U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Open-File Report 2011–1079

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 South 

Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010
Cover photograph. Unnamed dirt road that traverses the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia
Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil 

Contamination at the South Prong Creek 

Disposal Area, 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 2011–1079

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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Suggested citation:

Author1, F.N., and Author2, Firstname, 2001, Title of the publication: Place of publication (unless it is a corporate 

entity), Publisher, number or volume, page numbers; information on how to obtain if it’s not from the group above.
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......................................................................................................................5

Soil Samples ..........................................................................................................................................7

Results .............................................................................................................................................................7

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

Passive Soil-Gas Survey......................................................................................................................9

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

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

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

Figures

1. Map showing location of South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia ........2

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

and (B) following retrieval from a borehole and prior to shipping to laboratory for 

analysis...........................................................................................................................................3

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

South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010..................................4

4. Photographs of 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, 

South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010..................................5

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

samplers, South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010 ...............6

7. Photographs of 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 groundwater seep samplers, South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 

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

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

South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010..................................9

10. Detections of toluene mass in soil-gas samplers, South Prong Creek 

Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010 ..................................................................10

11. Detections of undecane mass in soil-gas samplers, South Prong Creek 

Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010 ..................................................................11
iv

Tables

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

hyporheic zone and groundwater seeps, South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 

Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010..............................................................................................13

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

South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010................................17

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

the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.........................31

4. Inorganic constituents detected in soil samples collected at the South Prong Creek 

Disposal Area from land surface to 6 inches below land surface, Fort Gordon, 

Georgia, September 28, 2010 ....................................................................................................34
v

Conversion Factors

Inch/Pound to SI

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)

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

Selected acronyms and abbreviations used in this report include:

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

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

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

SPDA South Prong Creek Disposal Area

SVOC Semivolatile organic compound

TCE Trichloroethylene

TPH Total petroleum hydrocarbons

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 

South Prong Creek Disposal Area at Fort Gordon, Georgia, 

from October 2009 to September 2010. The assessment 

included identifying and delineating organic contaminants 

present in soil-gas and inorganic contaminants present in soil 

samples collected from the area estimated to be the South 

Prong Creek Disposal Area, including two seeps and the 

hyporheic zone. 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. 

All soil-gas samplers in the two seeps and the hyporheic 

zone contained total petroleum hydrocarbons above 

the method detection level. The highest total petroleum 

hydrocarbon concentration detected from the two seeps was 

54.23 micrograms per liter, and the highest concentration 

in the hyporheic zone was 344.41 micrograms per liter. The 

soil-gas samplers within the boundary of the South Prong 

Creek Disposal Area and along the unnamed road contained 

total petroleum hydrocarbon mass above the method detection 

level. The highest total petroleum hydrocarbon mass detected 

was 147.09 micrograms in a soil-gas sampler near the middle 

of the unnamed road that traverses the South Prong Creek 

Disposal Area. The highest undecane mass detected was 4.48 

micrograms near the location of the highest total petroleum 

hydrocarbon mass. Some soil-gas samplers detected undecane 

mass greater than the method detection level of 0.04 micrograms, with the highest detection of toluene mass of 109.72 

micrograms in the same location as the highest total petroleum 

hydrocarbon mass.

Soil-gas samplers installed in areas of high contaminant 

mass had no detections of explosives and chemical agents 

above their respective method detection levels. 

Inorganic concentrations in five soil samples did not 

exceed regional screening levels established by the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency. Barium concentrations, 

however, were up to four 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 

east-central Georgia (fig. 1). A cantonment (military housing) 

area is located at the northwestern boundary of Fort Gordon. 

The South Prong Creek Disposal Area (SPDA) is in the 

south-central sector of Fort Gordon and is adjacent to South 

Prong Creek on a steeply sloping wooded area. Historically, 

little information is available about the SPDA other than the 

knowledge that items were disposed of on the site (Hagan 

Ratliff, Environmental Branch, Fort Gordon, Georgia, oral 

commun., November 6, 2009). Presently (2011), there is no 

physical evidence of disposal activities at this site.

Because of the lack of historical information, the effects 

of past activities on environmental resources at the SPDA 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 SPDA 

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 SPDA may 

discharge to South Prong Creek and enable potential contaminants to be transported off of the Fort Gordon property.

Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the 

South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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 South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

B rier

C reek

S andy R un C reek

S pirit C ree

S o

k

uth P r ong C reek

B oggy G ut C r eek

Base from 1:100,000-scale

U.S. Geological Survey Digital Line Graph

32°18'45"

32°26'15"

82° "54'81 28 °11'15"

SOUTH PRONG CREEK DISPOSAL AREA

EXPLANATION

FORT GORDON

COLUMBIA CO

MC DUFFIE

CO

MC DUFFIE

CO

RICHMOND CO

JEFFERSON CO

RICHMOND CO

BURKE CO

0 1 2 3 4

0123 4

5 MILES

5 KILOMETERS

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

 tributary

Branch

Marcum

Augusta

Hephzibah

CANTONMENT AREA

Generalized South Prong Creek

 Disposal Study Area

0 200

0 50 100 150

400 600 800 Feet

200 Meters

From U.S. Geological Survey, The National Map

N

Figure 1. Location of South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia.
Introduction 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 SPDA. This assessment was 

conducted to provide environmental contamination data to 

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

delineation of organic contaminants present in soil-gas 

samplers from the SPDA along with two groundwater seeps 

and the hyporheic zone. 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 sediment are characterized by 

unconsolidated sands, indurated sands and semi-consolidated 

sandstones, and layers of clay that include kaolinite (Gregory 

and others, 2001; Williams, 2007). The study area is located 

approximately 374 feet (ft) relative to North American Datum 

of 1983.

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 SPDA. 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 from the 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 screeninglevel 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 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1998). If 

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

shallow borehole and (B) following retrieval from a borehole 

and prior to shipping to laboratory for analysis.
4 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

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 

saturated sediments of the hyporheic zone and groundwater 

seeps in the floodplain of the SPDA on April 30, 2010. 

These nine soil-gas samplers, two in groundwater seeps and 

seven in the hyporheic zone (fig. 3), were deployed inside 

stainless-steel drivepoints with screened openings that allowed 

the drivepoint to act as a small-diameter well (fig. 4). The 

drivepoints were installed by hand no more than 1ft into 

the hyporheic zone or groundwater seep. 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. The results 

are then reported in micrograms per liter (μg/L).

Figure 3. Locations of the hyporheic zone and groundwater seep samplers, South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 

2009–2010.

0 200

0 50 100 150

400 600 800 Feet

200 Meters

EXPLANATION

Sampler location

and identication

Groundwater seep 624269

Hyporheic zone

N

From U.S. Geological Survey, The National Map

624275

624274

624273 624272

624271 624270

624269

624268

624267

Unnamed dirt road

South Prong Creek
Introduction 5

Passive Soil-Gas Survey

A passive soil-gas survey was conducted at the SPDA 

site during August 2010, when 50 soil-gas samplers were 

deployed (fig. 5). The soil-gas samplers were placed along 

an unnamed road that traverses the site from the eastern to 

the western quadrant of the SPDA. Three additional soil-gas 

samplers were used as trip-blank samplers and were not 

deployed. Each sampler was placed in a borehole that was 

A B Figure 4. Photographs of 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, South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 

2009–2010.

638049

638048

638047

638046 638045

638044

638043

638042

638040 638041

638039

638038

638037

638035

638034

638033

638032

638031

638030

638029

638028

638027

638025

638026638024

638036

638023

638022 638021

638014 638013

638012

638010 638011

638008 638009

638006 638007

638005 638004

638003

638002

638001

638000 637998

637997

637996

638051

638050

637999

South Prong Creek

Unnamed dirt road

N

From U.S. Geological Survey, The National Map 0 200

0 50 100 150

400 600 800 Feet

200 Meters

EXPLANATION

Sampler location

and identication

638007
6 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

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 specified by the USEPA for soil-gas 

investigations (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1998). 

The auger was cleaned with a paper towel between each 

drilling. The 50 modules were installed on August 23, 2010, 

removed on August 30, 2010, placed in their original 20 mL 

gas-tight vials, and sent to the W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., 

laboratory for analysis.

On September 28, 2010, five soil-gas samplers were 

installed and retrieved, as previously described, and analyzed 

for organic compounds classified as explosives and chemical 

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

in areas defined by high contaminant mass as detected in the 

initial soil-gas survey of 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. 

Figure 6. Locations of soil samples, and explosives and chemical agent samplers, South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 

Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.

Site number of soil sample location,

and explosives and chemical agent

sampler location

Unnamed dirt road

South Prong Creek

1

5 4

3

2

5

0 200

0 50 100 150

400 600 800 Feet

200 Meters

EXPLANATION

From U.S. Geological Survey, The National Map

N
Results 7

Soil Samples

Composite soil samples were collected using a stainlesssteel hand auger (fig. 7 A, B) on September 28, 2010, to 

a depth of 6 in. at five 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 well-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 

also were compared to values for ambient, uncontaminated 

(background) levels determined 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 

sample analyses were used to further delineate the area of 

contamination related to the SPDA. The results of these 

sampling activities indicate that past activities at the SPDA 

have resulted in an environmental effect.

Passive Hyporheic Zone and Floodplain Survey

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

in the hyporheic zone and groundwater seeps at the SPDA 

detected TPH concentrations greater than the method detection 

level (MDL) of 2.71 μg/L (fig. 8; table 1 located at the back 

of this report). TPH concentrations of 8.9 and 54.23 μg/L 

were detected in the two groundwater seeps located along the 

unnamed road that traverses the SPDA. TPH concentrations 

ranging from 91.58 to 344.41 μg/L were detected in the 

samplers from the hyporheic zone along South Prong Creek. 

The highest TPH concentration of 344.41 μg/L was from the 

northernmost sampler deployed along South Prong Creek. The 

lowest TPH concentration detected along South Prong Creek 

was 91.58 μg/L, and was from the southernmost sampler 

along South Prong Creek. Because all nine soil-gas samplers 

in the hyporheic zone and groundwater seeps contained TPH 

concentration at levels greater than the MDL, it is possible that 

the boundary of the SPDA has not been fully assessed with 

respect to TPH. A

B

Figure 7. Photographs of soil sample (A) extracted with 

stainless-steel auger, and (B) transferred to sample container.
8 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Figure 8. Detections of total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in the hyporheic zone and groundwater seep samplers, 

South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010. Method detection level is 2.71 micrograms per liter.

EXPLANATION

Total petroleum hydrocarbons, in micrograms per liter

Hyporheic zone and

groundwater seep

sampler location and

identication

0 -10 624269

11 - 60

61 - 110

111 - 250

Greater than 250

Unnamed dirt road

South Prong Creek

624275

624274

624273

624272

624271

624270

624269

624268

624267

0 200

0 50 100 150

400 600 800 Feet

200 Meters

N

From U.S. Geological Survey, The National Map
Results 9

Passive Soil-Gas Survey

All of the 50 soil-gas samplers installed for this study 

at the SPDA site detected TPH mass greater than the MDL 

of 0.02 microgram (μg; fig. 9; table 2 located at the back of 

this report). The highest detection of soil-gas TPH mass was 

147.09 μg from a sampler near the middle of the unnamed 

road that traverses the SPDA. Soil-gas TPH mass ranging 

from 51 to 70 μg was detected in several samplers located 

along the middle of the unnamed road and along the 

southeastern and northwestern boundary of the SPDA. 

Because all 50 soil-gas samplers contained TPH mass at 

Figure 9. Detections of total petroleum hydrocarbon mass in soil-gas samplers, South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, 

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

638049

638048

638047

638046 638045

638044

638043

638042

638040 638041

638039

638038

638037

638035

638034

638033

638032

638031

638030

638029

638028

638027

638025

638026 638024

638036

638023

638022 638021

638014 638013

638012 638011

638010

638009 638008

638007 638006

638005 638004

638003

638002

638001

638000 637998

637997

637996

638051

638050

637999

South Prong Creek

Unnamed dirt road

EXPLANATION

Total petroleum hydrocarbons, as soil gas,

in micrograms per liter

Soil-gas sampler location

and identication

637996

0.71 - 5

5.11 - 19

20 - 50

51 - 70

Greater than 70

0 200

0 50 100 150

400 600 800 Feet

200 Meters

From U.S. Geological Survey, The National Map

N
10 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

levels greater than the MDL, it is possible that the boundary 

of the SPDA has not been fully assessed with respect to TPH. 

The TPH detections in all the samplers were higher than the 

reported TPH detections in the three trip blanks (0.19, 0.20, 

and 0.21 μg, table 2).

Fewer than one-third of the soil-gas samplers installed at 

the SPDA detected toluene mass greater than or equal to the 

MDL of 0.02 μg (fig. 10; table 2). Detections of toluene mass 

between 0 and 0.07 μg were in numerous samplers all across 

the SPDA, whereas toluene mass between 0.1 and 4 μg were 

detected in four samplers along the middle of the unnamed 

road. The highest detection of soil-gas toluene mass of (0.92 

μg) was collected near the middle of the unnamed road. The 

location of high toluene soil-gas mass coincides with a 

location of the highest soil-gas TPH mass (fig. 9). The toluene 

EXPLANATION

Toluene, as soil gas, in micrograms per liter

Soil-gas sampler location

and identication

637996

Not detected or below

detection level

0 - 0.07

0.1 - 0.18

Greater than 0.2

0 200

0 50 100 150

400 600 800 Feet

200 Meters

From U.S. Geological Survey, The National Map

N

638049

638048

638047

638046 638045

638044

638043

638042

638040 638041

638039

638038

638037

638035

638034

638033

638032

638031

638030

638029

638028

638027

638025

638026 638024

638036

638023

638022 638021

638014 638013

638012 638011

638010

638009 638008

638007 638006

638005 638004

638003

638002

638001

638000 637998

637997

637996

638051

638050

637999

South Prong Creek

Unnamed dirt road

Figure 10. Detections of toluene mass in soil-gas samplers, South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010. 

Method detection level is 0.02 microgram.
Results 11

Figure 11. Detections of undecane mass in soil-gas samplers, South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010. 

Method detection level is 0.04 microgram.

detections also were higher than the reported detection of 

toluene (no detection) in the trip blanks.

Only 11 of the 50 soil-gas samplers detected undecane 

(a petroleum derived product) mass greater than the MDL 

of 0.04 μg (fig. 11; table 2). Detections of undecane soil-gas 

mass between 0.05 and 0.5 μg were detected in 8 samplers 

located along the unnamed road of SPDA. Undecane soil-gas 

masses of 46.44 μg and 50.79 μg were detected in samplers 

located in the middle of the SPDA. The highest soil-gas mass 

of undecane (109.72 μg) was detected near the middle of the 

unnamed road and coincides with the highest soil-gas TPH 

mass (fig. 9).

Explosives or chemical agents were not detected above 

their respective MDLs for all soil-gas samplers installed 

in areas of high contaminant mass at the SPDA site. Some 

explosive and chemical agents had masses below the MDL but 

EXPLANATION

Undecane, as soil gas, in micrograms per liter

Soil-gas sampler location

and identication

637996

Not detected or below

detection level

0.05 - 0.5

46 - 51

Greater than 100

0 200

0 50 100 150

400 600 800 Feet

200 Meters

From U.S. Geological Survey, The National Map

N

638049

638048

638047

638046 638045

638044

638043

638042

638040 638041

638039

638038

638037

638035

638034

638033

638032

638031

638030

638029

638028

638027

638025

638026 638024

638036

638023

638022 638021

638014 638013

638012 638011

638010

638009 638008

638007 638006

638005 638004

638003

638002

638001

638000 637998

637997

637996

638051

638050

637999

South Prong Creek

Unnamed dirt road
12 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

were above the non-detection level, indicating some level of 

presence (fig. 6; table 3 located at the back of this report).

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 

soil-gas 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 five soil samples did not 

exceed the RSLs (table 4 located at the back of this report). 

Barium concentrations were, however, 1.6 to 4 times higher 

than the background concentrations reported for similar South 

Carolina Coastal Plain sediments (table 4).

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, groundwater 

seeps, the hyporheic zone, and soil for contaminants at the 

South Prong Creek Disposal Area at Fort Gordon, Georgia, 

from October 2009 to September 2010. All soil-gas samplers 

for the study contained total petroleum hydrocarbons 

(TPHs) above the method detection level (MDL). The nine 

soil-gas samplers in the hyporheic zone and groundwater 

seeps contained TPH concentrations of 344.41 and 54.23 

micrograms per liter, respectively. Of the 50 soil-gas samplers 

along the unnamed road that traverses the South Prong Creek 

Disposal Area, the highest detection of soil-gas TPH mass was 

147.09 micrograms (μg) and was collected near the middle of 

the unnamed road. The highest soil-gas toluene mass of 0.92 

μg was detected near the middle of the unnamed road. Some

soil-gas samplers had undecane mass greater than the MDL, 

with the highest soil-gas mass of 109.72 μg collected near the 

middle of the unnamed road. 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 five soil samples did not 

exceed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency values for their 

regional screening levels. Barium concentrations, however, 

were up to four times higher than background concentrations 

reported for similar Coastal Plain sediments in South Carolina.

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, 24p.

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 groundwater seeps, 

South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010.

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

MDL= 2.71 --- 2.71 2.71 2.71 4.06 2.71

624267 54.23 nd nd nd nd nd nd

624268 8.90 nd nd nd nd nd nd

624269 91.58 nd nd nd nd nd nd

624270 109.17 nd nd nd nd nd nd

624271 134.24 nd nd nd nd nd nd

624272 140.28 nd nd nd nd nd nd

624273 165.70 nd nd nd nd nd nd

624274 252.85 nd nd nd nd nd nd

624275 344.41 nd nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

624276 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

624277 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

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

South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010—Continued.

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

MDL= 2.71 2.71 8.12 2.71

624267 nd nd nd nd

624268 nd nd nd nd

624269 nd nd nd nd

624270 nd nd nd nd

624271 nd nd nd nd

624272 nd nd nd nd

624273 nd nd nd nd

624274 nd nd nd nd

624275 nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

624276 nd nd nd nd

624277 nd nd nd nd
14 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

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

South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010—Continued.

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

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

South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010—Continued.

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

MDL= --- 2.71 4.06 2.71 2.71 4.06 2.71

624267 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

624268 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

624269 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

624270 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

624271 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

624272 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

624273 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

624274 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

624275 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

624276 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

624277 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

Sampler

number

C11, C13, &C15

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

MDL= --- 5.41 2.71 2.71

624267 nd nd nd nd

624268 nd nd nd nd

624269 nd nd nd nd

624270 nd nd nd nd

624271 nd nd nd nd

624272 nd nd nd nd

624273 nd nd nd nd

624274 nd nd nd nd

624275 nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

624276 nd nd nd nd

624277 nd nd nd nd
Table 1 15

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

South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010—Continued.

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

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

South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010—Continued.

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

MDL= 2.71 --- 6.22 4.18 2.71

624267 nd nd nd nd nd

624268 nd nd nd nd nd

624269 nd nd nd nd nd

624270 nd nd nd nd nd

624271 nd nd nd nd nd

624272 nd nd nd nd nd

624273 nd nd nd nd nd

624274 nd nd nd nd nd

624275 nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

624276 nd nd nd nd nd

624277 nd nd nd nd nd

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)

MDL= 2.71 4.06 2.71 2.71 4.06 2.71

624267 nd nd nd nd nd nd

624268 nd nd nd nd nd nd

624269 nd nd nd nd nd nd

624270 nd nd nd nd nd nd

624271 nd nd nd nd nd nd

624272 nd nd nd nd nd nd

624273 nd nd nd nd nd nd

624274 nd nd nd nd nd nd

624275 nd nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

624276 nd nd nd nd nd nd

624277 nd nd nd nd nd nd
16 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 1. Concentration of volatile organic compounds detected 

in soil-gas samplers from the hyporheic zone and groundwater 

seeps, South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 

2009–2010—Continued.

[see figure 3 for sampler locations; μg/L, micrograms per liter; MDL, method 

detection level; nd, not detected; 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)

MDL= 2.71 2.71

624267 nd nd

624268 nd nd

624269 nd nd

624270 nd nd

624271 nd nd

624272 nd nd

624273 nd nd

624274 nd nd

624275 nd nd

Trip blanks

624276 nd nd

624277 nd nd
Table 2 17

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, 

Georgia, 2009–2010.

[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

637996 1.31 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637997 64.24 0.18 nd 0.18 nd nd nd

637998 71.56 0.06 nd 0.06 nd nd nd

637999 3.43 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638000 1.73 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638001 1.81 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638002 1.93 0.00 bdl nd nd nd nd

638003 2.05 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638004 5.28 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638005 18.98 0.00 bdl bdl nd nd nd

638006 1.86 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638007 6.04 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638008 1.26 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638009 1.64 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638010 2.15 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638011 4.09 4.48 0.02 0.92 0.31 2.25 0.98

638012 0.71 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638013 147.09 0.02 bdl 0.02 nd nd bdl

638014 1.43 0.03 nd 0.03 nd nd bdl

638021 2.42 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638022 1.76 0.31 0.28 0.02 bdl bdl nd

638023 1.92 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638024 51.44 0.06 nd 0.06 nd nd nd

638025 73.01 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638026 9.16 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638027 8.27 0.00 nd bdl nd nd nd

638028 69.32 0.18 nd 0.18 nd bdl nd

638029 63.79 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638030 3.63 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638031 6.37 0.00 bdl nd nd nd nd

638032 2.00 0.02 0.02 bdl nd nd nd

638033 1.60 0.00 bdl nd nd nd nd

638034 2.07 0.10 0.06 0.05 bdl bdl bdl

638035 1.46 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638036 1.61 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638037 7.07 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638038 1.61 0.00 nd bdl nd nd nd
18 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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

638039 1.47 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638040 1.54 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638041 1.93 4.12 bdl 0.76 0.29 2.13 0.94

638042 1.43 0.00 bdl nd nd nd nd

638043 1.90 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638044 32.25 0.02 nd 0.02 nd nd nd

638045 1.36 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638046 65.38 0.07 nd 0.07 nd nd nd

638047 10.43 0.03 nd 0.03 nd nd nd

638048 7.64 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638049 1.88 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638050 1.03 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638051 27.48 nd nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

638052 0.21 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638053 0.19 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638054 0.20 nd nd nd nd nd nd
Table 2 19

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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

637996 nd nd nd nd

637997 nd nd nd nd

637998 nd nd nd nd

637999 nd nd nd nd

638000 nd nd nd nd

638001 nd nd nd 0.02

638002 nd nd nd nd

638003 nd nd nd nd

638004 nd nd nd nd

638005 bdl bdl nd nd

638006 nd nd nd nd

638007 nd nd nd nd

638008 nd nd nd nd

638009 nd nd nd nd

638010 nd nd nd nd

638011 0.07 bdl nd 0.07

638012 nd nd nd nd

638013 nd nd nd bdl

638014 nd nd nd nd

638021 nd nd nd nd

638022 nd nd bdl nd

638023 nd nd nd nd

638024 nd bdl nd nd

638025 nd nd nd nd

638026 nd bdl nd nd

638027 nd nd nd nd

638028 bdl nd nd nd

638029 nd nd nd nd

638030 nd nd nd nd

638031 nd nd nd nd

638032 nd nd nd nd

638033 nd nd nd nd

638034 nd nd nd nd

638035 nd nd nd nd

638036 nd nd nd nd
20 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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

638037 nd bdl nd nd

638038 nd nd nd nd

638039 nd nd nd nd

638040 nd nd nd nd

638041 0.06 bdl nd 0.06

638042 nd nd nd nd

638043 nd nd nd nd

638044 nd nd nd nd

638045 nd nd nd nd

638046 nd nd nd nd

638047 nd nd nd nd

638048 nd nd nd nd

638049 nd nd nd nd

638050 nd nd nd nd

638051 nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

638052 nd nd nd nd

638053 nd nd nd nd

638054 nd nd nd nd
Table 2 21

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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

637996 0.00 nd nd bdl

637997 nd nd nd nd

637998 0.02 nd nd 0.02

637999 0.02 bdl bdl 0.02

638000 nd nd nd nd

638001 0.06 0.06 nd nd

638002 nd nd nd nd

638003 0.00 bdl nd nd

638004 nd nd nd nd

638005 0.08 0.08 bdl nd

638006 0.00 nd bdl nd

638007 0.12 0.12 bdl nd

638008 0.00 nd nd bdl

638009 0.00 nd nd bdl

638010 0.00 nd bdl nd

638011 0.05 0.05 nd nd

638012 nd nd nd nd

638013 110.83 109.72 1.11 nd

638014 nd nd nd nd

638021 0.00 nd bdl nd

638022 0.00 nd bdl bdl

638023 0.05 0.05 bdl bdl

638024 0.00 nd bdl nd

638025 52.61 50.79 1.83 nd

638026 0.06 0.06 bdl nd

638027 0.00 bdl bdl nd

638028 0.04 nd 0.04 nd

638029 46.84 46.44 0.40 nd

638030 0.16 0.16 bdl nd

638031 0.00 bdl nd nd

638032 0.00 bdl nd nd

638033 0.00 nd nd bdl

638034 0.00 bdl bdl bdl

638035 0.00 bdl nd bdl

638036 0.00 nd bdl nd

638037 0.43 0.43 bdl bdl
22 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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

638038 0.00 nd nd bdl

638039 0.00 bdl bdl bdl

638040 0.00 bdl nd bdl

638041 0.00 bdl nd bdl

638042 0.00 nd nd bdl

638043 0.00 nd nd bdl

638044 0.00 nd bdl bdl

638045 0.00 nd nd bdl

638046 0.00 nd nd bdl

638047 0.00 bdl nd bdl

638048 0.00 bdl nd nd

638049 0.00 nd bdl bdl

638050 nd nd nd nd

638051 0.00 nd bdl bdl

Trip blanks

638052 nd nd nd nd

638053 nd nd nd nd

638054 nd nd nd nd
Table 2 23

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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

637996 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637997 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637998 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

637999 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638000 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638001 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638002 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638003 bdl bdl nd nd nd nd nd

638004 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638005 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638006 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638007 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638008 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638009 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638010 nd nd nd nd bdl nd nd

638011 1.84 1.44 0.41 nd nd nd nd

638012 nd nd nd nd 0.02 nd nd

638013 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638014 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638021 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638022 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638023 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638024 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638025 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638026 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638027 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638028 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638029 bdl nd bdl nd nd nd nd

638030 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638031 nd nd nd nd 0.02 nd nd

638032 nd nd nd nd 0.04 nd nd

638033 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638034 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638035 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638036 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd
24 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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

638037 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638038 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638039 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638040 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638041 1.83 1.43 0.40 nd nd nd nd

638042 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638043 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638044 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638045 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638046 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638047 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638048 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638049 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638050 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638051 bdl bdl nd nd 0.11 nd nd

Trip blanks

638052 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638053 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd

638054 nd nd nd nd nd nd nd
Table 2 25

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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

637996 nd nd nd nd nd

637997 nd nd nd nd nd

637998 nd nd nd nd nd

637999 0.03 nd nd nd nd

638000 nd nd nd nd nd

638001 nd nd nd nd nd

638002 nd nd nd nd nd

638003 nd nd nd nd nd

638004 nd nd nd nd nd

638005 nd nd nd nd 0.11

638006 nd nd nd nd nd

638007 nd nd nd nd nd

638008 0.02 nd nd nd 0.03

638009 nd nd nd nd nd

638010 nd nd nd nd nd

638011 nd nd nd nd nd

638012 nd nd nd nd nd

638013 0.06 bdl nd bdl 0.16

638014 bdl nd nd nd nd

638021 0.12 nd nd nd nd

638022 nd nd nd nd nd

638023 nd nd nd nd nd

638024 bdl nd nd nd nd

638025 nd nd nd nd nd

638026 nd nd nd nd nd

638027 nd nd nd nd nd

638028 nd nd nd nd nd

638029 bdl nd nd nd nd

638030 nd nd nd nd 0.05

638031 nd nd nd nd nd

638032 nd nd nd nd nd

638033 nd nd nd nd nd

638034 nd nd nd nd nd

638035 nd nd nd nd nd

638036 nd nd nd nd nd

638037 nd nd nd nd nd
26 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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

638038 nd nd nd nd nd

638039 nd nd nd nd 0.02

638040 nd nd nd nd nd

638041 nd nd nd nd nd

638042 nd nd nd nd nd

638043 nd nd nd nd nd

638044 nd nd nd nd nd

638045 nd nd nd nd nd

638046 nd nd nd nd nd

638047 nd nd nd nd nd

638048 nd nd nd nd nd

638049 nd nd nd nd nd

638050 nd nd nd nd nd

638051 nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

638052 nd nd nd nd nd

638053 nd nd nd nd nd

638054 nd nd nd nd nd
Table 2 27

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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

637996 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637997 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637998 nd nd nd nd nd nd

637999 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638000 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638001 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638002 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638003 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638004 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638005 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638006 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638007 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638008 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638009 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638010 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638011 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638012 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638013 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638014 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638021 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638022 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638023 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638024 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638025 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638026 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638027 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638028 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638029 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638030 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638031 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638032 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638033 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638034 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638035 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638036 nd nd nd nd nd nd
28 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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

638037 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638038 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638039 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638040 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638041 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638042 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638043 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638044 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638045 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638046 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638047 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638048 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638049 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638050 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638051 nd nd nd nd nd nd

Trip blanks

638052 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638053 nd nd nd nd nd nd

638054 nd nd nd nd nd nd
Table 2 29

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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

637996 nd nd

637997 nd nd

637998 nd nd

637999 nd nd

638000 nd nd

638001 nd nd

638002 nd nd

638003 nd nd

638004 nd nd

638005 nd nd

638006 nd nd

638007 nd nd

638008 nd nd

638009 nd nd

638010 nd nd

638011 nd nd

638012 nd nd

638013 nd nd

638014 nd nd

638021 nd nd

638022 nd nd

638023 nd nd

638024 nd nd

638025 nd nd

638026 nd nd

638027 nd nd

638028 nd nd

638029 nd nd

638030 nd nd

638031 nd nd

638032 nd nd

638033 nd nd

638034 nd nd

638035 nd nd

638036 nd nd
30 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 2. Mass of volatile organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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

638037 nd nd

638038 nd nd

638039 nd nd

638040 nd nd

638041 nd nd

638042 nd nd

638043 nd nd

638044 nd nd

638045 nd nd

638046 nd nd

638047 nd nd

638048 nd nd

638049 nd nd

638050 nd nd

638051 nd nd

Trip blanks

638052 nd nd

638053 nd nd

638054 nd nd
Table 3 31

Table 3. Mass of explosives and chemical agents detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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]

Table 3. Mass of explosives and chemical agents detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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 Dimethyldisulfide (μg)

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

MDL= 0.10 0.10 0.10

644247 1 nd nd nd

644248 2 nd nd nd

644249 3 bdl nd nd

644250 4 bdl nd nd

644251 5 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

Sample

number Site number Nitrobenzene

 (μg)

Diisopropylmethylphosphonate, (μg)

1,4-Dithiane 

(μg)

2-Nitrotoluene (μg)

MDL= 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10

644247 1 nd nd nd nd

644248 2 nd nd nd nd

644249 3 nd nd nd nd

644250 4 nd nd nd nd

644251 5 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
32 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 3. Mass of explosives and chemical agents detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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

644247 1 nd nd nd bdl

644248 2 nd nd nd nd

644249 3 nd nd nd nd

644250 4 nd nd nd nd

644251 5 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

Table 3. Mass of explosives and chemical agents detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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

644247 1 nd nd nd

644248 2 nd nd nd

644249 3 nd nd nd

644250 4 nd nd nd

644251 5 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 33

Table 3. Mass of explosives and chemical agents detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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]

Table 3. Mass of explosives and chemical agents detected in soil-gas samplers from the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, 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

644247 1 nd bdl nd

644248 2 nd nd nd

644249 3 nd nd nd

644250 4 nd nd nd

644251 5 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

Sampler

number Site number p-chlorophenylmethylsulfoxide (μg)

p-chlorophenylmethylsulfone 

(μg)

2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene

(μg)

MDL= 0.10 0.10 0.10

644247 1 nd bdl nd

644248 2 nd nd nd

644249 3 nd bdl nd

644250 4 nd bdl nd

644251 5 nd bdl nd

Trip blanks

644252 -- nd bdl nd

644253 -- nd bdl nd

644254 -- nd bdl nd

644255 -- nd bdl nd

644256 -- nd bdl nd
34 Assessment of Soil-Gas and Soil Contamination at the South Prong Creek Disposal Area, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010

Table 4. Inorganic constituents detected in soil samples collected at the South Prong Creek Disposal Area from land surface to 6 

inches below land surface, Fort Gordon, Georgia, September 28, 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)

USEPA

RSL

(mg/kg)

SCDHEC

Background

(mg/kg)

Aluminum 15,400 18,400 14,800 10,000 12,600 990,000 13,528

Antimony 6.9 0.29 0.35 0.3 0.33 410 --

Arsenic* 1.9 <1 1 <1 <1 260 6.1

Barium* 152 61 63 71.5 73.5 190,000 38

Beryllium 0.45 0.18 0.2 0.13 0.22 2,000 0.6

Bismuth nr nr nr nr nr -- --

Cadmium* 0.04 <0.007 0.009 <0.007 0.009 800 1

Calcium 144 103 <100 201 104 -- 699

Cerium 46.4 21.2 30.8 27.7 74.9 -- --

Cesium 1.5 0.52 0.35 0.39 0.34 -- --

Chromium* 14.6 18 15.6 12.3 13.6 1,500,000 16

Cobalt 1 0.9 0.71 0.47 0.67 300 4

Copper 17.3 7.2 8.1 6.8 8.6 41,000 9

Gallium 4.7 6.6 5.7 4.4 5.3 -- --

Iron 5,690 2,230 2,510 1,960 2,400 720,000 15,608

Lanthanium 20 11 15.7 14.3 36.8 -- --

Lead* 109 9.13 15.3 21.1 29.3 800 16

Lithium 8 4 3 2.6 3.5 2,000 --

Magnesium 457 146 162 177 168 -- 988

Manganese 60 32.6 29.5 29.7 30.1 23,000 120

Molybdenum 0.45 1 0.94 0.8 2 5,100 --

Nickel 4.8 3.3 2.5 1.7 2.1 47,000 6

Niobium 4.6 10 11 8.8 11 -- --

Phosphorus 224 72.9 119 120 145 -- --

Potassium 883 916 860 554 1,050 -- 856

Rubidium 10.4 5.4 4.7 3.3 5.9 -- --

Scandium 2.3 2.7 2.5 1.9 2.4 -- --

Silver* <0.01 <0.01 0.012 0.024 0.025 5,100 4

Sodium 80.1 110 107 85.8 121 -- 194

Strontium 38.5 9.2 9.8 13.2 8.6 610,000 --

Thallium 0.12 0.12 <0.08 0.12 0.1 -- 4.5

Thorium 4.04 4.47 5.81 5.38 12.6 -- --

Titanium 1,420 3,560 3,750 2,960 3,480 -- --

Uranium 1.62 1.23 1.35 1.48 2.5 -- --

Vanadium 22.4 22.9 23.3 20.5 20.3 5,200 --

Yttrium 3.7 3 3.5 3.8 5.9 -- --

Zinc 15.9 8.7 9.9 8 8.3 310,000 23
Prepared by

U.S. Geological Survey

Science Publishing Network

Raleigh Publishing Service Center

3916 Sunset Ridge Road

Ralieigh, NC 27607

A PDF version of this publication is available online at

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1079
Caldwell— ASSESSMENT OF SOIL-GAS AND SOIL CONTAMINATION AT THE SOUTH PRONG CREEK DISPOSAL AREA, FORT GORDON, GEORGIA, 2009–2010 —Open-File Report 2011–1079