Detailed Subsurface Characterization Using The Waterloo Profiler

Groundwater contaminant plumes are often very complex, exhibiting sharp concentration gradients, complex source<br>geometries and transport pathways and variability in the conditions affecting the fate of the contaminants. Failure to<br>understand these complexities can lead to the failure of the chosen remedy. Rapid adaptive site characterization<br>(RASC) is a new approach to site investigation in which a conceptual model is developed, resources are mobilized to<br>the site and data are produced and interpreted on site in near real time. The data interpretations are used to revise the<br>conceptual model and revise the site investigation in response to site conditions. The Waterloo Profiler is a new tool<br>which is an integral part of RASC on suitable porous media sites. The Waterloo Profiler was developed at the<br>University of Waterloo in 1992 and has undergone extensive testing and development since then. This tool is<br>uniquely suited to resolving the spatial structure of contaminant distributions, hydraulic head and hydraulic<br>conductivity as well as physico-chemical properties such as pH, dissolved oxygen, oxidation/reduction potential,<br>specific conductance and turbidity. This ability leads to enhanced understandings of source geometries, travel<br>pathways and contaminant fate which are essential to making sound decisions about plume management.