0.17 0.26 0.16 0.11 <0.08 – 4.5

Thorium 8.64 10.1 10.3 6.15 5.34 2.72 – –

Titanium 3,600 3,380 3,430 2,430 1,730 1,130 – –

Uranium 1.98 2.2 2.11 1.28 1.17 0.87 – –

Vanadium 27.6 21.2 39.6 17.7 11.5 10.4 5,200 –

Yttrium 12.7 10.1 8.7 4.3 3.8 10.7 – –

Zinc 16.7 12.3 22 11.9 8.9 10.4 310,000 23
Prepared by:

USGS Publishing Network

Raleigh Publishing Service Center

3916 Sunset Ridge Road

Raleigh, NC 27607

For additional information regarding this publication, contact:

 USGS South Carolina Water Science Center

 Stephenson Center, Suite 129

 720 Gracern Road

 Columbia, SC 29210-7651

Or visit the USGS South Carolina Water Science Center Web 

site at:

 http://sc.water.usgs.gov
Caldwell, Falls, Guimaraes, Ratliff, Wellborn and Landmeyer—Assessment of Soil-Gas Contamination—Open-File Report 2011–1081