Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288:reg:1850:p18
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 1850 (pt 18/117)
Character Range: 396175–399394

laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and membrane interface probe (MIP) tools. LIF and MIP are real-time tools that can provide detailed logs of the sub-surface and can be used in a reactive or adaptive field sampling program, particularly for volatile substances where trial pitting and some coring methods are not as applicable.

Various geophysical techniques can be used for site characterisation purposes including determining depth to bedrock, delineation of groundwater contamination, location of voids, faults or fractures and the presence of buried items such as steel drums and tanks. The information gained can be used for selecting optimal locations for boreholes and test pits as well as to correlate geology between wells. The techniques available include metal detectors, magnetometers, electromagnetic conductivity surveys, electrical resistivity—or electrical impedance tomography—and ground-penetrating radar.

A detailed description of geophysical techniques is beyond the scope of this guideline, however, further information can be found in:
    * ASTM D6432-99 (2005) Standard guide for the surface ground penetrating radar method
    * ASTM D6429-99 (2006) Standard guide for selecting surface geophysical methods,
    * ASTM D5753-05 (2010) Standard guide for planning and conducting borehole geophysical logging
    * Clements, et al. 2009, Characterisation of sites impacted by petroleum hydrocarbons: guideline document, CRC CARE Technical Report no. 11, CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment, Adelaide.
    * NJDEP 2005a, Field Sampling Procedures Manual, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. (Available online at www.nj.gov/dep/srp/guidance/fspm).
Detailed information on site investigation techniques can be found on the US EPA CLU-IN characterisation and monitoring webpage at www.clu-in.org/characterization/. The advantages and disadvantages of various techniques applicable to petroleum hydrocarbons in soil, soil vapour and groundwater are presented in Clements et al. (2009). NJDEP (2005a) provides detailed field sampling procedures including for soil vapour surveys.

7.2              Soil investigation techniques

    7.2.1          Test pits and trenches
Test pits and trenches are generally excavated by hand using a shovel to shallow depths or by machine (backhoe or long-arm excavator) to greater depths. Soil samples may be collected from the walls of a test pit when they are shallow and it is safe to do so in accordance with the site health and safety plan. Only freshly exposed surfaces are suitable for sampling volatile and semi-volatile contaminants. Tests pits and trenches expose a large surface area for visual assessment of soil profiles and potential contamination and generally allow the investigator to gain a better appreciation of soil features and soil heterogeneity than that obtained with an individual borehole.

    7.2.2          Intact soil coring
In general undisturbed samples obtained from near-continuous soil cores are preferred to grab samples for inspection and analysis. Intact soil coring is typically conducted by advancing a hollow rod or thin-walled metal tube into the sub-surface by direct push or