Geophysical Investigation Report Bennett's Dump Site
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EPA Region 5 Records Ctr. 248323 GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION REPORT BENNETT'S DUMP SITE BLOOMINGTON PROJECT Bloomington, Indiana CBS Corporation 11 Stanwix Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1384 February 22,1999 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Title Page 1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 Summary of Field Activities 2 2.1 Site Preparation 2 2.2 Geophysical Survey 3 3.0 Summary of Findings 6 3.1 Electromagnetic and Magnetometer Results 6 3.2 Seismic Refraction Study Results 7 4.0 Conclusions 11 List of Figures 1 Site Location Map 2 Site Layout Map 3 Geophysical Sample Location Map 4 Generalized Electromagnetic Anomaly Map 5 Lithologic Profiles 6 Bedrock Contour Map 7 Top of Clay Layer Contour Map Appendices A Geosphere Inc. Report B Soil Boring Logs 1.0 INTRODUCTION Previous investigations led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) at the Bennett's Dump site have identified various electromagnetic anomalies. Since the primary method of site cleanup will involve excavation of portions of the site, a refined understanding of the subsurface conditions was required to aid in planning of future delineation studies. A geophysical survey, including an electromagnetic survey, a magnetometer survey, and a seismic refraction study, were performed at the Bennett's Dump site during the week of December 14,1998. This report summarizes the geophysical survey, presents the geophysicist's findings, and, based on data gathered herein as well as from previous boring projects, provides a summary of the local geology. The complete report of the geophysical results provided by the geophysics contractor is included in Appendix A. The seismic investigation was conducted to provide an understanding of the subsurface structures in areas most likely to contain large amounts of fill. The lithologic contour maps provided herein present interpretations based the seismic refraction data gathered during this study. Limited lithologic information was gathered from boring logs provided in Appendix B to this report. Final lithologic contours will be revised based on upcoming soil boring studies. Geophysical Investigation Report Bennett 'x Dump Site Febntarv 22. 1999 2.0 SUMMARY OF FIELD OPERATIONS The Bennett's Dump site is located west of the connecting ramp between State Route 37 and State Route 46 west of Bloomington, Indiana, in an area of previous cut stone quarries. A chain-link fence encloses the 3-acre site, which is bounded on the west by an abandoned railroad siding, to the south and southeast by a quarry access road, to the east by agricultural fields, and to the north by a wooded area. The site is primarily grassy field with wooded areas at the north and southeast portions. A smaller area east of the main site was included in this study. This site is herein referred to as the eastern satellite area. A site location map is provided in Figure 1. 2.1 SITE PREPARATION To facilitate the geophysical survey, the undergrowth was cleared from all of the wooded areas on site, as well as along the creek west of the site fence and in a small satellite area east of the main site. This clearing activity included the removal of thick brush and undergrowth and the trimming of low branches. No trees were removed during the clearing operation. The residual was stacked and/or chipped and left on site. A 100-ft by 100-ft grid system was established across the site using grade stakes and survey laths. The hubs of the 100-ft grid system were marked with blue survey tape. To further facilitate the geophysical survey, the grid was subdivided into 10-ft segments along the east- west lines and into 5-ft segments along north-south grid lines using orange spray paint. The origin of the grid was established as the intersection of the western-most rail of the railroad siding and the quarry road along the south end of the site. The western rail was established as the prime north-south baseline. East-west lines were established perpendicular to this line at 100-ft intervals. The grid designation used was a simple Cartesian system with all points referenced as the number of feet north and the number of feet east of the origin. Attempts were made to have the current grid correspond to a former grid system established Geophysical Investigation Report Bennett's Dump Site Febnuirv 22. 1999 at the site by the USEPA and others in 1983. No permanent markers or controls were from the former grid were located, however. A site layout map, including the 100-ft by 100-ft reference grids is presented in Figure 2. 2.2 GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY Geosphere Inc., under supervision of PSARA, performed a geophysical survey at the site during the week of December 14,1998. The objective of the assessment was to refine the understanding of the lateral distribution of buried waste and to determine the depth to the bedrock underneath the site. The geophysical assessment consisted of a combination of electromagnetic, magnetometry, and seismic techniques. 2.2.1 Electromagnetic and Magnetometer Survey Electromagnetic (EM) and magnetic data were collected at 2.5-ft intervals along north-south lines spaced at 5-ft increments across the site. The entire area inside the fence was surveyed with the exception of the very top portions of the large rock piles located in the southeast portion of the site. Additionally, the grid was extended 50 ft south of the southern fence, at least 20 ft west of the rail siding, and outside the fence in the northeast portion of the site. The grid configuration and sampling density are shown in Figure 3. Magnetic readings were taken using a FEREX fluxgate magnetometer, and the EM survey was completed using a Geonics EM-31 conductivity instrument. This equipment is typical for the current investigation. The following paragraphs provide a summary of these methods; while detailed descriptions are presented in the Geosphere report which is included in Appendix A. The fluxgate magnetometer is used to measure the intensity of the earth's magnetic field. Disturbances or variations in this relatively uniform field may be caused by buried iron or steel objects or by the distribution of iron oxides in the subsurface. Several factors may influence the response of the magnetometer, however, including the mass of the target or combined mass of many targets, the target's shape, its orientation in the earth's field, its state of deterioration, and the permanent magnetism of the target. Consequently, quantitative Geophysical Investigation Report Bennett '.v Dump Site h'ebntan- 22. 1999 analysis of the data is difficult. The detailed results of the magnetometer survey showing individual anomaly shapes and the magnetic gradients are provided in Appendix A. The EM induction method determines the electrical properties of earth materials by inducing electrical currents in the ground and measuring the magnitude and relative phase of the secondary magnetic fields generated by these currents. These measurements are converted to components of in-phase and 90 degrees out-of-phase (or quadrature). The out-of-phase component is converted to a measure of apparent ground conductivity. The in-phase output of the EM-31 is a semi-quantitative signal representing the metallic nature of nearby targets. The EM-31 in-phase map is included in Appendix A; likewise, the EM-31 conductivity map is included in Appendix A. 2.2.2 Seismic Refraction Study A total of four seismic refraction lines were "shot" across the site to define the subsurface character beneath the site. One line (line LI) was surveyed from southwest to northeast at the southern end of the site, whereas three other lines (lines L2, L3, and L4) were surveyed at the northern end of the site. Lines L2 and L4 were basically north-south trending lines with line L3 crossing these lines to complete the study. The locations of the seismic lines are shown in Figure 3. The location of these three lines was based on the location of large electromagnetic anomalies. Seismic data was collected using a geophone spacing of 2.5 ft along each line. The geophone array was connected to a 48-channel Bison seismograph. The energy source was a 12-lb steel sledgehammer striking a steel plate on the ground surface. Adequate signal strength was gained by stacking the data gained from multiple hammer blows at each station. A detailed explanation of the seismic refraction methodology and the subsequent data reduction is provided in the Geosphere report included in Appendix A. The seismic refraction method differentiates the interface between lithologic units based primarily on changes in basic characteristics such as density or degree of compaction. Three lithologic units were identified on the basis of changes in seismic velocities. The uppermost unit is a loosely compacted soft clay that is designated the intermediate layer. The Geophysical Investigation Report Bennett's Dump Site Febnuirv 22. 1999 intermediate layer is overlaying a more dense clay layer, herein referred to as the underlaying clay. Boring investigations indicate this layer may contain minimal trash or debris. This unit is then underlain by limestone bedrock. A thin clay cap, which is known to have been installed over the site, is not identifiable based on the seismic data and is included in the intermediate laver. (jeopln'sical Investigation Report Benneii 's Dump Site Februarv 22. 1999 3.0 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS 3.1 ELECTROMAGNETIC RESULTS AND MAGNETOMETER SURVEY 3.1.1 Main Bennett's Area A number of anomalies in the EM and magnetometer data suggest several areas of buried metal and/or trash at the site. Figure 4 of this report, and Figures 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 of the Geosphere report in Appendix A, present the findings of the electromagnetic survey.