Contamination assessment involves identifying, tracking, and monitoring the spread of pollutants in subsurface environments. This is critical for understanding how contaminants move through soil and groundwater and is essential for developing effective remediation strategies. Advanced geophysical tools like tTEM and sTEM provide high-resolution spatial data sets, enabling an understanding of the subsurface of affected areas.
Common sources of contamination include:
- Industrial Waste: Leakage from factories, refineries, and storage facilities can introduce harmful chemicals into the ground, causing long-term environmental risks. tTEM surveys are highly effective for efficiently delineating between sand layers (flow paths) and clay layers (barriers) for the pollutants.
- Agricultural Runoff: Pesticides, fertilizers, and animal waste from farming seep into the ground, contaminating water supplies and ecosystems. tTEM is adept at identifying vulnerable zones in shallow aquifers and pinpointing areas of concern for further investigation.
- Landfills: Leachate from landfills, often containing toxic substances, can seep into surrounding soil and groundwater, threatening nearby communities. sTEM provides detailed profiling, helping to assess the possible depth and spread of the vulnerable sand layers in the subsurface, which is critical for effective remediation planning.
- Accidental Spills: Oil, chemical, or hazardous materials spills due to accidents or improper handling can cause widespread contamination of land and water sources. Both tTEM and sTEM surveys provide valuable insights into the possible spread of contamination, supporting cleanup efforts by accurately mapping the affected areas.
