Site Investigation Probes and Tools

The SCPTu combines geotechnical and geophysical testing to provide in-depth insights into soil properties. It integrates a standard cone penetrometer with seismic wave measurements and pore pressure monitoring. 

Parameters measured: cone tip resistance, sleeve friction, pore water pressure, shear wave velocity.

Applications: soil classification; strength, stiffness, permeability, dynamic properties; bearing capacity; pile capacity. 

The DPIL combines geotechnical and hydrogeological testing to provide real-time insights into subsurface permeability and contaminant transport. It integrates a direct push probe with controlled fluid injection and high-resolution pressure monitoring.

Parameters measured: injection pressure, flow rate, hydraulic conductivity

Applications: characterization of permeability variations, contaminant plume delineation, groundwater remediation assessment, in situ permeability testing, and hydrostratigraphic profiling.  

A downhole electrical conductivity (EC) probe is a geophysical tool used to measure subsurface conductivity variations in boreholes, helping assess contamination, lithology, and fluid properties. It provides high-resolution, real-time data for hydrogeological and geoenvironmental investigations.  

Parameters measured: bulk soil electrical conductivity

Applications: contamination assessment, soil classification, groundwater quality monitoring, saline intrusion studies, mineral and resource exploration, agricultural studies

The LIF probe is an advanced tool used for detecting and characterizing petroleum hydrocarbons in subsurface environments. It uses laser technology to induce fluorescence in hydrocarbons, providing real-time data on contamination. 

Parameters measured: Fluorescence intensity, wavelength spectra, hydrocarbon concentration, depth of detection, contaminant type.

Applications: Detection of petroleum hydrocarbons, contamination assessment, LNAPL and DNAPL delineation, groundwater pollution studies, rapid site characterization, monitoring remediation effectiveness, subsurface fuel spill mapping.

This includes shallow depth environmental sampler, bulk density sampler, flighted and hollow stem augers, and gas vapour kit for pore gas sampling.

Parameters measured: Soil moisture content, temperature, pore water chemistry (pH, ions), organic and inorganic contaminants, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in pore air, soil gas concentrations.

Applications: Soil contamination assessment, groundwater pollution monitoring, site investigation for landfills, environmental risk assessment, VOC monitoring in subsurface, groundwater recharge studies, soil and gas flux measurement.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a non-invasive geophysical method that uses electromagnetic waves to scan below the surface. It is widely used for mapping subsurface features with high precision.

Paramaters measured: signal travel time, dielectrical permittivity, reflection amplitude, signal attenuation

Applications: subsurface utitlity detection, archeological surveys, soil classification, contamination assessment, mining and tunneling

These are advanced geophysical methods used to evaluate subsurface soil and rock properties by analyzing surface wave propagation. These non-invasive techniques provide insights into soil stiffness, shear wave velocity, and stratigraphy. 

Parameters measured: shear wave velocity.

Applications: soil and rock classifcation, dynamic properties.  

ERT is a geophysical method used to create detailed images of subsurface resistivity variations. By injecting electrical currents into the ground and measuring the resulting voltage differences, ERT provides valuable insights into soil, rock, and groundwater properties.

Parameters measured: Resistivity, conductivity, chargeability (in Induced Polarization mode), depth of investigation, anomaly contrast.

Applications: Groundwater exploration, contamination mapping, bedrock profiling, landslide investigation, mineral exploration, archaeological surveys, foundation assessment, soil and rock characterization

The handheld XRF analyzer is a portable device used to identify and quantify the elemental composition of materials. It provides rapid, non-destructive analysis, making it an essential tool for environmental, geotechnical, and industrial applications.

Parameters measured:  Elemental composition, metal concentrations, soil contamination levels, mineralogy, in-situ heavy metal detection. 

Applications:  Environmental contamination assessment, rapid metal detection, mining and mineral exploration, agricultural soil analysis, geotechnical investigations, regulatory compliance testing, field-based hazardous waste screening. 

A PID is a portable instrument used to measure the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air. It uses ultraviolet (UV) light to ionize VOC molecules, providing real-time detection of harmful gases and chemicals.

Parameters measured:  Volatile organic compound (VOC) concentration, ionization potential, real-time air quality, gas exposure levels, detection limits in ppm/ppb.

Applications:  Hazardous material detection, industrial hygiene monitoring, environmental site assessment, indoor air quality testing, landfill gas monitoring, emergency response, occupational safety compliance.

A Landfill Gas Analyzer is a specialized instrument used to measure the composition of gases emitted from landfills. It provides real-time data on methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), oxygen (O₂), and other trace gases, essential for assessing landfill gas migration, monitoring environmental impacts, and ensuring regulatory compliance 

Parameters measured: Methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), oxygen (O₂), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), carbon monoxide (CO), gas flow rate, temperature, pressure. 

Applications: Landfill gas monitoring, methane emission assessment, environmental compliance, biogas quality analysis, landfill site management, gas migration studies, workplace safety monitoring.